Chapter 1
Miranda Pov
“I wish mom was here.” I smiled sadly, unhappy about mom’s absence. We had always talked about how she would participate in my wedding preparations but it's so sad that Leukemia got to her. Luckily, father was able to raise the money for her surgery before it got worse.
I stared at the mirror and was amazed at my reflection. I looked stunning in my white gown and my makeup was dashing. It was my day and Thomas has done everything within his power to make it epic for me.
“Miranda, pumpkin, we have to leave,” dad barged into my dressing room, panicking.
“Wh… What?” I stuttered, shocked at his sudden demands.
“Trust me pumpkin, it's best we leave. Now!” He was pacing around and it scared me, making me wonder what was wrong.
For the past week to my wedding, dad has been acting suspicious, panicking and anxious like something… or someone was after him. I had asked him severally what was wrong but he kept saying nothing.
“What do you mean, dad? Today's my wedding… Thomas is waiting for me out there and you're supposed to walk me down the aisle and…”
“I f*****g know that!” He exclaimed, making me flinch. Seeing how I reacted, he walked up to me and held my hands “Hey… I'm sorry, pumpkin …” I looked away, darting my eyes away from his gaze.
“Miranda… look at me,” he used his index finger to refocus my gaze back at him “I’m sorry, it's your day and you should enjoy it, okay?” I forced a smile and nodded.
“It's time,” one of the wedding planners called and I nodded as she left.
“You are going to make a great wife, pumpkin,” he smiled genuinely, almost at the brink of tears and I hugged him tightly before we stepped out.
The door flung open, revealing my soon-to-be husband in his fine tuxedo, staring at me in teary eyes as everyone stood to welcome me. We walked down and father handed me to him, smiling at the both of us, approvingly.
Immediately, the priest swung into action, kick-starting our wedding. I was so starstruck at how handsome Thomas looked that I zoned out, reminiscing on our wonderful 3 years relationship.
“Is there anyone who is against this union? Speak now or forever remain silent,” the priest noted and I wasn't fazed because I was sure of who I was marrying and I knew everyone wished us well or so I thought.
Suddenly, the door flung open, revealing two muscular bouncers and a chubby looking man who strode in like this was their event.
“Miranda?” The chubby man asked as he stopped in front of me and Thomas. I nodded, indicating yes and he immediately held my hands, attempting to walk me out but Thomas stopped him. One of the bouncers immediately gave him a blow and he landed on the ground as everyone present gasped.
“Alright, everyone, the wedding's over. Now, get out,” the chubby man said but everyone remained on their seats, murmuring.
He brought out a gun and shot at the air twice. Instantly, the attendees went running out of the hall, screaming as they fled. Thomas who was already hit crawled himself in a ball, covering his head in fear as I started fidgeting.
“Who… who are you people? What do you want?” I managed to ask.
“You can ask your father that,”
“Al… Alberto, we can handle this better, you know,” dad chuckled nervously as he walked closer to us.
“Dad, who are these people? What's going on?”
“A… Miranda… Pumpkin…”
“Since you can't tell her, I'll help you. I am Alberto, and being a very generous man,” he started, pointing at father, “I lent this cabrona a sum of money for your mother's surgery and he has refused to pay back. I have given him an extended date and he tries to run?” This time, he was staring at dad, making me follow his gaze, stunned.
“Alberto, wait, please. I promise I'll pay and I just… I just need some more time…” father was cut off with a feist colliding with his jaw, sending him falling on the floor.
“Pendejo!” Alberto screamed, dragging father by his collar, “You think I don't know you wanted to abscond earlier today? It's time for remittance and you know the drill. She's coming with us.” He started walking up to me again and I fell to my knees.
“Please… please… don't do this, we will pay. Dad, don't let them take me… Thomas… Thomas!” I screamed on seeing Thomas flee through the back exit door. Never did I ever see him as a coward. The three men laughed as he fled and I knew I was done for.
“Get up, girl,” I stared at him with teary eyes, still kneeling down. “Now!” I immediately jumped up as he roughly held my hands and attempted leaving but father held him by the ankle, stopping him from leaving.
“Alberto, please don't take my child… she's all I've got,” I could see dad's teary eyes and it broke me further. “3 monthss, give me six months and I'll raise the money, please…”
Alberto bent down to meet my kneeling father, “You have six months then, but before then, I'll keep her. If I don't see you after six months, she'll work in my brothel. Let's go.”
One of the bouncers carried me over his shoulder like a feather. I screamed and begged but it fell on deaf ears as I stared at my powerless father who simply cried.
“Let me go, please!” I begged and cried but no one came to my rescue, not even onlookers or passersby.
I was scared, terrified that these men could do anything to me. They could use me as their w***e, dissect my body parts and sell it off or they could just kill me.I dreaded the thoughts that ran through my mind but all I could do was beg and cry.
The two bouncers entered into an awaiting van behind the church and Alberto dragged me to an expensive looking Rolls Royce. He pushed me inside and sat next to me.
“Here she is, Don. She's all yours.” Alberto said with excitement.
