Nicholas Adam: Congratulations on your wedding.
Nicholas Adam: Cheers to new beginnings.
A lot could happen in a week.
And within less than a week after meeting up with Nicholas, a lot had happened in Lana's life. A whole lot that resulted in her standing in front of her mirror, dressed in a fancy wedding gown, just as fancy bouquet of flowers in her hand with less than ten minutes to spare before her father appeared, ready to walk her down the aisle.
She was finally getting married to Alexander Frane and not a single soul other than Nicholas knew what had actually happened. Her parents' questions when they asked why Joan was no longer her best lady was ignored and Andrew's several looks of worry as he suspected she was hiding something from him was avoided. All that was to matter to them was that she was getting married as planned. And to her, all that was going to matter was her plan to make Alexander as miserable as possible upon marrying her.
Backing out of the wedding wasn't an option. It was a long existing deal between both families and she knew very well which family was going to be at a greater loss if it was cancelled. The thought of her family crumbling because of her was mortifying but the thought of Alexander going scot free after betraying her? Even more mortifying.
"Who was that?" Andrew asked, Lana immediately flipping her phone over to hide the screen. "Who texted you?"
"No one," she straightened her bouquet of flowers and stared at her reflection in the mirror, doing a good job at avoiding his gaze. "Just a spam text."
"Oh," she could tell he wasn't convinced from his tone. "So you're really not going to tell me what happened between you and Joan? She's ignoring my calls and texts too. Are you really going to leave me in the dark."
"Fine, I'll tell you after the wedding is over," she finally gave in with a groan, knowing Andrew was most likely not going to rest. "But for now, can we please focus on the wedding? It's all that matters, isn't it?"
"Without your best friend, sure," he nodded then stretched his arm, Lana quickly sliding hers into it. "Your dad should be here any second from now."
Almost immediately, the door to the dressing room was swung open to reveal her dad. He marveled at the sight in front of him then walked over to his daughter, kissing her forehead before taking her hand from Andrew.
"Let's go. Alexander's waiting."
Those words were supposed to make her heart tingle with excitement but instead, they made her heart stop for a second then harden with anger as it resumed beating. She faked a smile then slid her hands into his, taking one then several deep breaths as they made their way out of the room and into the wedding hall.
The hall was filled with dozens of people Lana barely knew- family, friends, business partners- after all it was not just a wedding but commencement of a new beginning in the business world. Her marriage was indeed just another business contract and apparently, only her had failed to realize that.
She could hear gasps erupting from her sides as she made her way sown the aisle. Struggling to jeep her smile on her face, she looked up and finally met Alexander's gaze, every determination to keep the fake smile up immediately fading.
He was standing by the alter, dressed in a dark exquisite looking suit. For the first time, his hands were actually by his side and not shoved in his pocket, his expression seeming well rehearsed as he stared at her. His hair was perfectly styled, enhancing his dangerous features- features so good, Lana almost temporarily forgot she was supposed to hate him.
Reassuring herself the devil couldn't look better even if he tried, she made her way next to him, the officiating officer ready to have them recite their vows. He smiled at them, Lana's heart tightening in her chest and with a knowing nod from Alexander, he began.
"I, Alexander Frane, take you, Lana Sanderson as my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to be faithful to you. To love, cherish and protect you till death do us part."
Every word felt like a thorn in her heart, every echo in the hall serving as reminders of the promises he already broke even before making them. She clenched onto the hem of her gown with one hand, flower in the other, wondering how he could do all that with an expression so perfect as if betrayal and lies were just another suit he wore so well.
"Lana," it was finally her turn. "Repeat after me."
She inhaled slowly, then began. Her voice was calm and collected and right underneath it, something dark brewed.
"I, Lana Sanderson, take you, Alexander Frane as my lawfully wedded husband."
"I promise to be faithful."
'I promise to be hateful.'
"To love."
'To despise.'
"Cherish."
'Disgust.'
"And protect you."
'And torture you.'
"Till death do us part."
'Till the thought of death feels kinder than the thought of staying married to me.'
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."