Chapter 5 - Rules of the Substitute.

My father stood next to me with his shoulders straight, and his face calm but agonizingly firm. He cleared his throat. “Damien… I owe you an explanation.”

Damien didn’t respond. He was upset, with his hands crossed, his jaw set, and his eyes steadfastly focused on my father with a warning that was silent and simmering.

My father proceeded with caution. “Alina, she vanished away just hours before the wedding. We have no idea where she is. Whether she is running or in hiding or something has happened to her. “ He paused, exhaling shakily. “The wedding was already set. Guests had arrived. The media was everywhere. To cancel would have been a scandal beyond the reach of any one here.”

I stood still.

Damien’s voice cut in sharply. “And what has that got to do with her?” He turned  back his head, and looked at me before looking back at my father.

My father swallowed. “Ariana… stepped in. She replaced Alina, under my direction. She had accepted to save the face of both families. When Alina has been found, the correct bride will be reclaimed.”

I could feel the eyes of Damien burn into me. Heavy. Cold. His face was unreadable, yet raging below.

“You mean…” The voice of Damien became lower and darker. “She pretended to be my wife? You are attempting to inform me a that Alina had disappeared, a day before the wedding and no trace of her, and you had searched, and could not find her, and her location  was off and the best thing you could think of is to take the place of her with her sister?”

My father nodded. “Yes. It was the only choice we had.”

Damien made a slow, dangerous laugh, one which did not come to his eyes. “Unbelievable.” He turned fully toward me. “Were you going to think I would not notice? Have you imagined you could get away with this under a veil? Why did you not reach out to me? Why did you not inform me what was going on! What would have become of it in case I had responded in the church! What would have become of me, had I blown the whistle over   in the church?”

I swallowed hard. “I—I didn’t want this—”

He lifted a hand sharply. “Don’t speak.”

The words struck like a slap. My throat closed.

“She didn’t do this, I forced her.” Father said.

Damien turned and looked back at my father. “I don’t care who forced her. This is unacceptable. She leaves. Right now. Immediately. Take her out of here.”

I got a sinking sensation in my stomach, as though I were going to fall through the floor. My father came before me in defense.

“Listen to me, Damien, listen,” he said in a low but steady voice. “She cannot leave now, everyone will see. Where did your bride go, people will ask. Why you are alone. The media will tear into this. Investors, families, sponsors, everybody will suffer. They will misinterpret it, and think it’s a fake wedding to get buzz for the new project.”

Damien clenched his jaw. “I do know the consequences.”

“Do you know how big it is, father? he insisted. “Do you want the headlines to come to-morrow to read Runaway Bride at the Wedding of Damien? That what will happen, that is why.”

Damien’s nostrils flared. He looked back at me, and examined me like a complication that was being thrust upon him against his will.

There was a silence, stifling, oppressive.

Then finally—

“…Fine.” The word was clipped, sharp. “She stays.”

A sigh escaped me, which I had not known I was holding.

Damien continued, voice icy as he turned to my father. “She stays for now. Until Alina is found. After that, this ends. Understood?”

My father nodded. I forced myself to nod too.

Damien jerked his eyes back to me. “You are going to be my wife in the world. However, do not confuse this with acceptance.” His tone chilled the air. “One wrong move. One mistake. One slip. And you’re gone.”

“I understand,” I whispered.

He moved nearer, his voice going still lower. “There will be rules.”

My father, who was about to talk, was interrupted by a glance on the part of Damien.

“These are rules,” Damien said, “which are not negotiable.”

“First, he said, you will speak when I permit. There should be no  communication with guests unless I approve of it . No wandering off. No questions answering unless I order you to do so.”

“Yes,” I murmured.

“Second,” he went on, “you will act just like Alina would. You will keep yourself together. You will smile when needed. You will not act suspicious. Nor will you, in any case, disclose the fact that you are not her.”

I nodded again. My voice came out fragile. “I understand.”

He came nearer yet, so near that his breath touched my cheek. “Do you? Since once one individual finds out about this switch, it goes up in flames. And I shall not allow this marriage to ruin what I have made.”

“I will not fall,” I said.

His eyes moved across my face like he was trying to see how true I was. “Good. Since the repercussions of failure will not be lenient.”

My father squirmed and made no comment.

Damien straightened. “You will also be on my schedule. Each and every appearance in the press, every dinner, event, interview, photo. If I’m there, you’re beside me. Otherwise, you will do as you are directed to do.”

My heart hammered in my chest.

“And this,” he said, “and this is temporary. The exchange will be made when Alina comes back. And you will revert to your life.”

I gulped, and had to look in his eyes. “I understand.”

“Are we clear?” he said, with low and final voice.

I clutched my gown together, and brought my head down. “Yes,” I whispered. “We’re clear.