Loving her wasn't part of the plan

Ten- Wedding: the sight of her

Gabriela sat on the balcony edge, looking at the beautiful sunset. The sight of the beautiful sky left the inside of her settled in peace, she was ridden with the anxiety of what would happen tomorrow.

The fact that tomorrow was her wedding left her tangled in a web of nervousness. This wasn't her choice but yet she has to follow her Dad's persuasion

The moment he took her to his private office room and explained the fact he was caught in between a very difficult place with his decisions and this was the only option left, she knew she had to respect his wishes. Most especially after he pleaded with her, she saw no sense in what was happening now but she signed it. She signed her life to someone who she hardly knows and had an ego as big as the whole earth.

Her Dad was someone she has always trusted from the beginning of time, and she is well accustomed to the fact that he won't put her in a situation that would harm her.

Then what had her fretting over the issue of marriage?

She would admit, that being in this marriage was a huge concern for her because each time she closed her eyes all she could see were the nemesis of her biological parent's mistakes hurting her. Analysing what happened to her when she grew to age her mind could think maturedly. She recalled each moment of her life, thinking of how her biological mother and father left her abandoned, how lonely she felt.

She was the product of a failed marriage.

True it is only business, but she still views the marriage as something that she should be committed to.

She would be committed to, for a year, it was already timed to be a failed marriage from the beginning of the contract, but a part of her knew commitment comes with emotions, and being emotionally invested in this union is not what she can't afford, commitment scared her.

It forced you to be loyal to someone, when her father refused to be loyal to her mother, they left her in a foster home both incapable to take care of her.

At a young age four see them fight wasn't a new thing, it was a show of normalcy to her young life, but they had to keep up with each other's behaviour because of sheer commitment they promised themselves.

Her main fear was, what if she gets emotionally involved with Nicholas?

Would she end up being clingy like her mom?

Would she be at the receiving end as usual or the sacrificial lamb once again?

The sound of the slide door opening caught her attention, she steered her head to the source of the noise and was a bit surprised to see her Dad.

Her mother, went out for some shopping for the wedding tomorrow, she wasn't aware of the circumstances surrounding the wedding and believed Nicholas has a sudden interest in her daughter and Gabriela probably liked him.

Though she found it suspicious the wedding was being rushed, she didn't think much about it as her excitement got rid of any suspicion she had earlier.

The wedding was strictly private, no one not even the press knew of a marriage between two well-known CEOs of the city.

They planned on announcing later in the year before another announcement for their divorce was made, the only people invited were her family and Nicholas' family which only comprised of his father Mr Damien, and the lawyers.

Gabriela shifted a bit for her father to sit beside her, he observed her for a moment before speaking.

"How are you, Gabriela?" His words alone had a soft tone to them, he sounded concerned about her state.

She kept silent watching the sunset slowly graduating into the night, the moon was peeking behind the light fluffy clouds, she took more interest in a star close to the moon.

"I thought you are over being mad with me?" He asked visibly hurt by her silence, but what can she say? She feels hurt and heartbroken herself. She can't lie or change the reality of things just to please him, she felt desolate and empty.

"I am not, I feel hurt. I feel bought," she mumbled.

"I was in a hard place Gabriela, I never meant for you to feel that way, Mr Damien was bent on getting you in part of the contract. He wanted to be safe."

"He felt that a marriage between both companies would do the work." His explanation pronounced her predicament, even more, she never thought Mr Damien would stoop so low.

She felt her throat tighten, "I tried to stop the marriage, but Nicholas told me, it is just business, and I was already involved, he cared less about the way I felt about the issue."

"There is nothing I can do about it, I would go ahead with this marriage with you in mind. Take note I am doing this all for you. If it is up to me, I would have been on a long road trip out of here."

Her father smiled as she tried to lighten the situation, "I am sorry Gabriela, just a year and you would be out of it."

He hugged her comforting her troubling thoughts, for once let her live without worrying. She would go according to where her compass of life points in the next direction.

Even if it scares her.

It was Saturday, one good thing about today was her shift wasn't until late at night, so she had to deal with marriage and head out the next minute to work, it was stressful but she won't die.

She sat steady as Lisa braided her hair into cornrows, leaving the ends undone for a bun.

Her wedding dress, not a normal bride wear just a simple knee cut gown, with a bare back.

The dress was adorned with small cuts of stones, that reflect the light.

Her mother was busy with some workers, they packed her clothes into her bags, just the sight of it was a dawning reality she would live with a man now, everyone looks sullen at her departure except her mother, she was sullen, Lisa was sullen because she claims she would miss her and selecting her clothes ritual. It was very sweet to see Lisa saying those sweet words to her, whatever neglect her parents might have given her in the past, this family ensured she only got love back in ten folds, and that closed up that hole of loneliness in her.

Her Dad was mostly busy, he spoke to his lawyer, to finalise the last detail of the contract whenever their gaze meets, she earns a sad smile from him.

After Lisa is done she starts on her makeup, though Gabriela hardly out on any makeup of any sort apart from the face moisturizers she takes everywhere with her and lip gloss, since this would be her first time with real makeup on, she asked for it to be as simple as possible, and light in every way.

After Lisa is done with her makeup, she moves away from the vanity mirror allowing her to see her reflection, she was amazed at the reflection of her face, she looked extremely beautiful, the makeup accentuated her beauty and it was light, hardly noticeable a makeup has been done.

"Wow, Lisa you are good with makeup, you made me look beautiful, thank you"

"Don't flatter me Ms Gabriela and I hardly did any work, you are beautiful with or without makeup."

Gabriela smiled at her response and relaxed more into the chair, as she tied the ends of her rows into a bun.

Being done with her hair and makeup the next obstacle was the dress, this is the first time she would wear something this revealing but it was her mom's gift to her at least she has to honour it.

She got into her emptied closet, the sight of it made her close to tears. She won't be living here anymore, the memories of her time here kept on rolling to her, after going to medical college, she came back, after staying for almost seven years in school she was back, maybe after her marriage with Nicholas ends she would be back too.

"Ms Gabriela, your dress," Lisa called pulling her out of her reverie, she collected the dress from her

and started putting it on.

Nicholas felt a need to get this over with quickly, he was getting married which sounds like an irony of his personality.

Getting married wasn't his priority, what he needed was more money and women to sing his praises, For one Gabriela his to be bride doesn't look like one that might do such.

The bride was ten minutes late, he didn't plan on staying here forever as his patience was running out with each ticking second.

He got a message and looked at it for a moment, realising it wasn't important he placed his phone back into his pocket.

His father stood close to the wedding official, speaking to him in low tones, he wondered what conspiracies he is planning now, over to the other side of the little hall, two lawyers representing his Dad's company attorneys, prepared the papers to finalise the last details of the contract.

It was more of a business deal than marriage, he took another look at his time again, his jaw ticked with annoyance, was it her decision to be this late?

Or she wanted to?

She did say she doesn't want to get married, it would be amusing to find out she ran away?

Weak.

That was all she would be if she ventures into that decision.

His father walked over to him checking his wristwatch, "Our bride might have bailed."

He said amusingly, "That also applies to your inheritance," his father countered irking him.

"If she doesn't show up, you can as well wish that inheritance of yours bye."

Just then Joyce, Mr Vincent wife walked through the open space, followed by Mr Vincent who had his elbow crooked to Gabriela's own.

They all dressed suiting the event, Mrs Vincent wore a pale blue dress and Mr Vincent his usual wear, a suit well-trimmed to suit his body shape.

What caught his attention was Gabriela, she was indeed beautiful, her hair was made in braids accentuating her beauty, her makeup was hardly visible.

He tried not to focus his attention on her or the dress she wore. She was a woman in every way, her beautiful slender shape with curves at the right place.

As they walked past him, he noticed her bare back and gulped hard at the sight of her.

About her not being hot earlier he took back his statement.

The sight of her germinated thoughts in his head.

Dirty thoughts