CHAPTER 5: IT IS DAISY

DYLAN'S POV

As Julian walked through the aisle with James Astor, I knew this was the time... I never thought that I’ll marry arrange, I always thought that when I’ll see my bride walking down the aisle towards me, that’ll be the day when me and her both will know that we survived our love till here and now we’ll celebrate it in front of everybody we knew, to tell them that now we are ready to celebrate our love till forever..

How naïve I was back then., no wonder I ended up here .... I think it’s the best. No feelings, no love, no weakness, only profit and that’s what I’ll get from this wedding...

To make me one step ahead to become the most powerful man ever, so that nobody gets to play with me again....

Despite Julian being a decent girl, keeping her non-stop chattering and pranks aside, she has a great sense of business knowledge and maybe she’s the perfect wife for me.

It all happens for the best.

Upon hearing Julian's father's request to take care of her, I simply nodded in agreement. Julian is my responsibility now... And I’ll do anything to fulfill that responsibility.

In no time, the priest started the wedding ceremony, and it was time to exchange rings. My father gave me the ring to inspite my best man, strange, then he leaned on to my side and whispered.

“No matter what comes next, do the wedding. I don’t want any hindrance happening in the wedding,” he said.

Strange, why would he say that? Despite rejecting it many times and being threatened with going on a blind date, I just accepted getting married a long time ago.

So, I went and said yes to the first girl I saw on the blind date. Because I knew if I rejected her, they’ll bring me more.

I just brushed off my thoughts. As I placed the ring on Julian’s hand, I couldn’t help but notice her trembling fingers. I never thought a girl like her would be nervous.

Following all the traditions, the priest declared, “Now that I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.”

Drawing closer to Julian, I carefully lifted her veil and moved in for a kiss. However, as I met her gaze, a surge of electricity shot through me - it wasn't Julian, but her friend Daisy.

How in the world did she end up here?? Where is Julian?? Do all of them know about this?

My hands instinctively clutched the veil as the realization of my father's words hit me like a wave.

Her entire face turned pale as she looked at me ... People at the wedding started shouting, COME ON DYLAN, DON’T MAKE THE BRIDE WAIT ANYMORE KISS!! KISS!!

I know I can’t do anything now. All the big people in the country are here: politicians, Ceo’s, businessmen and especially the media.

Under my breath, I let out a curse before planting a kiss on Daisy's lips.

Her lips didn’t move., I kissed her for a brief 10s and then came back to my past position.

As the crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement filled the air. Clenching Daisy's hand, we made our way down the aisle. The scent of fresh flowers filling the air made me suffocate for a second. I opened the car door and made her sit in the passenger seat .

Julian and my parents came running towards me.

I looked at my father and said in a cold voice, “why is she there instead of Julian?” while gesturing to the car.

Daisy looked from the window and tried to open up the door.

I gave her an intense look and said, “Don’t you dare to move, sit in the car.. Do you want everybody to know that you are in the wedding dress instead of Julian?”

She gulped and sat without moving.

“Julian ran from her house this morning,” my father said with a sigh.

My mother just kept quiet behind my father. I knew even though she didn’t like what was happening here, but she couldn’t do anything.

“Dylan, listen to us.. We are really sorry. Julian had disappeared without a trace, leaving us completely unaware of her location ; this was the only choice we had." Julian's mother said, her voice filled with desperation.

“Dylan, please forgive us.. I extremely apologize on behalf of Julian,” James Astor said while keeping his head low.

“That was the best they could do that time, the cooperation with the Astor’s will work as before .Even if we find Julian now it’s of no use, you know once someone in our tradition marries someone, there is no going back.”

My blood started boiling, and I clenched my fist.

“This isn’t a proper marriage!” I said in a loud voice.

“This is a proper marriage, Dylan, just accept it! It happened in front of your family and the entire world.” My father said, almost shouting.

I can’t believe this , these people are all ruthless.

“Ok, but don’t expect me to stay here for the after wedding party.. You can take her but not me. I’m not in a mood,” I said while looking into my father’s eyes..

“It’s ok, we understand. You take Daisy with you. It’ll be weird if only the bride stayed at the party. We’ll come up with something,” my mother finally spoke with a sigh.

My father was about to say something, but my mother interrupted him. I didn’t even glance at them and went into my car and started off the engine.

And drive past them at full speed.

Once again, I found myself being deceived by these individuals.

During the entire drive back to my penthouse, Daisy stared at me with teary eyes, but I didn’t have the time or patience to console her. I didn’t even look in her direction.How on earth did she ever come to an agreement with this in the beginning? She doesn’t have any deep connections with the Astors; they are mere acquaintances. Saying no would have been the simple choice for her.

I wouldn't be forced to witness this day if she had simply declined the wedding.My fist clenched at the steering wheel as N number of thoughts came to my mind.After an unknown amount of time, we reached my penthouse.

Daisy was still sobbing in the lift. Now it’s irritating me more and more.I gave her an intense look and said, “Can’t you just stop your fake tears?!” It’s so irritating. You are so irritating. You clearly wanted this, didn't you? Why are you crying now? You got what you wanted!”

Her eyebrows frowned, her cheeks and nose have become all red because of the crying.After handling her sobbing, she finally spoke in a broken voice, “what do you mean?”

I closed the distance between us in a second and pinned her to the wall. Her eyes became wide at my action. Now we were just inches apart, but she was so small that her face was facing my chest. I holded her chin forcefully and made her look into my eyes.

“Weren’t you hitting on me from the first place itself? Now I get why you easily said yes to this marriage.“ I said with a mocking voice.

She clearly used the most common pick up like which was ‘have we met before?’ I didn’t understand it then, but now I got what she meant.

God, this woman is so cunning, I thought she was a genuine person because she smiled vibrantly at anybody else. Seriously, you can’t trust anybody here, everybody has two faces: her, Julian, the Astor’s and even my parents.

I hate all of them.