Chapter 1: Fairy Wedding

Maria's POV

Her phone drops off from her hand as she stumbles on the large rusty iron gate, tripping on her ripped wedding dress. 

She squats to pick it up, pulling her way into the old mansion covered in darkness.

Something is out there. 

Some group of people have been trailing her. She doesn't feel safe. She never felt safe. The mysterious death of her father earlier in the day only threatens the last hope of survival.

There is nowhere else to run to.

Her phone beeps. She scans the area around her before receiving the call, running into the building and slamming the door shut. 

Who would have thought that a place she most detest could be her only safe haven?

The memories the building holds feels like it's nothing, compared to what's coming. 

“I'm on my way, Maria. Do not leave the mansion. I'll be there to protect you,” the thick voice assures at the other end of the phone.

“No…No…you can't come anywhere close. They'll kill you too,” she sobs, falling on her knees. She's desperately in need of a companion. She needs him. But at what cost?

The same chair her father had died in was right before her in the sitting room. One of her father's loyal thugs must have come for his body. Or whatever happened to it.

Right now, it's the least of her worries.

As far as she's concerned, her father's death means nothing. She hoped for freedom, instead, a pack of power hungry factions are after her life. 

She never intended to allow Elvis anywhere close to her world.

He doesn't deserve it. 

He's a sweet gentleman, deserving of something more. Certainly, not a girl like her.

It would never be safe for him no matter how good his plan sounds. What was she ever thinking…that a girl like her could lead a normal life?

It should have been a perfect small wedding. A happy ever after, far away from the claws of her father and his dirty games. Until she was kidnapped right in the cathedral.

What should have been a fairytale wedding, turned out to be a bloodbath. 

Put of self-defense, she killed one of her captors.

Unlike Elvis, she was now a murderer, no different from her late father. 

So soon. Too soon, her wild imaginations have brought only pain to the reality of her only true love.

"I don't care what they are, Maria. I'm coming for you. If they really want you dead, then they'll have to pass through me first."

And the call drops.

The damned call drops. What now?

She knows there's no stopping Elvis. His kind of love could be what every girl wishes for. 

But who are we kidding? Elvis is weak. He could never stand against men like this. Men, strong enough to subdue a man like her father.

She would never be able to forgive herself, if the guilt of his blood stains her already bloody hands.

A prolonged creaky sound comes from outside. 

She jerks up from the cold ground, wrapping her arms around her shivering body as she backs away. Her eyes are fixed on the entrance.

They are here for her. A weapon is useless for defense.

 She only prays for a less painful torture. 

And with the Mafias, that is absolutely impossible.

“Don't hurt me!" She screams with her eyes shut as the door opens.

“Maria,” she hears her name. It doesn't sound threatening. It's the same charming voice. She opens her eyes to her beloved, running towards her for an embrace.

He caresses her hair, as she buries her face into his suits, in tears. He still looks as charming as he did when he stood at the altar before the awful incidence.

“I'm sorry, Elvis…”

“You stay quiet, honey. If there's anyone to apologize, it's me. I'm sorry I was late,"

 He replies, raising her chin and placing a kiss on her trembling lips.

“Your beloved husband is here now. Nothing can separate us. Not even your father…”

She pulls away from his embrace instantly, with eyes filled with tears.

"They killed him. He's dead."

 She tries to hold back her tears as she speaks but it's not working.

This sort of grief doesn't obey caution.

“Since I'm the only heir, they come for me too. And then they'll come for you because you have me," she adds.

Their eyes meet as she speaks, backing away from him.

“This thing…” she points at Elvis and herself,

"...Can't work. We've to go our separate ways. It's the only way you can be safe."

As much as it breaks her heart, it's the only right thing she could think of.

“You don't know what you're saying, Maria. I wasn't kidding at the altar when I made those vows. We have a plane to catch for our honeymoon. So would you keep quiet and stick to the plan?"

He insists, closing the gap between them as he reaches for her hand.

“The same plan that almost got me killed, Elvis. It's a miracle I escaped.

She pulls away, adding,

"Don't you get it! Your life is in danger because of me. You have to go! Leave this town!"

“That's exactly what I'm doing, Maria. I'm leaving this town but not without my newly wedded wife. The cops are outside. We have their protection. Now, would you please…”

She watches the tears escape his eyes as he approaches her, his words trailing off.

He has this sincerity going on. A false sense of protection which she knows won't sustain them for long.

She knows the cops are not enough. They may need the help of some super human to get past the city gates.

 But, for the sake of hope, she yields. They share a deep hug as they walk out of the mansion.

They are guided out of the mansion by two armed cops.

Just as Elvis reaches for the car door, a loud explosion blast into the night. She lost her sense of hearing from the loud noise, falling face-flat to the ground.

It is nothing less than she expects. The cars are in flames. Thick smokes oozing into the dark skies. She sees the cops expected to protect her, drenched in their own blood.

She crawls in search of Elvis when a man towers above her.

The hem of his black leather coat grazes the top of her skin.

“There she is,” the man says.

“Let him go!” Maria screams as she sights Elvis at the mercy of a group of men, beating him to pulp.

“My apologies. You must have been expecting my visit. I see you're all dressed for our wedding. Aren't you, little angel?” the man says, lifting her up and flicking the brown hair sticking to the side of her face.

“Let go of me,” she cries, as he doesn't stop inflicting pain on her.

“Don't you dare touch her!" Elvis rages from a corner, approaching them with a stick. 

But he's kicked back to the floor before he gets to her 

“It's going to be a long night," the man announces, smacking Maria on the face till she falls unconscious.