THE SWITCH

ChapteFour

She must have been staring for too long, lost in thought as there was a serious argument going on. It must have been whatever Michael said again as he was also quiet, staring at her.

"Talk to your son, Victoria. How do you expect my daughter to accept such a humiliation? She is meant to be the bride of the day. Why the sudden switch? Because my other foolish daughter opened her stupid legs for him?" Her father's voice rang out again. Sometimes, she still wonders if he's actually her biological father.

"Well, you should have taught your daughter how to keep her legs closed then!" Victoria answered with the same tone.

She turned to Michael again, "Son, please-"

"There's no need to beg me mom. I've already decided what I want and it's happening whether anyone likes it or not." The air became cold after he spoke. He turned around and left the gathering.

All eyes were back on her again. She could only look down.

"You heard my son. He's getting married to her now." His mother stated. Alyssa and Ava shot their heads up and to her direction. They had the same thought. No! That couldn't happen.

She walked away before either of them could say a word. Ava turned to her father and begged. "Dad, please. There must be a way out." Her eyes were teary and it only made Alyssa feel even more guilty.

"Don't beg me now, Ava. There's nothing I can do as well. He has already decided and we need to just do whatever he wants." He spoke to her softly, rubbing her shoulders soothingly. An act he'd never done for her. She just watched him caress Ava and all that went through her mind was... Why? Why her?

Ava was already crying by now and her mother took her into her arms, whispering something loud enough for her to hear. "Just know it was your slutty evil stepsister that took away what belonged to you. I'd always told you to stay away from her but you never listened. You never did."

"Oh, mother!" Ava wailed like she had just lost someone very close to her. In reality, she did but the whole case was just weird now.

Geoffrey dragged Alyssa until they were out of the hall. He paced a few steps forward and backward, thinking hard of what to say.

"Dad, I don't want to marry him-" Her sentence was cut short as she stumbled back from the hit. Her father had just landed a resounding slap on her cheek, shutting her up immediately.

"Now, listen to me and listen very carefully." He started with a threatening tone, his face inches away from hers. "If you think you're going to mess things up for me then you're a big joker. Do you know why you're still standing and breathing? Because he hadn't called of the wedding yet. Atleast he still wants to marry you. That's fine and alright. But if you think you're going to go out there and say no to his proposal? Then you're f*****g crazy!"

Alyssa was bleeding by now from biting her gum hard. Tears dropped like a single bullet, hitting the ground with a quiet splash. Her heart was in shreds at this point.

Obviously, her father cared less about either of their love lives but he still cared a little about Ava. But in her case, she was nothing but a tool for him to get to his goal.

"Didn't you think of the consequences when you opened those filthy legs for not just any man but your sister's goddamn fiancée!" He continued whispering with a harsh tone until he was done. "Now get in there and get married."

That was the moment Alyssa knew life had decided to make a mess of her. How could things turn south all in just a few minutes?

Her father dragged her back in and she could only follow, moving wherever he took her too.

Soon, she was standing in front of Michael again, the priest across them. She couldn't raise her head. She didn't want to. She had seen enough of everyone and was tired of everything. If it was possible to make a wish and it would come true instantly, she would have been swallowed by the earth by now.

"Here she is." Her father informed Michael, his tone somewhat pleading.

There was an awkward silence for a moment before Michael's voice was heard and he seemed to be talking to her. "Don't you want to change?" His voice sounded soft. Deceivingly soft.

Alyssa could hear Ava's sobs from the back. She was taking her spot, being asked the questions meant for her. Who wouldn't cry?

"No, thank you." She answered quietly but deep down, she wanted to spit on him. She had never known what hatred felt like until that very moment.

She rose her head to look at him. And the man she was looking at, she hated with a strong passion.

The priest, who was still shocked and surprised about the whole turn of events, repeated the same process again, asking them to recite their vows.

Michael went first and held up her left hand, a new ring now in between his fingers as he placed it at the top of her fourth finger. He said his vows and then the priest asked her the scariest question yet. "Do you, Alyssa Collins, take Michael Grayson to be your husband?"

What choice did she have?

She glanced at her father and the answer was right on his face. None. She had no choice.

"Ye-Yes... Yes, I do." Silence followed after.

It then came her turn to say her own vows, "I, Alyssa...Collins, take you, M-Michael Grayson, to be... to be my w-wedded husband, to have...and to hold from this day f-forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer... in sickness and in health, to l- lo... to l- love and to cherish, till death us do part." That was as tough as telling her to cut off her own limbs.

That was what she thought until the priest said the words that internally killed her. "You may now kiss the bride."

That was never happening. That couldn't happen!

She looked at the priest with pleading eyes, but there was nothing he could do. He'd already said it.

She turned to Michael who was already coming closer. No, no! Please!

Her wide eyes must be have been ridiculous as his smile stretched. He didn't stop coming close though and that scared her to death. Was she about to kiss her sister's fiancée in front of her? Yes, she was now officially his wife but... could she really?

He was now inches away from her. She had shifted to step away but he held her waist, stopping any further movement. "Just stay for a bit. It'll be quick." He whispered softly by her ear.

All she could think of was how wrong this was. But Ava never thought it was wrong to have s*x with her boyfriend and still feel unbothered about it. This was a good revenge but she wasn't seeking revenge. She wasn't like Ava and never planned to be like her.

His lips slightly touched hers and she couldn't deny the electrifying feeling that followed after that little connection. He stayed that way for a second and more like he had felt it too and needed to recover. And then he went on a second later, putting a little pressure on her lips. He kissed her upper lip and then went over to the lower lip before finally moving away.

That shouldn't be more than five seconds but it felt like five minutes. She had stiffened from the shock of everything. They had done it. They kissed infront of everyone. Everyone that hated her.

She slowly searched for her family and found them at a corner. Hateful glares was sent her way and she could only look away.

She turned her head back to the man infront of her. He was putting on a pleased smile. He was happy but she wasn't. Now she hated him to the core and she would make sure to frustrate his life!

Michael wasn't fazed by the looks she gave him. He took a step forward and whispered in her ear, "Can't wait for tonight." And then bite her earlobe.

If he wouldn't be the death of her then maybe she might end up taking her own life.