Chapter 5.

My wedding preparations are ongoing. It would have been a small ceremony if it were left to me. It’s not like I’m marrying a man I fell in love with — he still is a stranger to me.

But Mrs De Luca… my bad, Rose wants it to be as big and luxurious as possible. She’s been waiting for this day since Alex could walk.

Rose managed to have my contact info and is getting me involved as much as possible, amidst my busy schedule. She insisted I call her Rose since I’m about to be her daughter-in-law.

I sigh and drop the papers I need to review before the end of the day.

“What’s wrong? do you need help with anything?” Freya asked, concerned that I’ve been overworking myself for the past two weeks.

“It’s nothing, I’m just thinking about the whole wedding charade.” I think I need some coffee.

Freya works in the same room with me, unlike other secretaries who work from right outside. I love her close by, and it's more convenient for both of us this way.

“I know it's hard, but there’s no going back now, is there?” Fre asks apologetically.

“Nahh, there isn’t. I guess I’m gonna be a Mrs soon huh?”

  

“I guess you are.” She replies, giving me a small smile. 

“I heard he’s gonna be publicly announced as the new chairman and CEO immediately after the wedding.” I blurt out what’s been on my mind since.

 “Do you think that’s what he is benefiting from this deal?”

“That actually makes sense, now that you mention it. I mean, why else would he marry a complete stranger if that’s not the case.” A phone call comes in while I remained pondering on this new theory.

It’s Rose.

“Hello dear, just wanted to tell you that your dress is ready, and if you have time later this afternoon, I’d love it if you pop by the studio for the final fitting,” she says excitedly.

I still have loads of paperwork to complete, but I can't decline her. I guess I have to take them home then.

“Sure, no problem, I’ll be there in less than an hour. Thank you.” 

Freya points at her phone, gesturing that she’s called for my car to be brought to the front. 

I couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable about this whole wedding saga. Rose, insisting on designing my dress made this even more out of my control than ever.

Even though she has been so good to me, I couldn't help but feel nervous about the whole thing. The car jolting to a stop broke my train of thought. We are here. 

I step out of the car, taking note of my surroundings. Her shop front is so cute. If this were an actual wedding, I might have gotten a little excited. The door swung open, and Rose appeared.

“Hazel! It’s great you could make time to come over. I know how demanding your job is.” She pulls me into a warm hug.

I still don't know how to react to her. I could only smile back. She pulls me eagerly into the shop. Considering how big her brand is, this was just a small personal outlet out of the many boutiques she owns in and out of the country.

“The dress is going  to look so beautiful on you.” 

“I don't think it's necessary for me to try it on, I'm sure you did a good job.”

She waved me off and pulled me into the dressing room despite my protests. After several tugs and ties, I emerged from the dressing room. I turned to look at the mirror and I couldn't help but gasp.

This was the perfect dress, the dress is breathtakingly beautiful, and for a moment, I forgot this was an arranged marriage.

As I looked at my reflection, I saw a new person, with the dress hugging me in the right places. It was a masterpiece, with the delicate embroidery and the sparkling sequins, it looked like a dream.

“Do you like the dress, honey?” Rose’s voice broke me out of my trance.

“Yes…. It’s perfect…” I mutter breathlessly. 

°°°°°°°

Walking down the porch to my home, an unexpected package sat neatly wrapped in front of my door.

I don’t remember ordering anything…

I pick up the package and walk in. Instead of settling in after a long day, the light decorated box made me curious. I hurriedly placed the package on the center table and started unwrapping, only to see a small letter drop from the side of the package.

“Hope this brings a smile to your beautiful face. I look forward to being with you.  Yours sincerely, Alex.”

Speechless was definitely an understatement to how I felt. I gently opened the box to find a pair of lovely strass stiletto red bottoms.

No way…

When I thought that was all, something else laid patiently, covered by a thin white cloth. It was the Aku no Hana book he took that day.

Tears pooled at the corner of my eye, threatening to spill. I had the wrong impression of him after all. This was so thoughtful of him to do!

I went to sleep that night with less burden on my heart.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

The day of my wedding arrived, and to be honest, after Alex’s little surprise present and note, I’m excited for what the future holds for me…for us.

From today, I'll be a married woman. It still sounds like a dream to me.

I’m seated in a room in the building where our wedding will be held all glammed up and adorned with the beautiful dress Rose personally created for me.

I had the opportunity to have a peek into the wedding hall and it was absolutely gorgeous. The aisle was lined with white lilies on each side. Many rows of seats for the many high profile guests that will be present .

The room shimmered like a palace with its crystal chandeliers refracting light across the polished marble floors. Impeccable work, all thanks to Rosemary.

My chief bridesmaid of the day, held my hand gently while stroking it. We’ve been waiting for almost three hours for the ceremony to begin, but the groom was nowhere to be found.

We initially just assumed that he was running a bit late — unusual, but still…

I could imagine the thoughts running through the guests seated in the hall, waiting for the bride and groom to make their grand entrance.

I couldn’t sit anymore as my anxiety grew with every minute ticking by. I start to pace the room and I can hear the hushed whispers of the group of girls arranged to be my bridesmaids.

My father, my step mother, Mr and Mrs De Luca all enter the room at once with tense expressions on them. Except Veronica, who had a smudge look on her heavily caked face.

This can’t be good…

“We haven’t been able to reach Alex all this while Hazel.” Rose says looking dejected. The expectant look I gave them seemed to cut the long pause. “He’s not coming…”

Did I hear that right? What do they mean by he's not coming? 

It suddenly felt like I was being submerged in water. How did I go from never wanting this wedding to hold, to imagining a future with him?

“We asked Levi, his best man for today, and he said only you will know.” Arthur spoke. “So tell us Hazel, what do you know?”

Mr De Luca is known to be a very disciplined man of order and the tentative stare he sent my way, gave me goosebumps.

“Hazel, we need you to tell us the truth. The consequences of you lying will be bad”. My father says coldly. His venomous tone made me even more frightened about the situation. 

Why though? Why did he disappear all of a sudden? 

What truth do they need from me?

What do they mean by only I will know about his disappearance?

I need answers and their silence is killing me!

“Don't tell me you've been sleeping around now, while preparations were going on for this wedding!! My goodness Hazel, are you trying to ruin the reputation and name of this family?”

What the fuck is this witch yarning about now.  Is she trying to paint me black in front of the others?

“There are so many distinguished guests waiting in there only to find out the bride is an unfilial cheat!"

Me, cheat?

Unfilial? 

The trash Veronica just spewed made Rose collapse weakly to the ground, shocking all of us. 

My father eats her shit up all the time, but surely they don't believe what she just said.

Unable to defend myself from her baseless accusations, the air filled with people casting judging and disappointment looks my way. Freya is at the corner beside me, looking just as confused as I am, the only comfort she could give to me at that moment was to hold my hand as the rollercoaster went on.

I knew anything l would say won't help me because I don't have answers to the questions they asked. But I still try nevertheless. 

“This has to be some kind of sick misunderstanding, I'll never do such a thing.” I desperately tried to keep my voice steady as I continued speaking.

“Please hear me out, I don't know what's happening but I can–

Before I could say anything else, the door slammed open and the tall intimidating figure of Alexander De Luca stepped in.

“I need everyone out, NOW.”