The Billionaire’s Fake Bride

Chapter 4_ The wedding day

The Wedding Day

~~

My hands were on my overflowing wedding dress while the make-up artist worked on my face. She had requested that I keep my chin a little up.

“To gain the best effects.” She said.

Regardless of the unlimited pamperings I've been showered by the maids and the stylists, I felt tense still.

I could barely draw in air in the spacious suite nor had my heart succumbed to being tamed. It was palpitating wildly enough to convince me the brunette makeup artist could pick up on its sounds.

Of course, I knew that was me being extra and irrational but heck– my heart was rapidly beating, no doubt.

“Just a little bit more — work here… and— we are good to go!” She gingerly let out while she applied the last touch of bronzer on my sharp-edged nose.

Feeling elated was the correct sensation that was supposed to engulf my lucky self but— I could only brood and be worried about the note that was under my left palm.

I was hiding it away from the view of the workers but its presence was heavier than its weight in my heart.

‘RUN! YOU ARE ABOUT TO WED YOUR NIGHTMARE’

Was written on it in uppercase letters.

The scariest part was that it was someone among the seven people in the room with me who had smuggled it into my palm while I was off guard.

It was when I was being fitted into my dress and had my hands raised a little beside me that I felt the slick texture pinched into my hand.

The shock of the impact and sudden action was what propelled me into sharply turning my gaze to the object in my hand than having my eye trace its owner.

Somehow, I had meticulously read the content of what I found to be a paper in secret without the others noticing. The words scribbled on the paper were like soldiers marching to war and my heart, the battlefield.

I couldn't believe that someone in the room would do such a thing nor could I picture who it could be. I swiveled my neck around, scrutinizing the countenaces of everyone present in the room but none had a suspicious look to sell them away.

I decided the culprit was an expert because of the professionalism with which they had carried out the task.

It was even tougher that I had to keep up a straight face and not unnecessarily alert the people working on me because they were all strangers.

They were all suspects too.

For some reason, I chose to keep the incident to myself. I didn't want to be the cause of the ruining of my wedding day.

This day was supposed to be flawless and enjoyable— for everyone and for me too. Although, I wasn't sure about myself anymore.

But then again, should I let such an incident ruin my day?

Hell, I was prepared for this. Nova and I had pulled all-nighters trying to get me ready. I've had it rough. I failed and tried again until I had learned enough mannerisms to sustain me throughout the day.

It dawned on me that being a rich girl comes with so many reservations that I lacked. Living all of my life on the streets was a totally different life than all of this. Learning from Nova made it all easier though. She and I had bonded over the two days and I was losing all of my unruly characteristics.

Except for pickpocketing of course. I had been able to smuggle a few pieces of jewelry I stumble upon in the mansion, trying to hoard as many riches as I could.

For all I know, Laura Ace could be found tomorrow and I might not get my full payment since I hadn't done a lot. Therefore, I was making the way for myself.

“Oh, my sweet candy!” A shriek echoed across the room as the door flung open and a woman clothed in a gown of rich, emerald green silk, elegantly draped and adorned with intricate beadwork that sparkled in the soft light of the room. The gown had a flattering V-neckline and was cinched at the waist with a crystal-encrusted belt, accentuating her slender figure.

My heartbeat raced faster upon seeing who it was.

Laura Ace’s mother!

Nova had predicted that she would come to see me before walking to the altar and had coached me on how to handle her. Yet, this was the mother of a child and none could recognize a child better than its mother.

I slipped the warning paper into the strap of my tight and braced myself to receive her. Luckily, the make-up artist was done with my face. I plastered a big grin on my face and looked as positively sober as I could. Nova did mention that Laura was a soft woman.

“Mother.” I sniffed, feigning sentimentality.

Laura’s mother stood a few steps away and glanced at me with eyes wet with emotions. “Oh, look at my princess. You look fabulous in a wedding gown!” She happily cried, hands clasped together closely on her cheeks.

This was too cheesy for me. My mother would never be this emotional just seeing me in a wedding dress hence, I felt uncomfortable watching this woman.

I was more than glad when she turned her attention away from me.

“Everyone, out now. All of you.” She commanded the workers and maids in the room and they all soon scurried out.

My excitement was replaced with terror at the realization that she was sending everyone out just to torment me more. As the noises of the door creaking and getting shut died down, I was glad at least that Nova was still in the room.

In case I was about to mess things up, she could come to my rescue. At least, that was what I thought until…

“You too, Nova. Leave. I want to have a private discussion with my daughter. My pretty snow white.” She sang and rushed to sit on the bed beside me.

Her blonde hair was dressed in a royalty updo and her made-up face was skilfully done. I could see where Laura got her blonde hair from.

I had a dark shade of hair but had it dyed the same night I arrived at the mansion back in the ranch. I shared the same height with Laura which was a crazy coincidence, because we already looked so identical.

Nova left the room and soon enough, I was left with this woman. Oh, s**t!

Taking my hands in hers now, “You look great, Laura honey and this is not even about the makeup. Your eyes seemed alive once again unlike these past few weeks when my heart had been broken seeing all the life drained from your face, body, and eyes. Oh, Laura —” Her voice trembled as she tightly embraced me.

That was a big shock for me. However, Nova did point out how close Laura and Mrs. Ace used to be before her addiction began. Yet, this was about me. I was not used to having a mother who would be this emotional around me.

One who — who deeply loved me and showed it too. Again, my hatred for Laura aggravated. She really did have it all.

Even if I had stiffened in shock at the embrace. I liked it too. I liked the thought of having a mother who was this glad that my eyes weren't empty but alive.

So, as my hand stood mid-air, unsure if I was to return her hug, I embraced her too. She smelt like all the blossoms of Autumn as I sniffed in her motherly scent.

“I'm so proud of you, Laura. I'm so proud that you are getting yourself back together again.” She was muttering nonstop, each word, piercing deeply inside of me.

I wasn't who she thought I was. I wasn't Laura.

Finally, she broke the embrace and took my hands once again.

“Look at you, you were once just my little princess but you will become a wife today. Make babies soon, alright? I want my grandchildren very very soon.” She almost cried.

Grandchildren? I wish I could tell her that was a frolic. I wasn't her daughter and there was no way I could make grandchildren for her. Making grandchildren meant sleeping with Hilton – loving him.

I hadn't given marriage a second thought in the past nor had I even thought I’d have children. Babies….

I was unfit as a mother. I was just a thief with bad skin and a pretty face. Although, Nova had been working on revitalizing my bad skin these past two days.

Mrs. Ace kept on being sentimental, totally immersed in her emotions to even notice that I was a fake. It made my job easier though.

When a knock resounded on the door and Nova came in to announce it was time to leave for the altar, I breathed a sigh of relief. This nightmare was over for now. It was time to face the next one.

I was going to get married. Why was I suddenly feeling emotional?

My parents were absent and my siblings were too. Hell, this wasn't even my wedding day. I was a temporary bride. Either way, I would enjoy the moment still.

The letters in the paper that got squeezed into my hand gloomily haunted me as I was led outside and into the car.

‘YOU ARE ABOUT TO WED YOUR NIGHTMARE, RUN!’