THE MAFIAN LORD’ UNWANTED BRIDE

Third POV “No…it can't be possible.” Her mom's screams echoed through the room. Elena sped up toward the room, clutched my chest, and blinked as she stared at Mom. “Mom, what's happened?” The only words that slipped from her lips as she rested her body on the wall. But instead, her mom didn't utter a word but buried her face into her thighs, with tears that dripped down her legs. “Can someone say something?” Elena turned to face her cousin sister, Sarah, who didn't utter a word, even though she kept lifting her mouth, but no words could slip out. “Please…say something.” Tears ran down her hot cheeks as she strode toward her mom, bowed to her level, and pulled her face as their eyes pierced through each other's. But no one responded; she ran her fingers down her hair, almost pulling it off. “Mom…please, it's me; talk to me.” Elena wiped off the tears that ran with no control from her mom's face as she stared. Those eyes her mom had. It's said a lot. The sore eyes, heavy bags, and everything else. She gently dragged her mom's hands, removing her from the dreams she thought were real. “You're…” her mom stuttered, trying to avoid eye contact as her lips shivered. “What, Mom?" “Can you say something?” “Your sister,” Her mom took a deep breath, bit her lower lip, and then stared directly into her. “We can't find her; I don't know…” “Mom, you're joking, right?” A little laugh pulled out, even though it felt like a joke, but Elena was already picturing what's next to befall them. She rose and scanned around the room, eyes searching for her sister, but there was no sign. “Mira, stop playing and get here now!” She yelled out her sister's name, but her voice bounced back to her. Five minutes were gone, but Elena couldn't wrap her head around it, her eyes roaming still around as she sped outside the room and searched all corners. Her head pounding faster, as she laid her body on the wall, she tugged her phone and dialed Mira's number. “You better pick.” She couldn't stop staring at her phone, at every message that popped up. She rushed back to the room, even though those tears that ran couldn't save her. Her mom was still there, same spot, legs curled into the bed like a kid. “Mom, what should we do?” “Do?” “Sweetheart, we…have no choice.” Her mom stood up, cleared her throat, and tapped her fingers like she got some ideas Elena wouldn't love. “Mom!” “Yes, you have to.” Elena stared at those cold eyes, the ones she didn't know of. Her mom stood up, balanced her clothes, wiped off the tears, and strode carefully to the door. “Mom, you can't be serious." She clicked her tongue while facing her mom. “Sarah?” Instead, her mom ignored her, facing outside as she screamed her cousin's name. “Yes, Aunty.” Sarah ran faster, clutching her chest while gasping for air. “Do her makeup." “Mom,” “Don't test my patience.” That was the last word her mom laid before dashing out of the room. Elena's legs buckled, landing her onto the bed. As she bowed, tears refused to spill out. Why me… After everything. “Mira, this can't be true.” An hour had passed. Elena walked with pains that struck down her waist. The countless trials of testing the white wedding gown that was made for her sister and now hers. She couldn't risk spoiling the makeup Sarah had done. Her mom sat at the front while the driver got busy tangling his fingers into the steering wheel. Elena glanced at the wide gate; the thought to speed and escape her predicament was all she wanted. “Hurry.” Her mom's voice suddenly sparked through the car as she waved at her. Elena ran faster, almost stumbling from the long dress. Throughout the journey, she buried her eyes in the window, reflecting on her new job she just got and her new matchmaking boyfriend, but that won't happen anymore. “I can't…” She pinched her fingers as she muttered under her breath, unable to hold those sobbing tears that dripped faster, dripped onto her white gown. “Maybe it was fate.” She thought, her eyes blinking faster. Elena turned to stare at her mom, those cold eyes again that showed her it wasn't a child's game. This life wasn't meant for her; Mira's name ran down her mind each time she touched her black handbag that was clutched on her thighs. “Everything would be alright, okay?” Elena felt a tap on her shoulder; she jerked and turned only to meet with Sarah, who managed to tug a smile. She tried to respond with a smile, but it didn't work; just a nod was enough. Forty minutes later, their car stopped and got parked in front of the tall building. The splashing lights of cameras and journalists that line up, waiting for the bride. Elena took a deep breath, pulled the car door and bowed her head, hands curled beneath her gown, as she fastened her legs out of the car. “Can't you walk?” her mom barked from behind. Elena sped up toward the building door as she awaited others. The music sound sparked through the wall; everyone got busy sipping their wine and discussing with their partners. Immediately after she stepped inside, everyone became silent, their eyes perched on her, like she was the pawn they awaited. Elena barely felt her legs; she bowed and walked forward. Some whispered, others murmured, others pointed at her, and some stared with an aghast face. Her mom walked majestically toward the crowd, with hands in front, like she had won a lottery. Sarah and Elena's hands tangled around each other's as they walked toward the altar; everyone gasped in shock. Immediately, when they arrived at the altar, Sarah untangled her hands from Elena, waved with a smile, and strode toward the front row and sat there. She was alone, in front of everyone she couldn't believe she'd meet. Immediately, she opened her handbag to grab a piece of chewing gum to calm her nerves. Just then, a piece of paper fell onto the marble floor, and she quickly picked it up before she had noticed. The paper was squeezed; she opened it as her jaw clenched down, heart pounding and breath seized.