CHAPTER 3: You May Kiss The Bride

Aria’s POV

“You are late Aria, what took you so long to get ready?” My father says putting his phone into his pocket. We were at the entrance of the wedding hall.

“Late? I’m the one being forced to marry a man I barely know and all you can think about is the fact I’m late?” I scoff.

“Listen to me Aria, you are going to take my hand and walk through this door with a smile on your face. Right now you are the only thing keeping this family from a big public scandal” He says while fixing his tie and I could only grit my teeth in anger.

“So that’s all I am to you? Save face from the media?”

“You’re crazy, all of you have lost it” I added, taking his arm.

“You’re my daughter and you have to fulfill your duty to this family” he replied. “Shall we?”

The large doors flew open as music filled my ears. I felt the crowd's eyes on me, probably whispering about me replacing my sister at her own wedding and how I am not the original bride.

My eyes were glued to the floor as I walked, my hands still entwined with my father’s. “Don’t think about what people are saying, just smile and get this over with” he whispered.

I felt like I was going to throw up. I looked up and saw Nathan standing by the altar staring at me with this look in his eye. He stayed perfectly calm while eyeing me the whole time.

The way he was staring at me made me feel tingly, I expected him to be mad that he had to switch brides at the last minute but no this man was completely fine with last minute changes, some businessman he is.

When we finally got to the altar, my father basically shoved me into Nathan’s arms and walked away before giving me this ‘behave yourself’ look.

I scanned the venue and my eyes fell on Sophia who was giving me the death stare, if looks could kill I would have been gone at this point.

Nathan pulled me closer which seemed to annoy Sophia more. “Are you okay?” Nathan asked steadying me, my legs felt like they would give out any second now.

“No obviously I can’t walk in this thing” I hissed and I swear I heard Nathan chuckle. How strange I’ve never seen him smile let alone chuckle.

The priest cleared his throat and began with the wedding procession but I had zoned out at this point.

This was my life now? Married to this man? I had not even noticed it was time for vows till I felt his fingers tap my wrist snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Do you, Nathan Cross, take Aria Hayes to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest asked.

“I do,” Nathan replied, still looking at me. Does this man have a thing for my face or am I just looking really weird with all this makeup on?

Then the priest turned to me, and I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole at this point.

I swear my heart dropped, I could feel everyone’s eyes burning holes into the back of my head telling me not to screw this up. My father would kill me if I didn’t go through with this.

Part of me wanted to abandon this wedding and flee like Alexa but I knew I wouldn’t pass the main gates before security tackles me and drags me right back to this place.

“Do you, Aria Hayes, take Nathan Cross to be your lawfully wedded husband?” I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. All I could think about was how bad I hated my father right now.

The silence was becoming awkward now, guests were starting to whisper, and oh boy the look on my father’s face.

He was glaring at me with his jaw tight, meanwhile, I saw Sophia lean forward staring at me as if waiting for me to say no or back out.

I looked at Nathan as I struggled to get the words out.

“I do,” I said, clutching my dress.

“I’m sorry, come again?” The priest said. What type of damn priest is this?

“I do” I said it louder this time.

“I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride” With that the wedding ceremony concluded and my faith was fucking sealed. Oh hell no there was no way I was letting the fucker kiss me.

Cheers erupted everywhere from the crowd of guests who waited to see the kiss, from the corner of my eye I saw Sophia fuming in her seat.

Nathan didn’t waste a second, he grabbed me by my waist and turned my face away, and kissed me by the corner of my mouth. From another person's perspective, it looked like he kissed me but he did not.

He pulled away looking at me, “I wouldn’t steal your first kiss like that now would I?”

“You’re an asshole” I flashed a fake smile.

“That’s not how you talk to your husband now?” He whispered in my ear fixing my veil.

“Hm Mrs Cross?” He added smirking.

I wanted to slap that stupid smirk off his face, such an asshole.

“Hey! I’m just your wife on Paper Mr Cross, I’m going to make you regret this I swear.”

“Anything you say, wife”

Sophia got up hastily and walked out. Oh, now I understand she has feelings for him. I mentally palm my face, she can have him for all I care. My focus right now is finding my sister and making Nathan regret making me his wife.

Before I could process what was going on I felt strong hands grip my waist.

Nathan?!

“What are you doing? Put me down!” I whispered trying to break free from his grip.

His grip on my waist tightened and he lifted me bridal style. How dare he?! How dare he pick me up like that?

“Put me down! People are staring!” I said.

“Let them watch, we have places to be” he replied, totally ignoring me.

We walked out of the venue with paparazzi tailing behind us taking dozens of pictures.

A black car pulled up and Nathan put me inside the back seat with him.

I was officially Mrs. Nathan Cross. As the car door closed, I realized my life was basically over. and I decided right then that I was going to make this as hard for him as possible.