Lee and i went back to the changing rooms after bidding the family goodbye. Luckily, lee chose to have a simple wedding, but what is a simple wedding without a whole journalist company being at the wedding?

I was about to walk into my changing room, lee pulled me into his, pinning me on the door.

Me: What's wrong babe? Smitten by me already?

Lee: I am, but not after you tell me why your sister is involved with my friend?

Me: Elena is your sister in law, now. I am pretty sure you can talk to her on your own now. 

Lee: Liana, love, Elena does know what she is putting herself into, right? No one in the Kingdom can mention the bribe the Reynolds Family made to the high officials of the Kingdom.

Me: How do you know so much about this? Are you also the part of the Southern royal side?

Lee: I am not, except that my wealth qualifies me under that category.

Me: Title power? Interesting lee, you never cease to amaze me.

Lee: With more updates to follow.

Me: Can I go change? Please?

Lee: (moving backward) The changing room is on your left.

Me: (smirks) Possessive of me?

Lee: (smirks) Need to make sure you do not run away.

Me: I am a woman of my word. Speaking of words, you have two strikes.

Lee: For not giving you the vows, I must say, I was quite impressed with your little story.

Me: (annoyed) Lee Romano. You would have been labeled as weird if I mentioned you met me at your event and decided to engage- no, mistake - forcefully engaged me to you. Soften your ego, and be grateful.

Lee: Liana Romano. The fact is that the wedding was a success and everyone believed our impromptu vows-

Me: Your title power got you through Romano. I had real vows which you did not-

Lee: Yes, love. And I completely agree.

Lee's easy agreement to everything I said was getting suspicious. I leaned closer, glaring into his eyes, raising my suspicions. He simply gave me a curt smile under a smirk, his hands trailing down to my hands, intertwining them with mine.

Me: (whispering) Lee, you are acting weird. What is going on? Is someone listening to our conversation?

Before he could respond, Linda walked in along with her son, Liam.

Linda: Hey, lovebirds!

Lee: Linda, hi.

Me: Hey Linda. Where you looking for us?

Linda: Yes. Dad decided to take us all out for dinner to celebrate. I wanted to check if you are coming - refusing is not an option.

Lee and I: Absolutely.

Linda: Okay! We will meet you there? At the-

Lee: La Romans restaurant?

Linda, nodding, she walked out. Liam, however, kept on looking at me. As if he was studying me or something. He looked so small in comparison to the three of us in the room. Lee smiled at him and he smiled back, waving at him.

Lee: Liam tends to study people quietly. 

Me: I can tell. (Looking at Lee) And no, I am not offended.

Lee: (looking at me) This might get interesting.

Me: (rolling my eyes) Haha.

I walked away from him, heading to the changing room. I saw another dress lined up for me already and my phone on the table too. I pushed away the warmth my heart was feeling and locked it to a dark place in my heart. Lee was merely doing this for the sake of the marriage. We are both desperate for each other - needs me as his wife to secure his place and I need him to get the people to quiet their mouths about getting into a relationship. I took off the wedding gown and put on the blood red mermaid dress, the dress hugging my features, but not in an uncomfortable way. I then started fiddling with the zip since it was refusing to zip up.

Before I could call for Lee, he came inside and zipped me. His cold, gentle hands touching my back as he pulled up the zip, sending chills down my spine.

Me: Thanks.

I turned around to face him, showing him how dress looked like.

Me: Is it okay?

But Lee kept silent, his eyes unable to take them off me. He looked at me from head to toe and nodded. 

Lee: You look great.

Me: Thanks.

Walking out, Lee took my hand and went into another car owned by Lee. It was the Mercedes G-63 car. I climbed into the passenger seat and pulled out my phone. 

Lee: Feels weird driving this car.

Me: Does it remind you of someone?

Lee: ...

Me: Like your ex-

Lee: I never had one.

Me: Okay.

I looked out the window, looking at the bridge we were crossing which was built over a large body of water. My intrusive thoughts always made me wonder what would happen to us if this bridge were to collapse, throwing us into the ocean.

Me: Anything I need to know? Questions? Anything?

Lee: Be ready for my family's scrutiny. (looks briefly at me) They are very critic on everything. So, be prepared.

Me: Okay. (looking at him) You went all in for that show back there.

Lee: (smirks) The wedding?

Me: Yeah. I was expecting a more of a kiss on the forehead or something.

Lee: Oh? Well not sorry to have exceeded your expectations.

Me: Haha. I know you did that for Cybric to see.

Lee: I mean, thanks for co-operating with me.

Me: (rolling my eyes) Jeez. You are so full of yourself Romano.

Lee: Hey, be careful love. You are a part of the Romano family.

Me: I thought words of endearment was only when we are with family and in public?

Lee: Wouldn't hurt to practice it often so as not to forget right?

Me: I mean, as long you know your boundaries...

Lee: Be careful what you wish for.

Me: I am wishing we get this thing done so I can return to my normal life, thank you. And for my boundaries to be kept.

Lee: Okay. Will see how that goes.

* * *

LA ROMANS RESTARUANT

Linda: The lovebirds have arrived.

Walking hand in hand, we sat down and I sat next to Lee, across from nana. Our meals were preordered and as soon as they arrived, we began to eat. The table was silent. Forks clinking, some talking, while Lee and I ate in silence. The news station began to play on the screens and the first thing I heard was my sister's name, and I turned to Lee, expressing my shock through my eyes. 

"Ace Lombardi makes first appearance with his girlfriend, who is also the princess of North Cybric, Princess Elena Rodriguez at the North Cybric Business Awards-"

I nearly choked on my drink as the headlines mentioned 'girlfriend'. I looked at Lee who rather showed a smirk as if his friend had accomplished a good thing by 'dating' my sister. Luckily, everyone ignored me and focused on Lee, especially his nana.

Nana: Lee? Is that not your friend, Ace?

Lee: Yes nana.

Nana: (looking at me) And he is dating the North Cybric princess, Elena?

Lee: Yes nana.

Nana: Interesting to see how you boys are taking girls of royal blood and of the other side of the country. (low mutter) Abandoned princesses.

Me: And abandoned princesses have a brain too.

Everyone looked at me, while nana looked at me with a glint of bitterness in her eyes. I could not care less really, I mean, I have been looked down on since we were kicked out of the Kingdom at 18. The company I was working for before the whole marriage arrangement with Lee. No one was going to badmouth me or my sister. Not now. Not ever.

Me: So if you have something to say to me, you say it in front of my face, okay?

Nana: I mean, as long your scandals do not spill into our lives.

Lawrence: Nana, please-

Me: Rest assured nana, nothing will happen to the reputation of the Romanos and Lombardi.

I stood up, and looked at nana before walking away.

Me: And a matter of fact, abandoned princesses - the Rodriguez sisters - know how to cover their scandals very well.