Chapter # 10

I truly want to get a black wedding dress for my devastation, to see the reflection of my future in the mirror but this red wedding dress is very itchy.

“This is it.” My heart was heavy, I could feel this tingling sensation of pain rushing in my every vein. My heartbeat dropped, the day was so mournful. I was pushing deep into the gloom.

“My ticket to hell.” All I can see is despair chasing me and taking me away and bounding my life with a very demanding guy who cares only about himself, his image.

My eyes were swollen due to my constant cries. I was so heartbroken, I was so lonely. There was nothing I can do but to cry over it because of my fucking father.

When everything was done, I got up and went down.

The wedding was being held in the Hotel, I walked down with a bored expression over my face, there was still time for the wedding and I had no intention of crying in that dressing room so I went.

“Stop staring, dammit.” I muttered. People looked at me slightly surprised but I ignored and walked down, Leon was nowhere to be found or else he would be angry because I don’t give a damn.

I walked to a few guests and passed my time. “Now that’s a modern bride! Why would you wait?” Someone said, I turned, ready to mock that person but it was Father, looking angrily at me.

I gave him a bored look and said, “Don’t piss me off, Elmer. I don’t want to talk to you.” I said rudely and walked away.

I grit my teeth and leaned on the wall enjoying my whiskey alone but I sensed someone leaning beside me.

“You will regret it, Candice.” An angry voice of Tyler came. I turned to look at him and whispered.

“I don’t want you to tell me that.”

Ever since I have told him about my marriage he is opposing it more than me and kept coming up with different reasons for me to not marry him-

‘But how will I explain to him that I don’t have any choice?’

“Then why are you marrying him? How can he come out of nowhere?” He said in a low exasperated tone.

“I love him.” I told a white lie so fluently.

“Don’t give me those jokes. I know you don’t.” He said.

“How do you know that I don’t love him?” I asked.

“He was never in your life, if it was love, you wouldn’t be dejected.” He reasoned, refusing to believe my words.

“How do you know he was not in my life before?” I asked, narrowing my eyes in suspicion.

“You deserve better.” He said, avoiding my previous question.

I sighed and shook my head. “Candice.” He called me again.

“What do you want, Tyler?” I said, getting agitated.

“Don’t.”

That’s the only word he said and it hit me right in the chest because that’s something I cannot do.

“Please Tyler, you are here as my friend, don't do this.” I turned to him and gave him a pleading look.

He looked at me with his eyes softened, “Please, Candice..” He whispered, desperately.

“Why are you saying this?” I asked.

“I don’t want to lose you. You cannot live with someone who will take your freedom away. That man will cage you and by all means, I cannot allow it.” He tried another failed attempt to make me understand.

I then walked away. I turned and saw Sophie coming with Christian. Christian greeted and left with Tyler.

Sophie said to me and engulfed me in a hug as she beamed, “Congratulations! God, You’re looking so pretty, Girl!”

“Thanks. And you’re also looking very beautiful.” I said, pulling away.

“Thanks. By the way, where is your groom?” She asked. In hell. My mouth gaped and my heart skipped a beat, my throat dried as I mentally prepared myself for that unbearable moment.

Knowing I cannot run away from it and the time to get bound to the guy eternally is near.

I took a step back and turned, looking for him and replied, “He is not here.”

“You go and find her.” She said,

“No need. I’ll send someone else there.” I smiled, not wanting to see him before marriage.

“No, you should go or else someone else might fall for him. Go and get him. I want to see you together.” She asked- almost pleaded with me.

I raised an eyebrow at her not understanding her but shrugged my shoulders, “If you say so.” I said as I left to find him.

I was looking for him but I couldn't find him. I walked around and heard his voice coming from the groom’s dressing room. I opened the door and saw him making out with a girl.

“How dare he?” I gasped and moved back. I ran away and leaned on the wall feeling utterly heartbroken, the only reason I was putting up with this is because he said he will not cheat but I cannot take it anymore.

“No, No, Please no.” I don’t know what I should do, I will not marry that cheater but if I don’t then what will happen. I pressed my teeth against themselves and lowered my head.

“Not now…” I pressed my palm against the wall. I lost my breath, tears began to spill out. The uncontrollable flood of tears flowed from my eyes. I was panting while letting out silent tears with my heart smashing to pieces.

“What happened, Candice?” Sophie’s voice came. I whispered her name and looked up and saw her, Tyler and Christian looking concerned.

I lifted my gaze to meet Tyler’s and whispered again, “I’m sorry for not believing your words.” I spoke with such difficulty.

“This doesn’t matter, tell me what happened?” Tyler asked, coming closer.

“Leon.. he.. he is cheating on me.” I burst into sobs upon saying that. Sophie gasped and was shocked to know.

“Oh my Candice..” She hugged me as I continued to cry. She rubbed my back as I began to say between the sobs.

“My parents' respect will be shattered, no one will marry me, a stain will appear on my name. Sophie, can you think, Candice, a girl who was left unmarried at the altar.” I continued to cry, feeling so disheartened and broken. I don’t know what I should do.

“Do you still believe in those things? It's the twentieth century. Stop talking like this.” Tyler argued.

How can I tell you the true reason? I am sold to him.

“Nothing will happen. Break this charade.” Tyler said sternly.

“What are you supposed to do now?” Sophie asked hesitantly.

"I don’t know. I definitely won’t marry him. But if not, then what about those hundred guests that are ready to spread rumors?” I cry loudly, feeling so stuck in that undesirable situation.

“Come on, stop talking about it. Nothing like this will happen.” Tyler argued.

Sophie tried to console me but to no avail. I felt heartbroken, a feeling of betrayal on the very day of my marriage, it’s ravaging.

“Candice.. calm down.. we’ll sort something out.” She tried to assure her but I asked/

“How are you supposed to do it?”

None of them spoke another word as the sound of my cries filled the empty corridor and that sympathetic gaze of Tyler is greater than anyone here.

“I’ll take care of the guy.” Christian said and left.

We remained like that but then Tyler suddenly announced- too much to everyone’s astonishment,

“I’ll marry you.”