The party crasher

|Raven’s POV|

Isn't it ironic that exactly one week ago, I was wearing a black dress and today, I'm wearing a white dress that should signify happiness but the question that lingered in my mind was still the same—-Why did my father have to leave me?

I stared at the ticking clock on the wall and wished it stopped because that would mean that my life wouldn't get as worse as it would be. I didn't know whether to cry or laugh or wallow in self-pity. I don't know what to do, my heart felt heavy, but I couldn't cry. I couldn't even bring myself to feel any emotions.

Every woman has at least once dreamt of their happiest day—becoming a bride and being married to the man they loved. But as for me, I lived for that fantasy because I had always imagined how breathtaking it would be. I never imagined I would be standing in front of a mirror, my hair adorned with pearls and my wedding gown laced with beautiful crystals—just the way I wanted it. But the vision was scary because I was getting married to my nightmare. The man who only wanted to show me off as his newest toy and settle his obsession for me.

“Can you at least smile as if you're not being forced? You have always wanted a wedding and I helped you fight for it, yet you're looking ungrateful.” My mother snapped.

My eyes met hers in the mirror as I stared at her. Is she fucking for real right now? “You sound like I should be rolling on the floor and thanking you for putting on a fight with that man for my sake.” 

A bitter and hollow laugh escaped me. “Do you think you're doing me a favour? You're practically signing my life away to someone who might end it just because he gets irritated easily. We aren't even married and I have bruises on my body. Yet you expect me to smile like I'm getting married to my dream man?” 

She clamped her lips shut and rolled her eyes. The door opened and the devil, the man behind my misery strode inside and his gaze fell on me. “Oh my! Belleza, you look so beautiful.” 

“Dont. Fucking. Call. Me. That!” I gritted out.

“We are running late. We should not keep my husband waiting” I snapped, carrying my gown and walking out of the room. Of course, Raphael's bodyguards were outside waiting for me. I rolled my eyes and trailed behind them and as we stepped outside the hotel, crowds of reporters with microphones and huge lenses swarmed around us.

“Is this an arranged marriage?”

“Hoe do you feel getting married to a man that has a wife already?”

“Don't you want to clarify how your father was declared dead a week ago and now you're getting married to someone of his age?” My feet stopped and my heart clenched painfully, her words stung so deep that I rubbed my hands on my chest to soothe the pain before I hurried into the limousine.

My father has always been wealthy and I had the luxury of meeting paparazzi and being in a limousine, but as experiencing these things again with Raphael felt suffocating, it wasn't natural because I hated his own lavish lifestyle.

“Dont mind all they said.” The devil advised and I threw him a nasty look.

Everything the reporters said was right and I was in this dilemma because of him so I see no reason why he was acting like a saviour in paradise after arranging my accommodation in hell.

I looked at the woman who I no longer recognize as a mother sitting beside my uncle with their fingers intertwined like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I leaned on the bed rest and closed my eyes, hoping that by the time I would open them back, I would escape from this horrific nightmare or so I thought as I dozed off.

“Raven! Raven!” a voice called out and my eyes fluttered open.

“We are here,”  The woman informed. I sat up and looked through the tinted window but I was glad that the paparazzis were not really involved at the venue because anything could go wrong as long as you're in the mafia.

The limo door opened and I was helped down by my uncle who I reluctantly took his help because of the threat that loomed above. Few cameras flashed and the bodyguard circled me, no doubt trying to protect me from a sniper—-something I would willingly jump in front of if I was opportuned to.

We entered the building and it was not of any surprise that dearest husband had outdone himself and rented the most luxurious church in the country. I barely registered the veil being clipped to my head as I stood, dreading the real torture go come—-not having my father walk me down the aisle.

I sighed as only my uncle and I remained in the hallway. He genuinely looked like he wanted to apologize but the cold glare that was thrown in his direction made him shut his mouth. The doorways opened and I linked my arm to his and followed him behind.

My eyes stung with fresh tears as the song “Lover” by Taylor reverberated in the hall as we walked down the aisle. I looked forward, ignoring how crowded the church was, and the most hilarious part was I only knew one person there, my best friend's father. I looked at Raphael and my heart skipped a beat, not because he was handsome or anything but because he was an indication that my dreaded nightmare was becoming a reality.

I got to the front of the church and was handed to my husband, where my uncle handed me over to the devil.

A fucking game over, and they won.

My skin crawled with disgust as his gaze lingered on my cleavage. He stretched out his hands for me to take but I ignored it and climbed the stairs. Both of us were facing the priest.

The priest's words passed in a blur and we got to the no-turning back part. “Do you, Raven Romero, take Raphael Lau as your lawfully wedded husband?”

My eyes watered but I tried to search for an escape route, I wanted out of this place. I didn't want him as my husband but I knew that rash actions would be accompanied by severe consequences, so I opened my mouth but was cut short when the doors slammed open.

We all turned to look at the intruder and voila, Alessio Ferrari was standing in his glory with a smile on his face like he didn't just interrupt Raphael's dream. My heart skipped a beat when I looked at him and my face grew hot, relishing how intimate our date felt.

“Oops, is this bad timing?”

“Hello Xavier, I believe you owe me and I'm here to collect my debt.” He smiled, facing my uncle whose face was red in embarrassment.

My eyes narrowed and I looked at the woman beside him wondering if she knew how Alessio and the devil met. But for my uncle to look scared of this guy, then he was the most dangerous man in the room.

“Right now? I promised I would see you soon.” My uncle mumbled, walking in his direction.

Alessio chuckled and “I believe you don't want to do that. The moment a bullet wheezes past me, everyone here would drop dead. You can check around and see how many red dots are in the room.”

He walked in my direction and I felt Raphael's fury doubling. He clutched my wrist and tugged me to his side. “I am giving you the opportunity to leave alive,” Raphael threaten.

A scream ripped through my throat and gasps and yells filled the room  as Raphael's body dropped with a thud. My heartbeat was loud in my ears as I looked at Alessio, too afraid to look at Raphael's lifeless body.

I staggered backwards as Alessio stood in front of me and looked at the priest and said. “Now, go over your speech and pronounce us as husband and wife.”