3. Wedding day

"Big sis," I called out, shocked at how haggard she looked. "Why are you smoking again, and what are you doing with alcohol? Didn't you already quit your smoking and drinking addictions? Did you pick up the habit again?" I raised a question as I carefully walked up to her.

I snatched the cigarette stick from her hand and threw the glass of alcohol against the wall, shattering it as all the contents poured on the floor.

Lucinda faced me. She grabbed me by the throat and pointed at me. "You, Margarita Remington, you are my number one enemy, aren't you?" She questioned me, her hands tightly wrapped around my throat.

I shook my head in horror. "Nn...no, of course not," I stuttered. She laughed maniacally.

"You are everything better than I am. You are the apple of his eye, and now you are his sole heir. Hahaha, what am I? A nobody, huh?"

"No, big sis, you are not a nobody. I'm planning on giving you everything you deserve; I had no plans to take what is rightfully yours," I cried out. Distressed that she looked like this.

"Tell me what you want; I'll do whatever you wish for," I muttered as I reached out for her face, gently caressing the tears away.

Lucinda let go of my neck and I coughed hard. She leaned close to me and said, "You'll do anything for me? Anything I ask?" She asked, and I nodded.

"I want Murphy Brown," she whispered. "Will you give him to me? You don't have to give me your wedding dress; just let me take your place on the wedding day," she added, staring at me with pleading eyes.

My legs weakened, and my heart went cold as a wave of anger washed through me. What kind of request is that? I should give up my fiance for her. Which elder sister says such?

"What kind of statement is this, Lucinda? Murphy is not an object you want me to give to you. He is my fiance, and we are in love with each other. There's no way I will ever agree to such ridiculous demands from you."

I yelled, pushing her away as I stood at a distance from her. My mind was in a haze as I thought about who was in front of me. This is not the Lucy I have known for years. Lucy will never ask for my fiance.

"You don't agree? Oh, why don't you hand over to me all the properties that the ad will be giving you tonight? You are already marrying a rich prince after all; you don't need all that."

"That's insane. I will only give you fifty percent of the property share that is rightfully yours. I can't give you what's mine, Lucinda; snap out of it!" I shrieked at her and angrily turned around and left her in the dark corner.

*****

Pacing around my room, I made a call over to Catalina, and she responded on the second ring. For some weird reason, I couldn't reach Murphy on his phone.

"Hey Margar, what's up?" Catalina said cheerfully.

"Hi Cathy, sorry about this afternoon."

"Oh, please, margarita, I'm not annoyed, although I was embarrassed; Lucinda already talked things out with me. It's fine"

"Ohh…" I trailed off as I replied, "Hey, is everything okay?" Catalina asked as she noticed I became silent. "Well, it's Lucy...." I went all out recounting all that had happened to Cathy, and she instantly let out a curse.

"Damnit, such a fool!" I heard her say. "Are you referring to Lucy?" I asked with squinting brows.

"No… Haha, of course not; I was referring to the reality show that's playing. Anyway, I don't believe Lucy will say such a thing. She is definitely under the influence of alcohol.

Don't think too much about it. You don't want to wake up with eye bags tomorrow. See you at your bride's shower tomorrow. Good night, margarita."

I stared at my phone, thought about Cathy's words, and sighed. Lucy has no bad intentions for me. She'll come around.

I made a call over to Murphy, and this time the service was okay. He picked up instantly, and his slow baritone chuckle traveled through my system, causing butterflies in my stomach.

"Wifey can't even stay a day without placing a call to me. How blessed I am," he teased, and I blushed, falling on my bed as I imagined how handsome he always looked when he teased me.

The sound of "wifey' from his lips made her heart flutter uncontrollably, and I cracked up. "You should learn to stop being a narcissist. Narcissism is a disease," I taunted.

Murphy laughed. I couldn't help rolling on my bed like a little kid. Oh, what an effect he has on me. "How was your day, darling? I heard from Lucy that you both went to buy your dress. I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle in that beautiful dress."

"Oh, Murphy," I grinned, laughing. "Too bad I already promised Dad I wouldn't face you. It's a shame I can't see that beautiful face of yours before going to bed tonight," he laments, and my laughter increases.

"A bitter regret," I mumbled, and he laughed. "Have you eaten, dear wifey?" Murphy asked. I paused, not replying. "I see... you had another argument with Lucy," he stated, and I hummed.

"What's wrong this time, my love?" Murphy asked, sounding concerned, and the sweet gesture melted my heavy heart and lifted my mood. I told Murphy all that had happened, exempting the fact that Lucy had asked me to allow her to marry him, and all he did was laugh an intoxicating laugh.

That seductive laughter often made my day. "You shouldn't bother about her words, honey; truth be told, you know how reckless your sister is, and you shouldn't care too much about some of her words. I'll say it's under the influence of alcohol."

Again, exactly what Catalina had suggested. I might have been thinking too much.

"You know you are the best. I feel so lucky to have you mine," I said, and I imagined him blushing at my words. "I'm the lucky one here, wifey; I will give you a call in the morning. I love you and sleep tight," Murphy responded.

"I love you too, baby; goodnight," I replied, hanging up the phone. I stared at the document I had signed and carefully placed it in my drawer. Caressing the family photo that had always been placed under my pillow, I hugged it, falling deep into dreamland.

******

Two days later...

Author's pov

She gaped at her reflection in the mirror, looking utterly stunned. She couldn't recognize herself, as she couldn't even remember the last time she was dressed and made up beautifully.

The lady in the mirror had her dark red hair with shades of black all parked into a retro bun with two loose twisted strands on each side of her hair.

Her lips were painted red, looking as hot as fire, and her brows were drawn in curves. The foundation used for the makeover matches her jade-like skin color perfectly in a way that one can't even find any flaws.

She had a pair of white pearl earrings stuck to her ears, and a necklace made with pearls was hanging on her neck. She was wearing a long, snow-white wedding dress that hugged her curves, revealing her sexy figure.

The gown was a long, flaky dress that covered her smooth and spotless jade-like skin from their sinful eyes.

It had different layers and hems from the waist down that slid down, covering a large area of the room.

She was wearing six-centimeter silver sandal heels and holding a silver purse that seemed to be made by the same designer. She couldn't believe this person staring and smiling directly at her was her.

'Why can't I remember ever being so beautiful and elegant?' Margarita thought and then shrugged at her introspection before turning to her maids to give out her order. Just then, she received a message from Lucinda.

"Raven High Hotel, meet me at the rooftop; I have a surprise for you. Hurry!"