The Substitute Groom

She tried to speak, but was choked with tears. Her tearstained face was puffy and swollen with grief, crestfallen, she realized that her only chance to succeed was gone. However, proving the guest wrong was her aim. Her stunning wedding dress which had buried her suit her perfectly as she was groomed beautifully for this day.

Today would have been the most remarkable day of her life if it wasn't screwed up by her groom. Here she was in the dress room cussing at every scene that had happened an hour ago. Her supposed groom had just rejected her last minutes to the wedding ceremony. If it were her wish, she would have halted the time. It was so embarrassing and agonizing for her as she needed to stay strong and sought a way out. Attempting not to freak out, she began to comfort herself.

At that moment, time had stopped as the gnawing grief still held her. Her makeup had almost wash away from the uncontrollable tears while she stood facing the mirror as her mind contemplated.

She folded her fist recalling how his facial expressions was like though he had already won and nothing she says was going to change how he feels claiming she was in his way yet his reasons weren't justify. Devastated and shocked at first, she tried understanding him and reminding him of the promises they swore together but that didn't make him stay. She rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door while panicking. Leaning on the door, she glide limply to the ground and covered her face with the palm while weeping.

Her face was been cleaned by the running water from the washbasin as she gnashes her teeth. It was time to muster up courage and prove to that groom of hers that he couldn't break her down though, she needed to provide a groom for the awaiting congregation, that was her greatest problem. This young bride vowed to be the strongest he ever knew and he need not worry because she won't be broke for long.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She inhaled, sniffed and placed on a bright smile. It certainly was her chief bridesmaid calling up on her to get ready to leave for the church ceremony. The bride beckoned on her that she needed a moment alone.

"Alright Stacy...do hurry up...the press media are gathered already" she informed from outside and then stride away. The thought of having the press media made her flinch as her worries hiked up. This wedding has to take place for her cover up mistakes of the past. Her feet led to the balcony where she could think straight. She had made up her mind that the first male she sees would become her groom only for the day. Her eyes scowled round praying that someone saves her or she might do something crazy. While lost in her wonders, a crashing sound was heard behind her and it got her terrified. Swiftly, this bride turned slightly to observe where the noise was coming from and found a young man behind her with a bottle of alcohol in his hand, he was a distance away, narrowing his gaze and raking his hair at her.

He looked drunk and could barely get a glimpse of her. Her curious eyes lowered down and noticed shattered glasses some inches away from her which could tell it fell out of his hand mistakenly and had drawn her attention. He was stuttering and must have lost his way as his face was lowered to the ground. Stacy swallowed hard, pinned her fingers together and stared at this young man in front of her.

He wasn't her ideal type and his outfit didn't speak of wealth neither was he saying anything. From her speculation, he was dressed casually and trying to get a hold of himself not to stumble. She wished someone else shows up and not this subconscious man. However, if he would be a saviour of the day, she was willing to accept.

"Let's get married" she squeezed out biting her lower lips and pouting at herself for making that statement like a desperate bride. A sided smile left him as he shook his head to get a lucid vision of who she could be. All he could see was a flowing white gown glittering and someone's voice ringing in his head. He shook his head and made an effort to keep his balance.

"So sudden?" He muttered in a husky tone while throwing his gaze away from her as he intended to gulp down the bottle in his hand but she hauled it away from him attempting to make him accept her offer. Time wasn't on her side and explanations could pause for now till the marriage was over.

"It's just for tonight...I need to provide a groom" she snapped and he scoffed, raked his left brow while trailing his eyes at her. She was beautiful and looked like someone abandoned at the wrong time but that request could be deferred. Stacy understood that look which he had on his face. Such people needed to be paid to carry out an assignment. Stacy was already judging him based on his appearance. How he got here wasn't her concern but becoming her groom was all that matters.

"Name your price" she furthered coldly stiffening her grip on the bottle in her left hand. His face brighten up and he nodded to those words. Those boggy eyes peek at her while tugging his hands in his pocket. He didn't seem fully drunk and didn't have to ask her why she suddenly want to marry a random guy whom she knows nothing about neither have they met before. Everything was happening swiftly and it was left for this stranger to act like a hero or dump her also.

"I want something else" he mused drawing closer to her, staggering as his shoes stepped on the glasses that was a barrier between them. Her feet stepped away slowly, trying to maintain a distance but couldn't as her back leaned on the rail of the balcony while he kept drawing near until he was an inch close to her.

"I will do anything" she hurried hoping he stays right there and try nothing crazy since he was drunk. Stacy could feel his breath hitting her hard as he ruffled his hair again. She couldn't concentrate as his eyes were searching hers like though trying to find answers. Her lashes fluttered while ducking her head back, her nose couldn't stand the stench of the alcohol as she gasped for air.

"Hey relax, I won't bite" he mocked judging from her reaction at how close they were. He snatched the bottle from her and whispered;

"Don't change your mind when you hear price"

Stacy gave him a daring glare as she faked a smile to hide her nervousness while gesturing to him if that was a yes or no.

Who wouldn't want to take the coverage a renowned celebrity who turns out to be an empress of the nation. Rumors had it that she wouldn't sit on the throne except she gets married. Everyone knew how she had prepared her whole life to take over the ruling power and had thought she would stay single forever only to announce that she was getting married out of the blue. No one had seen her fiance before and were stunned to realize who he was. Though there were some sort of delay, nevertheless, the wedding went through.

Her just concluded wedding was the talk of the town as fans, and hoped for the best. However, not everyone was pleased with wedding, mostly those who had thought it wouldn't take place after all they had done to stop it from happening.

Meanwhile, the newly wedded could be spotted in a luxurious limousine. Soon, they would leave for their honeymoon which got the bride nervous as she barely knows what this man was capable of. She was still trying get rid of the ravishing kiss he gave her when this man was asked to kiss his bride.

His hands around her waist, pushing her body to rest on his, gaze at her passionately got her quivering as for a moment, she felt he was going to eat her alive with just a kiss and had to haul him gently aside to stop the kiss or else it might never end, while faking a shy smile to the cheering crowd.

This bride wasn't expecting it be deep and passionate but he claimed it had to look real since she was paying him to do his job. It annoyed her that he was justifying his treason and acted with no emotions. Stacy had managed to make him look like a groom, thanks to her chief bride'smaid who aided her plan. They were sitting opposite each other, avoided lurking eyes as the bride was sinking in thoughts. This young man rubbed his aching head and the alcohol seems to almost wash off his eyes as he was feeling drowsy.

However, wines and beers were placed on the mini-bar for him to drown himself in as soft music played. He didn't mind the furious lady in front of him as he had his own troubles known to only him, sadness were written in his look as he growled. He admired the comfortable leather seat which was clothed with royal blue, the neon lights in several colors, climate control, it power privacy division, the flat-screen adjacent him which only showed their wedding program and it disgust him.

The stereo system let out a banging noise and he nodded his head to the beat only that his aggressive bride switched off the music and the TV for silence to flow. As for the bride, she was trying to fix correctly her eye contacts which were almost falling off. At least, that was a distraction as tension heated her up. Everything just wasn't in place yet this man feels relaxed, well not her! Her hands were shaking to fix them and wished for an assistant but not this man again.

His eyes took a glimpse at her, viewing how her fingers were struggling to place the eye contacts in. A sigh left him as he drew closer, beckoned on her to give it. Her heart raced at how he leaned on her requesting for the eye contacts, cold ran down her spine as he tugged her dangling hair behind those ears of hers just to see her eyes clearly. His hands rested on her exposed shoulders as he noticed how glued she was on the seat while feeling nervous.

Stacy squirm as she held her breath not to inhale his that poured on her face. She had intensions to kick him off but remained still, handing the contacts over after all, he told her not to act cold and just let him help. He gestured to her to let those eyes open while he fixed them. Once he was done, he placed his warm palm on her cheeks which was bloated and her swollen eyes.

Tears were forcing it way down and he wipe it off with a finger and gave her a piteous look. He guessed she cried out her eyes before meeting him, and wouldn't forget this embarrassing day.

"Hey...bride, he's not worth those tears, we never did anything wrong to be heartbroken" he muffled as his vision was becoming blurry yet he still held her cheek trying to comfort her all of a sudden; as he was now in his subconscious state. Certainly, sleep was lurking.

Stacy quickly flung his hands from her cheeks and pushed away from her. He fell at her feet and groaned while snickering.

"Stay away from me!" she ordered and he raked his hair, smirked at her and returned to his seat clumsily. From the rumors he had heard, the man meant to marry her was her fifth groom and for her to be this weary, she must have fallen deeply in love. She had better get a grip of herself. He shut his eyes as his mind was becoming void.

"What next?" He muttered intrigued and anticipating for the next play that would take place. Stacy gawk at him as she wondered what was ringing in that dirty mind of his especially as he had his eyes close, his hands resting on his cock, and his lips smiling sheepishly but then stop as his face became tensed and worried.

"What's your name?" She snapped back. Stacy had to have an idea of the random guy who won a jackpot by agreeing to marry her until she gains what she needed from the marriage.

"Ryan" he responded rolling his head and wrapping his arms around his waist. Stacy heaved a sigh as she felt like punching this man at the face. She wondered why it had to be him. What if he suddenly requested sex from his attitude so far towards her besides they were married and off to have their honeymoon.

"Argh!" She yelled panting heavily as she wasn't herself at that moment. From tales she had read about such situation, a contract was needed which would guide the way they act to each other. Oh how she despise the situation and wished the ground opens up and swallow her.

"I miss you" his voice rang through her head invading her mood and Stacy shoved her gaze at Ryan who had tears streaming slowly from his shut eyes. This bride scoffed, folded her fist and acted like though she wanted to hit him on the face. Curiously, she wished to know what made him sober in his slumber world. Stacy swallowed hard as she shifted quickly to where he was seated and laying his head. That head of his wasn't balance as it kept tipsy off. She had knowledge that sleep talking might expose somethings about this man who she hardly knew, though she wasn't concerned about his sleeping posture and he had filled this car with the smell of alcohol. He was uttering some words which was unclear to her and somehow, she felt interested to know what he meant by that statement he said. This anxious bride tilted at him to listen only to feel his arms around her pulling body on him as her arms accidentally went around his neck. He fluttered his lashes opened his eyes slowly and stared at this woman who lips were almost rubbing his. She tried controlling her breath from hovering around his face while feeling nervous. His eyes were enchanting and made her weak.

"Don't ever leave me alone" he whispered as Stacy ogled at him, placing her hands on his chest, and before she could break out of his grip, he captured her lips and kissed her hungrily as felt his tongue twirling against hers while his hands fondled her exposed skin behind.

A soft groan could be heard as it was followed by a yawn. The frustrated alarm was tired of waking its guest and gave up. The sun had decided to shone it ray on this guest through the window which had pave way for it. The guest rolled to and fro on the bed he laid while covering his face with a blanket but then suddenly jerked up from the bed and flung the blanket around him.

He squint his eyes and covered his face with his palm away from the sunlight. This young man lowered his eyes at his body and realized he only had his shirt and underwear on which made him gasp wondering what would have possibly happen.

He winked his lashes attempting to recall where he was, as his vision was still blurry. His head was aching and he felt pains coursing round his body. It took a while before he caught sight of an off-white colour and it seems to be the painting of the wall. His palm rubbed the back of his neck as he tried rising from the bed. His eyes scrutinized the large room he found himself. The more he tried to remember what happened, he got aches.

"Where am I?" He muttered striding towards the door attempting to open it but banged his back on it when a memory flashed his brain. This young man recalled kissing a woman in a flowing gown but then he couldn't figure out what next.

He winced, thud his head on the door for a while before stepping out. He noticed that he was in a magnificent building and this place spoke of wealth. His feet led him to the sitting room attempting to find the lady who brought him here only to find a rumbled wedding gown close to one of the couch, a suit on that couch, his pant and a tie. Furthermore, his eyes saw a pair of heels and and boots scattered around the place.

That drew his memory to a scene when he tried to undress this dazzled lady as they both fell on one of longest couch, her left hand was holding on to his tie as her daring gaze heated him up, he saw himself giving her a nasty smile and trying to reach for her breasts which had almost popped out of the large gown she wore, her soft moan and hands wrapped around his neck got him confused.

It made him flinch as he scratched his hair a bite as he couldn't tell if he had sex with her or not. He wondered what he was doing with a bride at that odd hour and why he tried taking advantage of her body. This young man left the sitting room and wished to see the lady he molested under the influence of alcohol. He searched every room and finally stumbled upon the last one which was adjacent the one he came out from earlier.

He sluggishly glide the door open duck his head inside the room and found her. The young man bite his lower lips as his hands tighten again the door knob while his eyes didn't leave her as he tried adverting them. Here she was standing naked before a mirror and massaging her skin with the cream in her palm only to notice him staring.

"Argh!" She yelled grabbing her towel to cover up and he slammed the door against her. He leaned his back against the door, shaking his head as he couldn't recall seeing her naked under his weight. What was wrong with him? He just acted like a pervert peering at her. That wasn't proper and the lady might think he was glad for devouring her body last night. He groaned and stuttered away from there. It was best he says his apology and leave quietly.

Meanwhile, she had washed her body recalling what transpired last night. She shut her eyes and buried herself in the tub for a while hoping he wakes up and clears the mess he created. When he had kissed her deeply in the car, rush of emotion filled her up and he fainted after a few seconds.

They arrived at her mansion and the chaffeur had to assist to take him inside while giving them their privacy. Immediately, she was left with him, he spring his eyes opened, grabbed her cheeks and resumed his kiss drawing her close as she could taste the alcohol left on his tongue and he smack her lips.

His hands kept yanking her body on him as she tries refraining from him. This bride recall how dazzled, tensed and nervous she felt as sweat had beaded on her face and her heart beating non-stop. When she tried to breaking out aggressively from his clingy and possessive act, they both fell on a couch, her arms went around him and she left out a moan unintentionally as his hands on her skin made her heart scamper with fear and she whimpered feeling his heat and breath filling her up.

The young lady could see the dark desires in his eyes as he began to pull off his coat while sucking the back of her neck. Cold flush inside her, his hands attempted to undress her hastily wanting to fill up his erotic desires.

She shook off the thoughts that was flooding her head and stepped out of the bathroom to get dressed for the day. Her nude toned body caught her eyes as she heaved a sigh thinking about her strange groom only to notice him staring from behind which got her wailing petrified. She must say, she chose a pervert this time around who couldn't control himself around a woman probably. Sex wasn't part of the ordeal as he was meant to disguise as her groom alone, no pleasures attached. Last night, she totally lost it and now he was peeking at her. She felt like screaming loudly but controlled her tongue ranting in silence and appalled by his actions so far.

This bride tugged into a pyjamas and t-shirt, delayed a bit and then left to address the young man. Besides, while he was dozing off, she had been preparing the contract between them and breaching wasn't allowed or else punishment would be served. Soon, her family members would request to dine with the groom at the royal table before their honeymoon takes off. This bride needed to teach him not to screw up the plan and win them off. Despite the fact that she loathe him, he was the only alternative left.