BAM!!
A slap on the face sent Ria crushing through the center table. But this time, she didn't bother to back up. She just lay on the floor, the pains had seemed to numbed away. There was no tears, no sobs, nothing.
"Bitch! You are going to marry Bruce Graham by hook or by crook", her dad, James Willis, spat on her.
"That's right bitch! You didn't expect me, Raine Willis, to marry that dead man, did you?", her stepsister scoffed at her while her stepmom, Andria Willis, sniggered in pleasure.
This had been Ria's life ever since her mom died. It was always three against one. Ria's mom died when she five. And the worst thing is that her father who claimed to love her mom, brought in another woman only a month after. The woman he brought, Andria Willis, had a daughter, Raine Willis. Firstly, Raine was older than her and she was James' biological daughter.
These people made sure to turn her dad against her and her life a living nightmare. Growing up, she had to cater for herself. She couldn't evenn finish her schooling in college because she didn't have money for tuition so she took a student's leave.
And now, they were forcing her to marry someone she did not like. Bruce Graham was technically Raine fiance not hers.When her grandpappy was alive, he had made a deal with Bruce's grandfather that her dad's first daughter would marry Bruce. And since Raine was older than her, the mantle naturally fell onto he shoulders. But just as always, if Raine didn't want to do something, Ria the slave would be forced to do it. But can you blame Raine? Who would want to marry Bruce Graham? Everyone in LA who didn't live under a rock knew about Bruce's problem. Bruce Graham was someone whose fate had been predicted that he wouldn't live past the age of thirty, and he was 28 this year. He is said to be a dying man, a pale thin-looking man who couldn't even get out of bed. He was no better than a 90 year old man. And worst of all he had an extremely bad temper and was very ugly.
Raine was to marry and give birth to an heir for him before he died. But one good thing was that Bruce's family, the Grahams, we're the richest in all of LA and even some parts of USA. They were well known business tycoons and everyone feared them. Bruce had it all, game, power, riches,fortune but a very bad fate.
"Get ready, you're going to marry Bruce tomorrow ", her dad threatened and stormed out with Raine and her mom behind his tail.
James didn't want to break off the marriage alliance because it came with a partnership with the Graham Group.
Only a fool wouldn't want to partner with Graham Corp.
After about an hour of lying motionless on the floor, she forced herself up, at least not without wincing in pain. She dragged herself to bed.
...
...
...
"Knock! Knock!"
"Knock! Knock!"
The make-up artist waited for the person inside to open the door. She had arrived earlier to get to work. She had gotten a job, that is to do the makeup and hairstyle of the bride. She was directed to this room. After a few minutes, the door was opened by a girl with bruises all over and her hair all messy.
"Excuse me, but can you please direct me to the bride's room? I'm supposed to dress her up today", the stylist concluded that she had knocked on the wrong door. There's no way this girl could be the bride, right??
"Yeah, that's me. Come in", Ria's statement left the stylist completely stunned and it increased when Ria actually let her in.
"Please have a seat, while I freshen up ", Ria said sullenly and walked into the bathroom. She came out after sometime, all freshened up in a bathrobe. The stylist noticed something; even though she was the bride, she didn't seem to act happy like other bride's she had worked for before. Ria just say there like a lifeless doll as the stylist got her ready. Approximately two hours later, Ria stood all dolled up in front of a full length mirror.
At this moment, the stylist was completely dumbstrucked. She didn't know if the girl was naturally gifted or if she was really that good at her job. The girl standing beside her was totally different for what she was a few hours ago. She wore a peach colored fish-tailed gown which accentuated her natural curves. Her coffee brown hair had been pulled into tight bun with a peachy veil attached to the bun. All bruises had been concealed with make-up and she looked stunning. She was the type of girl whose beauty slowly dawned on a person.
" I'm done ", the stylist finally announced. When she still didn't receive a reply from Ria, she packed her things and left.
"What a sad bride".
...
About two hours later, Ria found herself standing in front of her new home, Bruce Graham's mansion. Her wedding had not been much of a wedding. She just signed a marriage contract and that was it. She still hadn't even seen her groom. No one in the groom's family showed up, only their butler did.
"Right this way, Miss", the butler said warmly and left the way. As he left her in, she couldn't help but think that the place is beautiful. When you entered the black gates of the mansion, the first thing that would greet you was the beautiful porcelain black fountain. The mansion had a gray pathway with the fountain right in the middle of it. On either sides of the path were lawns with white rose bushes that had been well trimmed.
Finally the butler pushed the mansion door open to reveal it inner brilliance. Ria looked around in awe, and around in awe, and who wouldn't? White marble floors, grey couches, white furniture, grey curtains, everything waskust stunning.
"I'll take you to see the Young Master", the butler said with pity in his eyes as he left her to the second floor. He took a left turn and stopped right in front of a room.
"This is the master's room. You can go and knock to enter", the butler said and disappeared from corridor. With shaky hands, Ria knocked on the door.
"Come in", a man deep voice came through just as she was contemplating whether to knock or to make a run for. Nervously, she entered the room and closed the door. Ria couldn't see anything because the room was plunged into darkness unlike out. She tried to look for the light switch and just when she found it , the man's voice sounded again."Who asked you to switch on the light?", a cold voice rang out which sent shovers down her spine. She quickly place her hand down.
"Raine Willis?", the man asked.
"Y-Ye-Yes s-sir", even though she was Ria. Everyone would only recognize her as Raine because Raine was supposed to marry Bruce and not Ria.
"Take off your clothes!", He ordered. This command completely stunned Ria.
"Wh-Wh-What?"
"Are you deaf? I said take off your clothes", he ordered coldly again.
"I-I-I can't sit", Ria stammered.
"Are you trying to defy me?', the man's cold voice boomer in the room.
"Do as l say", the man said roughly pulling at her zipper.
With years in her eyes, she slowly removed her arms out of her sleeves. Just as she was about to remove her hand from her chest and let it fall, the man spoke again.
"Enough!!
A sigh of relief hadn't left her lips when her neck was grabbed by a big hand. Her eyes widened and her breath was caught in her throat as he tightened his grip.
"Now listen carefully ", she could feel his warm breath on her ear,"you better stay as far away from me as possible. This is just a contract marriage. You will be out of here after two years so you better stay out. Got that?"
She nodded vigorously and choker out a, "Yes s-sir"
The man roughly pushed her away and got out slamming the door shut.
Ria cuddle herself on the floor, with her head resting on her knees and her hand around her bent legs and cried her eyes out.
What had she gotten herself into.