Chapter 3

[1 month later]

I paced around the master suite room, Sarah already gone, trying to save Asher in my clothing, and here I am, dressed in a yellow ruffled sundress similar to Sarah’s, so that her father’s men outside who were guarding her didn’t realise she was leaving.

She informed me that she would contact me when she and Asher were in a secure spot so that I could leave the hotel after that. I looked at my phone screen as I clasped my hands to my breast.

But, first, I can’t because everyone believes she’s in this room getting ready for her wedding, but it’s actually me who’s there.

I jolted as the door to her room swung open, and I drew a deep, uneven breath before immediately turning aside so that my face was hidden and my back was towards the person who had just entered.

"Sarah, you haven’t prepared yourself yet," I heard a female voice.

I didn’t respond because I was experiencing a bile burn at the back of my throat.

When I heard their footsteps approaching, I tightly closed my eyes, knowing that they would see me immediately. Sarah also didn’t message or phone me to let me know that she and my brother were okay.

What am I going to do now, God?

I felt a touch on my shoulder, a strong thudding in my chest from a faster heart rate, and I spun around.

"What the heck, who are you, and where is my daughter?" she hissed, her brows furrowed.

"Who are you?" a man dressed in a maroon tuxedo in his mid-fifties snarled at me.

My phone suddenly buzzed, signalling that a message had come.

Sarah’s message appeared on the screen of my phone.

"Emberly, Asher and I are now at a secure location; we are now on our way to the airport; we will be far away from this location; I will phone you later."

Sarah

There’s a photo of Asher and her beneath her message; they’re both in a car, perhaps on their way to the airport.

I closed my eyes and pressed my hands to my tummy, thanking God that our plan had worked and that my brother and I were now safe and sound.

That middle-aged man hissed, his jaw clenched angrily at me, "Answer me dammit."

"I...I don’t know anything; I’m just here to bring these meal orders to Sarah as she requested," I said, twitching my fingers and swallowing.

The phone of that man, Sarah’s father, suddenly rang, startling me.

When he took up the phone, his cheeks flushed as he heard words from another line.

But his face darkened and his eyes became crimson with wrath.

"Your worthless daughter runs away with her useless boyfriend," he remarked angrily to Sarah’s mother.

Her face became pale as well, and she opened her lips to say something but nothing came out, so she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall.

"What we’ll do now," Sarah’s father said quietly as he massaged his temples.

I moved back gently, trying not to draw attention to myself, but before I could figure out what was going on, it was too late.

Someone snatched my arm and smashed me against the wall with such force.

Due to back discomfort, I winced and carefully peered at a figure; it was Sarah’s father, who was staring at me, his mouth clenched.

"Get ready, you’re going to marry Adrian in this outfit," he said as he tossed the white bridal gown over my face.

I looked at him, and I could feel my slower breathing and heartbeat, as well as my entire body, when I heard his words.

I peeked at him, hearing his words my seems like someone I felt my slowed breathing and heartbeat, even I can feel my body getting drained with energy, heaviness in my limbs

"W.....what," I manage to stammer, wide-eyed at him.

How can I marry Adrian if this isn’t possible?

Mr. Winston, Sarah’s father, smacked the flower base so hard on the floor that I flinched, then grabbed my hair and dragged my head towards him.

"Don’t say anything in front of anybody," he snarled, baring his fangs. "If you love your little crap life, Adrian will sign the deal paperwork, you will marry him, and make sure your face is covered till this wedding is finished," he continued, his eyes darkening and his muscles stiff.

Finally, he lets go of me, and I collapse on the floor, my body spent and devoid of vitality.

***

My throat burned and dried as I swallowed while looking at that man as I stand in front of Mr. Winston’s church, my face hidden behind a long veil as I walk with Mr. Winston; for the rest of the world, Sarah Winston is getting married soon, but now it’s me.

I observed Mr. Adrian Campbell. He was adored by the fairer sex for his black hair. It was a casual jumble sometimes, but mostly neat and flowing. His crescent-of-moon eyebrows were thin and narrow. He carried an imperious nose well, and his angular cheekbones were carved down towards a flinty jaw. He had a manly, Samson-like physique...

His brown eyes were orbiting around and darting constantly, a-gleaming with delight and the vigour of youth. They were soft brown eyes and swam with joy. They shone brightly as two sapphires dipped in milky pools. The swirl of his loamy cologne had them swooning in the aisles.

Oh God, Adrian Campbell, the CEO of Campbell Empire, I can’t believe that I am seeing him in real life. Actually, he is my role model. I want to become like him. He didn’t take over his father’s company, but he worked so hard and established his empire, and the result is now Campbell Empire is the most successful and renowned multinational company in the whole world. They are mainly a construction empire, as they build and distribute tenders for water parks, malls, and airports.

Adrian Campbell, I will soon be married to him.

I felt someone squeezing my arm hard. I snapped my head and found Mr. Winston glaring at me.

"Remember, if you open your little mouth, then I will destroy your trash brother’s life," he said with bared teeth, while his eyes had a sinister look.

Drawing in slow, steady breaths, I nodded weakly.

I don’t want to marry him. Technically, I am betraying him.

But what can I do? I am so helpless this time. I don’t have any other option but to marry him.

I stood beside him. He didn’t look at me. His face was cold and emotionless, like he was not interested in this marriage.

We faced the priest. The priest started hymns of marriage.

I think I should run away from this altar before this marriage happens, because if this marriage happens, then everything will be messed up so badly.

I felt something on my hand. When I saw the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen in my life, I looked down and bit my lip, and then I heard a deep husky voice.

"I do," my eyes widened and I silently cursed myself; this cannot be happening; he has already accepted me as his wife, not by my name but by Sarah’s.

The priest looked at me.

Do you take Adrian Campbell, to behold your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you apart, according to God’s holy law, in the presence of God you make this vow?"

I wanted to scream, "No." But then I looked at Mr. Winston.

I could tell it was a bad idea just by looking at him, so I quickly closed my eyes and clenched my fists.

Let me do this for the sake of my brother.

"I do." I swallowed like a low whisper and looked at the wedding ring in my hand. I bit my lips while making him wear it. I could feel my hands trembling so badly.

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said, and my eyes widened; a kiss, how can he kiss me?

My whole body burned with a strange sensation when I felt him coming near me. Suddenly, Sarah’s mom, Mrs. Winston, comes.

"Adrian, please lift her veil a little so that her face can’t be visible fully, as this is a tradition of our family. I hope you will understand," she said to him while fidgeting her fingers looking at Mr. Winston.

I looked around to find something to stop this all, but I gasped a little when I felt his hands around my waist, making me shudder.

Then I felt his soft lips brush lightly with mine. I felt so good when his lips touched mine. I closed my eyes as my knees were trembling. I quickly gripped his shoulders to support my body, but soon I came back to my senses. My eyes widened slightly when he pulled me apart from him.