SAVING THE ALPHA 001

“I Do”

These were two words I always thought that I would share with someone close to my heart, someone who was my soulmate and who would be the love of my life.

Never did it once occur to me that these words, I would be exchanging them before God, with a total stranger.

But that is the kind of sacrifice you make when your father stops being the father.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I walked down the aisle. My heart was racing, but not with joy or excitement a bride should feel on her wedding day.

Instead, it's a feeling of dread that fills me, and I can't shake it off no matter how much I try.

The scent of different flowers filled the extravagantly decorated church with Red and white roses adorning every surface.

. The sunlight streamed in through the stained-glass windows, casting multicolored beams of light on the polished marble floor.

The church was idyllic, God alone knows how much was paid to turn an old church into this paradise.

 But despite the luxury that surrounds me, it only serves to underscore the fact that I am about to make the biggest mistake of my life.

As I approach the altar, I glance around at the guests who have been invited to witness this sham of a wedding. The men were in different types and colors of suits and tuxedos and the women were in adorable dresses. Everyone there looked luxurious. They were all Nicholas’ friends, partners and colleagues since I did not have a friend who I could invite.

Their faces are carefully arranged in expressions of happiness and excitement. They obviously had no idea that what was about to happen was a sham in the presence of God.

 But I knew the truth. They were all here to see a spectacle, to watch the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the city marry the richest bachelor in the city. A man I had no feelings for.

My parents had coerced me into this marriage to pay their bills, and it's a bitter pill to swallow. One I have to bear for the rest of my life.

 I had no choice but to go through with it, even though every fiber of my being was screaming out against it.

I tried to keep my gaze focused straight ahead, not daring to look at Nicholas. But when I finally did, my heart sank even further. He is a handsome man, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. But there was something cold and calculating in his gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

He is not the man I would have chosen for myself, not by a long shot. 

I tried to console myself with the thought that at least I will be able to live a life of luxury, with every material comfort I could ever want.

At least that was what my mum threw at me every now and then.

“You should count yourself lucky. Every girl would give everything to be where you are right now. Marrying a young, handsome billionaire.”

 But I know deep down that it will never be enough to make up for the fact that I am marrying a man I do not love.

His gaze remained cold on me as I stepped onto the altar.

I stand before Nicholas, taking in his features as I prepare mentally to recite my vows. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.

The priest stands before us, a kindly old man with a gentle smile. He looked at us with eyes filled with compassion, understanding the situation we are in.

He begins to speak, his voice soft and soothing.

"Dear beloved, we are gathered here today to join together Sophia and Nicholas in holy matrimony. Sophia, do you take Nicholas to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I reply

"I do."

The priest nods, turning to Nicholas. "And Nicholas, do you take Sophia to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Nicholas doesn't hesitate for a moment.

"I do."

As we began to recite our vows, my heart kept beating faster and for a moment I was afraid that it would burst open here and there.

 I knew that these words are supposed to be filled with love and affection, but all I could think about was the weight of my parents' expectations and the lies we have all been living.

I try to focus on the words as I say them, to imbue them with as much sincerity as possible.

"I, Sophia, take you, Nicholas, to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part."

Nicholas repeats the words after me, his voice steady and sure. But as he looked at me, I could see the calculation in his eyes.

 Not an iota of affection.

I just wondered why he even wanted to marry me in the first place, why had he insisted?

As the priest pronounced us husband and wife, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The ceremony was over, and it was time to face this new phase of my life.

  

He took my hand slowly as the entire audience erupted in claps and cheers of congratulations.

I plastered a smile on my face and we stepped down the altar hand in hand.

As Nicholas and I step off the altar, an elderly woman approaches us. 

Judging from her luxurious attire, this was one of those millionaire’s wives.

As she drew closer to us with a big smile, I almost choked on the strength of her perfume.

"Congratulations, young couple," she said, her voice high-pitched and slightly nasal.

Nicholas smiled at her, his charm on full display. "Thank you, ma'am. How are you doing today?"

The woman smiled back at him, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth that look almost too perfect to be real. "Oh, I'm doing just fine, thank you. My husband is still quite sick, but he's holding on."

Nicholas nods sympathetically. "I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything we can do to help?"

The woman shakes her head, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, no, no, dear. You two have enough to worry about. Just enjoy your day."

As she turns to walk away, I could not help but feel a sense of revulsion

. Her heavy makeup and cloying perfume seem like a desperate attempt to cling to youth, just like my mother.

I glanced at Nicholas and caught him looking at me, with that calculating gaze and I shook my head.

I know that I have made a terrible mistake, and that my life is now irrevocably tied to this man. But as we walk away from the altar and into the rest of our lives, I know that I will have to find a way to make the best of a bad situation.

  

“Are you okay?” He grunted.

“Yes, I am, thank you for asking,” What more could I possibly tell him?

That I felt sick by this whole thing?

“Good, I have to go talk to some of my partners. Have fun, will catch you later”

I stared at his back as he approached two men at the far end of the church, leaving me all alone in the middle of the crowded room.

Without him by my side I felt invincible and that was just how I wanted it.

 I looked around at the other guests, all of them engaged in lively conversation.

I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find my mother standing behind me, her expression serious and unyielding.

"Hello, Sophia," she says in a tone that brooks no argument. "I wanted to speak to you for a moment."

I nod, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. I knew what was coming. More advice and coaching on how I made the right choice.

"How are you doing? How do you feel" she says, her tone a little softer now.

I force a smile, trying to appear enthusiastic. "I feel married."

My mother's expression turns steely once again. "Good. I just wanted to remind you of why we had to do this. Your father's business is struggling, and we need Nicholas's family's money to keep our heads above water."

I feel a familiar sense of anger and frustration rise up within me.

 Why should my happiness be sacrificed for my parents' financial troubles?

"I know, Mother," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "But it's not fair that I have to give up everything for your mistakes."

My mother's expression softens, but only slightly. "I understand that it's not easy, Sophia. But you have to remember that we're all in this together. We're a family, and we have to help each other out."

I look at my mother. Her once-beautiful face is now etched with lines of worry and stress. Her hair, once styled to perfection, is now in disarray. I can see the toll that my father's business struggles have taken on her, and I felt a pang of guilt for being angry with her.But they both had never cared for anything beyond their business and reputation. Nothing else matters to them, not the happiness of their only daughter.

"I know, Mother," I say, trying to sound more conciliatory. "I just wish that things were different."

My mother nods, a small smile crossing her lips. "I know, dear. But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. And I know that you'll make Nicholas a good wife."

I'm not sure if I believe that, but I force another smile and nod. As my mother turns to walk away, I'm left alone once again with my thoughts. The weight of my family's expectations is almost too much to bear, and I can't help but wonder if I'll ever be able to find happiness in this life that has been chosen for me.