Chapter Three

"Mom, why do I have to get married? I do not want to get married especially not to that bastard" Joana grumbled as she stared at her wedding dress

"That, honey, is because we need the money for your father's business. Remember, he promised a hundred million dollars if you get married to him, besides, it's only for a year and then, you can file for a divorce" Leticia Wonders replied her daughter, she do not like that her daughter is getting married to that bastard either and if there was a way for her to get the promised money without her daughter getting married to that good for nothing illegitimate son of the Calvin's family, then, she would do it. 

Daniel Calvin, a reputable rogue and illegitimate son of Nicholas Calvin, it was rumored that his mother who recently passed away had left him a fortune but with the condition that he had to get married before he can claim his fortune and also, the marriage has to last for a year.

Daniel wants to claim his fortune and that too, he aimed to marry from a reputable family, he knew that the wonders family has a standard reputation and also knew that their business was failing drastically, so he had offered a million dollars to them if they would let their daughter or relative get married to him. 

Hence, the wedding was set and everything was going as planned, well, except that the bride was beginning to have cold feet on the wedding day.

Daniel's reputation alone is enough to scare away any lady of high standard and soft breed, he has no penny to his name except the fortune that his mother had left him, how long will he survive on his mother's fortune? Besides, it was rumored that the last girl he dated had to run for her life because he couldn't even handle a woman properly.

A knock suddenly sounded the door and Leticia hurried to get it, "I think your ride is here" she told her daughter as she hurried to the door and at the same moment, Mr wonders came in from the other room, fully dressed in tuxedo and beamed at his daughter.

Leticia opened the door to find a strange girl with tattered clothes staring at her, she was immediately irritated by the sight of this peasant

"I don't have money to give to any beggar today, you might as well just leave" she snapped and shut the door to the face of the stranger but before she could go back to her daughter, the knock sounded again. This time, the attention of Joana and her father were drawn to the door.

Leticia was visibly angry as she opened the door this time, "I said I..."

"I know ma'am and I am not a beggar, my aunty gave me your address. My name is Bella"

Leticia eyed the tattered looking girl standing at her door as she introduced herself and explained who the aunty was.

Leticia remembered Christy very well, they grew up in the shacks together and Leticia has always hated there and anything that reminds her of where she grew up, she has done well for herself by bringing herself out of that poverty zone and was never going back there again but it seems like Christy still lives in poverty , seeing how poorly her niece is dressed

"I don't think I can help you, you may leave now"

"No, mum, wait" Joana said before Leticia could shut the door, she rushed towards the door and stared at the lady by the door, "please come in"

"What are you doing, Joana?" Leticia was furious that her daughter dared to bring in this dirty looking thing to their house, she placed it at the back of her mind to disinfect the room when she leaves 

"You said that your name is Bella right? And you're the niece of my mother's friend" Joana quizzed and Bella nodded

"Look, we can help you alright, you have no place to live but we'll provide a place to live for as long as you wish, plus we'll give you fifty thousand dollars"

Bella's eyes widened at this generosity, first, they stared at her like filth and now they want to give her so much? 

"Joana, what are you doing?" Her aunt's friend asked her daughter but the Joana only shush her

"You can have all that but on one condition" Joana continued while staring into Bella's eyes

"And what's the condition?"

"You have to get into this wedding dress and marry my groom"

"What!" Bella screeched and Leticia chuckled

"Now, I see where you're going, nice one my darling" Leticia encouraged Joana much to the surprise of Bella and even Joana's father was not saying anything

"How is that possible? I mean, what if he sees another bride instead of the one he wants to get married to?"

"Well, you just have to convince him that you are my cousin, it doesn't matter as long as you have a reputable background "

Bella swallowed when she thought about her background and the scandal she had left in her wake

"...but judging from your looks, I doubt but it doesn't matter, you only have to pretend"

"B... but why don't you want to marry him?"

"None of your business. If you want a roof over your head and above all, fifty thousand dollars to your name, you will accept the offer."

"You can choose to file for a divorce but that'll be only after a year, it's up to you"

The offer was mouth watering, for someone who only has the cloth on her back and not a single penny to her name, no roof over her head also, she could not afford to pass up this opportunity Besides, she was pretty sure that this family is ready to kick her out in the street if she refused their offer and so she nodded in agreement

"I agree" she whispered and Joana smiled broadly.

*

*

Daniel Calvin, dressed in a tuxedo and standing at the altar was already a tad pissed that his bride is yet to arrived, he gritted his teeth impatiently, he has other things to attend to and she dares to waste his time

"The bride is here" someone shouted and he calmed down a bit, he just wanted to get this over with.

He turned to stare at his bride and was shocked to see another face, dressed as his bride walking towards the altar.

The lady has blond hair and baby blue eyes, a straight nose and a rosebud mouth that was twitching nervously 

He stared at his friend who was standing beside him, his gaze demanding for an explanation but he only shrugged, his gaze portrayed that he doesn't have a clue about what's going on

She smiled nervously when she got to where he was standing

"Hello, you must be the groom, my name is Isabella. Joana's cousin and I am your bride" 

Daniel arched a brow at her before turning back to the priest, "let's begin"

*

*

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride"

Daniel turned to his wife with a smile and kissed her, it only lasted a few minutes but she felt warm by his kiss

Few photographs of their wedding were taken and Bella forced herself to stay for the cameras, after what had happened to her, she did not think she ever liked any picture of hers being taken. 

"What now?" She whispered to her groom in confusion

"we are married, so we'll go to my house which is now your home"

"I'll get you a cab to take you home"

"Wait, you're not coming with me?"

"I have some business to attend to darling" with a smack on her lips, he was gone and left her standing there all alone.

Who leaves his bride alone immediately after their wedding?