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 so; otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting down, getting my face coated in foundation and mascara.
The Greysons were filthy rich, and they seemed to make all the arrangements happen with just a snap of a 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, 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 father, as he walked alongside me.
I couldn't walk all by myself even if I wanted to. After all, I still had a father, and he had every right to walk me down the aisle.
"You look divine," my father whispered, and I delivered a forced smile as we continued forward.
I shifted my gaze to look up at the altar, and found Scot's eyes locked on me.
His black suit fit him perfectly, almost as if it was specifically singled out to be worn on occasions like this. His blonde hair was styled silkily. And I had to admit—the man was 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 the steps as his eyes roamed over me with unmistakable lust.
After what seemed like eternity, the priest began with the vows, and I could only pinch myself from falling deep in thought as the priest spoke.
And right then, came the moment I never thought would arrive so soon. The feeling of nervousness crept into my chest, my legs flutterered and my throat suddenly went 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 fell silent as seconds turned into minutes with everyone's eyes locked on me, waiting for me to speak.
I glanced back at Scot, then back at the priest.
I swallowed the lump in my throat before opening my mouth to speak.
"Yes, I do."
The priest turned to Scot and repeated the question, Scot 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 sculpted by a master artist.
I stood motionlessly as he slowly leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. Shivers break down my spine as our lips touch. We separated after a few seconds as we hear the crowd cheer and applaud. His hand lingerered at the small of my back, steadying me.
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 felt nothing but disappointment, not at man I married, 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.
**********************************************************
Everything else passed in a blur, and I noticed I'd been lost in thoughts since tossing my bouquet to people I've never seen in my entire life.
I had 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 made me nervous.
So I decided to sit back and watch everyone else enjoy the rest of the reception.
My eyes drifted to see Scot talking to his father, Mr Mark Greyson, and a group of friends.
I sipped 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 solitude.
I turned 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 rolled my eyes. Like she does care.
"You've done that; now you can leave." I took another sip.
"Wow… Someone isn't happy even on their big day."
"And how would you know that?" I asked, getting irritated already.
She scoffed. "You, sitting all by yourself, says a lot," she informed.
"Me sitting all by myself should pass the message that I don't need more people around me. It's either you shut up or 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 Helena.
"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 said, standing up from my chair.
Helena and I had never gotten along. She always wanted my father's attention more than i had, and that sparked chaos into our family.
Her jealousy drove her mother, to manipulate my father into turneing against me — and because of that i left home.
I didn't bame anyone more than i blames my father for getting married again after my mother passed.
He alwys said it was for my sake, but i was nver conviced.
Even though i hated the idea of marrying his secretary, i accepted both her and Helana–just to make him happy
I gulped the last drop of my wine, dropped the glass, and turned 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, knowing what kind of man he is?"
"What are you talking about?" I asked with a confused look on my face.
"It is about money, right?" She blurted out loud enough for guests nearby 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—"
CRASH!
"What the hell, man?!" A familiar voice echoed as glasses shattered to the ground, silencing the room.
"You bastard!"