THE WEDDING
915 Words
Saturday arrived too quickly.
Amara stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman looking back at her.
She was wearing a beautiful white wedding gown.
Everything about it was perfect.
The long sleeves.
The delicate lace.
The veil resting against her hair.
She should have been excited.
Instead, she felt like she was walking toward a prison.
A knock came at the door.
“Amara?”
It was her father.
“Come in.”
He entered slowly.
For several seconds, he simply looked at her.
“You look beautiful.”
Amara smiled sadly.
“Thank you.”
He walked toward her and adjusted her veil.
“I know this isn't the wedding you imagined.”
“No.”
She looked at herself in the mirror.
“But I'll survive.”
Her father sighed.
“I am sorry.”
Amara turned toward him.
“Don't apologize, Dad.”
“I should have protected you from this.”
“You're trying to protect the family.”
“And you're paying the price.”
She reached for his hand.
“We'll be okay.”
He nodded, but his eyes were filled with guilt.
A knock sounded again.
This time, it was Liana.
She rushed into the room.
“Oh my goodness!”
Amara laughed despite herself.
“What?”
“You actually look like a bride.”
“I am a bride.”
“A bride marrying Damian Cross.”
Amara's smile disappeared.
“Please don't remind me.”
Liana walked closer.
“Are you sure about this?”
“No.”
“At least you're honest.”
Amara looked down.
“I have no choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
“Not when my father's company is at stake.”
Liana became quiet.
Then she hugged her.
“Whatever happens, don't lose yourself.”
Amara closed her eyes.
“I won't.”
---
Across the city, Damian stood in front of a mirror.
His best friend, Marcus, watched him adjust his cufflinks.
“You look like a man going to his execution.”
Damian glanced at him.
“That's because I am.”
Marcus laughed.
“You're marrying Amara Vale.”
“I know.”
“The woman who has hated you for five years.”
“I know.”
“The woman you have hated for five years.”
Damian stopped.
“I never hated her.”
Marcus stared at him.
“What?”
Damian said nothing.
Marcus shook his head.
“You're in trouble.”
“I know.”
“Do you love her?”
Damian looked at himself in the mirror.
“No.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“You hesitated.”
“I said no.”
“Whatever you say.”
Damian's phone rang.
He answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice came through.
“Everything is ready.”
Damian's expression changed.
“Good.”
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Damian looked toward the window.
“I have no choice.”
“You could tell her the truth.”
“Not yet.”
“And if she finds out?”
Damian's jaw tightened.
“She'll hate me.”
“She already hates you.”
“That isn't the same.”
He ended the call.
Marcus stared at him.
“What aren't you telling her?”
Damian picked up his jacket.
“Something that could destroy both our families.”
---
The church was filled with people.
Business partners.
Family members.
Friends.
Reporters.
Everyone wanted to see the marriage between the Vale and Cross families.
Amara stood at the entrance.
Her heart pounded.
Then the music began.
She slowly walked down the aisle.
At the end stood Damian.
Their eyes met.
For the first time, Amara saw something she couldn't explain in his expression.
Not arrogance.
Not anger.
Something softer.
Something almost painful.
She reached him.
Damian offered his hand.
She hesitated before taking it.
His fingers closed around hers.
Warm.
Steady.
The priest began the ceremony.
“Do you, Damian Cross, take Amara Vale to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Damian looked directly at her.
“I do.”
The words echoed through the church.
Then the priest turned to Amara.
“Do you, Amara Vale, take Damian Cross to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
She looked at him.
The man she hated.
The man she had promised never to love.
The man she had just signed a six-month contract with.
“I do.”
The guests applauded.
Damian slipped the ring onto her finger.
Amara did the same.
Then came the final words.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Amara's eyes widened.
She looked at Damian.
He leaned closer.
“It's part of the performance,” he whispered.
“Keep it brief.”
His lips touched hers.
For one second.
Two.
Three.
The entire room disappeared.
Amara felt something she wasn't supposed to feel.
Her heart raced.
Damian pulled away first.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
The applause around them became distant.
Then Damian whispered,
“This is going to be more difficult than I thought.”
Amara swallowed.
“It's only six months.”
He looked at her.
“That's what we agreed.”
Neither of them knew that the six months ahead would change everything.
And somewhere in the back of the church, the elderly man from the Cross headquarters watched them with a satisfied smile.
He whispered,
“Let the game begin.”THE
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD