HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Chapter 3

Franz Pov

We are already at the wedding reception, but I still can't get Duke's kiss out of my mind. Until now, I'm still annoyed with him for ruining my dream of my first and last kiss with the man I'll love. After he kissed me earlier, it was as if he didn't care, and he faced the guests and invited everyone to the reception for the celebration.

The wedding reception was held in a five-star hotel that Duke owns. I couldn't help but wonder why Franzine suddenly left him at their wedding, even though he was handsome and rich. Well, it seems that Franzine's father is wealthy as well, so she doesn't need additional wealth. And my questions will only be answered when the two of us meet.

"Why is the bride alone in the corner and looks sad? You just got married to Duke but he's already ignoring you?" a beautiful woman approached me and asked teasingly. I was in the corner, slowly sipping on a ladies's drink. There were other alcoholic beverages available but I chose a non-alcoholic one because I'm not used to drinking alcohol. I chose to be alone in the corner because I didn't know the people who were talking to me. "Hey! Are you deaf? I'm talking to you, why aren't you answering me?" the woman asked again, feeling annoyed. Instead of responding, I just looked at her.

"Who are you?" I asked her. I couldn't help but let my voice be filled with annoyance at the way she was questioning me.

The woman raised an eyebrow and gave me a dirty look. "I'm the younger sister of Duke's deceased girlfriend, whom he still hasn't forgotten until now."

"Ah," was the only word that came out of my mouth after she introduced herself. I wasn't interested in talking to her so I didn't further the topic. But it seemed to irritate her even more because of my uninterested response to her.

"Didn't you hear me? I said—"

"So? What does it matter if you're the sister of Duke's deceased girlfriend whom he still loves until now? She's already dead, so she can't take Duke back from me."

That's not really what I intended to say to her, but because I'm annoyed with her, I blurted out those words.

"How dare you say that to my older sister!" the girl angrily exclaimed. She was about to slap me, but I quickly caught her hand and held it tightly.

"We're not in a drama, Miss. We're in real life, so don't think that like in dramas, the protagonist will allow the antagonist to slap her," I said teasingly before releasing her arm and stepping back. She probably thought she could handle me. Maybe she wants to experience my deadly flip back.

"What's going on here?" a voice asked, a voice that I just heard a while ago but I don't know why it's already stuck in my mind.

I didn't expect what the woman did. Crying, she approached Duke, looking like she was being bullied by me.

"Your wife is fierce, Duke. I just mentioned that I am the sister of your deceased ex-girlfriend, but suddenly she tightly grabbed my arm and told me not to mention your dead ex-girlfriend because she won't rise from the grave anymore," the woman complained to Duke, but all lies.

"I never thought that the news about your bad behavior, Franzine, was actually true. And I hope you respect the deceased person who is already at peace," Duke said to me with a stern voice. When I glanced at the woman, she secretly smirked at me. A smirk of triumph. But when Duke looked at her, the annoying smile quickly disappeared and was replaced by a pitiful expression. I just shook my head at what the woman did.

"I also never thought that you could easily be convinced by a lie, Duke Villarica. Why did you marry me instead of your deceased girlfriend's sister? I'm sure your girlfriend wherever she is now would be delighted if the two of you got married," I replied to Duke in a calm tone. I didn't do or say anything wrong, so I was not affected by what he said to me.

We don't get attention because our voices aren't loud. In the eyes of the visitors, we're just having a normal conversation.

"Now you see how terrible the attitude of the woman you married, Duke? I told you to think about marrying her, but you didn't listen to me," the woman blamed Duke.

My eyeballs just rolled when I heard what the woman said. I think they will just ruin my day so I should leave them. I don't want to make a scene because it might just ruin my reputation. I mean, Franzine's reputation.

"Where are you going, Franzine?" Duke chased after me when he saw me walking away from them.

"Can't you see? I'm going to leave. I'll give that woman time to act in front of you," I replied as I turned to him then I continued to walk. I didn't see the waiter coming my way while holding a tray of drinks. I bumped into the waiter and spilled the drink on my stomach.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spilled the wine in your clothes," the waiter apologized anxiously. In his panic, he quickly patted the wet part of my wedding dress with his hand.

"Get off your hands from my wife. The waiter and I looked at Duke's face simultaneously. His face was dark and he had a sharp gaze at the waiter. Then, without a word, he suddenly lifted me and carried me in his arms. "We are going to leave first, guys. It's time for our honeymoon. Enjoy the party," Duke said to the guests before walking out of the function hall where the reception was taking place. The guests clapped and laughed, thinking that we couldn't wait to go on our honeymoon so we were leaving the party too early.

"Put me down, Duke! It's embarrassing for people to see us like this," I firmly ordered him as we exited the function hall. The hotel employees and even the hotel guests were staring at us with a smile plastered on their faces.

"Shut up or else I'll throw you on the floor," he replied sternly. His face was serious so I got scared that he might carry out his threat, so I just kept quiet. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see the smiling and curious looks of the people.

"Where are we going?" I couldn't help but ask him as we got inside his car.

"Where else but to our honeymoon? Didn't you hear what I told the guests earlier?" Duke answered with a serious expression.

My lips slightly parted and my eyes widened upon hearing his words. Is he serious about us going on a honeymoon? Will I agree to consummate our marriage even though I am just a substitute bride? I don't think so.

"No! I don't want to!" I shouted while crossing my arms over my chest. Duke just glanced at me but didn't speak and focused on driving his car.

Duke took me to a huge house which I assumed was his it was even bigger than Franzine's house. I silently followed him up the stairs. We passed by many rooms before he stopped in front of one and opened it.

"Come in," he ordered me.

"W-What are we going to do here?" I feel myself sweating profusely and my whole body is getting cold. Am I going to say goodbye to my virginity? What if Franzine finds out that something s****l happened between Duke and me? She will be angry with me for sure.

"Don't ask too many questions and just come in," Duke's irritated voice answered me. Reluctantly, I entered the room but stayed close to the door. In case he does something bad to me, I can quickly run out of the room. "Sit on the bed," he commanded me again. His demanding tone mixed with annoyance, which added to the nervousness I was feeling.

"What are we going to do? Don't tell me you really intend to fulfill what you said earlier to our guests?" My courage suddenly returned. If he pushes me, he will truly experience my knowledge in taekwondo.

Duke stared at me intently before slowly walking towards me.

"What do married couples do inside a room?" he answered in a seductive tone. I swallowed and instinctively moved back in my seat as he continued to approach me. I backed away several times until there was no more space to retreat because the headboard of the bed was behind me.

"W-What are you going to do?" s**t! My voice kept stammering even more. How can I not stutter when our faces are only inches apart?

Instead of speaking, Duke continued to bring his face closer to mine. I could smell the mixed scent of the alcohol he drank and the pleasant breath in his mouth. Suddenly, my hair at the back of my neck stood up because of Duke's warm breath hitting my face. I couldn't resist anymore and I just closed my eyes tightly, waiting for what he would do next to me.