Wedding Fitting

Victor’s POV

The woman in front of me was pressed too close, her lips grazing mine as her hands wandered to my chest. Her perfume was cloying, heavy with desperation, but I let her linger. A moment of distraction wasn’t the worst thing—at least until the knock at my office door shattered the moment.

“Sir,” came the muffled voice from outside.

I sighed, stepping back and buttoning my shirt. “Not a word,” I said to the woman, my tone clipped. She smirked and adjusted her dress before walking off to the corner.

“Come in,” I barked, settling into my chair, the leather creaking beneath me.

One of my men entered, his face pale and uneasy. “Boss, there’s been a problem.”

I raised an eyebrow, gripping the glass of alcohol in my hand. “Go on.”

“The intel mission…it didn’t go as planned. One of our men was badly injured, and the briefcase…” He hesitated, swallowing hard. “We couldn’t retrieve it.”

The words lit a fuse inside me. The glass in my hand shattered as I crushed it, shards cutting into my palm. Blood dripped onto the desk, pooling around the ruined crystal.

The man flinched as I stood, the anger radiating off me in waves. I strode toward him, grabbing his collar and pulling him close. “Get the car ready,” I hissed, my voice dangerously low.

He nodded frantically and bolted from the room. I turned to the safe behind my desk, spinning the dial with precision. Inside was my gun, sleek and deadly. I retrieved it, shoving it into my holster.

Picking up the phone, I called my secretary. “Hold all my appointments for the day. I’ll be out.” I didn’t wait for her response before slamming the receiver down.

****************

The drive to the base was silent, my man at the wheel. My thoughts churned with rage and determination.

“I won’t fail again” I hissed under my breath.

When we arrived, I scanned the area. Four guards stood as lookouts, their positions careless and out of place.

Amateurs.

I took down the nearest one with a swift blow, dragging his unconscious body into the shadows. Using him as a human shield, I stepped into the open as the other guards opened fire. Bullets ricocheted off the man’s body, and I felt the weight of him sag against me.

“Now!” I barked, and my man fired, taking down the remaining guards with precision.

I dropped the body and entered the base, each step calculated. The halls were narrow, filled with the stench of sweat and fear. One by one, I incapacitated anyone who dared to come at me, leaving a trail of groaning bodies behind.

Finally, I reached the main room. The boss sat behind a desk, his bodyguards flanking him, their guns pointed at me, almost like they were expecting me.

“You’ve made a mess of my place, Victor,” the boss drawled, leaning back in his chair.

I laughed, raising my gun. “I’ve only just begun.”

Before anyone could react, I moved, disarming one of the guards and using him as leverage. The boss cursed as I grabbed him by the neck, pressing my gun to his temple.

“Call off your men,” I ordered.

His lips twisted in defiance, but he relented, barking the command.

“Stand down men"

“Now, the briefcase,” I demanded.

One of his men hesitated before placing it on the desk. Still holding the boss, I grabbed the case, keeping my eyes on the room.

But then, something unexpected happened.

“Let him go, Victor,” came the voice of my own man. I turned to see him aiming his gun at me, his hands steady.

I froze, disbelief flooding my veins. Betrayed by one of my very own.

“So you'd betray me? I took you in and gave you a job you ungrateful bastard!"

He smirked. “It’s just business.”

Slowly, I released the boss, raising my hands. “I’ll give you the briefcase,” I said, my voice calm.

But as I turned, I kicked the gun from his hand, sending it skittering across the floor. We fought, punches landing hard and fast, but I gained the upper hand, delivering a blow that sent him sprawling.

Grabbing the briefcase, I bolted, my feet pounding against the floor. I called James, shouting into the phone, “Five minutes! Be here!”

Reaching the roof, I slammed the hatch shut behind me, barricading it. But it wouldn’t hold for long.

The boss and his men found another way up, surrounding me. I backed toward the edge, the briefcase clutched tightly.

“You’ve got nowhere to run now Victor,” the boss sneered.

I smirked and stepped off the roof.

Their shouts echoed above as I grabbed onto the helicopter’s ladder, the wind whipping against my face. James pulled me aboard, and I laughed, holding the briefcase aloft.

“We need better help,” I muttered.

James glanced at me. “Your father requested you go for a wedding fitting today.”

The reminder soured my mood instantly. Now I'd have to deal with seeing that bitch Camilla.

“Drop me off at the shop,” I said, leaning back with a scowl.

**************

Carrie’s POV

I stared at the mirror, hating the dress I wore. It was beautiful, sure, but it wasn’t mine, it was Camillas’. This wasn’t the wedding I’d dreamed of.

The shopkeeper brought another gown, “another one?" I sighed, trying it on. As I stepped out of the changing room, I froze.

Victor had just walked in, a briefcase in hand. Our eyes met, and for a moment, time stopped. He looked away quickly, but I could have sworn he blushed.

“Your suit is ready, sir,” the shopkeeper said, leading him away.

I turned back to the mirror, shaking off the feeling of guilt I'd felt. What was I thinking?

Victor returned, dressed sharply in a fitted suit that boldly showed his broad shoulders. I tried not to notice but failed miserably.

“You’re done, right?” he asked the shopkeeper impatiently.

“Not quite. We need pre-wedding photos.”

I groaned inwardly but stood beside him as instructed. The photographer adjusted our positions, placing my hands on Victor’s shoulders and his on my waist.

Our eyes met again, and I noticed a scar on his neck. I tried not to look at it but curiosity got the better of me, and I reached to pull his collar down to better see.

He grabbed my wrist, startling me, and we lost balance, falling to the floor. I landed on his chest, our faces inches apart.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, scrambling to my feet.

Victor didn’t respond immediately, his expression unreadable. Finally, he stood up, brushing himself off. “Pick your dress. We’re leaving.”

I had finished before him and while waiting, my gaze fell on the briefcase. Something about the symbol on its side nagged at me. Where had I seen it before?

Reaching out, I tried to open it, but Victor stormed back in, his eyes blazing. “Don’t touch that!” he snapped, snatching it away.

“I was just—”

“Let’s go,” he said, cutting me off.

So rude

As we walked out, I remembered my phone. “I left it in the changing room,” I said, hurrying back.

A woman in red was there, holding it. “Looking for this?”

“Yes, thank you,” I said, taking it.

She smiled, her eyes sharp. “Have fun at the wedding Camilla”

Her words sent a chill down my spine as I walked away, clutching the phone tightly.

************

“So that was Camilla Estella huh? This is gonna be fun. It's time to crash a wedding"