BETROTHED HEARTS

CHAPTER2

The days went by so fast and with each passing day that drew the wedding nearer to us, I started having cold feet. Before I knew it the day for the wedding had arrived.

If I knew I was going to make it through this day without losing my mind, I knew I had to go somewhere where I felt safe, where I felt unhinged, where it felt like time stopped whenever I was there.

I decided to go to my favourite spot in the city,Moonscapes Cafe. I really needed to clear my head as this might be the last time I'll be allowed to express my freedom of movement.

I had just gotten back home and I heard dad's voice yelling at mom, I immediately straightened up and went in.

"Dana, where have you been?" Dad demanded, his voice harsh.

"I needed to step outside for a moment for some fresh air, is there a problem?"

"Oh honey" Mom started, approaching me slowly and pulling me into a warm embrace. " Your wedding is today and you just can't disappear when you feel like it, you could have at least let Abby know your whereabouts."

" I just needed some alone time to myself, I didn't mean to cause any drama."

I started off towards my room upstairs, each step laced and heavy with exhaustion and anxiety. In less than 2 hours, I was going to be shipped off like some package to some mystery man that I hadn't even met yet.

My mom trudged slowly behind me as I made my way to the room I had once called home for so many years.I had come to terms with the fact that even though I didn't love Sebastian, it wouldn't be so bad being a billionaire's wife.

I made my way to the bathroom and I caught a glimpse of myself. I looked like I had been to hell and back, my eyes red and puffy from bawling my eyes out almost all night.

I quickly freshened up and went into the room to get dressed.

I was brushing my hair in the penthouse suite when I first heard voices and the sound of people speaking in hushed whispers.

Loud, panicked voices and the sound of people arguing. Not again,I thought to myself, rolling my eyes.People had been fighting all day over the smallest of things. The flowers, the food, the seating arrangements, the decoration, you name it and there was a problem with it.

I wasn't surprised though, my mother and sister were perfectionists. I pitied the wedding planner who'd taken up such a difficult task in satisfying my family.

As I was getting dressed, my younger sister Abby came in to hand a package to our mother,

"Oh Dana, your husband-to-be was so kind enough to send this beautiful dress over for you." She said with a subtle smile.

I took the dress from her, feeling a wave of frustration rush over me.

I was literally being treated like a prisoner. I got dressed quickly, the anger growing inside of me and with each passing moment I felt my blood boil even more.

I was in the middle of examining myself for the umpteenth time when my Dad came in.

As if reading my mind, my father spoke up, his voice utterly lacking the confidence I had associated with it. “ We can't cancel the wedding honey. It'll ruin everything I've worked for, every single thing I own would vanish within the blink of an eye. If this wedding doesn't pull through, not only would we be humiliated but we stand to lose everything,” he managed to squeeze out as his voice started to break.

My mother, someone I didn't seem to understand anymore, because this wedding went against everything I thought she stood for,looked at me with pleading eyes.

“We really need your help, Dana. I promise you, your father and I are only doing this for the sake of everyone. We wouldn't intentionally want to hurt you or compromise our values if it wasn't worth it. You're the only one who can save this family now.”

My mind was a mess as we left the house and headed to the wedding.

The reality of my situation settled heavily on my shoulders; I was marrying a ruthless billionaire - a man I only knew about from rumours and shows.

During the car ride to the church, a million and one questions began popping in my head making me question and rethink this wedding. "What if it never works out between us?" "What if he doesn't like me?" What if it's a conspiracy?" "What if I'm left unhappy forever?"

Soon my head became a warzone of several "what ifs' ', and the uneasy feeling slowly made its way to my mouth, as my mouth felt dry and my heart suddenly pounding against my ribcage like a mad prisoner ready to break free.

Approximately 6 hours later, we had arrived at downtown New York and I was ushered into the church followed closely by my mother and my sister.

A long veil draped over my face and the uncomfortable corset dress I had been coaxed into wearing because my “loving husband” had been gracious enough to send it to me.

The whispers from the congregation reminded me of where I was as I shifted my gaze to the altar where my husband was standing. There were few people present, sitting in the benches chattering.

All heads turned towards me, men sending smiles while the women from Sebastian's family decided on glares. From between, the familiar faces of my mom and sister stood out as they waved at me.

Sending them a smile, I gulped, a lump forming in my throat and I diverted my gaze somewhere else. Being the centre of attraction was never anything I fantasised about.

With another squeeze from my Dad, I focused on the architecture of the stupendous hall. The pristine white walls were decorated with the same golden patterns at the top, and fresh flowers adorned antique vases around every corner, golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. My father linked his hand to mine as we got ready to start walking to the altar.

“ Dana, you have no idea what this means to all of us. Thank you” he whispered into my ears as I nodded my head slightly ,not trusting myself to speak without shedding a tear or two.

The beat of the traditional wedding song started and my father and I began walking towards the altar, my father gripping my arms tightly, comforting me.

He let go of me when we had finally gotten to where Sebastian and his best man stood and after completing his duty of giving me away, he left me stranded to take one of the most daunting steps of my life.

As I finally stood before my husband, I couldn't help but stare. He looked stunning with his jet black hair styled to perfection; and those eyes that seemed to pull everything and everyone to a halt.

He raised his perfect eyebrow at me.Holy s**t! I was staring. I looked down, biting down on my lips, my cheeks heating up. Excellent job, Dana! Now the whole room can witness how your skin turns all red and tomatoey.

I glanced up to see him looking quite intrigued. Something was glinting behind those dark eyes, something abysmal that made shivers run down my spine, in a scary but interesting way.

"Hello," he finally spoke, his rich, resonant voice as if casting me into a trance.

“Weren't you just cowering in your pants now?" Spoke a voice at the back of my head. Shut up!

Composing myself, I gave a nod of my head.

"Hi."

There was no way in hell I'd let this man see the effect he had on me with little to no effort.He turned away abruptly and started chatting with my dad while all I did was steal glances at him from the corner of my eyes, not caring if I was being rude.

At the gesture of the officiating priest, we stood facing each other, and the ceremony began.

The vows were said,my anxiety was concealed as I took Sebastian to be my husband, for better or for worse, in good times and bad times. My actions appeared as though they were practised,my tone robotic.

I had always envisioned the day I'd be getting married but now I knew better . Those dreams hadn't been dreams in the first place, they were nightmares only waiting to be true.