Chapter 1

Isabelle pov

I stood on the aisle in front of the priest, a bouquet of flower in my hand. I have a veil over my face and a beautiful wedding gown that fit like it was molded on me.

I'm suppose to get married today, however my groom is no where to be found. “What’s taking your groom soo…long to get here?” The priest ask me, “has something happened to him on his way here?”

What would happen to the almighty Mr. black, one rumored to be cold, dangerous and also impotent. Yes, that’s the rumor. He was dangerous and impotent, still I want to marry him,because I have no choice but to, if not my mother would die.

“I’m sure he’ll get here soon.” I say, letting out a hard breath. “I don’t know what might be keeping him from his wedding but I’m sure he’ll get here soon.”

I look at my dad and stepmother who were at that particular moment greeting the guests and not even looking at me one bit. A feeling of regret surged in me. I shouldn’t have followed along with this agreement.

‘It’s just for the money’ I assure myself.

We waited for about an hour or two and Sebastian Black was nowhere in sight. My stepmother walk up to me with a grin on her face.“What have you done to your To be Husband that he’s not here yet?” My stepmother, Louis whisper behind my ear. “Did he figure out how crazily ugly and money deprived you are that he couldn’t bear to even step foot here?”

I turned my face and looked at her, rage in my eye. I want to spit on Louis face, hold her by the neck and push her on the floor, but I can’t.

Since my mother became ill, my dad brought this bitch into our house and he never give attention to my mom. Louis became his priority. I can’t even get money from my dad to pay for my mother's medical bills. The meagre amount I make is like a stone compared to the mammoth hospital bill and transplant fee, money is an issue for me. Now I have made agreement with Louis to marry Sebastian Black in replacement of her own daughter. Why? Because I’m the only sacrificial lamb who they can give to that old, ugly, impotent, cold and ruthless, Sebastian black.

“How can you say that on my wedding day?” I ask, Louis and she move back from me a smile on her lips. “It’s not fair. After all I did and I'm still doing?”

“You did it for yourself, darling.” She retort immediately, rubbing my shoulders at each side. “So, you just have to endure and wait. Or don’t you want the money for your sick mother?”

“I do.” I speak, like I would die if she go back on her word. “I need the money.”

“Good. So you’ll stand here and wait for as long as it takes until your groom gets here.” She say and walk back on her seat.

A tear began to form at the back of my eye and I held it back with a lot of breath. I look at the crowd as they exchanged whisper to one another while looking at me as well. I felt they might be talking about me. I felt uncomfortable, I want to remove this heavy dress from my body. The dress wasn't even made for me but that skinny, Abby that I called my stepsister.

Because of my think body and a little added flesh than her, the wedding dress was tight fitted for me. My chest was squeezed together that my breath came out in grasp. I have no choice but to wait like a statue till my soon-to-be husband comes.

The priest looked at his watch for countless hours, and has grown impatient, countrary to what they preach, I smirked within me and quietly laughed at how I can make a joke out of this ridiculous situation I permitted myself to be pulled into. The priest looked at Mr. black, Sebastian's father who was present and gave him an eye.

The old man who looked to be in his later forties, wearing an old black jacket and a long blazer, stood to his feet. After clearing his throat and looking back at the entrance of the hall, he walk up to me standing at the aisle.

“I’ll marry her in place of my son.” The old man say and I almost scoff. This is enough insult for me. How would I get married to my husband father?

“No…” the priest shook his head, “you can’t do that. Instead call your son and ask why he isn’t here.”The old man dipped his hand into his pocket and brings out his phone. He raised it to his ear and listened to be answered from the other end. The call rings for long and gets disconnected. I feel something is wrong and this man knows but doesn't want to say a thing. “He’s not picking.” Mr. Black say, returning his phone back into his pocket. “I’ll just marry her instead. We can’t wait any longer.”

The priest sigh and open his Bible. “Isabelle Davis. Do you take, Mr. black, to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in wealth, till death do you path?” The priest look at me and I don’t say a word. What did he want me to say? I can’t marry his father, no. I just can’t. It’s really shameless. I notice the silence in the hall and when I raise my head and look around, I see everyone eyes on me. I don’t know what to do. I have no choice. I say, “yes.”

The priest smile, then turn to Mr. Black.

“Do you take, Isabelle Davis, to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickened and in wealth, till death do you part?”

“Yes,” he don’t waste time to answer.

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife.” He say and ended the ceremony.

We didn’t exchange rings, only I did wore mine but Mr. Black say he would give the ring to Sebastian. I was taken into a black car by Mr. Black and before I knew it, I was far away deep into the city.

The car I was in, alongside Mr. Black, halted in front of a big mansion. The gate slid open and the car drove in. I assumed this was Sebastian’s house. As the car stopped in front of the mansion, Mr. Black speaks,“You can get down now.” He look at me and my chest tightened. “This is your new home. I hope you enjoy your marriage with my son.” I could see the pity look in his eye and I didn’t question further what he mean by that. I just walk out of the car and…zooooom the car moved out of the compound.

I turn my back and see a lot of employees, standing at the entrance, their head bowed. Chiefs, security men, officers, etc.“Young Mrs. Black, welcome to the Black mansion.” Their voice roar and I flinch, placing my hand on my chest. I walk through them and into the mansion. I look around and notice the inside, gigantically big. Furniture and cushions placed at the right order.

The whole wall painted black. And I wondered, was this part of the reason he was called Mr. Black?

As I was still looking around, I hear loud whispers.

“Mr. black has returned.” A maiden yell at others and the whole party of workers of the mansion rush to the door. Their head in a bow. I noticed the fear and anxiety that lurk around them and how frightened they were to even speak of his name.

The door is open by an old man and the presumed Mr. Black walks in. OH.MY.GAAAAADDDDD

My eye went wide and my jaw drops down. I look at the tall muscular figure in a black suit looking like a model, walk sternly, removing his shoe and leaving his feet wearing a sock. I notice his gaze at me and I don’t even move or say a word. His eyes was colored black, his face, square structured and his lips painted light red.

He looked at one of the maid.“Who’s that, wearing a wedding dress and standing in my house?” He point at me, while looking at the maid that has her head bowed low. The maid turn her face and look at me. She close her eye and I notice a bead of sweat trinkle down her face. Her body quaking.“Your wife, Sir.” She respond.