Page 33 of Married to the Mafia Monster

“It is, isn’t it?” Mia says, her voice warm and reassuring. “Now, let’s talk about hair and makeup. I was thinking something soft and romantic to match the dress.”

I shake my head, trying to focus. “I really don’t want to marry him.”

Mia stops fussing with the dress and looks at me, her expression sympathetic. “Look, I get it. Weddings can be overwhelming, especially when there’s so much else going on. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is take it one step at a time. Let’s just focus on making you look and feel beautiful, okay?”

I hear the subtext loud and clear. Marry him or I’m in big trouble.

I nod, feeling a lump in my throat. “Okay.”

She gestures for me to sit, and I comply, sinking into the chair. She wastes no time, her fingers deftly sorting through my hair, assessing its length and texture.

“So, how did you end up doing this?” I ask, curious about her story.

Mia smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Oh, I’ve been in the beauty industry for years. It’s always been my passion. I love helping people feel their best, especially on their big days.”

As she begins to curl and pin my hair into an elegant updo, her movements are quick and practiced. The heat from the curling iron is a comforting warmth against my scalp, and I find myself relaxing under her touch.

“You know, my wedding day was a bit of a disaster,” she says with a laugh. “But it’s the little mishaps that made it memorable.”

“Really?” I ask, intrigued. “What happened?”

“Well,” she begins, securing a curl with a bobby pin, “it rained. And when I say it rained, I mean it poured. We had planned for an outdoor ceremony, and everything was set up beautifully in my parents’ garden. But the weather had other ideas.”

I can’t help but laugh along with Mia. “That sounds like quite the ordeal. What did you do?”

Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “We moved everything inside, crammed all our guests into the living room, and had the ceremony there. It was chaotic, but it was also intimate and special. In a way, it was perfect.”

“That’s wonderful,” I say, smiling at the image of a cozy, impromptu ceremony. “And your husband?”

“Marrying my best friend was the best decision I ever made,” she replies, her voice softening with affection. “We laugh whenever it rains now, and it’s one of our favorite stories to tell.”

As she continues working on my hair, I feel a pang of longing. I wish my own wedding could be as joyous and filled with love. Instead, it feels like a necessity, a means to an end. But listening to her story gives me a glimmer of hope.

She finishes pinning the last curl in place and steps back to admire her handiwork. “There you go. You look stunning, if I do say so myself.”

I glance at my reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the elegant woman staring back at me. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

She smiles, clearly pleased. “My pleasure. Now, let’s move on to makeup.”

As she starts applying foundation, I can’t help but ask, “Do you think everyone finds their perfect match? Like you did?”

She pauses, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “I think everyone has someone out there for them. Sometimes it takes a while to find them, and sometimes you meet them under the strangest circumstances. But when you do, you just know. How did you feel the first time you saw Alex?”

I don’t answer. I think back. The spark, his eyes, the bubbling sensation in my stomach. “See,” she says, noticing how I look. “You can tell.”

I nod, her words resonating with me. “I hope you’re right.”

She resumes her work, her hands moving with practiced ease. “You’ll be fine, Bella. Just trust yourself and follow your heart.”

Her confidence is infectious, and I feel a bit more at ease. As she finishes my makeup, I feel a sense of calm settling over me. Maybe, just maybe, things will work out.

When she steps back to let me see the final result, I’m amazed. My hair is a masterpiece of curls and pins, elegant yet understated. My makeup enhances my features without overpowering them, making me look and feel like the best version of myself.

“Thank you,” I say, turning to face her. “You’ve done an incredible job.”

She beams, her satisfaction evident. “You’re welcome, Bella. You’re going to be a beautiful bride.”

“You know,” she says, her voice thoughtful as she applies makeup to my face, “sometimes we end up in situations we never expected, but that doesn’t mean they can’t turn into something beautiful.”

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