Chapter 6 WEDDING DAY OR NOT

Clarissa P.O.V

As the loud music pierced in through the walls of my room from the living room, and the morning breeze came in through my window, I stared into the Mirror which was right in front of me, having no where to run to, I let the beauticians do whatever they wanted on my face and body.

They say a bride wasn't meant to be ugly on her wedding day. Honestly, I didn't care if I was beautiful or not. What I wanted right now, was for this day to end from its very beginning. I wish this was a dream and I was still on my bed in Salva, waiting for my alarm clock to wake me up.

But I was wrong. Instead I was waken to reality by the knock on the door of my room. It was Grandma, I guess in the life of normal people, this is the part their moms spoke to them about marriage, and then they cry, and confess their never dying love for each other. Well here am I, halfway gone with my make-up, sitting in my net-like bride to be gown, looking at my old Grandmother.

"You know 28 years ago, when your Father called me and told me you were born, I was not really happy you were a girl. Honestly, I would have preferred you were a boy" my Grandma said as she paced around the room as though she was looking for something.

"Grandma, you made that obvious while I grew up, so that isn't new" I said as I looked at her through the mirror, so not to frustrate the make-up artists that were making me up.

"That's not the point now. This is the only problem I have with you right now. You don't listen, you just conclude. Just let me Finish" she replied.

"Ow, Wow, I don't listen? Really?, Alright you have my undivided attention, I'm all ears" I replied as I folded my arms

"As you grew up as a child, I noticed you were absolutely different, you were smart, wise, strong and resilient. You never let anything really weigh you down. And that reminded me of myself when I was just like you. I know we have our differences, we don't always agree, but I promise you, in few years to come, you won't regret making this sacrifice for the family" she said as she stood behind me, looking at me through the mirror with her hands on my shoulders.

"Hmmm, really? You think in few years time, I would be happy that I married my sister, sorry my Step-sister's fiancee? Or that I married a man I obviously don't have feelings for? Or that as usual I ended up being traded into Marriage because of some stupid family business or...."

"The stupid family business that has brought you right were you are, hunn? Tell me, where exactly would you have been without this stupid family business?" she asked as she placed her fingers in double quotation.

"Clarissa, many of us have had to make various sacrifices just for this 'stupid family business', some of us, our family, the things we love, care about and cherish. So get it into your thick head, you won't be the first or the last to make sacrifices for this family. Worst sacrifices have been made than this. You are a smart child, am sure you will find your way around your marriage. Happy married life" she said as she walked out of the room.

Worst Sacrifices? What could have been worst than marry me off to someone I didn't love, I wondered. But just as I was deep in thought, the doors opened again. This time, it was my Father, the last person I wanted to see.

"Would you guys give us a minute, I would love to speak with my daughter alone please" my dad said as he walked in and stood beside my bedstand.

"Baby, look I know you don't want to spe..."

"What do you want Papa? Unless you want to tell me that the wedding isn't pushing through or much better you've found Eloise, I don't want to speak to you" I interrupted.

"Look Rissa, am sorry nothing can be done concerning the marriage. It's a settled issue. I just came to give you this" he replied, as he handed over the teal coloured folder to me.

"And what's this?" I asked.

"See for yourself" he replied

Immediately I opened the folder to see what it contained, and to my greatest surprise, they were signed documents of Pàpà transferring a part of his conglomerate to me to head here in ED.

"So after forcing me into this Marriage, you want to ice the cake with this? I can't accept this, I've got my own business to run" I replied as I stretched my hands with the Files in it.

"Rissa, there's nothing I can say or do that would make you forgive me right now, but at least, take this as a wedding gift from a Father to his daughter, Please" he begged.

I wasn't interested in whatever he had to say. All I wanted was this day to end, a wedding day or not, I wanted it to end. Immediately, I asked him to leave my room, I mean a wedding could not hold with a half-baked bride.

In Few hours time, I was ready, standing alone, having being excused by everyone so I could be alone and think about what was awaiting me outside the walls of this room.

Standing all dressed in my beautiful light peach gown filled with diamonds, flowing Behind like a princess, I stared into the mirror, right back into my grey eyes, which were just waiting to release the tears that were gathering from within, all I could think of was how God was going to save me and how my life would have been much better without all this drama. And I thought within myself, "What if I didn't take Claudia's call? Or what if I didn't take that flight to ED? Or what if I ran away from the house immediately I found out what was install for me?" But I guess it was too late for the what ifs now.

Still holding my gaze in the mirror, I said out loud "I am a strong girl and I can, and would handle this"

"Of course you will Rissa" Nanny Pearl replied from the door.

I was so deep in thought I didn't know she had come into my room.

"Nanny" I said as I ran into her arms for a hug, with tears falling from my eyes.

"Don't cry now, you'll ruin your make up, plus we are late and everyone is waiting" she replied.

"I'll be with you shortly" I replied as I tapped my face with the toilet roll I picked from my already messy bed.

As I opened the door to my room and began to walk downstairs to the main living room, everything began to feel slow. A cold sensation began to rush in, as all eyes were now fixated on me as I took every step down to the living room.

"You look gorgeous my Princess" Pàpà said not talking his gaze off me.

"Let's get me married" I replied.

Adrian's P.O.V

Few hours had passed and now, the church was Already settled. Everyone in their respective seats, waiting for the wedding service to start.

Once again, I could not believe I was getting married to that rude lady who didn't even know my name. I couldn't take off my mind the fact that she saw me kissing Freda yesterday, just some hours to our wedding.

Truth be told, I wasn't comfortable with marrying Eloise at first, since we were just friends with benefits and nothing serious. But I guess our parents took it the wrong way.

But this wedding had to take place. I already knew the repercussion of having this wedding fail. I wasn't ready for my dad's constant reminder on why I had to marry Clarissa even if I didn't feel anything or have anything with.

"You don't look nervous like how other grooms look" Nick said, as he brought me out of my thoughts.

"You know I can't be a best man to a grumpy groom" he said as he arranged my bow tie and rubbed my shoulders downwards.

"Funny enough, I am not like other grooms. My bride doesn't even know my name. You can imagine that" I said tilting my neck to the left.

"You don't say" Nick replied with a Snicker.

"And only such a bride comes late at her own wedding. Can you imagine? What could possibly be the problem now? I won't be surprised if she forgot today was her wedding day" I replied.

As I stood talking with Nick, I discovered the uneasiness amongst the Alexanders and my Family. The whispers increased as the stare from the crowd towards me increased.

Still in dilemma of what was going on, Noah who was one of my groomsmen walked up to me and whispered into my ears

"Your Bride is missing".