Chapter 4

Isabella's POV 

Jennifer returned the smile and started telling me about all the good stuff happening in Mexico. She could not stop talking about all the wonderful things she assumed we would do together and how she was happy to meet me. 

We arrived at a store called Carla Fernández and entered the classic-looking store. You could tell by the ladies in the store that this place screamed rich. 

I've always been a girlie girl who, even though was shy, loved looking good. However, this time, I could care less. Getting a wedding dress for a wedding I'm not happy about could not make me happy.

"Miss Jennifer, Hola," a 5ft tall lady approached us immediately as we entered the store with the most dashing smile ever. You could tell that it was not a fake smile. 

What is it with Mexicans and looking beautiful? I thought.

"Buenas tardes, Diana," Jennifer answered as they hugged, "Have you gotten our session ready?" she asked.

"Of course, you know you're my best client. If you ask me to jump, I'll ask you how high?" Diana responded as they both laughed. I immediately got the memo, they already planned our dress-fitting session. How fast could they be?

"Isabella, you're going to love this," Jennifer said as she held my hands, " this is one of the most amazing and classic fashion houses in town, come on, let's go get you fitted," she said as she led me to a room filled with white gowns. I must say, this store is beautiful.

"You can look around and pick a dress you love, Miss," Diana said as she noticed I stood in awe with my mouth agape, admiring how beautiful the room was.

I smiled weirdly, almost embarrassed as Jennifer laughed. You could see in her eyes that she hoped I would enjoy the dress fitting session. She pitied me. 

The fact that she pitied me gave me an inch of hope. I could easily talk her into revealing an exit from the mansion. I smirked in my head as we started walking around and looking for a beautiful style for me. 

Operation discover exit activated.

"So, Jennifer, I heard there was one time one of the Don's captives escaped from the mansion, how did he do it?" I asked, assuming there was a dungeon or something like that in the mansion where Rodrigo tortured his debtors.

She was a wedding maid of honor but she was surely close to the family. So I assumed she had an idea about all that happened in the household 

"Who told you that," Jennifer's smiling face slightly dissipated as she looked at me inquisitively. 

It hit me that my guess must be right seeing how serious she became

"Well, I overheard it from one of the house helps," I said, trying to play it cool

She laughed hard and then answered, "You must have heard wrong dearest. Don Rodrigo never takes business to his mansion. Besides, once you're his captive, you either devise a way to get out of his clutch, or you die."

**********

I couldn't even hide my shock. Rodrigo was indeed the devil. Why would Dad make a deal with such a person?

I guess the Operation Discover exit is terminated.

"Here, try this on," Jennifer said as she handed me a gown and slightly pushed me into the dressing room while I hesitated.

I entered the room and dressed up. It was a white gown with no hands that revealed my figure and flowed to the ground. It was really beautiful. 

I should be happy on such occasions. I should be filled with glee. I only felt sadness.

I only envisioned this day with Maxwell, my first love. I had played several scenarios and reactions he would make when he sees me coming out in my wedding dress. I had thought about how he would compliment me and be dazzled by the how I looked.

Tomorrow I'll be married off to a man I know nothing about. A man I feel total fear and hatred for, the most notorious drug lord in Mexico.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I took a long look at myself in the mirror and then it hit me. I've got a plan, my perfect exit plan.

Filled with happiness over the plan I had come up with, I decided to act like everything was fine and ensure that no one suspected a thing. I could not have Jennifer suspecting a thing. So, I must act like I'm beginning to accept my situation and be truly into this charade of a wedding.

I lifted the extra layers of the wedding dress and went outside. 

"Oh! La Mujer, you look exquisite," Daina said, clapping her hands together. I smiled because her reaction was just nice.

I looked at Jennifer who seemed to be in a daze. This gown must be really beautiful. It shunned the chatterbox, Jennifer up. 

"Well, what do you think?" I asked Jennifer

"Oh… Waw, just waw! You look wonderful Bella. Like the best bride ever! I'm certain Don Rodrigo will be pleased when he sees how you look," she said with excitement.

"We have to look for a glass shoe. Something that glows her up and fits such a befitting dress," Jennifer added snapping her fingers as she signaled she wanted it done asap

"Of course Miss Jennifer," Diana responded and ordered her girls to get it ready.

"Oh Bel, Don's mother is certainly going to love the gown I picked for you," Jennifer said, looking at me admiringly.

A few minutes later, one of Diana's girls brought in a glass-looking set of heels. I must say, it is indeed beautiful. I put them on and glanced at the mirror and gave a small smile. I looked good.

I noticed how everywhere fell silent and everyone gradually began to leave the room, it was like they were ordered to do so. I turned around wondering what was happening and suddenly, the Don came in.

"You look beautiful," he said in a dull but sweet voice.

"You don't deserve me!" I snapped at him.

"What?" Rodrigo said with a shock on his face, ready to skin me alive.