3. Wedding

I walked towards the crowd my knees were practically knocking together. I was never a crowd person. I always dreamt about my wedding. I used to always see myself wearing pretty gowns and walking towards the love of my life with a smile. But that day is today except I'm getting married to the love of my sister's life. It was she who should have been in my place I had no idea what had forced her to take off. But seeing the face of my future husband was giving me some ideas. He is not ugly don't mistake me. He is a very handsome man. He can go to a Vogue photo shoot and land himself a modelling gig if he wanted. But he won't because his worth is much more than vogue. He rarely graces any interviews no one knows about him much. He was adopted and his adoptive family was poor too. Whatever he had become it was by his blood and sweat.

His adoptive parents are here by the way but I have no complaints against them. They are the sweetest in-laws that Heidi could ask for. But I once heard that she wished she didn't have in-laws to deal with. I was scandalised at hearing this.

"They are not his real parents anyways. They are just after his money", she said blowing a stray hair on her face.

"But they adopted him when he was a small child", I argued back. I liked Ted and Linda very much. I can't stand Heidi berating them.

"Huh if you like them so much you can have them. But don't you dare come for my Dane", she said wagging a finger in my direction. I didn't think her words were fit to deserve a reply so I ignored her.

But I wish that Heidi had chosen someone other than the cold Dane. Someone like my sweet boyfriend Jeff. He said he couldn't come due to the passing of one of his closest relatives. Jeff? What was I going to say to him? He is going to hate me forever. I was going to hate myself for the rest of my life.

He was going to start his own business soon. I was supposed to support him. We were going to move away as soon as I get a raise soon. I was putting out so much work for it. I still couldn't believe I was going to marry the owner of the company I work for.

My father was in the hospital so I decided not to take anyone else in his place. I will face the gallows alone. My step-sister has practically dug a grave for me. It would look like a bed of roses from the outside but it was in reality a bed of thorns.

It was tough for me to hold myself together. My tears had dried up. I would be soon Mrs Wellington Dane's wife. But a wife for name only. I had no complaints. This marriage would be a contract for him to secure more business and get richer. What about me? I had lost my home, boyfriend and morality I have held on to my life till this day.

I knew being Dane's wife will make me want nothing except love and affection. The money can never replace the care I would have gotten if it was Jeff in his place.

I hate my sister for choosing Dane. If it was someone else they would have backed off. But not Dane never Dane. He will rip off every pound of flesh from us. Till he thinks he had gotten his due.

What kind of a man did his business at his wedding? I know a cold and calculating businessman. Everything for him will be a business deal. I would be served with divorce papers soon when he realises that his revenge is done.

The icy whiteness of the gown had slid into me as well. I hope he divorces me soon so that I can go back to Jeff. He will understand and forgive me. He is that much sweet. He is the exact opposite of Dane.

I saw him looking straight ahead at the priest. He didn't even bother to look at me. It was as if he hates me and wishes I was Heidi. I wish that too. Heidi is here in the wedding gown and I'm away vacationing somewhere in her place. But that is a piper's dream. This is the reality.

"Proceed", he said to the priest. I looked down unable to meet his eyes. I had to lie in front of the priest that I will swear to love him for the rest of my life. I don't think I will ever be able to love him. But even if I did because of some miracle he will never fall for me.

I Dane Thomas Wellington take you, Ziva Sherry Williams to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death, we do part, according to God's holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow."

I hear the pin drop in silence in the room. They are thinking that I will bolt too like my sister. Frankly, I was considering it. I look up from the ground to the coldest blue eyes. His eyes were murderous he had sensed my hesitation.

I gulped and gazed at him. I don't want to do this. It is clear in my eyes. I can't marry someone for money or reputation. I wanted to marry for love. I want to marry the person who will love me forever. I hate to lie in front of the priest, God and these people.

He was doubting his decision to marry me too. I could see it in his eyes. He didn't look like the type who took decisions and regretted them later except today.

He turned to the priest and I could see that he was going to stop the wedding. I hated him five seconds before but now that he is going to halt the wedding all I felt is bad for him. He is trying to call off the wedding before I do. To keep his pride and it must have taken everything from him to do it.

My hand rose and gently touched his elbow. He looked at me wary. He must be wondering what I was about to do. To be fair even I don't know what I want to do. But I can't hurt him. He must never be as good as Jeff but still no one deserved to get what Heidi did to him. I should take the responsibility for what Heidi had done.

I shook my head in negative. He seemed relieved that he didn't have to do it. But I knew that he hates me now as well if Heidi had done it before the wedding I had done it during the wedding well almost.

I cleared my throat but I knew I wasn't fooling anyone. Everyone here knew that there was an exchange of brides here. Though they believed that Dane could fall for a penniless yet pretty Heidi but they will never believe that he wants the plane sister at least not willingly.