Chapter 2 : Wedding Day

Anna was caught by Ratih.

Ratih immediately called all the guards in the house to capture her. She even joined the chase herself, running barefoot after Anna. She didn't care if her feet got dirty or injured. There was no way she would let her source of lifetime wealth escape.

Anna ran as fast as she could toward the gate. She had already prepared herself to climb over the gate once she reached it. Unfortunately, she was caught just as she was about to start climbing.

"You'll stay here until your wedding day arrives," Ratih said, shoving Anna forward.

Anna was locked inside a windowless underground storage room filled with piles of unused items. The place was always kept clean because it stored secondhand goods that could still be sold for high prices. If Anna hadn't been Ratih's valuable investment, Ratih would never have placed her in a storage room that was regularly maintained like this.

Whenever Anna needed to use the bathroom, one of the guards stationed outside would escort her. As for meals, the guards would briefly open the door to place food inside and collect her empty plates.

Her backpack containing clothes and documents, her phone, and even her bank card had all been confiscated by Ratih. Anna truly had nothing left to rely on. Even if she somehow managed to escape, she wasn't sure she could survive out there on her own.

Ratih and Sanjaya will hunt her at any cost. She might not survive any longer without money.

Realizing just how powerless she was, Anna fell into despair and could do nothing but cry.

***

"Miss... let me help you get ready. You need to take a bath and look beautiful today," Bi Imah said gently as the storage room door opened.

Today is Anna's wedding day.

The wedding gown she wore is so beautiful, exactly like the one she had always dreamed of. Tears streamed down her cheeks once again.

"Miss Anna, please don't cry. I'm getting nervous. Your makeup won't turn out well if you keep crying," said the makeup artist who was working on her face.

The woman panicked at the sight of Anna's sudden tears. She quickly grabbed some tissues, wiped away the tears, and tried her best to calm Anna down.

"Wooow, the bride looks so pretty today," Valencia exclaimed as she entered the room arrogantly.

"Yeah, really pretty. She’s the prettiest bride in the world!” Tommy replied sarcastically.

"At last, you're finally leaving this house."

The wide grin on Tommy's face made it obvious how delighted he was to see Anna go.

Valencia walked toward the vanity where Anna was sitting. She leaned closer until their faces were side by side.

"No matter which angle you look from, I'm far prettier than you. Alex will definitely be mine today."

Valencia had liked Alexander for a long time. It could even be called love at first sight.

The last time Alex visited their house, he had only been seventeen years old. After that, neither Alex nor Chandra was ever seen there again. Valencia had constantly begged for chances to meet Alex, but she never got what she wanted. Sanjaya can’t asked Alex to come whenever he wanted to.

Alex moved to London to continue his studies, attended Oxford University, and settled in Singapore after graduation. He simply didn't have time to visit Indonesia.

Valencia hated Anna even more because Alex had always asked Anna to accompany him. She assumed Alex avoided talking to her because Anna must have said bad things about her behind her back.

In truth, Anna herself had no idea why Alex was reluctant to speak with Valencia.

Whenever Anna invited him to play or simply chat with her older siblings, Alex would always refuse. And whenever she asked for a reason, he never gave one.

"He was already handsome back then. He's even more handsome now. Honestly, I'm the only one who deserves to stand beside Alex. Byeee..."

Even after saying that, Valencia still took the time to check her outfit and fix her hair in the mirror.

She wanted to look perfect in front of Alexander later.

After all, there was no way Alex would miss the wedding of his father and his childhood friend.

After they left, a new determination was born within Anna.

She decided to make a deal with Chandra and Alex.

A deal that would bring suffering to this family.

Deep down, she was convinced that both Chandra and Alex could be persuaded to work with her.

Although the reality of having to devote her body to Chandra would not change, Anna felt that it was still better than watching this family smile happily.

She was part of this family too.

But, they had never shown her a shred of love.

If that was the case, then she would destroy everything they held dearly.

Anna quickly wiped away the remaining tears on her cheeks.

"Please, hurry and finish my makeup. Make me look beautiful."

The makeup artist simply nodded and continued her work. Although she was still shaken after witnessing the family drama that had just unfolded, she did her best to focus on her task once again.

***

Anna and Chandra's wedding blessing ceremony was held at a church not far from the Sanjaya residence.

There was no reception, and only immediate family members were invited. It was an extremely private wedding.

As Anna stepped out of the car and walked toward the altar, she realized that Alex was absent from Chandra's side of the family. She didn't recognize anyone there except Robert, Chandra's assistant.

"I entrust Anna to you, Chandra," Sanjaya said as he placed Anna's hand into Chandra's.

"Thank you," Chandra replied flatly.

The blessing ceremony and the signing of the marriage documents proceeded smoothly. After exchanging their vows, Chandra leaned forward and kissed Anna on the lips.

Anna still felt a strong sense of unwillingness as she surrendered her lips to him.

***

It’s night already.

Now, Anna’s inside Chandra's bedroom, with two guards stationed outside the door.

Fresh from a bath and dressed in the outfit prepared for her, she felt extremely nervous. She had already lost count of how many times she had paced around the spacious room.

The room itself left her mesmerized.

Gray-painted walls, a luxurious king-size bed, a large wardrobe, a full-body mirror, a small table and chairs, a television, and even a mini refrigerator.

It was exactly the kind of bedroom she had always dreamed of having.

Back at the Sanjaya residence, Anna had never been allowed to decorate her own room. She was always given Valencia's discarded furniture.

The wardrobe was one example.

Whenever Valencia grew tired of a wardrobe, she would simply move it into Anna's room. Anna wasn't even allowed to store it away because Valencia wanted it kept in good condition. That way, if she ever wanted it back, she could take it whenever she pleased.

And it wasn't just the wardrobe.

The same rule applied to every piece of furniture in Anna's room—the desk, the chair, the bedside lamp, and everything else.

Anna had never been allowed to refuse.

Ratih and Sanjaya had always permitted Valencia to do as she pleased.

Standing in front of the mirror once again, Anna examined her reflection.

Ratih hadn't allowed her to bring any of her personal belongings, so she was forced to wear the clothes provided by Chandra's household staff.

She let out a long sigh.

The lingerie she was wearing was undeniably provocative. It was black, short, and semi-transparent.

She had wanted to change into something else, but when she opened the wardrobe, she found it completely empty.

Fortunately, she didn't dwell on it for long. There was a blanket on the bed, and she could use it to cover herself.

The agreement.

That was the only thing occupying her thoughts.

Anna intended to discuss her proposal before their first night together. Would Chandra agree to the deal she wanted to offer?

No matter what, she had already decided that she had to make it work.

Not long afterward, she heard footsteps approaching the room.

Anna immediately rushed to the bed and pulled the blanket over herself.

When the door finally opened, the person she saw was not Chandra.

"Alex?" she asked in shock. "Why are you here?"