The Wedding

Allegra dressed in a short, white Prada dress, which her boss had ordered for her. She wondered how the dress was delivered within such short notice. After all, she only said yes to his proposal in the early hours of the morning.

The young man who did her makeup chattered about how she had the same face shape and symmetry as a woman called Samantha, whoever that was. From the way he spoke, one would think they are doppelgangers.

When Allegra got in the car, she was informed that Nicholas left for the courthouse earlier and she wished he would have waited for her or at least informed her.

Allegra knew her whole life was about to change and that scared her. She had always dreamt of a love like the one her parents had, but she was about to experience the exact opposite. She knew Nicholas Greyworth would never love her. It was not just the age difference_he was attractive and so was she_ neither is it his inability to walk. They were strangers and his heart evidently belonged to a late woman.

When they arrived at the courthouse, Deaton was outside waiting. He walked to the door and offered her his hand.

"You don't look bad, almost-Mrs Greyworth." He said as he examined her playfully.

"We must work on your compliments, Deaton." Allegra jested. "I could have taken that as an insult."

"Oh please." Deaton laughed. "You look so much like Samantha in her prime, how could you possibly feel insulted or insecure?"

Allegra remembered that the makeup artist said the same thing. "Who is this Samantha?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Deaton said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, before turning serious. "I like your spirit, Allegra. I don't know how this marriage came to be so fast, but you know nothing about the Greyworth family. Be careful." Deaton whispered firmly.

Allegra had a hundred questions to ask him, but chose to keep mute as Deaton led her into the courthouse. Her mind was made up, so she did not wish to hear information that could discourage her from going through with the marriage that would secure her brother's future and save her mother's life.

Inside the courthouse, Nicholas was dressed in a navy suit with a black shirt underneath it. If he was pleased by his future wife's makeover, he did not show it. There were two lawyers present, one representing Nicholas and the other representing Allegra. Both were hired by Nicholas. A prenuptial agreement was drafted and the marriage documents were signed. A professional photographer took pictures of the couple and it was done. They became husband and wife; Mr and Mrs Greyworth.

"You'll need this." Nicholas gave his young wife a credit card. "I have contacted the specialists for your mother's chemotherapy, an arrangement will be made within days. And lest I forget..." He pulled out a ring from his breast pocket, took Allegra's hand from her side and slipped the big diamond onto her finger. "See you later."

Allegra, who was enchanted by the ring was surprised by his words. "Where are you going?"

"Work." He simply said, then with the help of his aides, entered his car and left.

During the ride home, Allegra could not stop staring at the ring on her finger. She did not know much about diamonds, but she assumed it would be at least twenty karats.

Allegra knew that life as Nicholas Greyworth's new wife would be lovely. Even if their marriage was a sham, she liked being treated like a queen. She had a driver, security, people opened and closed doors for her, it felt like a dream. She had never been treated like that before.

She walked into the living area of the Greyworth mansion, happy that she could now get some sleep. That was until she heard the clicking of heels and saw a blonde woman walking towards her, from the kitchen. She had long, luscious hair, perfect red lipstick and a short dress. She was gorgeous.

"So you're the new riffraff Nicholas married." The woman said. "I couldn't believe it when I heard, I had to come see for myself." The woman had a very nice, feminine voice.

The beautiful woman walked in a circle around Allegra. "Ah, I see the resemblance now. Though it's obvious who's prettier." The woman finally stopped in front of Allegra and looked straight into her eyes, hazel orbs against hazel orbs. "Hello, Allegra. I'm Samantha."