DANIELLE'S P.O.VUpbeat hip-hop blared from the sound system which was connected to a smart tv that hung on the wall in the center of my bedroom. Layla and Sofia choreographed the moves displayed on the tv screen, moving their bodies in tune with the beat of the music, while Sofia and Alisia flipped through magazines, in search of the best hairstyles everyone would wear tomorrow.It was the night of my bachelorette party. The night before the deal between both Adrian's family and mine will be sealed in holy matrimony. The thought of running away had crossed my mind severally during the day but dad's voice from the night of the dinner when he told me of his illness, rang in my head everytime I pondered on the thought, successfully keeping me from going through with the plan.It scared me that my first and last shot at marriage was a sham. I had always dreamt of a fairytale marriage for myself. A marriage that would be a result of a fairytale friendship that boomed into something deeper
DANIELLE'S P.O.VI stared at myself in the mirror of my vanity. The makeup artists and hair stylists had done a spectacular job; I looked breath taking.I opted for natural makeup because I didn't want to look extravagant. The hair stylists curled my naturally curly hair and held it together in a bun with hair pins with some of the curls framing my face. Pearl earrings dangled from my ears and a delicate pearl bracelet sat on my left wrist.The day I have been dreading for the past few weeks was finally here. The D-day.I should not have counted my eggs before they hatched by thinking my nerves would be calmed by the heart to heart I had with Alisia the night before. Letting myself relax in the belief that today would go smoothly was a big mistake on my part.My hands shook in fear, and my left leg trembled from nervousness. I looked like I was having a spasm with the way my body was shuddering.I sat, staring at myself in the mirror as a rush of emotions swirled in my mind. I was sca
DANIELLE'S P.O.V"Welcome New York's latest couple, the newly wedded Mr and Mrs Adrian Valentino." the master of ceremony's voice reverberated.The applause and hooting that followed was deafening. The groomsmen, which consisted of Umar, Adrian's best friend; Michael Smith, Mason Walls, and George Burrell, his friends from college; and the bridesmaids which consisted of Layla, Janelle, Sofia, and Alisia; danced into the room while I looked around the reception hall as Adrian led me to the head table which we were designated to seat at, trying to see if I recognized some of the faces present.I saw some familiar faces from the times when I would visit Dad at work while I was a college student. They waved and smiled at me as I passed and I smiled back.Adrian held on to my hand as I sat and dropped it immediately my behind was firmly planted on the chair. He sat beside me awkwardly and looked around the hall. I had a feeling that he was avoiding me. He had been behaving awkwardly since
DANIELLE'S P.O.VThe music sounded distant, my head felt heavy, my heart started to beat faster than normal, my throat felt dry, and I felt like air had been knocked out of my lungs. I gulped down the rest of my champagne and dropped the empty flute on the table, thinking that the way I was feeling was probably what a panic attack usually feels like.Several thoughts started to swim in my head, provoked by his unexpected presence at the reception.How did he get information about the reception venue?Where did he get those details?Why is he here, smiling at me like we never had that heated conversation the night before?"May I have this dance?" Chase repeated.I fidgeted in my seat while desperately wishing a waiter would pass by so I could request for another refill of my champagne flute."Come on, Dannie. Dance with me" he said.I stared at him, finding it hard to believe he was not up to something. I started to wonder what was going through his mind."I won't bite, I promise" he j
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.My first morning as Mrs Danielle Valentino was a sad and boring one. I might be the first in the history of newly wedded ladies to wake up on a couch, still in her wedding dress, with no idea where in the world her husband was.I rubbed my neck which had become stiff from sleeping on the uncomfortable couch and looked around the sitting room. The sitting area was a big space with white colored walls on which smart tv and speakers hung from. A few black cushioned couches were placed around a long glass center table. The A.C in one corner of the room hummed gently.I stretched and twisted my arms back and forth to relieve the tension in them. I stood up from the couch and trudged around the penthouse, trying to locate a room with my belongings. Once I found a room that contained my familiar pink suitcases, I sighed in relief.I managed to take off my wedding dress after much difficulty and I threw it on the queen sized bed. I opened up a suitcase in search of a fresh s
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.I woke up with a start.The disturbing sound of footsteps made my sixth sense kick in. I slowly climbed out of my bed, opting not to put on my bathroom slippers to make tiptoeing easier and noiseless.I wondered who in the world could be in the house by this time of the night. I had been sleeping alone in the penthouse for the past two weeks because my new groom, Adrian, had been a no show since the night of our wedding. I had no idea where he was, what he was doing, and how he was doing; and I honestly couldn't care less.Alisia usually made my days in the house more cheerful and fun filled; she was especially helpful and assisted me with solutions to my hunger problems by bringing various dishes cooked by the Valentino family chef, on the orders of Alvida, my mother in law.Sadly, my evenings became dreary once she had to leave me on my own. Sometimes, to alleviate the boredom e, I would take my car out for a spin, an activity that gave me immense joy and satisfact
DANIELLE'S P.O.V."What are you going to do today?" Layla asked."The usual. Laze about the house until evening, fight with my husband when he gets back from work, and then go to bed " I replied."That sounds hectically boring" Janelle said.I shrugged. I changed my position on the bed by laying on my stomach then I propped my phone on a pillow to allow my friends a better view of my face."How has life as a married woman been like?" Layla asked."It has been wonderful. Just splendid. My husband and I love one another so very much." I said sarcastically."I can hear the sarcasm dripping from your words. What's up?" Janelle asked."It's been hellish, guys. Being married to this snotty human being has been hell on earth.""How come? He seemed into you at the engagement party. Even at the wedding, he looked like he was the happiest man in the world." Sofia inputed."Maybe it's all in your head. I surely don't feel like the happiest bride in the world.""Seriously, I thought he was really
DANIELLE'S P.O.V"What are you doing here?" I asked.Don't get me wrong, I did not mean to sound rude and inhospitable; my father would bulk in disappointment if he ever heard me speak the way I did; but I could not help the edginess of my tone.I was not familiar with this lady and our first encounter was not one I would call pleasant, so seeing her standing smugly there, at my doorstep, was irking."Is that any way to greet a guest?" she asked.I was very baffled by her audacity. Who did she think she was, speaking to me the way she did; like we were friends who had become estranged because of a fight. I had no idea who she was, my first time meeting her being on the day of the wedding. Seeing her standing there, entitlement oozing from her pores, head to toe, irritated me."Then again..." she continued, a sly smirk on her face, "...you don't seem like one who is well mannered." she insulted.I did not feel hurt by the shallow insult. Throwing jabs at my supposed lack of home traini