The CEO is my Ex

CHAPTER 1 In three minutes, I'll officially be sealed six feet under. Aria Morgan knew going down that aisle was equivalent to walking into a dug grave where she'll be spending the rest of her lifetime. She stood in front of the door of the holding room she was in. Waiting. "Are you ready? It's almost time." Her mother placed her hands on her shoulder, drawing her out of her thoughts. She had forgotten she wasn't alone. Muffled sound of soft music played with violins and piano made its way into the room. Aria's throat hitched up, her eyes glistening as goosebumps travelled all over her body. "It's time." Her mother smiled, taking her hands in hers and squeezing it. Although she intended to reassure Aria, Aria only felt worse. Brown eyes travelled down her sparkly wedding gown from her shoulders to the overflowing ends that sprawled all over the floor around her, then back up at her. She sniffed in, a tear threatening to escape her eye as she accepted the bunch of flowers from her mother. "Please smile, you look beautiful," her mother said with a smile still plastered on her face. Aria wondered how her mother could pretend like she was okay with this. She searched her mother's face hoping to find some truth concealed by the proud confident smile she wore but she didn't. The door opened and the once muffled music became louder. Everyone seated stood up and turned their attention on her. Aria trembled under their scrutiny as she took two steps outside the room and onto the white flowered trail that led to gazebo. The delicate and tender notes with rich deep undertones from the viola was melodious to the ears of everyone except Aria. For Aria, it sounded like a lullaby and a lullaby always hinted a warning. She could swear she heard it telling her it escape whilst she can, runaway. As she proceeded nearer to the gazebo under which her soon-to-be husband stood, she scanned the guests for a certain beach sand coloured hair and blue eyes. He was her only hope. What if he couldn't make it? Aria thought and it made her stumbled ungracefully to the side, her left angle bending awkwardly. She, however, managed to avoid falling onto the floor and embarrassing herself further. Despite the collective dramatic gasps and gapes from women and men who wore diamonds at every occasion and authentic gold watches for every tux they owned, Aria steadied herself and stuck out her chin, not sparing anyone a glance as she continued towards the gazebo. Anyone except her soon-to-be mother-in-law who was glaring at her. Aria blinked and returned her gaze ahead of her. With help from the bridesmaids, the flowing end of her gown was lifted so she could climb up the small stairs. Now she turned to face him. Xavier Cruz, the master of the hell she was being sent to. The only words Aria managed to hear from the offician's mouth as he started the ceremony was his name as he introduced himself. The rest were lost somewhere at a distant part of her hearing system. As she stared into the haziness of his smoky eyes, she saw it all and felt it. Dread. It crawled up every inch of her skin and twisted her intestines. This was the man she was about to get married to. Not just marry but how to spend eternity with until parted by death. "I do." His rich baritone voice rumbled, composed and laced with power, snatched Aria back into reality as he took her hand and slipped the ring into her finger. The ring bearer at Aria side cleared his throat and Aria took the ring sitting on the padded box. "Do you Aria Morgan, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?" Aria sucked in breath and held it, looking backward at the empty space behind her. He wasn't coming. Before Aria looked back to say the two words, Aria caught sight of her mother who only prompted her with a nod. Disappointed, she returned to Xavier. "I-" Screeching tires and a sharp press of a car honk interrupted Aria. "Aria!" She turned back swiftly and when she saw that blue eyes and beach hair, she smiled genuinely for the first time that day. "Kevin." She breathed her best friend's name in relief. The ring slipped out of her hands into the floor, rolling down the small steps. Without hesitating, Aria rushed towards Kevin but was stopped halfway by Xavier's grasp around her wrists. From the corner of her eyes, Kevin fought off a few of Xavier's men. He punched one guy and threw another off to the side. "Don't you dare," Xavier growled. Infuriated, Aria slapped him hard across the face with her free hand. Xavier released her, clearly surprised. "I'd do what I want," Aria replied and took of the veil, flinging the flowers at him and running towards the open car door. Her mother jumped in front of her stopping her. "What are you doing?" She demanded sternly. "It's my life!" Aria retorted earning a slap from her mother. It stung, not because the slap was hard but because it came from her mother. Aria stared her defiantly, one tear strolling down her face. "I'm sorry mother." Her mother's face softened but Aria wasn't done. "For you. I don't regret a thing." Aria picked up her gown and pushed past her mother, leaving her and the guests shocked. Kevin dealt a blow to the jaw of the man standing in his way, got into the driver's seat and sped down the road. Aria didn't risk a glance backwards as Xavier's scream trailed after the disappearing sport car. "Aria!"