The Billionaire's Substitute Wife

Chapter1

Serena's POV

My eyes scanned the hall. It was a large room and there were hundreds of people seated, waiting to witness the marriage between a girl who knew nothing about her husband and her husband, who didn't care if she existed. A few necks turned towards me, and an ovation ensued. Camera flashes blinded me. Loud cheers replaced the thoughts in my mind. And at the end of the long walkway, I could see him standing tall with a grin.

"Damian," I mumbled the name of my supposed husband as I walked down the aisle rather slowly. Soft music played in the background. I could feel my father's arm wrapped in mine and his breath on my skin. The cheers were getting louder, and the music too. And it seemed like, with each step forward, the smile on my father's face widened. This was what he wanted for me.

"Aren't you one lucky girl?" The man beside me said, softly.

"Lucky?" I retorted, letting a breath out. "Nothing can make me feel better about today, Dad. Quit trying."

"I know neither of us saw this coming, baby. But that doesn't mean you can't be happy. Look at the bright side. Your husband is handsome, tall, rich and who knows what else? He might grow to love you."

The frown I wore deepened as I thought of the gravity of what was about to happen. "I would run out of here if I could. This isn't what I want for myself." I didn't realize I had said that out loud. But my father needed to know how I felt, after all.

I continued speaking. "A few hours ago, I flew into town because I wanted to witness my sister's wedding. You called me to your room like any kind father would. Only to tell me she had vanished and I am to get married in her stead to a man who gives no f**k about me. To a man, I don't even know how he looks. To a man that I hear gory stories about. The anonymous CEO of the Hue group, who turned out to be the ruthless Damian."

The grunt that followed my statement had me shivering. "Serena, I'll shoot you if you do not walk down this aisle with a bright, cheerful smile and say the vows." There was an unfamiliar spite in his voice. "You know me, Serena, you have known me for as long as you have lived. I have loved you and cherished you like any father would, his daughter. I have never made threats of hitting you, nor have I ever thought of shooting you. But I mean every word I just said. Get married to him and find a way to be happy, that's the only way out of this. It's either that or you cease to exist."

Tear droplets escaped my eyes. I looked up at the man who was next to me, walking me down the aisle. This was a day I had waited and hoped for. A day I hoped that he would walk with me to a man I loved so much while promising me that he wouldn't miss me too much. Here he was, making threats of shooting me. Something was out of place. This was not the man who I had grown to love. This man was a monster. He was different from my father. He scared me and I just wanted to escape from his grip and run as far as I could, away from him and the many other people in the city hall.

"I'll do exactly what you said, Dad," I responded, focusing on the walkway. I was going to get married to the good-looking stranger across the room and I was going to be happy, despite the fact that our marriage was forced.

"That's my girl," My father grinned and put his huge hand around my shoulder, giving me a side hug. "I will miss you, Serena. And always remember that I love you."

I blinked so that the tears would go back to my sockets and roll down my face. Love? He still claimed to love me?

"I know it's hard to believe, Serena. But you wouldn't understand why I'm doing any of this until you're older."

Was this another one of his many attempts to 'protect me?' My eyes were turning red. "I don't need you to protect me anymore, Dad. I'm twenty-four. I am not a child."

"You are a grownup baby, I couldn't agree more. But I am always going to be on the lookout for you. It is my responsibility to make decisions that'll foster your happiness."

The tears found their way out of my eyes and I could swear my makeup was ruined as they crawled slowly towards my jaw.

"Don't do that!" My father said, looking around the room. "Do not cry on your wedding day." There was a hint of embarrassment in his tone and eyes. I didn't want to disappoint him. "You're happy, remember? The last thing you should be doing is tearing up."

I fought the tears, but they fought harder.

"Serena!" His voice was louder than usual. I trembled with fright and cast a glance at him, waiting for him to say something scary. To make another threat. This man was different and I had to accept the fact that whatever was happening, had turned my father into a beast. He began speaking, "It's not as bad as it looks, stop crying. Your makeup would be ruined and so would your pictures."

I nodded and used my fingers to wipe my tears. We were standing before the priest and my soon-to-be husband.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time gazing at his eyes. They were beautiful. If only his heart was that good-looking. His lips were soft and had a peach color. My eyes rested on his well-built abs that the tuxedo he had on, couldn't conceal. I envisioned being wrapped in them. Maybe this wasn't so bad, after all. He was good-looking and maybe like my father had said, I would grow to love him. Maybe...

"Do you Serenatake Damian here to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest asked, turning to face me.

I heard him, but his voice sounded distant. I was lost in the eyes of Damian. Wondering what they looked like when he was sober. Wondering what it would feel like, if he were to hold my waist and...

"Say the f*****g vows, Serena!" I jolted as his voice rang in a whisper. He had bent a little bit so that his lips were resting on my ear. "I have so much to do and a lot of important places to be. Let's get the f*****g wedding over with. Say the stupid vows."

Wow! He thought it was a f*****g wedding and a stupid vow. I meant nothing to him, neither did the event going on. Suddenly, I got curious. Why would someone as good-looking and wealthy as him want a contract marriage? Why was he insistent that it would be my father's daughter? Why was he wearing a fake smile and gazing at me in a way that would confuse the audience into thinking he cared about all of this?

If only I could run out of the hall like I had told my father I wanted to. I didn't want to be shot dead, nor did I want to disrupt whatever the plan was. I was rather interested in uncovering the many mysteries behind my sudden wedding to the creep who said with clenched teeth and a wide smile. "f**k you, woman. Just say you do!"

I took in air as I pulled away, taking a nervous glance at him. I could see the rage in his eyes and the impatience in his voice. It was all coming to me. I knew this man from somewhere. This wasn't our first meeting. My heart began to race as his last words sank in. He had said the same words to me, in the past. His eyes met with mine for a split second and my heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard and parted my lips, fighting the tears that gathered and trying to stop my body from the shiver that took over it. "You!" I blurted, almost shivering. "We meet again!”