The wedding march recommenced, higher and more festive. Valentina and Alexander walked back through the nave, receiving congratulations and rose petals thrown by the family. Outside the church, the photos began.
Valentina smiled and posed, representing perfectly the happy bride. She had to admit that Alexander was also convincing, embracing her affectionately for the photos.
«You look beautiful together,» said the photographer. «It shows that you love each other very much.»
«Thanks,» responded Valentina. «We really love each other much, right love?»
«Too much,» agreed Alexander, kissing her forehead.
During the photos, Valentina began to observe the guests more attentively. Her family was radiant. Patricia, her mother, cried with emotion when chatting with her friends. Richard greeted everyone, proud of his daughter.
From Alexander’s side, the environment was different. Mrs. Carmen forced smiles, but Valentina noticed that she whispered with some people, making comments that seemed malicious. Sophia, her twenty-year-old sister and a law student, approached during a pause in the photos.
«Val, are you okay? You look a bit weird.»
«I’m perfect, Sophia. Why do you say that?»
«I don’t know. You’re different. Very controlled.»
Valentina embraced her sister. «It’s just nerves. Everything is perfect.»
But Sophia continued looking at her with that inquisitive expression she had developed at the university. After the photos, everyone headed to the ballroom of the Hotel Hacienda Real, the most elegant in Aspen.
Valentina had dreamed of this reception for months, planning each detail with the most renowned event organizer in the region. The hall was decorated with white roses and green foliage. Golden lights created a magical environment.
Fifty-two guests settled at the round tables, covered with imported linen tablecloths. During the cocktail hour, Valentina circulated among the guests, receiving congratulations and embraces. She maintained her smile and responded to all the questions about plans for the honeymoon and children.
But inside, she analyzed each movement of Alexander. He chatted animatedly with her relatives, trying to impress them with his knowledge about the family businesses. He talked about expanding the coffee shops and modernizing the gas stations as if he were already part of Richard’s corporate plans.
«Valentina, dear, what a beautiful wedding,» said Mrs. Louisa, a childhood friend of her mother. «Alexander is a very special young man. You will be very happy.»
«Thanks, Mrs. Louisa. He really is special.»
Special was an interesting word to describe someone who married for money. Patricia approached with eyes still wet.
«My daughter, I am so happy. I had never seen you so fulfilled.»
«Thanks, Mom. You and Dad made a perfect party.»
«Alexander seems to get along well with everyone. Your dad was chatting with him about taking him to see the headquarters of the company next week.»
Valentina felt a knot in her stomach. Alexander was accelerating his plans.
«How good,» she said, maintaining the smile.
When the time for dinner arrived, Valentina was sitting at the head table together with Alexander. He held her hand over the table, stroking it with his thumb. Before, that gesture melted her. Now, it irritated her deeply.
«You are gorgeous today,» whispered Alexander in her ear. «I can’t wait for our honeymoon.»
«Me neither,» she lied.
The honeymoon. Fifteen days in Spain. A gift from Richard for the newlyweds. Fifteen days alone with a man who only wanted to take advantage of her. The idea gave her nausea.
During the dinner, Richard stood up to give the first speech.
«Friends, family, many thanks for being here on this special day. Valentina has always been the light of our home. A sweet and intelligent girl who turned into a wonderful woman. Alexander, you are winning an incredible wife. And Valentina, you chose a good, hardworking man who clearly loves you very much.»
The guests applauded. Valentina smiled and nodded while Alexander stood up to embrace his father-in-law.
«Thanks, Mr. Richard. I promise to take good care of Valentina, and I hope to learn much from you in the business. Who knows if I can help to expand the family companies even more.»
Richard smiled, clearly satisfied with the attitude of his son-in-law. If he only knew.
When it was Alexander’s turn to speak, he stood up and took the microphone.
«People, I want to thank everyone for being here today, especially Mr. Richard and Mrs. Patricia for receiving me as a son. Valentina, you have made me the happiest man in the world. I promise to spend the rest of my life making you smile.»
More soft and well-elaborated lies. Valentina applauded together with everyone while he kissed her again.
After the speeches, the music began. The first dance would be to a song they chose together. Valentina remembered when they heard it for the first time, embracing on the sofa of her living room. Alexander said that the lyrics were perfect for them.
Now, dancing in the center of the hall with all eyes on them, Valentina felt as if she were acting in a play.
«You are tense,» whispered Alexander while they danced.
«Just nervous,» she responded. «There are so many people watching.»
«Relax, everything is perfect. Our life is beginning.»
Our life. Valentina almost laughed at the irony. When the music finished, other couples joined the floor. Valentina danced with her father, who was radiant.
«My princess, you made the right decision. Alexander is a good boy.»
«Dad, can I ask you something?»
«Of course, daughter.»
«Do you really plan to involve him in the business?»
Richard stopped dancing for a second. «Why do you ask?»
«Curiosity. He seems very interested.»
«Well, now he is family and seems to have good ideas. Why not?»
Valentina forced a smile. «It just seemed very fast to me.»
«Daughter, when you love someone, you desire to include him in everything. It’s normal.»
If her father knew that his son-in-law only wanted to include him to rob him. After dancing with Richard, Valentina went to dance with Julian, who seemed extremely uncomfortable.
«Julian, are you okay? You look nervous.»
«Ah, yes, I’m not very good at parties.»
«How weird. You were always extroverted.»
Julian avoided her gaze. «Yes, maybe it’s the nerves of the wedding. The responsibility of being best man, you know?»
«I understand. It must be difficult when you know things you can’t tell.»
Julian tripped slightly. «How so?»
«Nothing specific. I just noticed that today, you seem to keep some secret.»
«No, no. Everything is normal.»
But his nervousness was obvious. Valentina decided to press a little more. «Julian, you guys have been friends for a long time, right? Since school. Tell me, was he always like this? Ambitious?»
«Ambitious how? Interested in money? In progressing quickly?»
Julian stopped dancing and looked at her directly. «Valentina, why do you ask that?»
«Just curiosity about my husband. I want to know him better through his friends.»
«Look, Alexander, he is… complicated sometimes.»
«Complicated how?»
Julian looked around, ensuring that Alexander wasn’t near. «Listen, maybe it’s better to talk another day.»
«When… when what? When I’m already married and it’s too late?»
Julian’s face paled. «Valentina, I…»
«You what, Julian?»
He breathed deep. «I tried to convince him. I tried to tell him that this was wrong. But he doesn’t listen to me.»
Valentina stopped dancing completely. «What are you talking about?»
«You heard it, didn’t you? That’s why you are asking these questions.»
«Hear what?»
«The conversation in the sacristy. You were there.»
Valentina felt her heart accelerating. They had discovered her. But at the same time, Julian was confirming everything.
«And what do you plan to do with that information?» he asked, clearly terrified.
«I still don’t know,» she responded honestly. «But I know that I won’t let him use me.»
«Valentina, for the love of God, don’t make a scandal here. There are two hundred people.»
«Don’t worry, Julian. I don’t plan to make a scandal.»
«Then what will you do?»
Valentina smiled sincerely for the first time since the morning. «Something that he would never imagine.»
The music finished and they separated. Julian went straight to talk with Alexander, who was conversing with some of Valentina’s uncles. She saw how the two whispered with urgency, Alexander looking toward her with a worried expression.
Sophia approached. «Val, what did you say to Julian? It seems he saw a ghost.»
«Just talk between in-laws,» responded Valentina.
«In-laws nothing. Something weird is happening. First you act weird, now the best man of your husband seems terrified. What is happening?»
Valentina looked at her sister. Sophia was intelligent. She studied law. Maybe she could help her.
«Sophia, can you do me a favor without asking questions?»
«Depends on the favor.»
«I need you to look for information about Alexander. Discreetly.»
«What type of information?»
«Finances, debts, history. You have access to those legal databases at the university, right?»
Sophia opened her eyes wide. «Valentina, what is this story? Did you discover something about him?»
«Please, Sophia, just trust me and don’t tell our parents anything yet.»
«Yet? Valentina, you are scaring me.»
«Do you promise me that you will do it?»
Sophia hesitated. «All right. But afterward, you tell me everything.»
«I promise.»
Alexander approached the two with a forced smile. «What are you two talking about so seriously?»
«Baby plans,» lied Valentina quickly. «Sophia asked when we plan to have babies.»
«Ah, yes. We want to wait a couple of years,» said Alexander, relaxing visibly.
«Yes. First, we want to stabilize ourselves economically,» completed Valentina, observing his reaction.
Alexander smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist. «Exactly. I want to ensure that our family has all the security in the world.»
Security? With her money? Sophia observed them with that analytical look again.
«Well, I’ll leave you chatting. I have to go sit with Grandma Pilar.»
When Sophia moved away, Alexander firmly took Valentina’s arm. «What did you say to Julian?»
«Nothing important. Why?»
«He seems nervous.»
«Maybe just… they are the normal nerves of the wedding. You know how he gets anxious at social events.»
Alexander looked at her for a moment. «Today you look different.»
«Different how?»
«I don’t know. More distant.»
Valentina approached him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. «It’s just the exhaustion, love. It was a long day. But I’m happy.»
«Sure.» But Alexander continued looking at her with distrust.
In that moment, Richard approached. «Alexander, come. I want to present you to Henry Gonzalez, my accountant. You guys are going to work together from now on.»
«Of course, Mr. Richard.» Alexander smiled, but Valentina noticed the anxiety in his eyes.