Chapter 2: Born To Be Enemies

Calysta immediately grabbed Alessia’s hand. "Stay behind me."

The stranger's attention shifted toward Calysta, then smirked. "Calysta Schie De Luca, we finally meet."

Calysta looked at him full of disdain. She stared at him sharply. "Who are you?"

He gave her a cold look. "Don’t make it sound like you don’t know me. Because I know that you already know."

Calysta's fear quickly turned into anger. "You. Damien Lucius Moretti. The ruthless leader of the Moretti Mafia.”

Damien nodded. "Yes, that’s me. I am glad you acknowledge my existence, princess."

Calysta's face looked irritated and pissed off. "What do you want from us?"

He smiled and leaned forward. "You." Then scan Calysta from down to up.

Her expression hardened as she stared at him sharply, full of anger. "You attacked us on my wedding day just to marry me?" Calysta almost laughed at how crazy Damien is. "Are you insane?"

"Obviously."

"My father will destroy you, you demon."

"I already expect him to do that, princess."

"You attacked us, and I don't think you understand what you've done."

Damien looked at her without fear. "I understand perfectly, woman." It was like he was intentionally pissing her off.

Calysta stepped toward the door, showing no fear toward him. "Then let us go."

"It’s very unfortunate for you because it’s a no. I can let them go, yes. But not you.”

“What?”

“I hate to break the news, but you’re going to marry me. Whether you like it or not."

Calysta stared at him. For several seconds, she thought she had misunderstood what he said. "What did you say?"

Damien repeated himself. "You're going to marry me. Now, do I still have to repeat myself a hundred times?"

Alessia looked at Calysta in disbelief. Both of them couldn't believe that a man as crazy as Damien existed.

"You kidnapped me from my wedding so you could marry me?"

"That's correct,” he answered, playing with the gun with his bare hands.

Calysta laughed bitterly. "You're insane! We’re born to be enemies, Moretti! Enemies! And there is no way I will marry my enemy."

He shrugged. "Possibly. But you don't have a choice."

"You cannot force me into a marriage. Not with you. Not now, not ever..."

Damien's expression remained emotionless. "I already have."

She shook her head. "No.”

He stepped closer. "I don’t think that’s up to you, De Luca princess. Marrying a thief will make your empire a thief."

Calysta’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“There’s no point in telling you. And there’s no point in explaining because no matter what, you… are going to marry me.”

“You think you’re so mighty? Why don’t you just fight us? De Luca and Vitales against yours. If you win, fine… I’m going to marry you. But—”

Damien laughed. “Fight? No. I don’t want to fight any of you. It’s like stepping on ants. That's crazy."

"You literally attacked us. And now, you want me to believe that you don’t want to fight us?"

"I just attacked your convoy, relax."

"It doesn’t make any difference, idiot!"

"No. There is a difference." Damien looked directly at her. "I don’t want any of them. I want you. You understand?"

Calysta folded her arms. "Lunatic.” Then she scoffed. "My father will never agree to this."

"He loves you, right?"

Calysta's expression changed. "And so?"

Damien continued, "That is why he will agree. There is no way he will say no to me because I have his daughter and… I will be his daughter’s husband."

"You think you know my father, huh? Let's see."

"No. But I know men like your father."

"You don't know anything about him."

Damien scoffed. "I know that powerful men become predictable when their families are threatened. And believe me or not, you will receive an answer from him by tomorrow, saying he agrees to this,” he said confidently, raising his brows.

She hated how confident he was. And the worst is she knew a man like Damien can make his will happen no matter what.

"What will happen if he refuses?"

He shrugged. "Then that is when the war begins. And believe it or not, all of you will never like it."

"And what if he agrees?"

"Easy. The De Lucas and Morettis become allies. I can, and I will… give everything the Vitale can offer to your family a hundred times better."

"Do you really think a marriage can erase years of hatred? Hatred that has been long buried in our blood?"

"No. But it can give both families a reason to stop killing each other. Isn't that what you also wanted? Peace. Freedom. Unity. No harm. That is why I already planned this long enough to know that your wedding would be the perfect opportunity. To steal the bride… and Vitale heir’s happiness."

"And what about me?"

Damien didn't answer immediately. Then he said, "You were part of the equation. Actually, you are the key of the equation."

Calysta felt a strange anger rise inside her. "I'm not a tool, Damien Moretti."

"No." He looked at her. "Did I ever say that you’re a tool? I just said that you’re the solution."

She shook her head. "No. I refuse."

Damien smirked. “Let’s see.” He turned toward his men. "Take her."

Calysta immediately struggled when the men approached. "Don't touch me!"

Alessia grabbed her arm. "Calysta!"

"Let me go!"

Damien raised his hand, then the men stopped.

Calysta glared at him. "If you hurt her, I’ll make sure I make your life a hell."

"Don’t worry. I have no intention of hurting your cousin." He looked at Alessia. "She will be released as soon as we leave."

Calysta looked relieved for only a second. "And me?"

"You will come with me, of course."

"Against my will?"

"Yes."

Alessia stepped forward. "Calysta, don't go."

Calysta turned toward her. "Tell my father I'm okay."

"I will."

"Tell him they took me."

"I will."

"And tell him not to do anything, okay?"

Alessia's eyes widened. "W-why?"

Calysta looked toward Damien. "Because that's exactly what he wants."

Damien gave her a small nod because at least she understood that much.

After that, Calysta then allowed the men to escort her toward the waiting vehicle against her will. But before getting inside, she looked at Damien. "If you think this will make me accept you, you're wrong.”

"I don't expect you to accept me, princess."

Calysta scoffed. "You literally kidnapped me, moron."

"You used too many bad words, princess. But yes, I kidnapped you and saved your life."

Calysta stared at him with disbelief. "You expect me to say thank you? I don’t even know where you’d saved me."

"No." He opened the vehicle door. "I expect you to be a good girl and patient long enough to understand why I’m doing all of this, okay? Now, shut up and enjoy the ride."

"Enjoy your ass."

Damien just teasingly winked at her.

"Ew!"

The door closed. And as the convoy moved away from the destroyed wedding procession, she looked down at the ring box in her hands. Inside was the ring that had been meant for Marco Vitale.