Unholy Matrimony

Eve had long stopped dreaming of her own perfect wedding; her failed relationships had taught her that.

But here she was, walking down the most beautiful aisle in the type of ball dress she had fantasized about, and it wasn't even hers.

She kept her eyes on the tiny infant she was doing this for, one year old Zoe had been dressed up as the flower girl and she radiated so much joy as the music went off the keyboard.

'Here comes the bride...' 

But all Eve could hear was, 'Here comes the fake bride who will be off to England immediately after this sham.' 

Her parents would have to handle the rest. 

She took in the many cameras and reporters from various magazines, grateful for the veil concealing her face as she held tightly to her father's arm.

Sadly, it was the closest she had come to her parents in years and it was all an act. 

Somehow, Eve's eyes wandered towards the crowd as she searched for that mysterious man with the most beautiful golden pupils. 

But her legs halted as her search took her to the end of the aisle. 

Her mysterious stranger with a muscular build and perfect olive skin was the groom, Mr. Alessandro Stark!

Oh shit, she made to hide her face further, but realised the futility when she came to her senses. 

He had kissed her because he thought it was her sister, Ava.

How fucked up could it get?

"Hmm... Everyone is staring at us. Don't disgrace our family name, please." Mr. Wilson muttered between clenched teeth.

Eve resumed walking, keeping her feet steady although they were now shaking in the long heels. 

Her heart was pounding, but she made it to where the groom stood with the minister and the best man.

"What kept you for so long? Withdrawing that money could have fucking waited." Alessandro muttered as soon as she was in a whispering distance.

Eve's almond shaped blue eyes flashed towards him sharply.

She couldn't remember everything from last night, but this wasn't how he had sounded when he gave her those butterfly kisses which had tasted of sexy alcohol and...

Alessandro had also been drunk. 

Did he remember? 

"Sorry. My... make-up took time." Eve muttered in response, unaware of what to say and caught off guard by that familiar masculine cologne that had made her lean towards him at the bar...

It returned a memory from last night. He had been drinking alone at the bar when she'd seen him. 

Hell, a night before his wedding?

"Typical. Let's get this done. I have a business meeting to attend." Alessandro replied in a cold voice, the lack of affection making her heart skip.

Did he know that Ava had trapped him intentionally? Did he hate her?

"Friends, family, we are gathered here to celebrate love and unity..." 

The minister got to the vows and rings which were exchanged impersonally.

Alessandro Stark might have as well thought he was leading another business transaction. 

Eve swallowed hard, feeling sick for the rest of the ceremony. She reminded herself that it wasn't hers, and her sister would soon be back. 

"You may now kiss the bride." 

It was the moment she hadn't realised she had been waiting for. A glittering diamond ring sat coldly on her finger and the groom looked at her like another task to be fulfilled. 

But she still anticipated this moment.

He placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned forward, towering over her in his full six foot height. Her long lashes fluttered shut briefly as her heart pounded faster. 

His long arrogant nose and sculpted sensual lips moved closer to her plump pink lips. Her heartbeat accelerated.

Higher, faster.

Then she shut her eyes.

But those lips barely touched hers before he disengaged and smiled stiffly at the cameras.

Then the ceremony was over.

For a moment, Eve stood immobile, unaware of how to feel about being tossed like a task. 

Series of pictures followed, different journalists struggling to take photos from different angles. 

What the heck? The pictures lasted more than the ceremony!

Like a doll, Eve stood by the groom's side and forced her cheeks to move as blinding flashes of cameras made her dizzy. 

Just when she thought it couldn't get worse, the groom's family flanked them for their own pictures.

"You weren't thinking of running away after withdrawing all that money I hope?"

Alessandro's mother asked, her heavy perfume suffocating Eve so much she really wanted to run.

"Did you drink last night? Your eyes look puffy. Ugh, hope the pictures are edited properly, this is going on magazine covers."

That was Alessandro's sister, and she posed as if she were in a photo shoot, and pushed out her breasts and butt.

Eve wanted to scoff openly; as if the girl had anything to push out.

"Why were you shaking on the aisle? Did you forget how to catwalk?"

"You look like you added weight again. Hope you didn't whore yourself out and get pregnant?" 

Eve started to feel dizzy.

Luckily, ten minutes later of taking and retaking pictures, the Stark family left her side and she took in a long deep breath.

But it wasn't over yet, a group of girl suddenly flanked her and whipped out their selfie sticks.

"Supermodel Ava is now Mrs. Stark!" 

"The dress is made of real diamonds!"

"The shoes were custom-made with the jewelry!"

"The honeymoon is in Paris!"

Another bout of dizziness. Somehow, Alessandro Stark had moved away from her and was discussing something with people in suit. 

Then he was signing documents and making calls.

Eve stood in the middle of people who seemed to be her twin's friends, and knew that she didn't envy her sister's life at all.

It was suffocating and fake and no one cared about her feelings. 

She would wear that wedding dress to England if that's what it took to be out of here in the next five minutes. 

Quietly slipping away from the crowd, Eve carried the heavy wedding dress and went in search of her parents. 

"Mum, I'm leaving." She said as soon as she saw them.

Her parents exchanged glances, and she swore if her mother started crying again, she would join her and call her bull.

But surprisingly, her mother was understanding.

"Oh you've done so well, sweetheart. Thanks for doing this for us. I've instructed the driver to take you to the airport okay? But he will drive you to our house first so you can change out of the dress." 

Eve nodded, and felt emotional when her mother held her hands, kissing her cheeks. 

"Thanks Eve, you saved our family. We'll find your sister soon, don't worry." Her father, Mr. Wilson said with a warm smile.

For the first time in a long time, Eve felt like her parents would really miss her, but she knew she had to get back to her life. 

"Call me when you find her okay?" She kissed her parents goodbye, and ten minutes later was at the back of the car chauffeured by a young man.

He entered a large acres of lands and stopped in front of a gigantic mansion. 

Before she could ask when her family had moved into the house, the door was opened for her and a familiar young lady ran out of the house, carrying a loudly wailing baby Zoe. 

Behind them were the entire suffocating Stark family except Alessandro.