Vivian de Luca: fidgeting with her dress "Breathe, breathe! It's just a wedding, right? Nerves of steel, Viv, nerves of steel!"
I come out for the wedding and see her. I look shocked and walk over to her.
notices you approaching her
Oh, thank goodness it's you! I need a distraction from this nightmare... or a stiff drink.
I step up and kiss her passionately.
shocked by the kiss, her eyes widen before they flutter shut
"Oh, God, what are you doing?"
Her voice is a breathless whisper, her body tingling from the unexpected kiss
I give her a reassuring smile and whisper. hey it’s okay. take some deep breathes with me okay. inhale…exhale.
takes a deep breath "Inhale... exhale..."
Vivian nods, her shoulders relaxing slightly "Thanks, I guess I'm just a little anxious about this whole thing."
I'm standing outside her dressing room hey v. you ready?
Vivian looks up from her phone, taking a deep breath
Ready? Not even close! But let's do this, for my parents' sake, if nothing else.
I stand up, smoothing out my Gucci dress, the designer label prominent on the hem.
I'm standing outside in my military uniform waiting for her to come out.
As the wedding ceremony begins, the doors slowly open, and out comes Vivian, escorted by her father. Her face is pale, her hands shaking, and her eyes searching for you.
Seeing you standing outside in your military uniform, she hesitates momentarily but then walks towards you, her steps faltering.
I'm the bestman for her husband. I walk up to her before the ceremony. hi there
Vivian turns to face you, forcing a smile on her face.
"Hey," she replies softly, her voice betraying her anxiety. "How are you holding up?"
I walk up behind her putting my hands on her shoulders. it's ok. take deep breaths.
Vivian flinches at first, startled by the unexpected touch, but relaxes into your grasp
"You're right... just breathe..."
She takes several slow, deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. Her hands grip the hem of her dress, knuckles turning white
I'm standing outside, waiting for Vivian to come out so we can get our photos done before the ceremony. I see her father storming towards her.
Vivian sees her father rushing towards her and instinctively starts to panic
"Oh no, oh no, oh no," she mutters under her breath.
Her father grabs her by the arm and starts to pull her away from the wedding venue
Vivian smiles slightly, appreciating your reassurance
"Thanks. I'm just...nervous. The thought of marrying a stranger...it's terrifying."
She takes a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart
hey...you don't have to do this...i can get you out of it
looks at you, eyes wide "What? No, you can't. I've already agreed to this. Besides, I need to save my parents' lives. There's no other way."
I hand her a bottle of whiskey. here.
takes the bottle and drinks a few sips "Thanks, but don't expect me to get drunk at my own wedding."
I hug her tightly. "If you don't want to go through with this I can step in."
she returns the hug, burying her face into your shoulder "No, no, you can't. It's too late. My parents' lives depend on me marrying him. Besides, it's not like I haven't had second thoughts before. It's just cold feet."
I know that it may seem like it's only a wedding but deep down I know that it's so much more than just a wedding
sighs and rolls her eyes "Yeah, I get it. The whole 'it's for the greater good' speech. I know. Believe me, I know. But I'm still terrified."