Chapter 5: The wedding day

It was finally the day; Clarisse quickly did her chores so she could get ready for the wedding. She woke up as early as possible, and with the help of her colleagues, she was able to finish the chores early, and they helped her pack her few belongings.

She was looking so excited, finally breaking off from prison called home, and from Patricia's claws, happy and bright days seemed to be smiling at her. She closed her eyes as she felt the makeup brush dancing on her face.

" Dad, Mum", she called in her mind, " thought you had forsaken me, I'm sorry for having the thought of you hating me, I know you're watching over me right now, your daughter is about to get married, I'm finally leaving this dungeon, I don't know what my future says nor do I know what it holds, but I believe I'm finally going to have the cause to smile, have a deep sleep and rest, and I hope my husband is handsome", she giggled in her mind causing her to smile.

Patricia scoffed on seeing her smile, "Can you hasten up with the makeup? Just apply some balm for her, and let's get going, not like she's some princess," she hissed and walked away.

Clarisse heard what she said, but it didn't get to her; this was nothing compared to what Patricia said to her every day.

" You look beautiful", the artist said trying to make her smile and distract her from what the madam said so it won't get to her.

" Thank you", she bowed slightly with a smile and she applied the lipstick for her. That would be the very first time she's applying that. It feels weird, but it was exciting to finally use lip product.

It was time to wear the wedding gown, and once again, Clarisse was heartbroken, but she swallowed the bitterness with a smile.

" Were they blind when they picked this dress?", Abby said in irritation,

" It's fine, I'm sure it's not their fault, I'm the one who's so lean", she said swallowing hard and adjusting the gown that was way too big for her, the hand sleeves were falling off her shoulder but she still put it on anyways and looked at her fellow maids with smiles, " you should smile also, I'm getting married", she said and Abby burst into tears, along with other maids that knows the truth.

She giggled feeling like after all, some people would miss her absence, there weren't tight buddies, but these people offered her a grain of rice when she was starving, created space for her to sleep when she was thrown out, and she held them all dear to her heart, they might all not be friends, but they once offered her a handkerchief to clean her tears when there's no one and keep her company when she's alone.

" Can I...hug you?" with her voice breaking, She asked the few of them present, and they immediately engulfed her into a big bear hug, wishing her a happy marriage, which they doubted.

(A few hours later)

Clarisse distracted herself by speaking in her mind, so as not to break down or let the humiliation get to her, she could notice the side laughs, they were probably laughing at her gown and the oversized heels that made her drag her feet, the whispers and the disdain looks, all she could do was distract herself by speaking to herself in her mind.

" It's finally happening, be rest assured Clarisse, it'll be over soon, remember those stories you do read, how a lady in distress got married to a billionaire who fell in love with her, took good care of her, brought her nice and fitting shoes, beautiful and expensive dresses, she gets to eat good food and became happy, you never knew you'd fall in that position right? So don't be heartbroken, don't cry, and don't be scared, you'll finally get to be happy, begin a new life, and forget all these that ever happened, and most importantly, you'll finally get to visit Dad, and mum again after 12 years, everything is about to be fine...",

" The bride?".

She heard the voice beside her and a nudge from someone. She looked up in her veil and saw that everyone was looking at her, she was so immense in her thought to realize that the priest had started saying the vow. She looked at her husband, who was looking and smiling at her; he looked so handsome, and that brought a smile to her face.

Heaven is indeed accepting my prayers. She thought to herself.

"... Do you take Mr Victor Arthur as your lawful husband?...",

" Yes, I do." she did not allow the priest to finish the statement; she was ready, ready to run away with him, to start a new life. They exchanged rings and she heaved.

" You may now kiss the bride", the priest permitted.

He must have said his 'I do' while I was lost in thought. She thought to herself.

Victor moved closer to her and lifted her veil slowly. Clarisse heart was beating so fast that she thought he might heard, she smiled nervously and looked up as her veil came up but his smiling face changed on seeing who the person was, he suspected something was wrong when he saw her and when they were calling her name but he was desperately wishing he was just over thinking.

His facial expression changed to that of disgust and he nearly puked.

" Who the fuck is this?", He yelled.

Clarisse's heart sank, and her chest felt tightened, so she couldn't dare look up, and she couldn't look at his facial expression twice.

" What are you doing?", Patricia and Victor's mother hurried to his side.

" Who's this?" He asked, gritting his teeth and scanning the guests. His eyes fell on Alice smiling at him, and it dawned on him.

" That's Clarisse, I have two daughters",

" You have one and that's Alice",

" Son they have two daughters, you didn't specify which of them you want",

" Fuck!", He grunted," I can't go on with this marriage", he whispered back,

" What about the shares? You know what's at stake", his mother threatened.

Victor's face was red with anger; his blood was boiling like a volcano that was about to erupt; he glared at the lady in the wedding gown with hatred and looked back at Alice.

" This is not over; you're mine."

Alice read his lips and smirked, " In your dreams".