The Billionaire Rivals

The daylight streamed through the large windows in her bedroom. She looked at the white fabrics and glinting jewellery that laid on her bed as she ran her fingers through it. Was she ready to take this step? Was she ready to marry someone she doesn't know? She looked at her reflection in the mirror and all she could see was — nervousness. The wedding wasn't a day of love__ It was a day of business arrangement and it was a solution to the financial crisis of both families. Marrying a stranger named Alex Moreno seemed acceptable but the idea of walking into a future determined by family and business was overwhelming. Her thought drifted to her father, Jonathan Black; he was the one who had arranged this marriage in order to save his company. He was so desperate to save his company that he ignored what she actually felt. She was fed up of being a pawn in someone else's game, the game she didn't want to play. The door swung open slowly, and her mother — Margaret — stepped into the room with an air of forced calmness that barely disguised the worry within. “Are you ready, Nina dear?” Margaret sounded gentle, but underneath there was a note of worry. Nina looked up at her with both fear and nervousness in her eyes. “I suppose I have to be.” Margaret joined her daughter as she smoothened the wedding dress. “You’ll be fine, Nina. I want you to be brave, you are margaret's daughter and besides, Alex is not like his dad, he would be a good husband. Okay, that's what we have to do for the family". Nina, breathing hard, nodded. Staring back at herself in the mirror, she knew today marked the first day of a life she had not chosen. ********************** Inside, the grand catholic church which was sparkling with glittering chandeliers and fresh flowers that scented the air, guests from the Morenos and Blacks filled in the seats, their whispers merging as a soft noise of expectation. Nina gripped the bouquet tight as she slowly walked down the aisle, her heart racing with each step forward, while her white gown was flowing gracefully and soft clicks of her heels were sounding louder than they were due to the silence. Alex Moreno stood at the altar looking curious and intrigued. He glanced at Nina offering a polite but reserved smile as she stood in front of him. The priest started the ceremony. His voice, steady but almost lost to the distant hum of city life creeping in through open windows. His words echoed through the church as he spoke of unity and new beginnings. Nina and Alex exchanged vows, their voice steady and emotionless. The vows taken were about commitment to their family than to themselves. The applause when the priest pronounced them husband and wife was punctual but each realized they were being led to their destiny. As they shared their first kiss as a married couple, Nina wondered what the future held, knowing that day was a marking of new chapter in both their lives. ****************** The reception hall was a testament to the wealth and influence of the two families, in which every detail was made to represent whatever union of the city's most powerful dynasties. The room was glowing with the warm golden light from the crystal chandeliers and the scent of roses and lilies were all around the hall while rich ivory linens covered the tables, with white flowers and candlelight at the center of the table. Waiters moved silently between the tables, offering trays of champagne and different dishes to the elegantly dressed guests. Nina stood near the front door, feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this luxury. Her new husband Alex stood beside her but a space between them. Since the ceremony, she had barely spoken to him and when they did exchange words it was never much more than a smile. A group of guests came, shaking their hands offering congratulations. Alex handled the interactions with ease of someone who had been to so many gathering, but Nina felt left out as her responses sounded rehearsed and distant. “Nina, you look beautiful,” said someone from the Black's side of the family a smile on her face. “Thanks,” Nina said softly and smiled. When she looked over at him, Alex hesitated for a moment and there was something in his eyes, however it vanished as soon as it appeared. Late that night, laughter and conversation echoed through the hall. At a table sat Alex's brother and his wife who stared at the couples with annoyance. "I can't believe your father could spend this much into an arranged marriage, while he didn't even spend a dim on our wedding" Diva said as she rolled her eyes at Alex and Nina who were the center of attention. "What did you expect, you know how much my dad loves him" MIles replied unbothered. "And you are not bothered about it. Miles, your brother is back and he is married. Your father is going to give his property to him. Don't you get that" She said but Miles ignored. "You might ignore me but I will not let my life get ruined because of you" She said and hissed. At the other side of the hall, Alex's mum Vandala, watched her unhappy son with pity. She knew he wasn't ready for the wedding but his father had forced him and now her son will be unhappy forever. She stared at Nina intensely, that girl's father had humilated us many years ago and now i am going to make her suffer for her parent's mistake, she thought as she fumed with anger. As the after party continued, some couples danced on the stage while Nina stared at them with envy mixed with dread. She had figured out that a first dance as husband and wife was part of the event, but just thought of being in front of everybody looking at the dancing couples instead of them dancing, twisted her stomach. “Would you like to dance?” The sound of Alex's voice breaking into her thoughts made her jump, causing him to let out a little irritated voice. She glanced up at him, taken aback. His expression was unreadable but the gentleness of his voice was enough to go crazy for. “W-We probably should,” She said, just barely above a whisper. He held out his hand, and she took it; her cool palm against the warmth of his grip. They walked into the middle of the dance floor, where the guest parted to give them space. The DJ played a romantic music which made the entire hall intense. Alex placed his hand at her back and began moving smoothly to the rhythm of the song. It was not the dance, but rather how close they were that had Nina's heart racing. She looked away, embarrassed to meet his eyes. Alex's voice was calm, soothing. "You're okay. Just follow my lead.” Nina nodded, telling herself to fit into it. Still moving, she let herself at last look up at him, his eyes softer than before… “ You don't want this, do you?” she asked suddenly; her voice almost lost into music. Alex continue the movement and met her gaze. “No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “But we’re here now." Regardless, Nina had to give him credit for telling the truth, even if it did nothing to ease her anxiety. “ I…don't know what we should do from here” she confided with a thin tremble in her voice. “Neither do I,” Alex answered, a slight smile forming at the corner of his lips. “But we’ll figure it out. One step at a time.” It felt as though the gravity of their circumstances lifted slightly, and a fresh connection settled between them. The world around them started to blur out of focus as they danced, the noise from the party becoming more and more muffled. There were only one another, their own uncertain hopes keeping them in the balance. The music stopped and the crowd clapped in response. They both let go, still staring at each other as they parted. In a beat of an instant, a weak bond formed as they finished their dance. However, as the night wore on Nina was pulled back to reality: friends and family congratulated them with words of good will, but there were also unspoken questions behind those congratulations; whether their marriage would achieve peace between both families. The eyes of the people, watching them whispering and wondering how this pairing would turn out. As people gave them gift, Fiona a striking woman with sharp features and confident smile weaved through the crowds. She approached Alex with a familiarity that caught Nina's attention. "Congratulations, Alex", Her voice sweet as sugar. She flicked her eyes over to Nina, smiling but not at all warmly. “And to you, Nina. You must be so happy" She gave them a gift and turned to Alex. "will see you, later" She said and walked towards Nina, glaring at her intensely. Alex tightened his smile slightly before stepping back to create space between them. "I will talk to you, later" He said and she eyed Nina before she left. There was …something in Fiona's eyes that Nina couldn't seem to identify. A feeling of unease came over Nina as Fiona walked away and mingled among the crowd. She glanced at Alex who was already turning to another guest. The connection they shared while dancing seemed too fragile as if it could be easily shattered by the realities of their situation. As she looked at the direction Fiona went, she met Fiona's wicked gaze, piercing into her soul. There was something completely wrong with that Fiona, Nina thought as she went to meet her mum.