Chapter 5 Five

" Life is a journey. "

----

" Don't give up, Mali. " Those words echoed in my mind, like a distant bell tolling, Gabriella's voice filling the empty space in my soul.

"You are destined for so much more," she often said, her voice like a soothing lullaby, "That's why you have these big dreams, despite the world you're born into."

Her words always calmed me, like a soft song in the storm of my insomnia. But still, I wondered aloud, "Why here? Why not somewhere else, like Texas or California?" I'd ask as her skilled hands braided my hair, transforming me into something breathtaking by the time she finished.

She cared for me, not just for my mind, but for all of me. She was the sister I never had. Unlike me, she came from privilege-her mother owned the biggest salon in town, and her father ran Zion Bank, the only one around. But Gabriella was never one to flaunt it, and I admired her humility.

"We don't choose where we're born, Mali," she'd tell me, "What's the point in boasting about wealth I didn't earn?"

When I asked why we were born into such different circumstances, she'd answer, "I believe we're born where we're needed. Some of us are meant to break generational cycles, to rise above our history. We all have a purpose. We just have to find it and chase it with everything we've got."

"What's your purpose, Gaby?" I asked one day, ever curious.

"I'm still figuring it out. What about you?" Her eyes met mine, hopeful. She believed I had all the answers, but the truth was-I didn't.

"To read, sing, and write," I said without thinking, the words spilling out.

She smiled. "I believe you will. The Creator's with you."

I smiled too. "I hope so..."

But now, here I was, dressed as a bride for a man old enough to be my father, a man with five wives already.

"Don't cry, Mali, or you'll ruin your makeup," Rachel murmured as she wiped away my tears with a handkerchief.

"You'll be okay," Cordelia added softly, patting my back. Her gentleness was a balm, and for the first time in a while, I felt grateful for their company. Maybe it was true-no one is an island, and we all need companions.

"Don't give up, Mali. Your silver lining will come when you least expect it." Gabriella's words echoed once more in my mind. Silver lining... maybe.

When Gabriella left for California, I almost stopped believing in my dreams. I stayed behind, unable to go to college because my parents believed it would make me arrogant. Or maybe they feared I'd defy them, armed with knowledge.

So I stayed, devouring books in place of classes, learning so much-except how to be free. College might have given me that.

But what's the point in crying over spilled milk?

"Malisa," my mother's voice pulled me back to the present. I looked up at her and thought I saw something in her eyes, something almost like regret, but it disappeared before I could make sense of it. "It's time."

I nodded, rising in my white dress. A beautiful gown that should've made me feel like a princess-if only I wasn't being forced into this marriage.

I followed her outside, where the car was waiting, tastefully decorated for what was supposed to be my big day. But it felt more like a funeral.

Cyril, my eldest brother, met me at the door. For a moment, I thought I saw compassion in his eyes. Was he against this too? I quickly pushed the thought away. There was no use dwelling on something that couldn't change.

The church loomed ahead of me-the largest Catholic church in town. But as I walked down the aisle, something felt off. Something wasn't right.

And then I saw him.

Standing at the altar wasn't the old man I'd been dreading. Instead, a tall, pale-skinned man with piercing blue eyes awaited me. He looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine, not here, not now.

"Aiden Evans?" I blurted out, before I could stop myself.

"Yes," he said calmly. "Your soon-to-be husband."

I stared at him, confused and dumbfounded. This couldn't be. How can It be possible? Not even in my wildest dreams have I imagined this. Getting married to Aiden Evans, it was just out of my mind.

"Would you rather marry the old mayor, or me?" he asked, stepping closer.

I glanced at my parents, who seemed just as bewildered as I was. Then I looked back at Aiden, the stranger standing before me, and somehow, I knew my answer.

"You," I said softly.

He smiled, satisfied. The priest approached us, his voice carrying through the church. "Malisa Bree, do you take Aiden Evans to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

I hesitated, but only for a moment. "I do."

"And do you, Aiden Evans, take Malisa Bree to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

He didn't pause. "I do."

"You may now kiss the bride."

I froze. My first kiss-with a stranger. But when Aiden lifted my veil, instead of kissing me, he leaned close and whispered, "I will wait for you."

His words, simple yet profound, brought tears to my eyes. I looked up at him and, for the first time that day, smiled.

Though love wasn't there yet, I could feel something else-compassion, tenderness, a quiet promise.

Maybe this was what my silver lining looked like or maybe not.

....

A/N; What do you think, guys?