THE FAKE BRIDE

CHAPTER 2

"Where have you been?" Mrs Wilson yelled, as her daughter walked sluggishly into the hall. "Why'd you leave Daniel at the altar? She asked again when Vera didn't answer. "Mrs. Cole and her son have been waiting for you, where did you go?!" Mrs Wilson yelled again. "Why are you standing there, looking like the victim? You left my son at the altar and you don't have a bit of remorse in you," Mrs Cole said angrily, but Vera just walked past them, heading towards the altar. "How dare you ignore me?" Mrs Cole pulled Vera by the arm and slapped her across the face. "Mrs Cole!" Mrs Wilson rushed to her daughter, who remained quiet. "I never liked you, or your family.. but I was willing to accept you because you were all my son could talk about and this is how you repay me," Mrs Cole began. "Well, this is what we get for trusting poor people like you. They're always after money and I'm sure you've met someone who has more money than we do, that's why you left my son at the altar," She added and pulled the jewelry from Vera's neck. "You don't deserve anything from my son," She said and turned to leave. "Daniel…"

"Why'd you do that Mom?" He asked angrily. "Don't tell me you're here to fight for this thing," She pointed at Vera in disgust. "Mrs Cole, don't call my daughter that," Mrs Wilson spoke up. "She's not the only thing in your family," Mrs Cole said and laughed. "Mom!!" Daniel yelled, his eyes widening with anger. "Are you yelling at your mother? Because of this low-class girl?" Mrs Cole's anger grew. "Let's go!" She yelled and began to move towards the door. "Are you okay?" Daniel rushed to Vera, who was still quiet. "Don't touch her!" Mrs Wilson shielded her daughter with her arms. "Daniel!!!" His mother yelled when she noticed his absence. "I'll call you," He said to Vera and rushed to his mom.

"Royce! Where are you coming from?"

"Good evening Father," He greeted, as he walked into the house. "And where do you think you're going?" Mr Aston thundered. "I have a lot of work I put on hold because of the engagement," He replied. "You're going to drive straight to the home of the Bridges and apologize for embarrassing their daughter," His father said angrily. "Why should I apologize? You all planned this engagement without my knowledge. Shouldn't I be the one who gets apologized to?" Royce asked and folded his arms. "You've always been so full of yourself," Mr Aston said and shook his head. "A lot of people say he took after you," Richard said, walking

into the house. "And where have you been? You were meant to bring him back to the party," Mr Aston faced him. "I couldn't," Richard replied with a smile. "Why are you smiling?" Royce asked quickly. "What happened?" Mr Aston asked, staring at the both of them suspiciously. "Royce has someone he loves, they had their pre-wedding pictures taken today," Richard said with excitement. "What?!" Mr Aston asked in shock.

"Mrs Wilson!" Chloe called. "Chloe dear," She opened the door wider. "Where's Vera?" Chloe asked. "Her room, she's been inside since we returned," She replied, looking worried. "I'll go talk to her," Chloe went towards Vera's room.

"Hi," Chloe peeped into the room. "What happened at the church? I heard there was a scene," She walked into the room and sat beside Vera on the bed. "He called me a common girl and threw money at me," Vera said quietly. "He? Who?" Chloe asked like she was ready to beat up whoever it was. "Wait… did you see Tony from school?" Chloe asked again. "No," She replied. "He's the only bully I remember from school," Chloe said. "It was the billionaire," Vera said and wiped her tears. "Billionaire? Chloe was confused. "Royce Aston," She said. "Wait! The guy at the lobby, was that Royce Aston?" Chloe realized. "And he referred to me as common and threw money at me," Vera said, upset. "Why'd he do that to his girlfriend?" She asked, an eyebrow raised. "Well…." Vera started. "He's not my boyfriend," She told her. "Obviously… But why'd you two claim to be in a relationship?"

"I don't know what made me say that," Vera replied sadly. "And why did he play along?" Chloe asked, confused. "I was as shocked as you were," She said and stood. "Look, just forget what he did. It took you a whole year to heal from what Tony and his friends did to you in school, don't let this get to you," Chloe said and stood to hold her. " I just hope I never have to meet him again," She said and Chloe hugged her.

"What does he mean by someone you love? Mr Aston asked his son. "Yeah, what do you mean by that?" Royce gave Richard a terrifying look. "Was I supposed to keep it a secret?" He asked in fear. "Tell me who she is," Mr Aston commanded. "There's nothing to know," Royce replied, with a straight face. "If there's nothing to know, then you'll walk out that door, drive to the Bridges home, apologize to their daughter, and take her out to make up for your stupidity," He said with a grin. "Dad!" Royce yelled. "Go apologize to your fiance," He said and went to take a seat on the sofa. "By the way, what did you do to get Lisa so angry?" "She just misunderstood what she saw," He said to himself. "I'm not getting married to Lisa," Royce said to his father. "She'll be a great asset to the company," He told him. "We don't need assets," Royce said, still yelling. "Besides, she loves you," Mr Aston said. "I don't care," He replied heartlessly. "Are you forgetting you promised your mom you'd get married at age 28?" Mr Aston asked him. "Hmmm," Royce sighed. "Get ready, we're going to meet Lisa," Mr Aston finally said. "No," Royce refused. "What do you mean by no?" He asked. "I'm getting married to someone I love," Royce spoke. "And who is this someone?" His father asked, rising to his feet. "You'll meet her tomorrow," Royce replied and walked towards the stairs that le

d to his room.