HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Chapter 2

Franz Pov

A weak moan escaped in my throat as I regained consciousness. Even before I could open my eyes, the scene before I fell asleep registered in my mind. I quickly opened my eyes and sat up from my bed. But I was stunned when I noticed that I was wearing an expensive wedding dress. And it was obviously more expensive compared to the wedding dress that Teddy bought for me. I suddenly thought if my wedding with Teddy was not canceled. Or if I just dream of escaping from my wedding. I strongly shake my head. No. I am not dreaming. I'm sure that I escaped from my wedding with Teddy because Che and I heard his evil plan against my mom after the wedding. But the question is, why am I wearing a wedding dress, and who are the people that kidnapped me?

It's impossible that Teddy's men are the people who kidnapped me because the faces of the two men who got out of the van and covered my mouth and nose are unfamiliar to me. And if Teddy's people kidnapped me, my innocence would surely be shattered by now. Because Teddy would take advantage of that I am unconscious. He will do something bad to me so I have no choice but to continue our wedding.

I cautiously got out of bed and approached the door. My forehead furrowed when I saw a paper stuck to the doorknob with my name on it. I quickly grabbed the letter and read it.

"Hi, Franz. I know you don't know me, so let me introduce myself to you first. I'm Franzine Aguilar, and I am your identical twin sister that got separated from you and Mom when I was a baby. I know you won't believe what I'm saying but you are currently inside my room. I have pictures in my bedroom that will prove we have the same face. And I also know that you don't really want to marry Teddy Chua, but for the sake of your mother who is also my mother, you have decided to marry a man you don't love. But I am glad that you chose to escape from the wedding at the end. I will not prolong this letter anymore. When we see each other, I will tell you everything about how I found out about your identity. I am asking you to pretend to be Franzine and marry Duke Villarica in my name. In return, I will take care of Mom's treatment. And don't worry because Duke doesn't personally know me, so he won't know that you're just pretending to be me. Do well in pretending to me, Franz. Your twin sister, Franzine."

What the heck! Is this some kind of a plot in a drama series? I couldn't help but think like that after reading my newfound twin sister's letter. I think this is not true and someone is just playing a prank on me so I decided to escape. I hurriedly approached the door and was about to open it when a question suddenly occurred in my mind. What if Franzine is telling the truth? What if she really could help my Mom? If she's telling the truth and then I escape from this wedding, the chance of my Mom to survive will be lost. For a moment, I feel confused.

I walked back and weakly sat down on the edge of the bed after careful thinking. I have to take a risk. I will trust Franzine's promise to help with my mom's treatment. I will do what she wants me to do, regardless of her reasons and her desire to escape her own wedding, as long as she takes care of my Mom.

I was startled in my seat when suddenly someone knocked on the door. Hurriedly, I crumpled the paper and stuffed it inside my bra before standing up and opening the door. I saw a smiling maid outside the door.

"You're so beautiful, Franzine. Sir Duke will surely fall in love with you when he sees how beautiful his future wife will be," the maid complimented me with a smile. I smiled back at her but didn't comment.

Suddenly, I thought to myself. The maid didn't notice that I wasn't Franzine but someone else, which means Franzine and I really do look exactly alike. She is indeed my twin. But why did my parents keep the truth that I have a twin? Am I really their biological child or is Franzine the adopted child of her parents and my real parents are her parents too? I gently shake my head. This is not the time to think about it. I have to pretend as Franzine for my Mom's sake.

"Thank you," I shyly replied to the maid. The maid paused for a moment and seemed shocked as if she couldn't believe and stared at me. Suddenly, I became self-conscious because of her gaze. Did I say something wrong or did she notice that I'm not Franzine? "Why do you look at me like that?" I nervously asked her.

"Nothing," the maid quickly shook her head. "I am just not used to seeing you like this. By the way, you should go down now, the bridal car is waiting for you. Your father is already at the church and waiting for your arrival."

Daddy? Is he my real father and not the one I grew up with? I don't think I can accept that my Papa is someone else. My Papa is so kind and he loves me and Mama very much. It's just a pity that he was taken away from us by God too early.

I went out of the room where I woke up and went out of Franzine's big house. Luckily, the maid accompanied me out of the house because if I were alone, I would surely get lost inside the house because it was too big. The maid assisted me in getting into the bridal car before going back inside the house so my wedding would not get dirty.

As I was on my way to the church, I couldn't help but feel nervous. It was a sudden decision for me and I was worried that Franzine's friends and relatives, especially her father, would notice that I was not her. She didn't even mention the names of her close people around her in her letter, so I have no idea who they are.

"You escaped your own wedding but here you are, about to marry a man whom you haven't even seen his shadow. You're really unlucky, Franz," I talked to myself in a soft voice.

"What is, Ma'am Franzine?" the driver asked me, thinking he was the one I was talking to.

"Nothing. I'm just trying to gather my courage because I am nervous," I replied as an excuse. Thankfully, the driver did not speak again and just focused on driving.

In just a few minutes, the bridal car that I was riding in arrived in front of a beautiful garden adorned with many beautiful flowers. It turns out that my wedding was a garden wedding and not a church wedding. I think this is better because when I get married in a church, I want the man I love to be waiting for me at the altar.

Upon getting out of the bridal car, the wedding march started playing and I was greeted by a man who I think was in his mid-forties. I guess he is Franzine's father.

"My only daughter looks so beautiful," he praised me after embracing and kissing me on the cheek.

"Thank you, D-Dad" I softly replied with a forced smile on my lips. I couldn't help but stutter a little because of nervousness. If he is my real father, why do I not feel any blood connection with him? Or maybe my suspicion is true that Franzine is just adopted and my parents are her real parents?

"Congratulations, Facundo. Finally, your only daughter is getting married. And to a rich and handsome man," a woman spoke to Franzine's father whose name is Facundo.

"Thank you. Thank you very much," Franzine's father replied. It was evident in his voice that he was very proud of his child.

The greetings of our guests stopped when we started walking towards the altar where my groom, well, Franzine's groom, was waiting. I couldn't help but feel nervous as I approached the groom who was facing away from me. He was not like other grooms who, while the bride is walking, are full of love looking at the bride. Maybe he was just forced to marry Franzine because, as my newfound twin sister said, she didn't personally know Duke.

When I reached Duke's side, he finally faced me. I almost let out a gasp when I saw how handsome my groom was. Although his face is serious it still didn't lessen his handsomeness. He has a pair of beautiful eyes with long lashes and stares at me just like he wants to read deep into my soul. His nose is prominent and his slightly parted lips are red, as if slightly frowning. Perhaps he has Spanish ancestry because his appearance is somewhat mestizo.

"Take care of my daughter, Duke. I hope you can tolerate her," Franzine's father said with a smile, as if not noticing the slight frown on his son-in-law's face.

"I will. Don't worry, Dad," Duke replied shortly, taking my hand and holding it tightly.

I suddenly withdrew my hand, surprised by the electric feeling I felt when he held my hand. Curiously, I stared at my hand.

"Can you stop staring at your hand like a fool?" Duke softly spoke to me, but his tone was firm and just enough for me to hear.

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when I heard what he said. It turns out that Franzine's groom, I mean, my groom, has a sharp tongue. It lessened the admiration I felt for him earlier. He is handsome but has a bad attitude. I threw him a bad look at him and then I chose to just ignore what he said to me.

I felt a sense of dizziness as the priest spoke in front of us. I suddenly realized that the ceremony was already over and all that was left was for the groom to kiss me to complete the wedding ceremony. I couldn't help but stare at Duke's red lips. Will he kiss me? I hope not. I've never been kissed on the lips before. And I want the first man to kiss me to be the same man who will be the last to kiss me too.

"Are you expecting me to kiss you? Dream on," Duke whispered to me after he brought his mouth close to my ear.

I slightly pushed him away from me because my ear was tickled by his warm breath.

"Don't worry, Duke. I never dreamed of being kissed by you. I'd rather have my first kiss come from a dog rather than you," I replied to him in a soft voice. I smiled sweetly as I spoke so that the people watching us wouldn't notice that our conversation wasn't pleasant.

"Nice provocation," Duke responded, suddenly grinning, then he leaned in and lightly kissed my lips.

My eyes widened because I didn't expect what Duke did. The kiss he gave me lasted only a millisecond. But even though it felt just like a passing breeze on my lips, it was still a kiss. My dream of having a first and last kiss with the man I love is gone.