Chapter 2

The church wasn't filled. On the contrary, only selected friends and family attended the event. But it was lavish. The pews were decorated with dozens of white lilies - Malia's favorite flowers. The scent of flowers was heady in the air, but she liked it. The morning sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows gave the school a magical feel. Malia felt like a princess until she was reminded that this wasn't her fairytale wedding.

"I hope you won't disappoint me." Her father whispered beside her. Malia stared at him through the corner of her eyes. He had one of his 'marketing smiles' on. Malia nodded.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Fabulous," Aaron replied, his hand tightening around hers. Malia turned and faced forward, toward the altar where her soon-to-be husband stood.

From afar she could tell he was tall and well-built. As she got closer, the breath was stolen right out of her throat. Her would-be husband was Greek god handsome. He looked well over six feet, with shoulders so broad she was sure she could comfortably sit on them. His hazel eyes met hers, shining with mirth. His brown hair was exquisitely styled, giving him a mysterious yet alluring look. 

He was perfection.

At least she scored in that area.

Her father handed her over. The priest began to call out their vows. Malia reminded herself to breathe as her would-be husband held her gaze with his magnetic eyes, smiling softly at her. Her voice came out light and airy as she said her vows, his a stark contrast - bold and deep. 

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Malia felt her heart in her mouth. Her now husband moved closer to her, his eyes moving to her lips. At that moment she briefly wondered if her lipstick would stain his lips red. Now that would be a sight. He leaned in and gave her a quick chaste kiss. As he was about to pull away he leaned into her ear and whispered

"You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment."

Malia should've felt butterflies in her belly, but instead, she felt a shock of fear. He pulled back and smiled at her sweetly, still holding her hand in his. He touched the ring on her finger, twirling it twice. Malia felt fear choke her as she stared at him. She tried to remind herself to smile, but her lips felt frozen. Her husband turned to the small crowd, turning her with him. On his face was a charming smile. Malia wanted to run. 

She wanted to run so bad.

She searched for her father in the audience, he was clapping and smiling like nothing. Amanda was staring at her with pity in her eyes. The tests of the audience couldn't care less. She didn't even know most of them, probably friends of her husband.

She wanted to run but her legs felt like lead.

Dear heavens, what had her father gotten her into?!

The after-party was a livelier affair than the wedding itself. Malia felt the fear gone, most of it at least. With the alcohol, she loosened up a bit. In between congratulations and well wishes, she danced with her husband. She had a sinking feeling he was putting on a show for publicity. 

Grant Houston. 

Who didn't know him? Known for being a fierce and goal-oriented CEO. He was rich, he was famous, he was handsome. The women he was spotted with were always famous or rich or daughters of billionaires. Malia wondered how exactly her father had gotten entangled with a man like this, and what she did to deserve the title of his wife.

Malia Houston. She didn't like the ring at all.

"Something on your mind?" Grant said, pulling her close to him. She could feel his heat radiating through his clothes.

Malia stared up at his eyes, she realized how easy it was to get lost in them. "Nothing much, just thinking about..." He twirled her under his arm and dipped her. 

"How what?" He asked, amusement in his tone.

"How I'm not married." Malia finished, blushing a bit. 

"Oh," He said. And he said it like 'Oh, what a waste of time.' Malia felt herself dim.

"So, tell me, what do you..." She was cut off by a phone ringing. 

"That's for me," Grant said and picked up the call, all the while his eyes on her. After a few seconds, he turned and left without saying another word to her.

Stunned, too much to speak, Malia watched him leave. Her mind did a hundred miles per second, thinking to herself if he just left her without words. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame. Tears pricked her eyes and her heart hurt. Standing in the middle of the dance floor, abandoned, she wondered the kind of husband she had married. She didn't know when a tear breached her eyelashes. She quickly wiped it away.

What a cruel bastard.

She drew in a deep breath and straightened her back. She raised her head and wore a mask, a mask of composure, one of the many she had. She turned in a flourish and walked back to her seat. She drank a glass of wine in one go and ate a piece of fruit. 

She knew deep down that she had married a monster. 

A handsome one.

She looked around and noticed that no one saw when Grant left. She left the dance floor discreetly taking care to make sure no one noticed her. She went into the women’s restroom and let the tears flow freely. 

“Why am I feeling this kind of pain when I did nothing wrong? What kind of stupid life is this?”

“I need to call Amanda. She’s my strength in these kind of times.”

Malia came out of the bathroom and asked one of the bridesmaids if she saw her sister. She said she passed the bathroom not too long ago. 

Malia looked out and saw Amanda. She called out to her and Amanda came over. 

“Malia, have you been crying? Your makeup is ruined but you’re still beautiful as ever. Come on let’s freshen you up.”

“Also, it’s time for you to go home.”

“You mean our home?”

“No. Your new home, dummy,” Amanda said jokingly. 

“Oh. Well, let's do this. There's nothing to change about this again.”

“It's not the end of the world Sis. We can get through this.”

“Come on.”