005

005

Zoey:

“Are you doing it or not?! I'm not going to repeat myself again.” Greg yelled again.

I swallowed, my trip tightening on the edge of the table as I looked down at my half empty plate.

“Alright, I'll do it." I mouthed, my voice heavy with regret and reluctance.

“I'm glad you know what's good for you, dear. At least he won't divorce you, forever. You should be happy to be getting a chance to marry Asher Amber,” Mum stated mockingly.

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My grip tightened on my elegant white dress as I looked in front of me, walking down the aisle with a stranger waiting in the front to marry me.

The dress cascaded down my legs, the delicate ivory lace holding my collarbone. The material had artificial pearls attached to it to define the design’s charm.

My hair was pulled into a tight bun with a long veil attached to the bun.

With a plastic smile carved with my lips which were painted in red lipstick, I carried myself elegantly.

Only if anyone could see through my smile and spot the storm in me.

My heart pounded hard against my ribcage, fighting for peace of mind, yet on the outside, I took slow and steady steps like a princess.

With the few guests’ eyes on me, I walked to the man who looked like he was also regretting this, but looked like he was anticipating this at the same time.

His expression was unreadable.

He was tall, about 6’2 feet, with a lean but strong figure. His face was as hard as a rock with his green eyes piercing like the eye of the storm.

His nose was strongly pointed and below, by his lip, was a piercing which held an artistic earring that was shaped like a skull.

His pink lips were a nice companion with his skin tone. And his red hair was a stark contrast to his green eyes.

He looked nothing like the Asher Amber I used to see on TV and magazines, but it's been four years and he has probably changed.

Asher Amber was corporate but this man was the opposite, he looked like a biker.

Even the tattoo which was by his neck agreed.

“Now that we have the bride here, we may commence," the officiant's voice jerked me out of my thoughts.

I titled my neck to look at the officiant who stood beside us.

I looked back at my soon-to-be husband who was still staring at me as if he was seeing right through me like a transparent glass.

I forced a smile, stretching my hands out to demand for his, but he only gazed down at my hand and threw his face away.

I didn't expect him to care anyway. I could already tell he was a savage from looking at him.

“Do you take Mr. Amber to be your husband?”.

I looked into his eyes, unable to decipher his expression to what the officiant asked me.

Unable to handle the coldness in his eyes, I averted them and nodded.

“Yes, I do." My voice broke halfway through my statement.

“And do you take Miss Willie to be your wife?".

"Yes.” His voice was unwavering, filled with so much fire, a stark contrast to his ice cold eyes.

I looked up at his face again, unable to get enough of the perfection in his looks.

The officiant held out his hand, revealing two rings.

I picked the bigger one and stretched my other hand out, requesting for Asher's hand.

He gently placed it into mine. His hand was so heavy and strong that I could almost not hold it up, but then I felt the weight reduce as he held it up a bit for me.

I looked up at his face, flashing him a grateful smile, but his expression remained unmoved.

I slid the ring into his finger. Then, he took my tiny hand into his large one, his long and veiny fingers holding out my ring finger.

He touched me so tenderly and I swear I felt something spark in my heart.

He slid the ring in, but I didn't want him to let go of my hand. Just as I expected, he did let go.

“You may kiss the bride.".

He turned to the officiant, shooting him a death glare before throwing him a gesture that I couldn't decipher, he then looked back at me.

“Let's leave," He ordered firmly.

I let out a sigh, turning to leave with him by my side.

We approached the black car that was parked outside.

Just black, no decorations to honor our wedding, nothing!

He didn't even bother to hold the door for me, he only got in and left me to climb in by myself.

I thought he was only in a hurry to do something urgent, but two weeks passed and he was completely cold.

Though I felt some sort of spark if I had him around me, he felt no connection with me and always kept me inside the house.

I was disconnected from every human I knew. I blacklisted all my family members, including Greg, and my supposed husband was always cold to me so I just minded my business anyway.

But this night, here I sat in the backyard, watching the moon as I sat at the edge of the pool, the night breeze making me shiver. I was dressed only in panties and a bra, my curves visible.

I got out of the water and held a towel around me to cover myself.

I didn't want to expose my body with Asher around, but he wouldn't even show any interest in me even if I was naked. He was unlike every other man, he was strong and always standing on whatever he wanted.

As I headed in, I halted by the glass door when I heard Asher's voice from inside.

“Yes, I have her,".

My brows arched. I held my breath, pressing my back against the cold wall as I looked by my side through the glass door to see if I could get a glimpse of him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“I'll get to it.".

That was all I heard and what followed was abrupt silence.

I let out a sigh, my grip tightening on the towel which I held around my body before stepping forward to enter the house.

But then a gasp escaped my lips as the sound of glass shattering filled the atmosphere with glints of lights dancing in the air.

The tinkling and crunching of shards followed as each piece of glass hit the hardwood floor. I squeezed my eyes shut to protect my Iris from the floating debris.

My head slammed back against the wall as my scream got trapped in my throat.

I immediately let go of the towel, exposing my body as my hand traveled to my neck to hitch off the strong fingers that were wrapped around my neck.

“Asher!" I gagged, opening my eyes to look at his devilish face.

His green eyes shone with calculating intent.

“Asher?” He whispered, his voice heavy with possessiveness as a stubble of laughter escaped his esophagus.

“What are you- doing?” I choked, my voice coming out as a whisper.

“Do I look like Asher Amber to you?" His teeth grinded as his grip tightened, not giving me space to speak.

“I'm Luca. Luca DeLuca." His American accent twitched to Italian.

Tears blurred my vision as I was unable to breath or even beg. My heart squeezed in my chest as my lungs compressed, begging for oxygen.

“Welcome to a new life, Zoey Willie. A life where you'll always be stuck with me, until you fulfill my darkest desires.”.