The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 01

The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 01

In Water City, if a man wishes to marry the woman he loves, he must personally build a gondola to serve as their wedding boat.

On the seventh anniversary of our relationship, my boyfriend Julian Romano held a launching ceremony for his new gondola.

The crowd cheered along the dock, and my heart thundered wildly in my chest.

Just as I stepped forward to board the boat, I caught his friends’ lowered voice.

“You’re really giving this boat to Sophia? Aren’t you afraid Vera will throw a fit?”

“Yeah, she’s got a fiery temper. Don’t push your luck too far.”

The next moment, Julian spoke in a casual, confident tone.

“She won’t. Vera’s so easy to pacify. She’s head over heels in love with me.”

“Besides, in her family, any woman who’s still unmarried at twenty-eight is considered an old maid. She wouldn’t dare make a scene.”

“What’s more, I’m going to get married to Vera, and the wedding boat goes to Sophia. It’s only fair. This way… I can put one of my regrets to rest.”

Did marrying me really feel like a regret to him?

Easy to pacify.

Old maid.

Those words stung sharply in my ears. A lump formed in my throat, yet I held back my tears. I simply pulled out my phone and sent a message.

[Mom, I’ll listen to you. I’m not waiting any longer.]

……

The brand-new gondola, draped in red roses, slid into the water. My friends began whooping and nudging me playfully.

“Vera, hurry up and get on board!”

“Seven years, you two are finally tying the knot!”

My best friend Summer’s voice brimmed with genuine excitement, truly happy for me.

Under everyone’s gaze, Julian stepped off the boat and walked toward me. He paused beside me for only a split second before walking past.

He stopped in front of Sophia instead, his tone light and affectionate. “Happy birthday. Do you like your gift?”

An awkward silence fell over the crowd. Sophia covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with delight. The two of them linked hands and headed for the gondola.

When they passed me again, Julian came to a halt, speaking nonchalantly. “Vera, I’m lending this boat to Sophia for now. I’ve already started building another one for you. Don’t be impatient.”

Some onlookers watched the drama unfold, their eyes fixed on me, waiting to see the famous hot-tempered girl of Water City fly off the handle.

But I only looked at him calmly. “There’s no need, Julian.”

He froze, clearly caught off guard by my reaction.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Julian’s friends rushed to smooth things over.

“Don’t take it the wrong way, Vera. Julian’s just granting her a birthday wish!”

“That’s right. You’re the one he’s going to marry.”

I almost laughed at their lame excuses.

Summer stood beside me, fuming. “How could Julian do this?!”

“Everyone in Water City knows a man can only build ‘one’ gondola in his lifetime!”

A bitter ache welled up in my heart. Even a three-year-old child here knew the rule: only the first gondola a man builds, given to his bride, would bless the couple with a lifetime of bliss.

Summer’s voice cracked with sympathy. “Vera, my heart hurts for you… That girl’s just an opportunistic assistant. Has he lost his mind?”

Sophia was never just an ordinary assistant. She was the daughter of an old family friend of the Romanos, entrusted to their care. That was why Julian doted on her endlessly. He brought her along to every event, and every gift he got for me always came with a duplicate for her. Now even the wedding gondola I’d looked forward to for seven years had been handed over just to fulfill a birthday wish.

“It doesn’t matter anymore, Summer.” I patted her hand gently.

Before long, the ceremony for the boat was over, and the pair returned to the shore.

Sophia wore a bright smile, skipping over to me in her usual sweet manner. “Vera, Julian only granted me a little birthday wish. Please don’t be upset.”

Everyone called him Julian, but when the name rolled off her tongue, it sounded like a quiet declaration of possession.

I was about to speak when Julian stepped forward and placed his hands on my shoulders.

“Vera, it’s just a boat. Don’t cause a scene with so many people watching.” His voice still sounded gentle, but his eyes held a clear warning.

“I won’t.” I stepped back slightly and nodded at her. “Happy birthday.”

Silence crashed over the crowd once more. Julian stared at his empty hands, stunned. He’d expected me to lose my temper, just like I always did before.

Summer could no longer hold her tongue and spoke up loudly. “Julian, you gave the boat to her. What are you going to use to propose to Vera? She’s waited seven years for you. Give us a straight answer!”

All eyes turned to him. I watched him too, a faint spark of hope flickering inside me.

Julian, this is your last chance.