"She's a family to me. She's been with us for over a decade already." Celestine tried to reason out with Stefan but he remained unmoved.
"If you think she's a family then, I can bring my family, too. Anyway, I'm just here as a sign of respect that were blood related. Don't ever think that you can manipulate me with the people around you." Stefan didn't spare them from his anger at all. He pulled a chair for Cayenne and helped her seat. "You can order whatever you like."
"Do you want me to order for you, too?" Cayenne asked, ignoring the sharp gazes that Stefan's family was throwing at her. Why should she care about them? Stefan's father and grandfather already gave their approval to their relationship. A mere aunt has no say in what relationship they have.
Stefan kissed her temple and smiled. "Go ahead. I don't mind."
Cayenne called the waitress and ordered the food that she found familiar and made sure that they were the dishes that Stefan can eat. Stefan talked with his auntie and cousin but instead of a warm conversation, it felt like they were walking on eggshells around Stefan. One wrong word and he would flip his mood.
"So, won't you introduce her to us?" Julia, Stefan's cousin, the one who was getting married asked while looking towards Cayenne. "She looked simple. I didn't know that you're into simple things."
"Simplicity is beauty and Cayenne is not a thing. She's the most important person in my life."
"How important?" Celestine tested the water to see if there's a way that she can find a loophole. However, she didn't expect that Stefan's answer would put them in a predicament.
Stefan looked at everyone around the people except Cayenne. His eyes spoke the anger he was holding within him. "Cayenne is more important than my life. You know what that means?"
They all nodded their head in silence. Stefan didn't bother introducing his family to Cayenne. In his mind, she didn't need to know them since she won't be meeting them again the future. Their attitude already told him that they won't bring happiness to his wife.
They ate their lunch peacefully. They tried talking to Stefan but he didn't entertain them. If they asked him, he would answer the ones that requires Yes or No. If it was a question that needed a long explanation, he would just ignore it and focus on Cayenne. Cayenne appreciated his care for her but she also felt a little bad that Stefan had to go against his family.
But when it comes to love, you would have to make choices. You need to make sacrifices. And Stefan chose her over everyone else. 'I shall take care of you for the rest of my life. I will love you for eternity.' Cayenne thought to herself while putting some dishes on Stefan's plate.
After lunch, Stefan bid farewell to his family. He didn't want to stay any longer knowing that they don't like Cayenne. It will only make his wife feel awkward. "My dear wife, I won't let you suffer for long. Just wait a bit longer, okay?"
"What are you talking about? With you by my side, I am not suffering at all. I am more worried for you." Cayenne linked their fingers together and kissed his knuckled. "I'm sorry for letting you go against your family because of me."
"You shouldn't apologize for that. The thing I hated the most is when I'm being manipulated. And they wanted to manipulate my marriage which I hate so much." They continued to walk on the roadside while watching a lot of people coming in and out from different establishments. "You are my happiness. You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life.
No one can change that so don't ever feel insecure or jealous. Do you understand?"
"Yes. Yes. I understand." Cayenne stood on her tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "I will forever remember your words.
The two of them looked around Venice. They rode a boat, took pictures together, sang a love song, talked to other foreigners and they also asked a street artist to pain them. Cayenne had so much fun in the whole afternoon and in the evening, she had a fancy dinner with Stefan at the hotel's rooftop restaurant.
There was a pianist and a violinist; and there were other couples who were dancing to the song. It was a very romantic atmosphere. They had wine and because Cayenne was a light drinker, she got drunk in no time.
Stefan brought her back to their room and made love to her from the door to the bedroom and then to the bathroom. He only stopped after letting himself come inside her twice. Cayenne felt dizzy but she also felt good. She didn't even protest this time.
And because of their intense night activity, the two of them woke up at eleven in the morning. The wedding will be held at one in the afternoon but they were still rolling on their bed.
"My head hurts a lot." Cayenne mumbled while massaging her temple.
"I'll ask for a hangover soup. Just wait here. I'll call the hotel service and prepare the bath for you."
"Okay." She let Stefan do everything and just behaved herself on the bed. She remembered what happened last night which made her blush. Even though they've done it several times, she still couldn't stop herself from blushing.
"Why are you blushing? Did you remember the fun we had last night?" Stefan teased her upon coming out of the bathroom and seeing her red face. "I enjoyed it so much."
"You don't really have to say it so shamelessly."
"I like saying it though." Stefan retorted as he lifted her off the bed. "I'll wash you first and you can drink the soup later."
"Now, who's this clingy cat in my arms? I didn't know you can act ." Cayenne just smile without saying anything. It's enough that she expressed her sincere love to him.