Chapter 3. Stranger’s Proposal

Under the silvery glow of the moon, my heart raced as I faced the stranger claiming to be Pier, my fiancé. Yet, in the depths of my soul, I knew the truth. This man before me, with his dark eyes that lacked the warmth of Pier's gentle brown gaze, was an imposter. Every fiber of my being screamed in disbelief.

His audacity was astounding. Decked in the very suit I had lovingly picked for Pier, he wore it with an air of deception that sent shivers down my spine. Even the boutonnières, carefully chosen to complement Pier's charm, adorned this impostor's lapel. How on earth had he managed to lay his hands on these personal details?

I took a step back, my mind reeling with confusion and anger. The last thing I wanted was to stand close to someone who dared to mimic the man I loved. My heart ached, for I had yearned for this day, our wedding day, with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, and now it had turned into a nightmarish scenario.

Yet, the stranger's grin widened, and I could see the cunning glint in his eyes as if he expected me to play along. He was serious about this charade, and his determination unnerved me. As he reached out for my arms, I instinctively pulled away, refusing to be drawn into his deceitful plot.

Undeterred by my rejection, he leaned closer, and his voice, once filled with gratification, now turned cold and calculating. The words he whispered in my ear made my blood run cold. "Are you desperate enough to save your dignity and reputation? I could offer you my help. You just have to do one thing for me."

I gazed at him appallingly, unsure if I could trust him. But he was quick to ease my apprehension. "Don't worry," he reassured, "It's a decent exchange. You need me, and I need you. We can help each other."

Appalled by his audacity, I looked at him, my eyes wide with disbelief. I couldn't fathom the depths of his deception, nor did I comprehend what he could possibly want from me. His attempt to soothe my shock with assurances of a "decent exchange" only fueled my unease.

Stepping away, he swiftly resumed his facade, flashing that insincere smile at the gathered guests. Their curious eyes were fixed on us, awaiting an explanation for this bizarre turn of events. I felt a mixture of discomfort and desperation. How could I possibly navigate this situation without tarnishing my hard-earned career and my family's name?

As I stood there, stunned by his unexpected proposition, a surge of emotions washed over me. His offer, veiled in a mysterious allure, seemed to dangle like a lifeline before my desperate eyes. I struggled to comprehend the gravity of his words, torn between preserving my dignity and safeguarding my career or succumbing to the uncertainty of whatever he had in mind.

Before I could respond, he distanced himself, swiftly regaining the charm he displayed moments ago. A façade for the prying eyes of our bewildered guests, who awaited an explanation for this unexpected turn of events. My discomfort grew, but so did my desperation.

I pondered his proposition, contemplating the consequences of both accepting and rejecting it. The weight of the controversy hanging over my name threatened to shatter the life I had painstakingly built. My career, my future, are all at stake. And then there was my father—the disappointment he would inevitably feel if he learned about this debacle. I had fought so hard to prove my love for Pier to him, and now, it seemed like all my efforts might have been in vain.

Where are you, Pier?

I looked at the faces of my guests, and they were clueless that I was standing in front of them with a stranger. The only thing that convinced them that he was Pier was the suit this stranger was wearing. I looked at their faces and expectedly saw Mariana walking in our direction. I saw again the face she always makes when she's planning to do something against me.

I felt a sudden surge of adrenaline. My emotions are building up now. My fiancé is missing, I am losing my dignity now, and I am on the verge of losing everything that I have worked hard for. She can't do anything much worse to me now.

"Is there any problem here, my dear? What are we waiting for? Christmas? Pier is right here in front of you. We should start the ceremony unless you don't want to marry him anymore?" Mariana meddled in the situation.

As Mariana's intrusive words hung in the air, Morgan swiftly stepped in, diffusing the tension like a skilled diplomat. She spoke to her mother, leading her back to her seat and effectively putting a stop to the unwanted interference. The guests' curiosity simmered down, leaving me to grapple with the weight of my decision once more.

Turning my gaze back to the enigmatic stranger before me, I found myself entangled in a web of conflicting emotions. My heart yearned for Pier, desperate to find him and bring him back into my arms. But in this moment of uncertainty, the stranger's offer began to tempt me—a daring plan to marry him now and seek an annulment later, in a bid to save my dignity and buy precious time to uncover the truth about Pier's whereabouts.

With a deep breath, I gathered my strength and turned to face the guests. The stranger's suit and resemblance to Pier had convinced them, but I couldn't let this deception go on for long. I needed answers, and I needed them fast. In a desperate attempt to save my dignity and buy some time to uncover the truth, I decided to go through with the wedding, hoping I could annul it later once I found Pier.

I mustered up the best acting skills I could summon. I smiled, though it felt strained, and spoke with a voice that tried to conceal the turmoil within. "Thank you all for your patience. We'll begin the ceremony shortly. Just a brief moment for me to prepare myself and look radiant for my beloved Pier."

With those words, I hoped no one could sense the fear and anxiety raging beneath my composed exterior. I made my way to a private room, away from the prying eyes of the guests, the stranger trailing behind me as if he belonged there.

After shutting the door behind me, I found myself standing in the middle of the room, my heart still pounding in my chest. The weight of the moment bore down on me, suffocating my excitement, leaving me feeling hollow. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, but I barely recognized the person staring back.