Chapter 2 UNEXPECTED REUNION.

Mariana's grip on her wine glass loosened, causing it to spill on her before slipping from her hand and shattering into a thousand tiny pieces on the floor. She widened her eye balls, so wide it could pop.

She had seen him in pictures but she didn't know he look this handsome in person, although he was bruised in different parts of his body he still looked very handsome, he had bandage wrapped around his forehead and wore a sling, but it felt like they only added to his handsomeness.

He was tall, broad chested and he had deep green eyes which was complemented by his long eye lashes that was noticeable from a distance, he had sleek black hairs, some fell on his fore head on top of the bandage giving him a dangerously handsome look. Mariana hadn't seen such handsomeness her whole life. Wilson was handsome obviously but he was no march to this.

Wilson turned pale immediately on seeing the figure standing in the entrance of the store, he could feel his blood rushing out of his body, and he began trembling unconsciously.

Rachael's expression was that of shock also.

"He is alive! Adriel is alive" Victoria exclaimed breaking the silence in the room, she was so red from over happiness.

"Yes, no... I mean, how?" Wilson stuttered trying to fake a smile.

Meanwhile Adriel stood still the whole time watching everyone's expression, he noticed some awkwardness in the air, Mariana's and Wilson's expression were that of shock and confusion while Rachael's own was that of shock and happiness, there was a difference and he was smart enough to tell the difference.

"Brother!" Racheal exclaimed jumping away from the table and flinging her hand around him, she pecked his cheek "We thought you were dead" she said as a drop of tear rolled down her eyes.

"I am here now" Adriel patted her head. "I am here now" he whispered letting out a light chuckle.

Rachael was Adriel's elder sister, but Adriel has always treated her like his younger sister all his life, and she loved it.

His gazed shifted to the people on the table, "Hey, don't I deserve a hug?" he said smiling.

Mariana felt overwhelmed seeing Adriel alive. It brought back a rush of memories.

Exactly two months ago, she stood before her father and everyone she loved and said her wedding vows to a man she never knew.

She met Wilson in the mart she worked in, he was the sweetest thing she knew, charming and full of life.

Mariana had thought she found someone truly special in Wilson. He was attentive and seemed genuinely interested in her dreams and fears. She felt seen, valued, and cherished with him, in way's she hadn't before. He was the only person she had dated that loved her beyond her body, he promised he wouldn't ask for sex until he had fully performed all the marital rites.

Four months after she met Wilson he got her engaged and married her a month later, but it was after the wedding she discovered the horrifying truth.

Wilson came to her under the name Adriel Bruce, pretending to be an average man working at a small firm in New York. He claimed he had lost all his family in an accident, and she never met his family until after the wedding.

He revealed to her on their wedding night at their hotel room that he was Wilson Jonner and not Adriel Bruce like he claimed

Mariana sat on the edge of the hotel bed, still in her wedding dress, feeling a mix of exhaustion and happiness. Wilson, or rather, Adriel, had been acting strangely all evening. She looked up as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"Mariana," he began, his voice low and serious. "I need to tell you something."

She frowned, her heart beginning to race. "What is it, Adriel?"

He let out a slow breath and then, with a smirk that sent chills down her spine, said, "I'm not Adriel. My name is Wilson Jonner. Adriel is my younger brother."

Mariana felt her world pause. "What? What are you talking about?"

Wilson moved closer, his eyes bright with a cruel satisfaction. "My late stepfather, Adriel's father, passed away and left all his property to Adriel. I only get to be one of the admin's in the company and a room in the Bruce Mansion while my younger brothers owns the estate. I am the eldest child for crying out loud, I deserve more." He let out a cold grin.

Mariana shook her head, confusion and fear mingling in her mind. "I don't understand..."

Wilson continued, his voice cold. "My brother Adriel was involved in an accident last week".

"You... you, don't have a hand in that right?" Mariana stuttered

"He has a lot of enemies, so if I don't do it someone somewhere will do it, I'm sure of that" he replied aloofly.

"With him out of the way, I can present you to the family as his widow". They'd transfer all the property to you, and then I'd take you to a different country, we will start a family and get a proper wedding with my real identity this time." He concluded with what seemed like a tender gaze in is eyes

Tears rose up in Mariana's eyes. "How could you? Why would you involve me in this?"

Wilson's expression hardened. "Because you were perfect for the role. And, you have no choice but to play along. I know all about your father's dirty deals. If you don't do as I say, I'll make sure he rot in jail."

Mariana felt her heart sank, "My father?! What dirty deals?"

"Stop acting all ignorant Mariana, we both know he sells stolen and smuggled goods" he said between his teeth

"But... but my father, he no longer sells stolen stuff" she replied in tears

"Doesn't mean he can't still go to prison" he replied "Look Mariana! I love you, you are the only girl that has ever loved me for who I am, and you loved me unconditionally without knowing I am rich" his tender gaze returned "I love you Mariana, sincerely. Look at the bright side, we would start our lives somewhere in another country, and your father, he wouldn't have to worry about his past anymore, I'll also take him to the best hospital to get his leg operated on"

He gently stroked her hair, his touch both soothing and menacing. "Look, Mariana darling," he began, his voice a deceptive whisper. "Three days ago, I made a grand announcement to the family. I claimed to have found a marriage certificate in Adriel's office, implying that he secretly got married three months ago. Soon, you'll receive a call from the family lawyer soon."

His finger traced her chin, lifting it so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. "Our wedding certificate," he continued, his tone calculative, "it wasn't dated today. I pulled a few strings. It now reads three months back. If anyone asks, remember: you married Adriel on the 1st of June."