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SARA'S POV

"We are done, ma'am." Came the voice of the makeup artist as she gave way from me to see myself in the mirror.

My mouth popped open and my eyes almost pulled out of its socket as I stared at my reflection.

It was like a whole new different person, looking at herself. I barely recognized it was Sara Gilbert staring at herself.

"Wow, this is.... beautiful." 

It's my wedding day. A day of bliss and merriment for me and my family. I was finally getting married to my heartthrob. My high school lover, Vincent.

"He would hardly recognize you, ma'am. You are so pretty." She said again.

I had expected makeup that would be worth the amount I paid but it exceeded my expectations. Clara did go far in giving me the best as she promised.

"Thank you so much, Miss Clara."

"You are welcome. As long as you are the daughter of my mother's best friend, I will do the best for you at a cheaper price."

Well, here is my life. I am a nineteen-year-old young woman. Just started college. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth neither was my life any better. All I ever did was work and study while trying to pay my family's bills. I am the first child of my parent and all the responsibility was on me. 

Dad is dead and Mom can hardly walk and is sick. My life is pretty much a living mess. My fiance and soon-to-be husband, Vincent, is a doctor. We don't have the same status but I am grateful he accepted me. I never thought our relationship would work but it did and now, we are getting married.

"Let's go already. Your husband wouldn't wait all long for you darling." The voice of my mother, wheeling a wheelchair in, brought me out of my thoughts.

I nodded and went out with her. 

"The groom hasn't arrived yet." My little sister, Stella, said with her voice filled with panic. 

He should have arrived fifteen minutes ago. He sent a text message that he was in the church.

"But he said he is in the church. I am sure he is just around." I answered with a smile and my heart, filled with joy.

Stella knitted her brows, not ready to believe that was true. "Are you sure about that? He is the groom and should be in the church waiting for you."

I almost laughed but swallowed it in, seeing how worried she looked. "I am sure Vincent wouldn't disappoint me. He would be here very soon."

She exhaled deeply and crossed her arms. "I would just believe you for now, but if that guy tries anything funny, I will end him."

As young as she was, Stella wasn't scared of anyone or anything. That was one thing I loved about my sister. She is fierce and would face danger instead of running away from it, no matter what it would cost her. I do wonder where she got that boldness from.

"Alright girls, go wait in one of the rooms. I am sure he would be here before thirty minutes." Mother instructed. 

"I will go inform the groom's family that you are here." Stella offered and walked away.

I made to leave but stopped when I felt a strong piercing gaze on me. The atmosphere suddenly became heavy and I felt my body tense.

Someone was watching me and I had a big feeling about it. I looked around to see who it was but saw no one. 

I shoved the thought and went in with my mother. Little did I know the danger lurking about that was about to creep out of its hiding place.

...

Minutes turned into an hour and still, no news about the whereabouts of Vincent. I was going crazy. Did something happen to him? Was she alright? That was all I could think about. We chatted an hour and fifteen minutes ago, there is no way he could have ditched the wedding.

He wouldn't do that to me..... right?

Stella walked closer to me but I moved back. "He would come. Maybe he is being held back by something. I know Vincent wouldn't disappoint me. Not this time."

"I wish that's what I can say too. It's an hour now and he hasn't come to the church yet. Probably he ran off."

"Stella!" Mother reprimanded and she kept shut not saying another word.

I held up my wedding gown and rushed out of the room, going to the church. His family must have heard from him or they must be looking for me too cause he has been there waiting for me.

I tried to convince myself but deep down, Stella's words got stuck into my head.

I opened the door and rushed in, bringing everyone's attention to me. They all went silent for a while before they began to whisper to each other and I could tell they were talking about me.

I never bothered about them and rushed over to where Mrs. Marshall was. 

"Mother, have you heard from Vincent?"

She scowled and rolled her eyes. "Not yet. Probably he must have come back to his senses and had a rethink about marrying you. I am sure he is somewhere, listing down his mistakes."

Mrs. Marshall has always hated me. She hated me cause I was a girl who had nothing and was just having little to manage with my family, while hers were well-to-do. Vincent shouldn't be with me. He should be with an educated working-class woman, this she would always rub to my face.

My heart tightened and I could hardly breathe at the thought of what she said. It can't be. I know Vincent would come. I have a feeling about that. A very strong feeling.

While trying to steady my steps, that same feeling I got earlier of someone watching me, suddenly came back again, and this time strongly. It was as if the person was right behind me. Right behind me and staring at me with the intent to end my life.

I quickly turned and my eyes fell on a man, sitting at the back end of the church. He had his face covered with a hood but I could see his sharp jawline. Not someone I have seen before and that would have been easy to know if only he wasn't covering his face with a hood.

"You should forget about this wedding and all. Vincent is not coming. He must have changed his mind." Mrs. Marshall said to me, bringing back my attention to what was happening.

"Mother please, do you have an idea of where Vincent was?" She smiled instead and said nothing.

Could it be they drug him somewhere and lock him up so he would come to the wedding? They were desperate to see I don't get married to Vincent and become a part of their lives.

From the looks of it, she wasn't bothered or even thought that her son's life could be in danger. Bringing me more to what was going on.

"Please tell me, where is Vincent?" I questioned, trying so hard to retain my cool and not lose it.

"You don't have to look for me anymore Sara." A very familiar voice said behind me and I hastily turned. A huge wave of relief flowed through me seeing Vincent standing before me.

He never left after all.

"Oh goodness, you are okay." I rushed over to hug him but he stepped back.

"I 've got something to tell you, Sara."

"What is it? Can't it wait until after the wedding is over?"

He shook his head and sighed deeply. "It has to be told now 'cause there won't be any wedding."

I arched my brow, wondering what he was talking about. Could it be he shifted the venue? But that can't be possible cause of the guest.

"What do you mean?" I questioned, trying not to act shocked cause it may be a prank. Vincent was known for his crazy pranks.

"We are not getting married." He answered and a young, tanned-skinned, woman walked forward, and even in my sleep, I could tell who she was.

My favorite cousin Eliza. She smiled and placed her hand on her flat stomach while Vincent held her wrist.

"My woman here is pregnant. We will be expecting a baby soon." He faced me. "I have nothing to do with you anymore Sara. The wedding is off." He announced and the whole world came to a stop.