The Billionaire's Second Chance

Chapter Two

Alessia

I watched as we zoomed past the beautiful buildings, the world on the other side passing by in nothing but a blur. A cacophony of colors swirled against the raindrops that slid down the limousine's windows, giving me a live view of a real-life painting. It was beautiful, and maybe if I was in a better mood, I would have enjoyed it. But now, nothing, nothing else asides from the plan I had in mind could patch up my shattered heart.

"... we're late because of you." I found myself tuning into my mother's recent conversation. She was seated opposite me as she lashed out. Whether it was at me or the driver, I wasn't exactly sure. " Do you know what this means?"

"I'm talking to you Alessia." I guess she actually was talking to me. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

" I'm sorry," I mumbled without emotion. Everyone was tensed up, me included, the last thing I wanted was to push my problems on someone else. " I'm really sorry mum. I didn't mean to make us late."

"Oh, It's okay. " She sighed as she toned down a little. Her gaze swept to the outside and I followed. We were almost at the church. " We're on our way now and that's what matters."

"Yeah." I found myself fiddling with the lacy ends of my dress. As much as I tried to push it away, it didn't budge. That disgusting memory was stuck on repeat deep in my mind. If I listened even closely, I swear I would be able to hear Adam's moans from earlier.

"Alessia!" I jerked up at the sound of my name. It was mother again. " Are you okay?"

"I .." I trailed off, the rest of the words jammed in my throat. As I stared at her, it was then I realized how uncanny our resemblance was. I looked just like her, except I was the younger version. From her slightly ashy blonde hair to her nude-smeared lips, I wondered what she would do if she found out the truth about her dear Adam. Our dear Adam. If she found out her dear son-in-law had shattered both of our hearts on the most important day of our lives. " Mother, I…"

"There you guys are!" The door by my side flew open immediately the limo grinded to a halt. Bright light streaked into my eyes for a couple of seconds, temporarily blinding me. It took a while, but I finally got used to the light outside, but the moment I did, I wished I could go back in time. Sam stood on the pavement, her bridal dress clinging tightly to her skin and hugging all the right places. A click-clack sound snapped me out of her thoughts as she hurried me along. " Come on. We've been waiting for you."

"Come on." Mum beamed from behind as she held my dress up for me. " Hurry, hurry, hurry."

And I did. I stepped on the pavement as I let my dress flow to the ground. Almost immediately, Sam came to the rescue by bunching the lacy fabric so the puddles wouldn't soak it. I really wished she hadn't. Maybe then, I'd have a valid reason to call off this wedding.

I swallowed a gulp as I stared at the building ahead. The cathedral loomed ahead and I found myself shuddering at the sight. If someone had told me sometime in the past that I would come to dread this place I'd always looked forward to in my life, I wouldn't have believed it. But right now, as I stared at the decorations that streaked the entrance, an awful sense of dread washed over me. Even the red carpet spread out on the aisle looked like blood, my own blood.

I peered inside just to find the pews filled to the brim with friends and family. Everyone and anyone was there. I could even make out the bulky physique of my brother waiting for me at the start of the aisle.

"Come, come." Sam beamed as she ushered me inside, her smile ripping my heart into a thousand pieces. How could she pretend like she'd just done nothing?

Wordlessly, I walked into the church with the two women trailing behind me.

"Ready?" My brother Blake looped his arms around mine the moment he walked up to me, flashing me a huge grin. I nodded and immediately, a soft hum from the piano filled the room. I matched my brother's steps as we walked down the aisle, taking one step at a time. I literally avoided everyone's gazes as we walked toward my deathbed, but the one person I couldn't avoid was Adam. He looked sharp in his white tailored suit, with the priest standing by his side. We'd both wanted to match, hence the white color. Now, I would give anything to ditch this dress right about now.

His smile never faltered as I took my place next to him at the altar. He looked so happy and it made me wonder what the hell went wrong.

"Now that the bride is finally here, we may begin. You almost gave the young man a heart attack." The crowd burst into a ripple of laughter at the priest's statement. Even Adam. " We'll start with your vows."

"I'll go first." Adam grinned as he unfurled a piece of paper from his pockets. I tried to smile but that image popped up in my head and I bit down on my lips. " Sunshine, I've always called you sunshine because ever since you walked into my life, you pushed away all of my dark clouds and I promise to be by your side till death do us part."

A loud awwn rippled through the congregation and I shut my eyes momentarily.

" Miss Alessia." The priest's voice had me snapping my eyes back at him. " Your vows."

I had planned it, committed it all to memory, but how could I say it, when I was no longer sure if I meant it?

" I…" I stuttered, my grip on my bouquet tightening. " Actually, I…"

"I think she forgot." Adam stepped in and I wasn't sure if I was grateful or not. " Right?"

"Yeah." I nodded slowly, my voice a tiny whisper. " Yeah."

"It's okay. I understand." Adam nodded. "Priest, shall we?"

"Do you take Miss Alessia Donna, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Yes." For a moment, I thought he would say no.

"Do you, Miss Alessia Donna, take Adam Sandler, to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I knew it was going to come but I still wasn't prepared. I felt my heart race behind my chest, its violent thumps threatening to rip through my skin. My palms felt clammy as I scanned the area, hoping the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

"Alessia?" It was Adam. He had a smile on his face but I could tell there was something underneath. It didn't even help that silent murmurs rippled through the congregation. " Are you okay?"

"I…"

"Answer the question." He let out slowly. " Do you take me to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I…" no one was coming to my rescue. Not my mother, or my brother, not even Sam. I was in this alone.

"Answer…"

"No." It was so low I thought everyone would miss it. But they didn't, Adam's face was proof. " No."

"What do you mean no?" If he was scared or mad, I couldn't tell but I didn't care. He was the least of my problems now. In one swift motion, I threw my veil over my head so I could get a clearer view. My eyes roamed the church as I deftly ignored everyone else. Mum was on her feet, a puzzled expression on her face. Blake, well he was being Blake.

I kept on searching till my eyes fell on a scrawny man at the back of the priest. He had just finished hoisting a screen with a projector right in front of it. The moment our eyes met, he gave me a thumbs-up before scurrying away again.

"Alessia." Adam's voice called out to me again. I'd totally forgotten about the chaos I'd started, until now. " What is the meaning of this?"

I searched for my mother and I found her, her eyes pleading with me like she already knew what I had up my sleeve.

"I have something for you." I croaked, not completely sure what I was doing. In all the ruckus that had happened, I hadn't noticed Sam until now. She had somehow appeared at the front of the church. Perfect. I shifted my gaze to her as I spoke. " A surprise, if you will."

I almost missed it, but she gasped and in that moment, the screen in front of everyone lit up. I closed my eyes as I allowed the gruesome recording to play again, Adam's voice from earlier in the room reaching my ears. It wasn't long before his moans filled the air and I found myself being teleported back in time.

"Holy Virgin Mary!" It was the priest no doubt. I stole a peek at Adam to see he was glaring at me, hard. Sam on the other hand stood rooted to her spot, mesmerized and ashamed. " What is the meaning of this?"

"Do you like it?" I spat at Adam as I fought to control the tears. " If you don't, you shouldn't worry, it's only an end to a means. "

"Alessia." He sounded weak and humiliated. " I…"

He wasn't even going to deny it or try to apologize for that matter. I'd lost count of the number of times my heart had shattered but I knew it was a lot. The more I stared at him, the more I felt my vision blur. The world roared around me as I struggled to focus. An idea popped up in my head and without giving myself time to secondhand my decision, I picked up my dress and ran.

I ran, out of the church and out of Adam's life too. I heard my name echo behind me. Perhaps it was Mother, or Blake, or even the devil himself. But I didn't care. It was too late to turn back now.