Chapter 4

YOU EXISTS ONLY AS A TOOL

Mabel's POV

Here comes the day of my marriage. I get ready with the help of my best Rose and my maids. I wore a white gown my father gave me as a gift and I combed my hair into a bun.

I had a custom ring which William's mother, Stella, bought for me. It was made of pure gold, Swarovski crystals covered the whole surface of the ring, and in every center was a large diamond which cost more than my father's house.

"OMG, babe, you look charming!" Rose exclaimed, stepping back to admire her handiwork as zipped up the back of my dress

"Thanks, Rose." I said bluntly.

"Promise to tell me about your honeymoon." She said, fluffing out my hair.

"Rose, nothing is gonna happen but I'm just so nervous. What if he's worse than I think?" I said as my expression turned serious.

She rolled her eyes at me "Oh, come on, Mabel?"

"Shut up, Rose. This is serious." I sighed.

"Okay, okay. But seriously, Mabel. You need to tell me everything that happens between you and Williams. I want all the juicy details." She winked mischievously.

"You're very frustrating." I muttered under my breath.

I stood up and gave myself a final look. 

"I'm sure Williams won't be able to keep his eyes off….," she said with a sly grin.

But before she could continue, I shot her a warning glance, with annoyance. She immediately shut her mouth, knowing I had heard enough from her.

The sound of the door bell ringing was enough to remind me about the fact that we were running out of time. 

Then a knock at the door sounded. Hesitantly, I pulled away Rose and opened the door to find out that it was Stella.

"Hello, Mabel. You look so beautiful." She said, smiling at me.

"Thank you ma." I said,

"Miss Mabel, all the guests have arrived. They are all waiting for your appearance." 

"Alright ma, we'll be there in a few minutes." I said, raising up my gown, preparing to leave the room.

*******

This place was insane. The ceilings were probably over 40 feets tall, and the column in the hall made the ceiling look 10 times higher.

Seeing this many people got me nervous, the hall was spacious enough to accommodate 1000s of our guests. I only knew a few of the guests who were my friends and relatives, who were countable in my fingers. 

Despite being pleased by the impressive decoration, seeing my father brought an unhappy expression on my face. Each time I look at him, I remember how he sold my happiness. But I was left with no other option.

Raising up my gown, I took a step towards and knelt down, touching his feet. I could feel a sense of relief as he lifted up his hand and put it on my head.

"Daddy." I said, my eyes welling up.

"Why are you crying?" He asked as he patted me on my shoulder.

"Daddy, why ar…."

He butted in. "Uhhh…. It's your wedding day. You should be happy." He said, raising my body to kiss my forehead.

The sound of the boot hitting the floor echoed through the room, I swiftly stood up and took a step backward.

As soon as Williams and his friends, escorted by their personal securities, dropped down, a wild cheer erupted. The bulbs on the camera flashed: Paparazzi. The crystal chandelier bright lights illuminated the hall, shining on every face. 

"What the fuck! Mabel, I'm beginning to be jealous of you," Rose said as she rested her head on my shoulder, "he is handsome and looking good." She said as she took a deep breath in.

Her gaze was fixed on him. I nudged her to snap her out of it. 

"Rose, can you compose yourself?" I scolded her.

"He's stunning." She mumbled again.

"And arrogant as well…," I furrowed my brow. "Enough of your nuisance! Can you stay quiet for a while?" I chastised her.

William's mom, Stella, shook hands with my father and approached me again to wish me congratulations.

With a weird expression on his face. Williams looked up and ran his gaze down my body.

Rose moved her hands to say hello but he ignored and diverted his attention to his friends.

"Like I said, he is arrogant and rude, so full of himself." I said turning to Rose.

"Can we continue with the wedding rites?" My father said with a deep voice.

"Yeah, sure." Stella answered as he sat down close to my father.

Williams turned on his heels and moved towards the center of the hall, avoiding every one of my relatives. For him, he is the core of all existence, everything else doesn't matter.

"Where do you think you're going without her?" His mother interceded.

My heart skipped a beat as I pushed forward, stumbling on my dress but before I could fall, his hand gripped my arm and corrected me. He extended his hands to me and I placed mine over his. 

As Williams led me to the center, I felt like a prisoner being dragged to the center of the hall, his grip on me was so hard. His eyes were fixed on the point ahead, he didn't bother looking at me.

The ceremony began, and we exchanged our vows in a cold manner. I felt like my happiness was far away from me, but Williams seems to be enjoying every scene of it.

When it was time to exchange rings, Williams forcefully put on the ring in my finger. I could feel anger within me but I bit my tongue to hide my anger.

I tried forcing a smile onto my face, but inside, I was seething. How could my father do this to me.?

As we were about to walk back down the aisle, Rose interrupted.

"Can we see a kiss from the newly wed couple." She screamed, leaning back into her chair.

I fixed my gaze on Rose, who was showing me her full white teeth. I wished I could strangle her right now.

As he turned to me, I heard a grown escape from the back of his throat. My heart began to raise as he took a step towards me.

His gaze was fixed on my face, he wrapped his left arm around my waist and drew me closer. His touch was soothing and pleasant.

Williams gently leaned in, his eyes never leaving mine, before I could say a word, his lips brushed against mine with a soft but forceful stroke.

He took a step back, realizing that his lips had stayed on his mouth longer than he had expected. But I could still not look away from his dark brown eyes since his face was still too close.

His breath fanned my cheeks as he whispered against my lips. "Remember, our sole legal obligation is the one stated in the contract. You exist only as a tool."