I sat alone at a cosy corner table in my favourite café, my fingers tapping nervously against the smooth surface. I arrived early, eager to see my boyfriend, Raphael, after what felt like an eternity apart. He had planned to meet for coffee, but he's the one reaching late. Or, will he even make it?I kept looking at the time on my phone but a part of me only waited for a phone call from Raphael where he would say he couldn't make it.I'm used to him not making it to our dates most. It wouldn't make a difference if the same thing repeats today but I want to see him this time.As the minutes ticked by, my anticipation mingled with a growing sense of unease. I glanced at my phone, checking the time repeatedly, each passing moment stretching into an eternity.Finally, after what felt like forever, the café door swung open, and Raphael hurried in, his expression apologetic as he approached my table. "I'm so sorry, Jenna. Traffic was a nightmare," he said, his voice tinged with genuine remo
I thought I had the confidence but as soon as I walked into the club, I ran out of it.I struggled to calm my fast-beating heart when I received a phone call from my stepsister."Hello?""Jenna, where are you?" Sarah asked, "And what's with your breathing? Are you alright? Talk to me.""Sarah, he... He's marrying someone else." I answered, trying not to cry over my make-up."Who? What are you talking about?" I hesitated to speak, "Jenna, calm down, where are you now?" Sarah asked frantically."I'm at the Elite Club," I answered."I'll come get you.""No! Don't. I have to do this. It's the only way I know I'll get my revenge.""Jenna you're confusing me. Start from the top at least." Sarah urged, in a caring tone.As I poured out my heart to Sarah, the weight of my emotions lifted slightly.Sarah listened patiently, her voice a comforting presence, "I can't believe he would do something like this to you, Jenna," she murmured, her tone tinged with disbelief and outrage."And you don't
The next morning, I woke up in a haze, my head throbbing with the aftermath of too many drinks. As my eyes fluttered open, the events of the previous night flooded back, sending a surge of panic coursing through me.I glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings, my heart sinking as reality set in. I was in a strange bedroom, tangled in disarrayed sheets, with no recollection of how I got there.Memories of the nightclub, the bet with Sarah, and Yohan's alluring presence swirled in my mind, leaving me with a sense of unease. Had I really gone through with the one-night stand?As if on cue, the door creaked open, and Yohan stepped into the room, his expression like that of shock. "Morning, sleeping beauty," he greeted, his voice laced with amusement as he approached the bed, "so he went through with it?""He?" I followed the gaze of Yohan and caught sight of another figure in bed with me, "wh- who's he?"Yohan scoffed, "Just someone who completed a bet among friends.""A... Bet?" I aske
"I need answers. I don't have time to play dress up. This will have to do." I said, examining my overly short dress in the standing mirror.I rushed out of my apartment and took a taxi to the venue of the wedding. I remembered it because that's where Raphael and I planned to have our future wedding.I couldn't believe he would stoop as low as using our planned venue and then having the audacity to invite me on the same day I got informed.The taxi parked at the roadside in front of the gates of the venue and I got off after paying.As I stood before the imposing gates of the wedding venue, a sense of trepidation gripped me.I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaited me beyond those gates. If Raphael thought he could manipulate me into submission, he had another thing coming.I squared my shoulders, summoning every ounce of courage within me, and stepped into the surroundings of the wedding venue.I scanned the faces of the guests, searching for any sign of Sarah but I
"What do you mean I'm getting married to Sarah's ex-fiancé?" I blurted out, the words ringing in my ears like a twisted echo of reality.My dad sighed heavily, "Jenna, listen," he began, his voice strained with frustration, "After everything that happened yesterday, Sarah came to me with a proposal. They suggested that you and Keith Clementine, Sarah's ex-betrothed, should get married instead."My mind reeled, struggling to process the magnitude of what I was hearing. Married to Keith?! The same Keith Clementine rumoured to be the most ruthless man on earth? Same one Sarah hasn't even met face to face?"Why are you all treating me this way?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "What did I ever do to deserve such a life that my boyfriend is married by my stepsister and my father won't even give me space to heal before throwing me to a man that's probably twenty years older than I am?!""You will get married to him whether you like it or not. Luckily, he didn't exac
As Keith Clementine left the room, his departure left a tension lingering in the air. The abruptness of his announcement about the wedding sent shockwaves through me, leaving me reeling with a sense of disbelief and dread.My stepmother's expression betrayed her surprise, her carefully composed facade faltering for just a moment before she regained her composure. "Did he just say tomorrow morning?" she murmured, her voice laced with incredulity.Dad remained silent, his features etched with concern."I can't believe this," I muttered under my breath, my mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts. How could everything spiral out of control so quickly? Was this some twisted joke?Worst of all, there's no way I can escape this wedding now. What would such a man do to me if I didn't show up the next day as a bride?"This wedding can't hold," I said."It's too late to say that." Dad warned, "I don't have the energy to face the wrath of Keith Clementine.""But I don't have a wedding dress." I
"Are you done in there?! We have to leave now!" I could hear my stepmother yelling."Almost done!" I yelled back as I smirked, checking out my new look, "You'd be surprised how perfect this wedding gown looks on me!" I added."Just hurry up or we'll leave you behind," Stepmom informed.Things were going according to plan. I waited in the room for thirty minutes before stepping out. As expected, they all left for the venue without me, leaving a note containing the location behind for me to see.I got out of the house and hailed a taxi. The shock on the taxi driver's face was no shocker to me. That's the exact reaction I was hoping to get from everyone else at that wedding."Webstar Hall, please," I said, bringing the driver back to reality as he shook his head frantically."Of course ma'am," he answered.I got into the car and sat back. I shut the door and the taxi pulled away from the curb. As the taxi wound its way through the city streets, the Webstar Hall loomed into view, its gr
Keith's words sent a chill down my spine, his voice dripping with a venomous blend of anger and disdain. The warmth of the moment evaporated, replaced by the loud beats of my racing heart.What the hell did he mean by saying those words? What's going to happen on our wedding night? I forgot that part of marriage!I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves as I met Keith's gaze, his eyes burning with a fiery intensity that made my heart race. It was clear that my stunt had not gone unnoticed, and now, I would have to face the consequences of my actions."This marriage may be a business transaction to you, but to me, it's a matter of-" I choked on my words as I spoke.Keith's expression hardened, his jaw clenched in frustration. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous.The wedding party was led from the ceremony location and the rest of the guests followed. "Congratulations on your wedding, sir." a man said to Keith, "It's time fo