Unforseen Vows: The CEO's Bride

Adora's POV

"...it's a feeling of deep affection and connection, like a bond that unites souls. The four magical words that shine through, even in the darkest of times. It is a force that cannot be contained or defined, but only experienced..... L. O. V. E." I blushed at the book I was reading with a smile on my face.

The explanation makes me feel connected, bringing a bright smile on my face and my heart blossoming in my chest. At some point, I totally forgot that it was just a book, written by someone. It makes me feel the desire to be filled in this quiet moment.

I once experienced love from my family. A family of three, my parents were the best one anyone could ever wish for. We were all living a comfortable life until that bloody accident happened.

It has all become blurry memories in my head but my heart still remembers the joyful and pleasant moments we all had together. We were coming back from the amusement park, I don't know how it happened, it was my Mum's scream I heard before something sharp pierced through my head.

Opening my eyes, I saw that I was in a hospital. After many weeks, I was told about the shocking news, my Mum had passed away. It was as if the whole universe stopped, my Dad was there for me all the way.

As time went on, he became worried about my upbringing and decided to marry another wife. Beulah, my stepmom was nice to me from the onset until she gave birth to her own daughter, Zelda.

I lost my father when I was still in 11th grade. He got involved in a plane crash while coming back to the city, I again, lost my favorite person on earth. After the completion of 11th grade, Beulah didn't allow me to process the application for college entry.

She was finally showing her true colors. She began maltreating me for no reason in particular, and I became a slave to her and her daughter.

I looked unkempt, looking forward to Zelda's used clothes. I wasn't even allowed to know about my father's company, the one he left behind. I sighed deeply and continued with the book that I was reading.

"... It's a warm embrace that makes you feel safe and secure," I continued reading the book out loud, then, I suddenly heard Zelda screaming my name.

I braced myself for what was about to happen and soon, my door busted opened, "You fvcking sn*tch!" She fumed angrily, slamming the door behind her.

Her eyes swept to the book that I was reading and before it fell back on me and her expression changed to fury, "You b*tch!" She cursed, throwing the dress she held at me.

"How dare you, Adora?! You clearly know where I have to be today. But you chose that perfect time to ruin this dress for me, huh?! Answer me!" She roared but I simply threw her a lazy gaze.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Zelda," I informed her, removing the dress from my body and placing it beside me.

Her expression changed to horror, "Are those words for me?" She asked in disbelief but I didn't answer her.

"Are you deaf now?!" She shouted, rushing towards me and she started pulling my hair.

"Let go," I demanded, trying to free myself from her, "You should have thought of that before playing your stupid pranks on me," she said, through her gritted teeth.

My whole scalp was burning, I pushed her with all my strength and she fell backward on the floor. The door opened and Beulah walked in.

"Ahh," Zelda wailed on the floor and she swiftly bent to help her up, "Oh Mum, she has been bullying me," she lied smoothly, tears streaming down her face.

Beulah's face showed fury, being a brown skin, her expression was very dark, "Is that true?" She asked in a menacing tone but I clenched my fist beside me.

Talking or defending myself wouldn't change anything, "Are you defying me now?" She demanded as her palm collided with my ear. My ear sting, and for the next few seconds, I couldn't hear anything.

"You little witch! How dare you lay your filthy hands on my daughter!" She fumed, pushing me to the bed and started hitting me. I never for once retaliated, my heart ached in my chest as tears streamed down my face.

"Can't you talk?! Talk!" I always do this, and it raged her even more when I kept mute instead of saying something.

When she had had enough, she got off me and asked Zelda what happened, "Mum, she burnt my dress. Liam will be here any moment from now, what would I tell him?" She whined, stamping her foot.

This finally made sense to me, for the past few days, she has been anticipating for this day to come. Her boyfriend, Leonidas, who I have never met before, wants to introduce her to his family. I supposed the Liam guy should be his PA or driver.

"Sweetie, that shouldn't be a problem. We have a few minutes to spare. I will get you a new dress, more beautiful compared to this," Beulah assured her, while stroking her hair.

"She did this intentionally..." Zelda's voice faded away as she whined, walking out of my room. Beulah threw me a disgusting look and I looked down at my fingers, "You are a disgrace," she spat out before walking out of the room.

I dropped my face in my palms, weeping silently. I really do not have an idea about how the dress got burnt. I know this must be one of Zelda's handiwork to get back at me.

I wiped my tears and went to check if they had gone out, the whole living room was empty and I sighed in relief. I have the kitchen for myself, I was about to head to the kitchen when a knock on the door paused my movement.

Adora's POV

"Who's there?" I yelled but got no reply. My mind wandered back to Zelda's meeting with her boyfriend's family.

'Is he here to pick her already?' I thought to myself. The knocking didn't stop, I rushed back to my room and changed into one of Zelda's used clothes.

It still looks new and classy. I packed my hair and added a little make-up on my face. I might be an introvert, but I love leaving a good impression on myself whenever I meet people for the first time.

I wore my home slippers and packed my hair in a messy bun. The gown I wore stopped on my knees and I appreciated my reflection in the mirror. I smiled at the mirror, admiring my look.

My father used to call me sunshine, he used to say, my beauty radiates whenever I smile. I added red lipstick on my lips, which came out beautifully. I was about to leave my room to open the door when I paused, I checked my reflection and saw that my neck looked so long.

I yanked the rubber band off my hair and they bounced on my back. I brushed them carefully before arranging them behind my back.

I smiled at my reflection, "Good to go," I muttered under my breath and went to open the door. I pretended as if I was out of my breath.

"Oops! I'm so sorry, I was busy with..." I was interrupted by the guy I supposed to be Liam, "It's very fine. Are you ready?" He asked, looking down at me.

"Excuse me, I don't understand," I said truthfully. What does he mean by that? 'Perhaps, was I meant to go with her?'

My eyes widened as I stared at the man in front of me, "That's not what I meant. You are not on your heels or carrying a bag. Well, you look good this way," he glanced at his wristwatch, "Please, we don't have much time left. You took so long to get ready," he said, and I could hear the urgency that was laced in his voice.

"Was I meant to follow you?" I asked, not understanding what he meant. 'Wasn't he supposed to enter and wait for Zelda?'

He threw me an amusement look before he chuckled, "That wasn't funny but I chuckled still. What's the essence of coming here if you ain't gonna follow me?" He asked, crossing his arms.

"But she isn't around yet. She just left..." he interrupted me, "No, she isn't following us. He asked me to pick you only, not with your Mum or sister," he explained and my eyes widened.

"What?" I muttered, "Why me? I mean, she has..." he interrupted me again, "Ma'am please, we don't have much time left. We have to leave now, whatever questions that you might have for him. Ask him when we get there," he pleaded, his eyes showing that he didn't have much time as he had said.

"Okay," I stressed my words, looking down at my fingers, "So..?" He asked, gesturing his hand as if asking why I was still standing at the door. I hummed and shut the door behind me before entering the car, which was opened for me by a huge guy.

'Why did her boyfriend suddenly ask for me instead of Zelda? He even emphasized it to this Liam guy. Why?' I wondered, looking at Liam, whose gaze was on the road.

I was seated in the backseat, another car was behind us. That should be some men, escorting us his house.

'He must be really rich,' I thought inwardly but froze when something crossed my mind.

Zelda went to get a new dress, and she must be home already by now. 'Has he called to inform her yet? What if she takes this too personally? After all, I was going to meet her boyfriend's family,'

The car stopped in front of a giant gate and it was closely opened before Liam maneuvered into the compound. My mouth was agape at the sight of the house, it was stretched to the sky.

"Ma'am," I was forced out of my thoughts when I heard a voice beside me. I passed the man a wavy smile but his expression remained the same, making me swallowed my saliva.

I alighted from the car and Liam smiled at me, "I was expecting a classy lady with a killer body. I don't mean to be rude, Zelda. But..." his voice trailed off as he looked down at my dress.

My focus was on the name he just called me now, "What did you just say?" I asked fearfully, my mind was already calculating the whole thing.

"I don't mean to be judgemental. But for the first time being in your in-laws house. You should have worn s-some-thing b-better than this. Anyways, we are here already," he smiled at me and pointed at the door.

"You told me Leander asked her not to follow us," I said weakly, he gazed at me as if I had grown two heads.

"I don't really understand you, who is Leander? Well, we are here already. Let's go in," he said, walking ahead of me and I was lost at what was going on.

I remembered clearly he told me that Leander or whatever his name is said Zelda and Beulah shouldn't follow us. What happens now?

The door was opened for me, I walked in naively. The anxiety in my heart didn't allow me to admire the decorations. An old lady squealed when she saw me and stood up to come and hug me tightly, "Oh my dear," she muttered, hugging me closely.

It has been so long someone had hugged me, except for my best friend, Sophia. A strong wave of nostalgia hit me when she disengaged from the hug, "You look so beautiful, child," I muttered, stroking my hair tenderly.

I was tongue tied not knowing what to say. But one thing was sure, Liam has mistaken me to be Zelda.

Adora's POV

"Come in, dear," the old lady said nicely and I found myself lost at the turn out of the event.

'Why didn't he explain this to me?' I thought with a scrunched face. On the outside, I smiled at the woman. She looked down at my dress and her smile widened, "I love girls with simplicity," she admired.

I was in a yellow short gown, flip-flop slippers, my face had a little make-up on. I followed the old lady to their living room, a granny was also present, she was seated on the couch and she gazed at me with pure admiration.

There wasn't any guy here that I can assume to be Leander. I looked around the room to see if I could catch a glimpse of him. I had to explain to him the reason why I am here.

I don't have the courage to blurt that out in front of these beautiful and classy old ladies, "Aww, that's so cute. Well, he went upstairs now freshen up. He just got back from work," the old lady explained with a teasing smile on her face.

"What's your name, dear?" The granny asked and I rubbed my palms together, "A-Adora," I stuttered in a barely audible voice.

"Aww, baby you don't have to be shy. You will be my daughter-in-law very soon. I'm sure you will familiarize yourself with me soon," she said assuringly, crossing her legs together.

My head was hung low, I was very grateful that I didn't pack my hair. They were like shields for me now. I bit my lips, my heart was beating very fast in my chest, "Actually, we called for..."

The old lady was interrupted by a deep voice that made my heart skip a bit, "Babe, you are here," my eyes widened as I stared at my laps. I refused to raise my head and shut my eyes when the guy, I assumed Leander, walked closer to me.

"Babe, what's wrong?" He asked tenderly as he got close. He tucked my hair behind my ear and raised my chin up. His face showed terror when he saw my face, "What?! Adora!" He shouted in disbelief.

"Excuse you, Leonidas. What the hell is wrong with you? How dare you bully her in front of me?!" The old lady snapped at him and I assumed that she was his Mum.

I bit my lips naively, my tears were threatening to fall. I have never met him before but how does he knows me, "Mum, no. There is a mix up, she is.."

"Save it, Leo. To even think that you are making her cry in front of me. I am totally disappointed in you," she said, dejectedly.

He wanted to speak again but granny cut him off, "Enough of that, young man. Don't you have courtesy? She is going to be your wife soon," granny said and I darted my head towards her, "What?!" Leander, no sorry, Leonidas and I said in unison.

"Mum, no. You didn't even discuss this with me. And you..." he said, pointing at me but his granny had thrown her cane at him to which he dodged smoothly.

"Bully her one more time and you are no longer the CEO," she threatened and I could hear the seriousness in her voice.

"Granny, Mum, you guys don't just understand. Adora here is.."

"I said I don't wanna hear it, Leo. What type of a man are you? Is that how I have raised you? To make a woman cry?" His mother scolded him but I still kept mute.

I just don't know what to say. My only hope and prayer was for Zelda to walk in and free me from this awkward situation, "Mum, I'm sorry. But.." the rest of his words were stuck in his throat just with one glare from his Mum.

She adjusted the smile on her face and gazed at me lovingly, "Adora, dear. How is your Mum and Dad?" She asked me tenderly and that got my mood dampened.

"Uhm... actually, my Mum and Dad have passed on but I have a step.." I was interrupted by her voice, "That's so bad. It must have been hard for you, huh?" She asked and I nodded weakly.

"How old are you?"

"24,"

"Gosh, you guys have the perfect age gap. So, I have discussed this with mother.." she said, pointing to granny, ".. and we have come to conclusion that we want you and Leo to get married,"

"What?!"

"Mum!"

We both shrieked but she simply chuckled, "I know this can come as a shock to you too. But it is for your own benefits. All the expenses will be on us, Adora. Be rest assured, you will have the perfect wedding you have ever wished for," she smiled at me warmly but I looked over to Leander, no Leonidas.

He didn't say anything but threw me a disgusting look. I swallowed my saliva and opened my mouth, "I am not.."

"We will see to it, Mum," he interrupted me and that made me gazed at him, "Finally see my point," she smiled at him, "Is Dad aware?" He asked and they began conversing.

I was lost at what he was doing, "Yes, your father is aware and he is in support of this," his Mum responded with a smile.

"Welcome to the family child," granny said but I was too shocked to respond. I took a deep breath, it is now or never. I have to clear these misunderstandings.

I shut my eyes and rehearsed my words in my head in order not to stutter, "Ma'am, I am not Zel.." I was interrupted by his Mum's voice.

"Sweetie, I know this might come as a shock to you. But I promise you, you will never regret it. Leo had already told me you guys had been dating for a while now, getting married shouldn't be the problem," she asserted.

I was about to talk when granny also beat me at it, "I think she needs some time to process everything. Leo, you can drop her home. you guys can talk more about this on the way,"