Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 1048 : The Big Moment

*Leo*

The suit felt like a straitjacket.

Perfectly tailored, perfectly cut, but still suffocating in the worst way.

I hated how good I looked in it. It made me feel like I was playing a role, like I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t, or maybe someone I used to be.

I adjusted the collar of my shirt for the third time in as many minutes, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

My tie was perfect. The black fabric gleamed, almost mocking me with its sharpness.

I looked every bit the part of the groom, standing at the edge of my future, but I couldn’t shake the cold feeling gnawing at my stomach.

I’d been nervous before, sure. But this was different. This was the biggest thing I’d ever done. The weight of it was bearing down on me like nothing else in my life ever had.

Not to mention my splitting headache.

I grabbed another Tylenol and a glass of water off the coffee table in my dressing room.

Last night, getting drunk so I stopped missing Bianca seemed like such a good idea. Now, I was paying the price.

I popped the pills into my mouth and took a long swig of water. It cooled me from the inside out and I instantly felt relief.

Then the suffocating anxiety came back.

I hadn’t seen Bianca in more than twenty-four hours and it was driving me crazy. I didn’t know I could miss her so much after so short a time.

And why did she insist on following some stupid wedding tradition that kept us apart!?

I groaned and held the cool water glass to my forehead.

A knock at the door broke my train of thought.

I turned, already knowing who it was.

Elio and Franky came in together.

Elio grinned like a fool. “You look like you’re about to pass out, Leo. Late night?” He winked.

I threw a half-hearted glare at him. “I’m fine.”

Franky followed Elio into the room, shaking his head. “You don’t look fine. You look like you just woke up in someone else’s bed, hungover as hell.”

“Well, I wasn’t in my own bed last night, and Taylor has a large liquor cabinet, so... you’re not wrong.” I scoffed.

“Ooh. Hungover on your wedding day. Is that a good sign or bad sign?” Elio teased, nudging me with his elbow.

“Thanks for the support,” I muttered, my eyes flicking between the two of them.

They were both dressed in their best suits, looking sharp as hell, and I felt like I was the only one who hadn’t quite figured it out.

Elio snickered and slapped me on the back. “You do look the part of the groom. But can you play that part too? You remember all your lines?”

“Vows, Elio, they are called vows. And yes, I remember them,” I hissed.

“Good. I don’t want you to turn into a babbling idiot in front of everyone who respects us.”

“What’s with you? You’re supposed to be standing up with me today, you know.”

Elio chuckled and shrugged. “Honestly, Leo, what did you expect? You’ve been teasing me about getting married for years. Now you’re about to do the same thing, and you’re acting like the world’s going to end.”

I groaned, closing my eyes for a moment. “I shouldn’t have teased you like that. I get it now. It’s a nightmare.”

“A nightmare, really? Should we save that line for your bride?” He broke out in a full bellied laugh.

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it! I’m so jittery. I haven’t seen Bianca in days and I’m just standing in this room, dressed like a penguin, waiting!” I snapped.

“And hungover,” Elio added. “Look, the anticipation won’t kill you. You’ve just got to ride it out.”

“I don’t think I can.”

Franky huffed. “That’s because you never listen.”

“Listen to what?” I asked, glancing at him and frowning.

“Everyone. We warned you not to get carried away drinking the night before your wedding. Here you are, fidgeting, sweating, and guzzling down water.”

“A few shots might actually take the edge off,” I muttered.

Franky scoffed. “You want to do this clear headed and sober. If nothing else, listen to me on that.”

Elio flashed a smile. “Relax, my man. You’ve got this. All the Valentinos are here, everyone’s waiting for you and Bianca. The ceremony’s already set up.”

“Nothing can go wrong today. We’ve made sure of that,” Franky added.

I glared at him. “Why would you say that? Isn’t that like a jinx or something?”

“Don’t worry about it, Leo.” Elio waved dismissively at Franky. “Your only job today is to show up at that altar, say your vows, and kiss your blushing bride like she’s never been kissed. Got it?”

I grunted and ran my hand through my hair. “I just... I can’t sit still, man. I miss her so much, and it’s only been a couple of days. But she’s so close. I can feel it. I should be with her. I should be—”

“Leo,” Elio cut in, his voice steady and serious for once. “You need to calm down. You’re about to marry the woman you love. What’s the worst that can happen? You’re already halfway there. You just gotta get through the damn ceremony, and then you get to have her forever.”

“Will you two stop with all the jinxes!?” I snapped. I paced around and rubbed my hands on my thighs.

“We’re just messing with you. It’s our right,” Elio assured with a quick grin. “Like Franky said, we’ve got everything covered.”

I knew he was right, but the thought of the ceremony made me jittery all over again. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

How long had I been trapped in this room waiting? It felt like an eternity.

It wasn’t fair of me to take out my anxiety on Elio and Franky. They were here as a favor to me.

“You’re right. Thank you for being here.” Elio and I clapped hands and I pulled him into a hug. “And thank you for standing up as my best man.”

“Of course!” Elio slapped my back.

“Co best man,” I added, nodding to Franky.

“Yeah, whatever,” Franky muttered. “You’re lucky I was available.” He crossed his arms, but I saw the little smile he tried to hide.

My nerves returned.

Suddenly, I worried that something happened to Bianca.

Elio and Franky were so sure nothing would go wrong, but that’s what we always thought until something went wrong.

On a day like today, it could be anything.

A car crash while driving to the chapel, or choking on her breakfast. It didn’t have to be gang related.

“Have you seen Bianca?” I asked them.

“We’re on team Leo. The women are on the other side of the chapel. But I’m sure she’s fine,” Elio insisted.

I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Yeah...”

“I can have Taylor do some recon, if you want,” Franky suggested.

No, I wanted to see her with my own eyes.

“Right. Well, you two have places to be, don’t you?” I nudged Elio to the door.

“Hmm, I don’t like that look,” Elio said wagging his finger at me. “What are you thinking.”

“Oh, I...” I bounced on the balls of my feet. I couldn’t just sit here. I needed to see Bianca.

Without another word, I walked toward the window, flinging it open and glancing over my shoulder.

“Don’t even think about it,” Franky warned, glowering.

I ignored him, my gaze already trained on the sprawling garden below. There was a path that led to the back of the property, hidden from the guests and the bustle of the wedding preparations.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” I muttered, already climbing out the window.

“You’re crazy, Leo!” Elio yelled after me, but I didn’t stop.

There was a trellis along the wall with plants creeping up it. I swung out the window onto the wooden structure and quickly shimmied down.

“Leave the window open for me,” I shouted back up to them when I hit the ground.

Elio glanced out the window and smirked. “Sure thing.”

Franky said the women were on the other side of the chapel. The fastest way there was to cut through the gardens.

I rushed through the garden, my heart thudding in my chest, every step heavier than the last. I didn’t care if I was supposed to stay put.

I couldn’t stand being away from her for one more second. Not after everything we had been through.

Franky and Elio were trying to put my mind at ease, I knew that, but with all their talk of ‘what could go wrong?’ I could help but feel like I needed to see Bianca safe and well.

I could sneak over to her dressing room and look in the windows. She’d never know, tradition would be intact, and I could have peace of mind.

The path was quiet, the sounds of the wedding ceremony barely audible over the rustling of the wind. I was careful to avoid the eyes of any guests lurking about outside the chapel.

And then I saw her.

She was standing outside in the garden by the sea, the wind catching the fabric of her wedding gown, making it billow behind her like something out of a dream.

I pinched myself. Maybe I was really sleeping.

She was breathtaking, more beautiful than I could ever describe.

For a moment, I just stood there, mesmerized by her, the world around me fading away. Like an angel or a goddess, she was surrounded in a halo of light.

My heart hammered faster in my chest.

All my nerves melted away. I couldn’t even remember what I was worried about before. She was everything to me. My entire world.

Her back was to me, but I knew she could feel me standing there. I couldn’t help myself.

“Bianca,” I called softly.

She turned, and her smile lit up the world. There was no one else in my universe except for her.

“Leo!” she cried, her arms stretching out toward me.

I rushed to her, my heart in my throat, my feet moving faster than my brain could keep up with.

She quickly covered herself with her arms and took a step back. “You’re not supposed to see me.”

“Then why are you outside?” I smirked.

I stepped forward, reaching for her hands. “I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to see you.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

I kissed her fingers slowly. “Ti amo, Bianca, more than anything.”

Her eyes became glassy and I cupped her cheeks in my hands, ready to chase away whatever fears or dark thoughts she had.

“Are you ready?” I asked.

“Yeah. I am. Are you?”

“Bianca, I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” I brushed her tears away. “I’m ready for you to be my wife.”