Chapter Four

Cheyanne.

The limousine door glides open to reveal an ancient, towering church, the type that you knew had a long history from the weathered stone and longitudinal walls.

I looked at Rebecca who gave me a firm nod. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I swung one leg out then the other before reluctantly taking the driver’s hand for balance as I stepped onto the pavement.

As we made our way towards the entrance, I noticed the environment was crawling with people trying to fit into the whole scenery. But the constant tapping of their ears and watchful eyes told me they were security.

Seizing a moment of distraction, I sneakily reached the front of my gown sliding my hand under my boob pad where I’d hidden a chocolate protein bar. I managed to pick the half bar and shove it into my mouth, chewing furiously and hoping to God no one had noticed.

“Are you good?” Rebecca asked, her sharp eyes catching my unease.

By the time we entered the church, my hands grew clammy, slick with sweat. Rebecca had mentioned that there was no one walking me to the altar, just myself. Panic surged through as I chewed the bar hurriedly and began fake-coughing. About five people rushed towards me,seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

“W-wat…” the moment I opened my mouth, I made sure to spew the contents which had been vigorously mixed with saliva right down my pristine white dress. The dark brown stain ruined the fabric instantly.

“I don’t feel so good” I whispered, putting a trembling hand to my forehead for dramatic effects. “I need to use the restroom.”

Rebecca nods, “Escort her to the restroom, I’ll go get the spare dress.” Rebecca muttered.

What? They had a spare wedding dress? Just how prepared were these people?

Two men escorted me to a restroom just off the main chapel. Clutching the ruined heavy fabric in my hand, I felt less like a bride and more like a desperate convict on the run.

We reached the door and the strong faced guards made no move to step back.

“You seriously don’t expect me to leave the door open.” I glared at the first guard.

“We’re just doing our job, ma’am.”

“Right. But do you really want my husband knowing that you denied me privacy and let me undress before you right before we got hitched?”

His face drained of color immediately at the mention of my husband. He then exchanged a panicked look at the other guard who told me to go ahead with a wave.

I slammed the door shut and twisted the lock. Wondering what kind of monster my supposed fiance was to make grown, armed men look that terrified. I didn't know who I was marrying yet, but my gut was screaming at me to run before I found out.

Moving quickly, I turned on the sink tap all the way, letting the sound of rushing water fill the room to give the illusion that I was washing up. Then, I climbed onto the toilet seat, using it as a stool to reach the small window above.

I nudged the glass. It wasn't sealed shut. Thank God.

Holding my breath, I slid the window open fully, making sure the friction didn't overpower the sound of the running water. I peered out. Freedom was right there, just a drop away.

I pressed one palm against the wall and hitched my knee up, trying to get footing on the narrow rim but my palm kept sliding.

“You’re taking too long!” Followed by two loud bangs.

“Almost done,” I screamed.

This time I successfully hoisted myself and jumped out. I braced myself for a hard impact against the ground, but instead, I fell right into a pair of solid, muscular arms.I opened my eyes slowly, my breath catching. For a wild second, I thought God had finally answered my prayers and sent a literal angel—and a breathtakingly handsome one at that.

Sharp jawline, dark piercing blue eyes.

Reality snapped back in as I scrambled from his grip just as our eyes locked.

“Please, you need to help me.” I pleaded as tears gathered in my eyes. “I’ve been abducted by dangerous people.” My voice cracked.

He stiffened as his gaze swept down my disheveled state. He then pockets his hands as if amused by my distress.

“Can I use your phone? Please.” I was almost on my knees.

He just stood there, entirely nonplussed by my breakdown.

Frustration and fear flared inside me. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t going to help so I turned to run, ready to sprint into the streets in my undergarments when a deep smooth voice cut through the air, stopping me cold.

“Wait”

Slowly, I turned back to face him.

He took a single step forward, instantly closing the space between us. His dark eyes bore into mine, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

“You really don’t remember me, do you?” He uttered as he pulled off his suit jacket and covered my shoulders with it. Completing downing me in a heavy scent of dark wood and spicy cologne.

My brain short-circuited.

Who the hell is this? And why should I remember him?

I sighted the guards through the corner of my eyes before I could fully process his question or an answer.

“I need to leave.” I gasped.

Turning away from the mysterious stranger and the riddle in his eyes, I threw all caution to the wind and ran for my fucking life.

Just as I thought I had escaped, rounding the corner to a small building, I heaved a sigh. Now all I had to do was find a phone and know where I was.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the runaway bride.”

I jumped at the voice that came from behind me. My body trembled.

It was her again.

“I—I” the words caught in my throat. Shit.

“So sad that you'll put your friend’s life at risk for your own safety.” She said with a low threatening tone.

Before I could form another sentence, her phone beeps, she pulls it out of her purse and puts it on speaker.

“We’ve found where she lives.” A rough voice reported. “Do we pick her up now?”

The screen was turned towards me, my breath hitched as I saw the familiar green building. Gia’s apartment.

“No, no! Please” the panic clawed its way out of my throat. “I’d do anything. Please don’t hurt her.”

“You broke our deal. Love.” She shrugged.

I hadn’t realized that a pool of tears had begun forming on the pavement by my feet. I sniffed in, sneezing hard from the face powder I had inhaled.

Elena took a step away from me with a frown on her face.

“One more chance,” I begged. despising how helpless I sounded. “Just don’t hurt her.”

“Then you’ll have to listen to me this time.” She glared at me, unfazed by my susceptibility. “Will you?”

I nodded vigorously, “Yes. Yes, I will”

“Firstly, you’ll get a new dress and get rid of those hideous black lines on your cheeks. And secondly you’ll be a good girl and wed my son. The moment you act like you’re being forced or unhappy, you’ll say bye bye to Gia.”

I nodded, clenching my jaws tight, holding in the fresh set of tears that threatened to pour off my eye sockets.

“Now, if you’d let me—“ she held out her manicured fingers to me. I hated that I had no choice than to take it.

In less than an hour, my makeup had been retouched and I'd been given a new dress. Less complicated than the previous one.

The heavy wooden doors of the chapel opened. Then a slow, hauntingly beautiful piano tune drifted through the air, but to my ears it sounded more like a funeral song.

I walked down the aisle entirely alone, save for the bouquet of white lilies that had been shoved into my hand last minute.

My hope shrank every step I took towards the altar, withering away like a dying flower.

I could count about ten people including Rebecca and Dr Elena in the chapel benches, all on their feet as I passed by.

Elena gestured with both index fingers on her face, pushing it upward. Smile.

I immediately spread my lips into a thin line and forced them upward.

By the time I reached the altar, the music died down and the guests sat down in unison. Standing before the priest was the groom. From behind, all I could see was his broad shoulders, rigid and unshaken. Then I stepped up beside him and turned to my left.

My breath caught. Locking eyes with my new husband, the world seemed to tilt. It was him. The handsome stranger from before. My rehearsed smile faltered for a second before I forced it back to its place.

He must have sensed the emptiness in it because his gaze remained intense. Was he also forced into this?

No, he didn’t seem like the type that’d be forced into doing something. We moved through the ceremony swiftly, said our vows and exchanged wedding bands. Finally the priest closed the book. His voice echoed as he spoke.

“You may now kiss your bride.”