THE SWITCH

The hall was completely decorated with exquisite decor. From the white and gold coloured chandeliers to the big round tables wrapped with white linen and the golden chairs that sat around it. Alyssa sat quietly at one of the tables as she watched the guests slowly fill up the hall. There were chattering sounds almost everywhere. This wasn't the kind of morning she was used to but she had no choice now. This was her sister's wedding ceremony after all, ofcourse she had to be all dressed up with a beaming smile for every guest that looks her way. Thankfully, none had spared her a single glance. She lazily moved her eyes from one guest to the other, their expensive dresses glittering under the chandelier. They carried elegance. As lively as everyone was, Alyssa just couldn't wait for the ceremony to be over and done with. She wasn't jealous - that was the least thing she could be of her sister - she wasn't just the party type. The MC suddenly appears on the stage with a wide smile and a microphone in one hand. He was dressed just as elegant as the guests. He rose the microphone to his lips and spoke into it, grabbing everyone's attention. "Good day everyone." All heads turned to the stage and silence was finally allowed in for the first time. The MC continued as he had the guests' attention now. "I want to warmly welcome you all to the wedding ceremony of the our lovely couple, Michael and Ava, whom most of us here are familiar with..." Is this a speech? Seriously, when would the actual ceremony begin? The MC said a few longer sentences, cracking jokes along with it but finally he ended saying the ceremony was about to begin and the guests should get seated. Alyssa was indeed happy for her sister but she was mostly unbothered about it. She'd heard rumours and whispers around her about how unlucky she was that her junior stepsister was getting married before her. Honestly, the fate of each person is different. Maybe Ava was meant to marry first. Who cares anyways? It wasn't like she was old or anything. Love just found who it found. She slightly shifted at the thought of love. She knew this marriage was an arranged marriage. Their father had been talking about it for two years now. He said it was to help both companies as they would be allies or something like that. She couldn't remember. Everyone was seated by the time the announcement of the groom was made and the entrance door into the hall opens wide. He walks down with his mother's hand hooked around his arm, all eyes immediately focused on them. On him. It felt like a scene in a movie where he was the handsome main lead and every other person just didn't exist anymore. Michael Grayson, CEO of G&G Inc., was soon going to be her brother in-law. A very tall and handsome man. Everything a woman wanted her man to have, he had it. Was it the money? You know he got it. And the physique? Oh, Ava just got exactly what she had been dreaming of all her life. He had always been her crush and getting married to him today must be a dream come true for her. Alyssa had her eyes following Michael as he walked with a stoic expression. He had his eyes looking straight ahead, looking at nothing in particular. His mother, Victoria Grayson, was all smiles as she nodded gracefully at some guests and waved occasionally. Asides from Ava, this would also be a dream come true for her, seeing her son finally getting married. It was the dream of every mother. Every parent. But she was all Michael had as his father was late. May his soul rest in peace. Michael was in a simple yet expensive looking black tuxedo. The elegance dripping from his entire being exceeded every other person in the room. Alyssa just couldn't take her eyes off him for some reason. His whole being was attractive and captivating that every other person was staring too. Alyssa finally moved her eyes away and looked around. As expected, everyone was ogling, but the men were ogling at Victoria. Even at her age, she still looked like a model in her elegant blue dress. Her bright smile could lit a dark room. Her expression was the complete opposite of Michael's. They both finally reached the end of the carpet where a priest was now standing. His mother finally lets go of his arm and turned to look at him, her smile still so bright. For the first time since they both walked in, he finally gave her a small smile. No matter how cold he was to people, he would always melt whenever it came to his mother. For example, this whole union was happening because of her. Well, it does look like she had convinced him to marry Ava. She gives him a heartwarming hug and then finally steps aside, leaving Michael standing alone with the priest. The priest gives him a short nod but he just turns and face the guests. He stared straight ahead, making people believe he was very eager to see his bride. Alyssa sat alone on the big round table meant for her family. Both father and stepmother were nowhere to be seen. Since they arrived at the hall, all her father had told her was where she could sit. Her stepmother, Tasha, who obviously didn't like her, didn't even say a single word to her. She was already used to everything at this point so it didn't matter, as long as everyone else was happy. Just then, the door swung open again and with soft notes coming from a piano somewhere in the hall, Ava walks down with her hand in their father's arm. Her smile could lit the room, in fact even beyond it. Her wedding dress was one of a kind. The crystal beads and stones on her white dress sparkled with ever step she took. She was indeed looking like the bride of the day. Alyssa moved her eyes to her father. He looked just as happy with a wide smile, looking at her occasionally. He never looked at her like that. He never smiled at her. Not even for once. But today wasn't about her, it was about Ava. Alyssa looked around for her stepmother and found her standing at a corner with tears falling down h er cheeks. She must be very proud of her daughter. Both father and daughter finally reach Michael and the priest. Geoffrey gives his son in-law to be a small smile but gets a blank expression back. He turns over to Ava, still smiling and nods before stepping aside. Michael and Ava are left standing and staring at each other, one smiling and the other not. The priest begins, saying a few words to them before bringing their rings and the Holy bible forward, "You're now to say your vows." He said to both of them. He opens the first box that held Ava's rings and pointed it out. Micheal slowly takes it like he was some god of time, leaving the guests anticipating. He slightly twirls the ring between his fingers before holding up Ava's left hand as he placed it close to her fourth finger, holding eye contact with her. The priest begins to recite the vows and Michael repeats after him. "I, Michael, take thee, Ava, to be my wedded wife to have and hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part." His voice was deep yet so soft and calm. Ava was smiling like a Cheshire cat as she waited for the priest to ask the question she had been looking forward to for a long time now. "Ava Collins, do you take Michael Grayson to be your husband?" "Yes, I do." She answers quickly, nodding her head as well. The hall is quiet as everyone is waiting for him to slide the ring down her finger. But he doesn't. Instead, he smiles wickedly at her and says, "But, I don't." He drops her hand immediately as everyone in the hall is filled with confusion. What the hell is he doing? What's he even talking about? Ava's face held a confused expression as well. She kept looking at him but he had turned to the seated guests now. Taking a step forward, he started, "Good day everyone. I'm sure you weren't expecting this turn of events." His voice was still calm like he hadn't just stopped his own wedding. "Well," He continued, "I have a surprise for you all. One that would definitely leave you shocked to your bones." "Michael!" His mother's voice could be heard as she finally appeared on the aisle, walking up to him. "What are you doing?" Her voice was hard with anger. "Mum, I'll need you to sit down for this." He held her shoulders as she reached him and moved her so his security could take her back to her seat. She shrugged her body off his security men and they let her be immediately. "What are you doing?" She asked again, looking him dead serious in the eye. "Something that is best for me." He simply replied and then turned back to the guests, "As I was saying-" "What is the meaning of this?!" Geoffrey interrupted him this time. He was standing, looking just as angry and confused. Michael smiled. A smile that meant something was lurking around. A secret he was going to soon expose. "Mr Collins, since you have asked, I would respectfully answer you. I am no longer getting married to your daughter.