Chapter 3 Her Wedding

Vanessa:

It was finally the day of the wedding - my wedding.

My father had already met with the Greyson family, and they seem to have reached an agreement.

At least that, I believe; otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting down, getting my face coated in foundation and mascara.

The Greysons are filthy rich, and they seem to make all the arrangements ready with just a snap of the finger.

The hired makeup artist took their time to do their work, and after what seemed like the whole day, I was finally ready.

I stared at the gigantic mirror right in front of me, and I was pleased with the outcome."You look adorable, ma'am," one of them said.

I looked over my shoulder and shot her a smile that didn't reach my heart as I mumbled, "Thank you." I took a deep breath in, and then out, as I stared at my reflection in the mirror one last time.

You got this.

I arrived at the church just in time as the music started to play on cue, and everyone stood up.

Their attention was focused on me and my dad, who walks alongside me.

I couldn't walk all by myself even though I wanted to. After all, I still have a father, and he has every right to walk me up the aisle. "You look divine," my father whispered, and I delivered a forced smile as we continued.

I shift my gaze to look up at the altar, and I find Scot's eyes locked on me.

His black suit fits perfectly, almost as if it was specifically singled out to be worn on occasions like this. His blonde hair was styled silkily. And I must admit-the man is beautiful.

We stopped at the front of the aisle, and my father handed me over to Scot, who slowly took my hand and helped me up as his eyes roamed over me with lust.

After what seemed like the whole day, the priest began with the vows, and I could only pinch myself from falling deep in thought as the priest spoke.

And right then, the moment I never thought would come anytime soon finally surfaced.

A feeling of nervousness creeps into my mind, my legs flutter and my throat suddenly goes dry as I hear the priest throw the next question."Do you, Vanessa Brown, take Scot Greyson as your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and to love, in strength and in weakness, to support and honour him for as long as you two shall live?"

I summoned every bit of boldness I had in me to suppress the voices in my head that screamed at me to say, 'No, I don't'. But then I reminded myself of the reason why I had gotten into this in the first place.

The hall was silent as seconds turned into minutes with everyone's eyes locked on me, waiting for me to speak.

I look at Scot and back at the priest.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before opening my mouth to speak. "Yes, I do." He threw the same question to Scot, and he firmly responded."In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

My heart rattled as I slowly looked up at Scot, and my eyes interlocked with his. I move my eyes from his lips to his piercing hazel eyes. His face was carved to perfection, almost as if it had been designed by a professional sculptor.

I stood motionlessly as he slowly leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. Shivers break down my spine as our lips touch. We separate after a few seconds as we hear the crowd cheer and applaud. His hand lingers below my back to help me regain balance.

I looked back at the crowd only to see my father with a grin spread across his lips, and next to him were two people: my stepmother, Shirley, and her daughter, Helena. It was supposed to be the most memorable day of my life, yet I feel disappointed, not at anyone but my father. I was a prospect to flourish his company. It's all he has always wanted, and I just made that dream of his a reality.

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Everything else went by so fast, and I noticed I've been deep in thoughts since tossing my bouquet to people I've never seen in my entire life.

I have no friends. Not since I lost the only one I had. And ever since then, I had not really been a fan of crowds - something about them makes me nervous - so I decided to sit back and watch everyone else enjoy the rest of the reception.

My eyes drift to see Scot talking to his father, Mr Mark Greyson, and his friends. I sip from the glass of wine I have in my hand and place it on a round table where I am seated - alone."Hello, Vanessa," a voice intrudes into my space. I turn to see my stepsister, Helena, taking a seat close to me. "Congratulations on your big day," she added.

"What are you doing here?" I responded as I raised my glass, ready to take another sip.

"I'm not here to cause any trouble; I only came to congratulate you." I roll my eyes. Like she does care."You did that; now you can leave." I take a sip from my glass again.

"Wow... Someone isn't happy even on their big day."

"And how are you supposed to know that?" I asked, getting irritated already.

She scoffed. "You, sitting all by yourself, explain a lot," she informed.

"Me sitting all by myself should pass the message that I don't need more people around me, so it's either you shut up or, better still, leave if you have nothing important to say to me." I spat.

I thought I had finally gotten some time away from people after countless failed attempts to sneak past Mr Mark Greyson from further introducing me to his confidantes, only to be stuck yet again with my step-sister."You know your father forced me to come to the wedding. Otherwise, I don't see a reason to come to a wedding based on personal gains and not love."

"Look, I don't have time for this. If you're not going to leave, I will," I say, standing up from my chair.

Helena and I had not always got along with each other. She's always wanted my dad to pay more attention to her than he does to me, and that was what led to the crises in my family.

Her jealousy made her mother, Shirley, do all she could to make my father turn against me, and by doing so, I decided to leave home.

I wouldn't blame anyone but my father, who decided to follow through with getting married to another wife after my mom passed away.

He had always said he did it for my own good, but I was never convinced he did.

Even though I loathed the idea of marrying his secretary, I accepted both her and her daughter with open arms just to make him happy.

I gulped the last drop of my wine, dropped the glass, and turned on my heels to leave since she refused to say something significant. I was centimetres away when I heard Helena speak up. "Why?"

"Why what?" I questioned as I turned to face her. Anger boiling inside of me already. She walked towards me to cover the gap between us."Why did you agree to this marriage when you know the kind of person he is?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked with a confused look on my face.

"It is because of the money, right?" She blurts out loud enough for people close to us to hear.

"What?"

"Don't act like a saint now. You can fool everyone else, but you can't fool me," she said. "Oh, plea-"

"What the hell, man!!!" A familiar voice echoed as some glasses shattered to the ground, drawing everyone's attention.

"You bastard!!!"