Chapter 02: 24-hours To Hell.

Cierra.

I stared at the paper in my hand like it was a death sentence wrapped in an envelope. My heart was still slamming from the moment I picked it off the floor. My ex.... George....was still standing there, eyes narrowed like he was trying to read my soul through my damn forehead.

“What’s that?” he asked, chin jerking toward the letter still trembling between my fingers.

I blinked fast, masking the panic rising in my throat. “Nothing. Duty calls. You know… life,” I lied, sliding it behind my back like it could disappear.

George stepped closer, a wicked smirk curling his lips. “I thought I was your duty call.”

He reached out to touch my waist but I slapped his hand away instantly. “Don’t get too comfortable,” I said, trying to sound composed. “You’re here because I was bored, not because I missed you.”

He scoffed. “Right. You light a cigarette, sit your sexy ass on top of me, and suddenly you’re Mother Teresa?”

“I didn’t ask you to come here,” I shot back.

“You didn’t tell me not to,” he shrugged, leaning back against my wall like he owned the place.

I stepped away, tossing the cigarette butt into a cup. “Look, George, this isn’t happening. Not today.”

“Oh, so now you’re done? Just like that?” His voice dripped bitterness.

I crossed my arms. “Just like that.”

His jaw tightened. “You used me.”

I laughed dryly. “Used you? Baby, if I used you, you’d still be smiling.”

His nostrils flared. “You’re unbelievable.”

“That’s what they all say.” I opened the door pointedly.

He hesitated only a second before storming past me. “Have fun with your ‘duty,’ Cierra.”

As soon as he stepped out, I muttered under my breath, “Suck my balls, fool.”

Door slammed. Silence.

I leaned against it, cursing everything and everyone including the universe that had a personal vendetta against me. That damn letter felt heavier now. I sighed, grabbed my phone and dialed my mom.

She picked in one ring, like she’d been waiting.

“Baby?”

“Mum,” I started, pacing the room. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me the wedding is tomorrow?”

She exhaled dramatically. “I just checked my messages. Dominic’s assistant sent the update. The date got moved up...he wants everything done quickly.”

I stopped. “So I’m supposed to get married in 24 hours? Like I’m some...A****n Prime delivery bride?”

“Cierra,” she groaned. “Don’t make this worse. His family must not think we’re unserious.”

“Oh right,” I laughed bitterly, “because if they start digging, they’ll realize you are a sad drug dealer who dresses like a slay Queen and has anger issues.”

She paused. “Exactly. So let’s avoid that.”

“Mum!” I hissed.

“It’s one day,” she insisted. “One ceremony. One veil. You literally just need to stand still and look pretty.”

“I didn’t sign up for this.”

“Well, technically you did when you agreed to pretend to be me.”

I groaned into my palms. “This is insane.”

“We’ve been through worse,” she said softly.

I hated that she was right.

I took a breath. “Fine. I’m heading to a glam store. I need a veil. A gown. Shoes. Whatever the fuck brides wear when they’re being conned.”

She chuckled. “That’s my girl.”

“Please tell me you can fund my account?” I asked hopefully.

“I’m sorry, baby,” she winced. “The court froze my finances temporarily.”

I rolled my eyes with a smirk. “Not like you got money in there anyway.”

We both laughed...a tired, broke-ass laugh.

“Call me after you choose something,” she said.

“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled and hung up.

I threw on a black oversized hoodie, low brim face cap, and tucked my hair into the back. The goal was to look like a runaway teenage boy. Mission accomplished.

Ride booked. Fifteen minutes later, I slid into the backseat of a Honda that smelled like hopes, dreams, and heavy cologne.

Halfway there, my phone buzzed... Cassie..

My co-worker. My girl.

“Where are you?” she asked immediately.

“Breathing,” I said evasively.

She snorted. “At least your lungs are working. Work is boring without you. And uh...our junior manager? He keeps asking about you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bitch if he asks again, give him the middle finger from me.”

She burst out laughing. “Why are you like this?”

“Genetics,” I mumbled.

“Seriously though, where you at?”

My throat tightened. Lie loading… lie failing…

“Gotta go!” I blurted and hung up instantly.

Damn I’m terrible at lying.

The car stopped. Store time.

I paid, jumped out, inhaled deeply.

“Okay,” I whispered to myself. “Here we go.”

***

The glam shop looked like bridal heaven came down and vomited glitter.

The bell above the door chimed as I walked in. A polished woman with a fake but sweet smile approached me immediately.

“Welcome! And congratulations!”

I fake laughed. “Thanks. Yay… marriage…” My voice was flat as hell.

She clasped her hands. “What kind of gown are we looking for?”

“Something elegant. Hot enough to make old people choke on their food.”

She giggled. “Right this way.”

She showed me tons: feathered, glittered, ones that looked like doilies from grandma’s shelf.

Then I saw it.

A dress glowing under soft white lights:

Sleek satin

Corset bodice

Deep V cut

Silver beaded lace trailing down like tiny crystals..A slit high enough to make nuns faint.... And that long veil.. sheer, glimmering, sexy

My kind of chaos.

“That one,” I breathed.

“Oh you have excellent taste,” the woman said.

When I tried it on, I barely recognized myself. The boobs were sitting. Waist snatched. Hips? Dominican auntie level.

For a moment… I liked me.

The woman squealed. “You look divine!”

“Yeah,” I smirked at myself. “I know.”

They packed it up for me. I headed to the counter.

Card in hand.

Suddenly... BANG...door flung open.

And him.

The man.

My soon-to-be stepfather.

Dominic.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Expensive suit. Veins. Jawline sharp enough to slice bread. Eyes like sin dipped in whiskey.

I forgot how to breathe.

He walked with confidence that screamed danger and sex and trouble. I swallowed so hard my throat clicked.

My card slipped from my fingers and fluttered to the ground near him.

He bent down, picked it up, and smirked... slow, cocky, devastating.

“You dropped this while staring at me,” he said in a deep voice that could be illegal.

My mouth ran ahead of my brain.

“Fuck,” I whispered. “I’m doomed.”

His eyes glinted like he knew exactly why.