Two weeks passed like a blur, I stood in front of the mirror as the assistants meticulously adjusted my hair and dress. As much as I hated to admit it, the dress fit me perfectly, requiring barely any alterations. The intricate lace detailing and the way it hugged my figure made it clear that no expense had been spared. Yet, despite the outward perfection, a knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach. I tried to focus on the reflection of the woman in the mirror, hoping to see a bride radiating joy, but all I saw was a reluctant participant in a business transaction.
The door creaked open, and my father strode in, his presence immediately commanding the room. The assistants halted their tasks and discreetly slipped out, leaving us alone. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, and he cleared his throat. "You look… decent," he said. Decent? That was all he had to say? I forced a nod, the word stinging more than it should have. My heart sank a little further into the pit of my stomach.
"Today signifies the merging of our businesses so that both companies can work together for good. Marrying Alex was the best decision," he declared proudly. His words felt like daggers, each one piercing deeper than the last. I could feel my eyes sting with unshed tears, but I refused to let them fall. Lowering my head, I fixated on my shoes, wishing the ground would swallow me whole. The door clicked shut behind him, and the room seemed to exhale with his departure.
Once alone, I sank to the floor, the enormity of the moment crashing over me like a wave. The tears I had held back flowed freely now, streaking my cheeks. At least the makeup was waterproof. My sobs echoed softly in the vast room, a stark contrast to the quiet elegance around me.
After what felt like an eternity, I composed myself and stood up, brushing off the wrinkles that had formed in my dress. A few minutes later, my mother and sister, Mira, walked in. Mira held my bouquet, a stunning arrangement of white roses and lilies. She was my maid of honor by default, as I didn't have many close friends. They both smiled at me, a shared understanding in their eyes, and I managed a weak smile in return. Without a word, they took my hands, their touch providing a small but much-needed comfort.
Together, we walked to the church. The path felt endless, each step echoing with the weight of my choices and the expectations placed upon me. As we reached the grand doors of the church, I paused for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. The murmur of the gathered guests seeped through the heavy wooden doors, a reminder of the spectacle that awaited. My mother squeezed my hand gently, and I looked at her, drawing strength from her unwavering support.
With a final nod, we stepped inside, the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows casting colorful patterns on the floor. The aisle stretched out before me, and at the end of it stood Alex, the man who was now my future. My heart hammered in my chest as I took the first step forward, each stride taking me closer to a life I had not chosen, but one I was determined to face with grace.
Then a slow song started, its gentle melody filling the room, and I took a deep breath before beginning my walk down the aisle. The soft strains of the music seemed to blend with the beating of my heart, each step echoing the gravity of the moment. As I moved closer to Alex, I tried to gauge his expression, but it remained frustratingly enigmatic. I hated that I couldn't read his face, while mine was an open book, emotions plain for anyone to see.
Finally, I stood beside him, and the priest began the ceremony. "We are gathered today for the union of Alex Matteo and Ava Ralph," he intoned solemnly. "Do you, Alex, take Ava as your lawful wife, in peace, health, suffering, and forever?" The priest's voice was calm and steady, but the question seemed to hang heavily in the air.
"I do," Alex responded without a moment's hesitation, his voice strong and unwavering.
The priest turned to me, his eyes gentle but probing. "Do you, Ava, take Alex as your lawful husband, in peace, health, suffering, and forever?"
My heart pounded in my chest as I hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. The silence in the church was palpable; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was waiting for my response, the room holding its collective breath. "I do," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You may now kiss your bride," the priest announced.
Panic surged through me at the thought of kissing Alex in front of everyone. But before I could react, Alex took a decisive step forward, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. His lips met mine in a deep, confident kiss, and to my surprise, it was... remarkable. He was a good kisser, his touch both firm and gentle. The cheers of the crowd pulled me back to reality, and Alex slowly drew back, his eyes searching mine briefly before he released me.
We walked out together, the applause of our family and friends ringing in our ears. It was a small, intimate wedding, so there wasn't a grand reception. Instead, we gathered in the church hall, sharing slices of cake and glasses of sparkling wine. The atmosphere was relaxed, though a certain undercurrent of tension still lingered for me.
My mother approached, tears streaming down her face as she enveloped me in a hug. "Ava, I know we haven't been on the best of terms, and I'm sorry I couldn't stop your father," she whispered, her voice thick with regret. "Just know I'm always a call away, please."
I nodded, feeling a mix of sadness and relief. Her words, though bittersweet, brought a small comfort. As she stepped back, Mira came forward, her face wet with tears. "Aveee," she cried, pulling me into a tight embrace. We both cried, the reality of our separation sinking in. Mira, my junior sister, had always been my rock, and the thought of missing her was almost unbearable.
We stood there for a long moment, clinging to each other as if the strength of our bond could somehow lessen the pain of our parting. Finally, we pulled apart, wiping our tears and trying to smile through the heartache.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of well-wishes and quiet conversations. As the night drew to a close, Alex and I were left alone in the church hall. The weight of the day's events settled heavily on me as I looked around the empty room. Alex reached out and took my hand, his touch surprisingly comforting.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer than I had ever heard it. There was a tentative gentleness in his eyes, a rare glimpse of vulnerability that took me by surprise.
I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of the man behind the facade. "Are you serious?" I began, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and despair. "I'm not okay. This… this marriage is a lie, a facade that has me wrapped in its suffocating grip. My life isn't my own anymore. I'm forced to marry you, and you're asking me if I'm okay? No, I'm not okay!" The words spilled out in a rush, my voice escalating to a scream. The raw emotion had been building up inside me for months, and now it all came pouring out.
Without waiting for a response, I stood up abruptly and stormed out of the church hall, the echo of my footsteps reverberating in the silence. I made my way to the car waiting outside, the cool evening air doing little to calm my racing heart. I climbed in and slammed the door shut, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
A moment later, Alex appeared, his face a mask of controlled anger. He got into the car and shut the door with a bit more force than necessary. The driver, sensing the tension, started the engine and began the drive.
"Do you think I want this as well?" Alex snapped, breaking the silence that had enveloped us. His voice was laced with frustration, each word dripping with barely contained fury. "I was living my life before all this. I had plans, dreams, and a girlfriend. My father knows about her, but I'm not here complaining like you… princess," he snarled, the last word filled with contempt.
I turned to him, my eyes blazing with anger. "Oh, so now I'm the spoiled one? I never asked for this! I never wanted to be a pawn in this twisted game of corporate chess!" My voice was filled with bitterness, each word a sharp retort to his accusations. "You think this is easy for me? I'm giving up everything, my freedom, my dreams, my future, and you have the nerve to call me a princess?"
Alex's eyes flashed with anger, but there was something else there too, something that looked almost like pain. "You're not the only one losing something here, Ava. We're both trapped in this, both paying the price for our parents' decisions. I'm just trying to make the best of a bad situation."
I officially hate Alex Matteo.