I was merely taking a glance at the path that my limousine bridal car was taking. As we drove by, I glanced at the buildings, streets, and bustling people walking along the side of the road.
I am not sure why, but I started to feel homesick and wanted to do something. We are on our way to the church where my wedding will take place, but my mind is not with me. My thoughts are racing.
I was still laughing with Aunt Lila and sister Rosette earlier, but this is how I felt when they left to go to church first. This is the day of my wedding.
Why do I feel empty when I am supposed to be happy and celebrating? My heart feels like it has a large hole in it.
The vehicle came to a halt when the traffic light turned red. I was simply walking along the crowded street when I noticed a full family pleasantly conversing.
The child is sitting on her father”s lap, while the mother smiles and kisses her daughter and husband on the forehead. They were both laughing and happy.
They appear to be a simple, happy family. Their attire make it clear that they are poor, but despite this, they appear satisfied and joyful.
I was on the verge of closing my eyes as I relived the memories of my deceased parents. My father used to force me to sit in his lap and embrace me tightly while telling me stories. On the other hand, my mother will approach us and join Daddy and me in our embrace.
“Mister, turn the car at the next intersection.” I sluggishly tell the driver as I still stare at the joyful family strolling down the side of the road.
As he looked at me, he was perplexed. He grinned at me with trepidation.
“But Ma”am, that is not the way to church,” he remarked, frowning.
Maybe he was perplexed as to why I wanted to travel the other way when I needed to go to church and it was not the route to go.
“I just need to see someone,” I explained, smiling. “Do not worry, we will just hurry there; we will not be long.” Because of what I stated, his brow furrowed even more.
“However, Ma”am, if I follow your command, I may lose my work; the directive given to me is to escort you to church; I will definitely lose my job if I break Boss”s order,” he stated nervously. He took a step back and averted his attention from me.
“Mister, all I need to do is travel to that location; thirty minutes is all I need,” I begged. I noticed him pondering what would happen.
I hoped he would agree to my request. I truly want to see and visit them. It has been about a month since I have been able to see Mommy and Daddy.
“All fine, Ma”am,” he said, scrawling his hair, “but we will not be long, and we will also depart after you visit anybody you want to visit.”
What I told him to do seemed to bother him. He cannot decide whether to obey his boss”s orders or to comply with my request.
Even if I were in his circumstances, I would be concerned that my supervisor may dismiss me for failing to follow his instructions.
If Alessandre is your boss, let us check if you are not frightened to disobey him. You will be terrified just by the way that person stares at you, let alone if his lips opens and he speaks harsh words to you. That would be the worst day of your entire life.
The driver followed my instructions. I led the way for him. Fortunately, the cemetery where my parents were buried is not too far away.
The driver helped me get out. I notice his astonished expression on my face.
He probably could not believe I went to the cemetery first instead of the church where I was supposed to be married.
The motorist entered the cemetery all the way. He was keeping a close eye on me, suspecting that I was preparing to skip the wedding. In that notion, I can only shake my head. If only I had the ability to do so.
I hurried over to Mommy and Daddy”s grave. When I saw that new flowers had been laid on the graves of the two of them, I grinned. The cemetery cleaner followed my instructions to the letter.
When I met him last week, I urged him that he should take care of my parents” grave and always place flowers on it. I paid him to carry out my request, therefore I am relieved to learn that he completed it.
How are you doing, Mom and Dad? We have not hugged each other in eight years. I have not felt your warmth in eight years, and you have been gone for eight years.
Daddy, your little girl is already a woman. Today is my wedding day, eh?
Today is my wedding day, Mom and Dad. I am not sure if agreeing to this marital arrangement was the best decision I could have made.
I am relieved since I will be with Alessandre after this, and the shareholders will no longer put pressure on our firm as a result of my marriage to Alessandre, so why do I still feel empty? Why do not I appear to be in a good mood? To be honest, I do not feel anything.
How I wish heaven had visiting hours so that I could come in and tell them I am getting married and starting a family. I wish heaven had visiting hours so that I could just show there and ask for your help.
What would you do if you were in my shoes? Because you always do the right thing. Can we just converse for a little while till my fears fade away?
I am confused, Dad. I need you right now. I am just a kid who is lost and still needs your help.
I fought back tears. If I weep, I might damage my make-up.
The driver remarked, “Madam, we need to return; they are already looking for you because we have not arrived yet.”
I had no idea he was already close to me. Previously, he had only given me a distant glance and given me time to speak with my parents.
I first glanced at the graves of the two persons who were the most important in my life.
Mom, Dad, don”t I look lovely? Please help me. I am in love with you.
Please help me. I am in love with you.
I take one more look at their tomb before turning around and leaving the cemetery. I took a big breath and exhaled deeply. I forced a smile on my face. They should be oblivious to my misery.
“Mister, just claim we got stopped in traffic when they question why we are late,” I murmured as I fixed my focus on the driver. He nodded in agreement with what I stated. As my robe rests on the ground, he supports me in carrying it.
When the wedding organizer noticed our automobile he almost sprinted to my residence. As he peeked inside the automobile, he was pale and sweating profusely.
From the outside, he could not see much because the automobile was tinted. I rolled down the car window and gave him a startled look. When he spotted me, he let out a sigh of relief. He exclaims joyfully, “Ma”am! It is excellent that you are finally here!” Because of what he stated, my brows furrowed.
“Ah, we got stopped in traffic, so we are a little late,” I said, apologizing. I simply observed the driver”s demeanor and noticed that he, too, was pale.
“Oh, Ma”am, it is not your fault you are stopped in traffic, and you are only about an hour late,” he winced as he grinned sideways at me. Because of what he said, I feel guilty.
Is it true that we have been at the cemetery for so long?
The ceremony has already begun because the guests have been waiting for quite some time, and Aunt Lila and Uncle Sandro are concerned that I may have already arrived. The members of the ceremony locked the church entrance after the march.
I was asked to stand in front of the door by the organizer. They also swiftly straightened out my somewhat soiled robe.
Slowly the church door opened. The melodic song reverberates across the room.
The church”s interior design piqued my interest. The church appears to be naked on the outside, with no additional designs other than the structure”s architectural design. That is why I am astounded to see how wonderfully the inside of the church is decorated.
To lead the way, large arrangements of greenery line the aisle of the church. The aisle is line with elegant lanterns for a truly appealing accent. For the sweetest touch, they put together small bouquets of seeded eucalyptus and white roses.
When the floral arch caught my eye, I was taken aback. I look around the church with my eyes wandering.
They all stared at me, as if I were a child, while I marveled at the design they had created in the chapel. As they observed me, they all grinned at me.
Almost everyone here is someone I have never met before. I do not know them, but they are beaming broadly at me as if they do, as if they recognize me and are pleased for me, despite the fact that I know the truth about why they came here. They are all business owners.
The calm music of the saxophone soared around me as I walked slowly to the altar, creating a really romantic mood.
The church”s aisle is quite long. Lyka gave me a big smile. She was standing next to her parents, both of whom were smiling at me. I smiled back, but it was a tight smile.
My eye wet when I saw Aiden. He is looking at me with a serious gaze, like if he is peering inside of me, as if he knows exactly how I am feeling right now.
He made a gesture at me, as if he wanted to know if I was okay. I greeted him with sadness.
Aunt Lila”s hug greeted me with a smile as I approached the altar. Her tears streamed down her cheeks in a steady stream.
She hugged me tightly and kissed me on the cheek. Uncle Sandro approached me after that. He gave me a hug. He then turned to face his son.
I, too, fixed my gaze on Alessandre. With his well styled hair and a Ralph Lauren suit and bowtie that is incredibly dapper and will last the test of time, he looks lovely.
From head to toe, he was staring at me. I instantly avoided looking at him since the way he looked made me feel like he was undressing me.
Uncle Sandro said authoritatively, “Take care of her, son.”
I took another look at them. I was taken aback since Alessandre”s face had become enraged. He is clenching his teeth and staring at my entire body.
I am conscious about how I look. Is my gown making me seem bad? Is the make-up unsuitable for me? When Alessandre took my hand and placed it in his arm, I was taken aback.
“Yes, Dad,” he responds, seeming bored.
His father only gave him a hug and a pat on the shoulder. After that, we stood in front of the altar holding hands. I can see him staring at me with a deadly look on his face. He examines my clothing closely, particularly my bare chest.
“I, Alessandre Atlas Villareal, take you, Annalise Fay Amana, as my legitimate wife, to share and keep from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for worse, till death do us part,” Alessandre declared flatly.
The other guests shivered at what they stated, but not me. I was more aware of our predicament. I took a big breath and exhaled deeply. I said calmly, “I, Annalise Fay Amana, accept you, Alessandre Atlas Villareal, as my rightful husband, to share and to keep from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, till death do us part.”
As we held hands, our gazes collided. My hand is trembling for reasons I don”t understand.
My feelings have not changed since the beginning. I am still feeling depleted. I feel as though all I am doing is moving because it is what I am supposed to do. I am exhausted, and all I want to do is snuggle into my warm pillow.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said as we were being married.
My mind was racing, and the fact was that I could not recall what the priest had said previously.
Alessandre drew the veil away from my face. He locked his gaze on me. My eyes were emotionless as I stared at him. He gradually moved his face closer to mine.
A tear from my eye was expelled at the same time as I closed my eyes. His warm breath is fanning over my face, and I felt his touch on my cheek.
“Do not cry,” he replied sternly, “this is what you want, so suffer with it.”
After that, I felt his soft lips on my lips as he kissed me, cementing our marriage.
After the wedding, the first pictures were taken. They were all wide-eyed and smiling, as though they were taken aback by my presence. They must have assumed Alessandre and I were head over heels in love.
I was shooting a picture with Alessandre when I noticed a woman standing in the church”s corner.
She is dressed in a black gown with a black cup that covers the majority of her face. Because of her disguise, many people do not recognize her, but I do.
Alessandre, who was holding my waist, caught my attention. He was staring at me with his jaw tightened. Perhaps he saw Cassy as well, and this is how he reacts.
I moved my gaze away from him and instead pretended to grin at the photographer.
I went to the wedding reception with Alessandre. We arrived in the limousine that I had ridden before. While the automobile was driving, we were completely silent.
I do not appear to have any desire to converse with anyone.
I really want to go home and rest right now. I would like to get away from Alessandre as well.
I closed my eyes and leaned back against the car”s leather upholstery. I do not feel like I have the energy to go to the wedding celebration, but I cannot help myself. For the love of God, it is my wedding celebration. The newlyweds are obligated to attend their wedding celebration.
In his seat, Alessandre was similarly quiet. When I looked back at him earlier, he was squinting and appeared to be deep in thought. I am not sure what is going on in his head, but I know what he is thinking, or more accurately, who he is thinking about. I am sure he would seen Cassy before.
My only question is why Cassy showed up at our wedding. That must be excruciatingly uncomfortable for her. I took a big breath and exhaled deeply. What am I getting myself into? Was it really the best option for me to marry Alessandre?
We arrived at the wedding reception thinking just about how different my life would be now that I was married.
We instantly exited the vehicle and proceeded to the location. Our wedding reception will be held outdoors. The order of our wedding reception caught me off guard, and I was taken aback. It was clearly well-funded and well-executed. This is the first time I”ve seen it since I delegated all of the preparation to Aunt Lila.
Because of the lovely wedding reception, my mouth was hanging open.
String lights strung from the ceilings of the reception hall provide a lovely mood.
Votive candles, as well as string lights
Create a warm and inviting visual aesthetic that transforms the space