Chapter Five

Aria's POV

I looked at myself in the mirror and I hated myself even more. Despite having one of the best make-up artists do my make-up and the best hairstylist style my hair and wear the most beautiful designer wedding dress, I still looked like a freak. I don't deserve Axel, he is so handsome and attractive, he deserves someone that matches his standards. I never wanted to marry Axel, yes I loved him from the very first day that I saw him and I still do love him more than anything, but I am not good enough for him. I feel like I am taking advantage of  his blind situation and I will be the one benefitting from this marriage because I would be the wife of one of the most handsome and eligible men in this city. My father is right, I will never find true because of how I look, and when I found out of my father's real reason to get me married to Axel, I had another good reason to not go on with this marriage. I had even thought of running away but ever since the my wedding rehearsal day,  my father had tightened the security around the house, and I had never got the chance to speak to Axel since I had not seen him ever since.

I had never told anyone that I have leukemia, only my parents and the household staff knew, not even Axel knew of it. When people see me they only see a freak and they want to stay as far away from me as possible, and I don't want to go around telling them that I have leukemia and gain their pity so that they will start treating me like one of them and caring for me because I know it will all be pretence. That's the main reason why I have never told anyone of my illness.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard someone knock on the door and I quickly wiped the tears that I had no idea were flowing.

"Come in." I said after taking a deep breath.

Valerie walked in and to say she was stunning would be an understatement. She was wearing her peach coloured bridesmaid dress and her hair was tied up in a bun leaving two strands falling at the sides, and her make-up was light but she looked very beautiful. I wished I was as beautiful as her.

"Hi Aria!" She said as she came to stand beside me and I returned her greeting with a smile.

"I came to see you before we leave for the venue so that I could wish you good luck." She said.

"Thanks Val." I said in a non excitement voice and she noticed it.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked concerned.

"It's nothing, I am just nervous." I lied.

"That is just the jitters, I heard it is totally normal to have it, but don't worry everything is going to be fine." She said as she gave me a hug. Valerie is the only cousin of mine that I am close to, unlike my other cousins she doesn't look at me as if I am a freak and she is always nice to me.

Just then my mother came in."There you are Valerie, you need to get downstairs so that the car can take you to the venue, the others are already waiting in the limousine."

"Okay aunt Kristine, I will be on my way." She said and left the room.

My mother came and stood behind and looked at me through the mirror. She put her hand on my shoulder and I saw tears starting to form in her eyes.

"It is every mother's dream to see  their daughter getting married but to me it is a nightmare, because my daughter isn't happy and neither am I. I have always wanted what is best for you and I have always done everything to make you happy but today I feel like I have failed because my daughter isn't happy." She said as she broke down crying and I put my hand on hers.

"No mum don't cry, I can't bare seeing you like this." I said as tears started flowing down my cheeks.

"I am sorry Aria, please forgive me, I should have been honest with you from the very start, please forgive me."

"Mum, please stop crying." I said as I stood up to hug her.

Just then there was a knock at the door. We both wiped our tears and she answered. "Who is it?"

"It's me." I heard my father's voice say. "Hurry up, we need to get to the venue, be downstairs in ten minutes." My heart skipped a bit on hearing this.

"Okay, we'll be there." My mother said.

"Are you ready?" My mother asked and I nodded.

"Here, let me  redo your make-up it is a bit smudged." My mother said as she started redoing my make-up.

After ten minutes we were downstairs where my father was waiting for us. My mother and I got into the escalade together and my father got into his Rolls Royce, and we drove to the venue.

On reaching the venue I was surprised with how the decorations had turn out. The whole place was covered in nude and peach coloured decorations and it matched the bridesmaids'  dresses and the groomsmen' ties, and as much as I did not want to say it, the place looked amazing. The wedding planners really out did themselves. The media was here and cameras were flashing from all corners.

The music started and the groomsmen and bridesmaid paired up and started walking down the aisle just the way we had rehearsed it.

It was now my turn and I put my hand around my father's arm and we slowly started walking down the aisle. I looked at Axel who was standing at the alter looking handsome as ever with a huge smile plastered on his face and I started wondering if he will ever smile like that again once I do what I am about to do.

"Don't try anything stupid Aria or you will regret it." My father said through gritted teeth and I started wondering if he could read my mind.

We reached the alter and after my father handed me to Axel, he went and took his seat. I looked at Axel who was smiling ear to ear and it broke my heart seeing him so happy when I am about to do something that would really break him.

"Even though I can't see you, I bet you look gorgeous." He whispered to my ear, and I just kept quiet because I was afraid if I speak, my voice could give me away.

I looked around and everyone's eyes were on us, some people were even recording the whole thing with their phones while the media was snapping very many pictures. I looked at Axel's parents and saw how happy they were for us, I looked at my parents and my mother looked like she was going to break down in tears any minute while my father did not show any emotions.

"Before we start, is there anyone who would like to object to this wedding." The priest said and the whole crowd remained numb.

"I can see that no one has any objection so we may begin the ceremony. We are gathered here to celebrate the union of this two young people standing in front of me, but before I begin with the vows, Axel has something to say, go on boy." When the priest said this, multiple questions started running in my head. Did he find out the truth? Has he changed his mind and doesn't want to go on with the wedding?

Axel cleared his throat and started speaking. "Aria, ever since I met you, I always knew you were the one for me. Yes I am blind and I have never seen you, but I have your picture engraved in my heart. Standing here today and having to tie the knot, is all I ever wanted since I met you. I love you Aria, and I can't wait for you to be mine forever." He finished and the entire crowd awed. I was speechless as I had not expected him to write me vows. I was about to do the most unforgivable thing to a guy who was pouring his heart out to me.

I wiped the tears that had started flowing down my cheeks and spoke up."That is the sweetest thing I have ever heard."

"Let's move on." The priest said. "Do you Axel Campbell, take she Aria Watson, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better for worse, for richer for poor, in sickness and in health, in fitness and obesity, till death do you apart?"

"I do." Axel said without hesitant.

"And do you Aria Watson, take he Axel Campbell, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better for worse, for richer for poor, in sickness and in health, in fitness and obesity, till death do you apart?"

Everyone remained quiet as they waited for me to answer. I felt tears starting to form in my eyes but I held them in. I couldn't give myself away as I had to do this. I have no choice but to break Axel's heart but I would be hurting myself even more.

I took a deep breath and spoke up. "No, I don't," I took a pause before continuing, "because I can't marry a blind person."