16

Sophia's POV

This is real, this is happening… my heartbeat raised in panic.

I bit my lower lip so hard to stop the scream threatening to rip out of my throat.

I looked up and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was pulled into a tight ponytail and adorned with the most expensive diamond hair clips and accessories.

“You look beautiful, my lady. I see why Ethan chose you out of all the women in Marlia City.” The maid shot me a bright smile as she added a tiara to my already breathtaking hairstyle.

'Chose me? I bet if he had the chance, he would have thrown me into a volcano. I'm no doubt one of those he hates so much on earth, right?'

Of course, I only said those words in my mind. I only smiled at her while she walked away to wash her hands off.

I looked at the mirror again. She was right. My fingers trailed the reflection of my face, which was so perfect. I went for minimal makeup, but that does not stop me from looking like a damn goddess.

I still can't believe this is happening. It's happening today… today's the day. The day I'm going to have to kiss my national dreams a final goodbye. The day which was supposed to be the happiest in my life but unfortunately would be the saddest. The day I'm getting married to someone I never loved or who loves me, just to save my family from misery.

I palmed my face. I don't care if I ruin the makeup I had on. I bit my lower lip so hard to stop the tears, but they already flowed down.

Everything seemed too much—too fast.

What should I expect?

What would my life be like from today on?

What would Ethan do to me?

Will I be free?

Will I be safe?

Just a few days back, I got kidnapped by the supposed modeling agents. Quite fortunately, they met the cops on their way, which made them flee.

---

“The car got missing five days ago. I filed a report,” Vanessa shouted back at the police officer.

“But you never came here. All you did was send a text message. Where on earth are things done that way?” the police officer fired back.

“You seriously expect me to care so much about that thing that isn't worth half of my snack?” Vanessa scoffed.

“Then how come it’s your car that was being used by the kidnapper?” my sister, Lisa, barked at her.

“Maybe you should look for the kidnappers and go ask them because that question ain't for me.”

The two continued arguing, turning the police office into complete chaos. Dad released a long tired sigh. Even Mr. Charles Blackwood seemed as confused as everyone else.

“I think she is innocent…” Mr. Charles started, but Lisa cut him short.

“How can she be innocent when there is every possibility that she is fucking Ethan and doesn't want him married?”

“LISA!” Dad yelled while everyone gasped, but she only rolled her eyes as if she had just said something so casual.

That's my sister 😭.

“As I was saying, she is my son's best friend. There's no way she would do this—she is like a big supporter of his marriage, so why would she kidnap his bride? I think it's a coincidence. Sophia dear, please be careful out there—you're now a Blackwood. You need to be extremely security conscious.”

★

“I don't trust that Vanessa girl,” Lisa said as we walked into my room.

“Me too. I have a bad feeling about her,” I said.

“Of course, she's your fiancé's fuck buddy. You gotta learn to kick her ass because she looks like someone who doesn't wanna let go.”

---

Lisa’s words rang so loud in my ears.

Though there was no solid proof, Vanessa might give a lot of trouble along the way.

I would also have security issues because I am now a BLACKWOOD.

Am I going to spend the rest of my life with that grumpy-faced devil who didn't even care about my kidnap?

Of course you are, my conscience laughed at me.

It's happening. There's nothing I can do about it—even if there’s something I can do, I guess it’s too late now.

My heart squeezed more, remembering that my dance mates are going to be on that golden stage doing what they love the most on earth while I'm here getting MARRIED!

I reached out for the tissue paper on the table, and just then, the door clicked open. I looked in that direction.

It was Mom.

I looked away—at my fingers.

“Baby, are you crying?” she asked, but I didn't reply. The heavy sob in my throat wouldn’t let me.

“I'm so sorry this is happening. If I had the power, I swear I would stop it,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug.

I laid my head on her shoulder as I let everything out.

I sobbed like the five-year-old me did when my favorite person—my grandfather—passed away.

I didn't mind the mascara-stained tears running down my eyes. I just let them out.

“I hate to say this, but you can always call on Lisa whenever you have any trouble with anybody—be it Ethan or anybody at all. You know she's always got your back and would kick anybody's ass for you…”

I chuckled at her words, but then the door flew open—

“So now, you're finally seeing the importance of ‘Lisa’s violence’.” Lisa smirked as she got in.

“Eavesdropping again?” Mum shook her head.

“It's more like an addiction now. Hey baby sis, you better get your ass up and stop crying like a baby.” I really wanted to throw the brush on the table at her so bad.

---

“You ready, Princess?” Dad asked.

I looked up into his eyes. Am I ready?

No!

But do I have a say?

No!

I only nodded.

“Alright, Princess, you’ll be fine, I promise.” He squeezed my hand with a smile, which I returned.

The door of the mighty hall flew open, revealing the… not so lovely view.

The hall was great, really great, that it seemed like the decorators were shipped from the mermaid realm. It was really the mermaid theme designs I had suggested—the hall had stripes of blue wallpapers on the wall, the crystal chandelier poured in their lights all over the place… the whole was heavenly, and only one thing ruined the vibe—the dress code.

Ethan had suggested black as the dress code, and no one dared argue with him. So, here we are on my wedding day, having every single guest wearing black garments as if we are here to mourn… well, today’s not a good day for either of us after all.

The heavenly voices of the choir were supposed to lift my soul, but instead, I prayed so hard for the ground to open up and swallow me.

I looked up, and our eyes met—those ice-green eyes that stared so deep into my heart, as if they wanted to behead me.

The more we got nearer to the aisle, the more the sound of my heartbeat increased.

We finally got there, and Dad gave my hand to the priest.

He gave me one final smile before walking away.

I looked behind me, and all the smiling faces blurred in my vision.

I looked before me, and standing right in front of me was Ethan.

He was in a black tuxedo. He had a black bow as well. His hair was pulled backwards… he stood there scoffing every now and then while checking his Rolex watch over and over again.

He does not look like a groom; he looks like a mafia lord waiting for some dirty goods to be discarded instead.

I looked back at the people. They are all happy for me, but deep down, I'm dying—screaming for help.

“Sophia Anne Carter, do you take Ethan Rio Blackwood to be your husband, to love and cherish him through all the joys and challenges of his life, together, forever, and always?”

My mind went blank.

I looked up, first at the priest's face and then slowly to Ethan, who looked like someone trying to speed up the time and get the hell out of here, and then to the audience, whose eyes were pointing upwards, expecting answers, and then to the cameramen adjusting their cameras…

“No…” I muttered.

“What?” the priest asked.

“I mean—y… yes, yes,” I said with a kind of smile that pulled all the veins in my neck.

‘Awwwwn,’ went the crowd, and everyone clapped.

The priest turned to Ethan:

“Ethan Rio Blackwood, do you take Sophia Anne Carter to be your wife, to love and cherish her through all the joys and challenges of her life, together, forever, and always?”

“Well… no, I'm not ready to share my bed.” Ethan chuckled, and the hall erupted with laughter.

‘Awwn.’

‘God bless his sweet funny soul.’

People thought it was a silly joke.

“Let's be serious now, Ethan…”

“Yeah,” he said dryly, and the place erupted again with cheers and claps.

“I hereby pronounce you two, Ethan Rio and Sophia Carter, as husband and wife! You may now kiss.”

Wait… what?

Kiss?

Oh my God, I never thought of this.

Our eyes met, and we held the longest gaze ever. I swear I could feel him leaning in.

Well, it has to happen. Just close your eyes; it's just a quiet peck.

I kept overthinking as my eyes fell closed. I pouted my lips and leaned forward, but I felt nothing. I leaned more—like ughhh! Let’s just do this real quick and end it real fast.

But nothing came.

“Sorry, but I'm allergic to lipstick,” Ethan said, and my eyes flew open. It was then that I realized how far I had leaned in and how far he was leaning back.

‘Ouuuu,’ goes the crowd.

I felt shame crawl through my skin. Though I'm not religious, I prayed for an instant rapture.

I bit my cheek hard in embarrassment.

“Y'all don't want me dead, do you? I'm seriously allergic to lipstick. I told her earlier. We can always kiss later…” Ethan said, and with that, he grabbed my head with such force that it looked as if he wanted to pull it out of my neck.

He placed a kiss on my forehead while I could feel his nails digging into my skull.

Everyone clapped and cheered again, but still, I couldn't shake the embarrassment off.

“Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, kindly have your seat,” the priest said with a smile, while Ethan walked away with the speed of a hungry man in sight of food. I was busy dragging my embarrassed self away.

“Excuse me…” came a loud voice from the entrance, and the whole hall quieted.

All heads turned to her—a lady in a bright, bloody red gown. Her lips looked as though they were painted with a tank of red paint, and her heels looked like she was balancing on chopsticks.

She pulled off her shades as she walked towards the aisle—it was Vanessa.

I swallowed. What now?

As if the day couldn't get any worse…

“Happy wedding ceremony, dear Ethan and darling Sophia. I wish you a good married life,” she said, but sarcasm was so thick in her tone.

“What are you doing here?” I didn't even realize Ethan had been behind me the whole time.

“Oh dear, am I not allowed to visit my best friend's wedding anymore?”

Everyone was as confused as me, but the whole place was so quiet with everyone expecting their next words.

What kind of people is this?

“I'm also leaving the country, and I figured I should return the boxers you forgot at my place last night.”

With that, she pulled out red, funny-looking boxers from her purse and tossed them right into Ethan's face.

Gasps traveled in the hall while my jaw dropped to the ground.

What the hell?