Chapter 3

In a big fancy room within a grand hotel with a spectacular wedding venue, a beauty lay in bed tired from all the wedding preparations.

She was long done with her makeup yet it Still was not time for her to walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams. She stares in her sleep distres written all over her.

 “No ..no” she cries out but no one is around to hear answers to her cries of pain. With turns of pain and displeasure, she jolts from her sleep screaming Frantically. 

“Oh my God ……..They……”

hot tears flowed remembering what her best friend and husband did to her. She wakes up from the bed glancing around. something wasn't right.

 She felt familiar with everything yet so distant. She was dressed as a bride, in a beautiful white pearl wedding dress. It was her mother who had insisted on not buying another for her wedding “

“A wedding” Cassandra half screams in horror and quickly dashes to her phone sitting on the makeup table. 22nd of October 2016 the calendar read. Cassandra stared bewildered. 

Has someone messed around with her phone? What were Kelly and Frank up to, why would they dress her up like a bride? Such questions troubled her mind. Her slender hands traced her invincible baby bump 

'`My baby” she cried, she didn't look pregnant nor felt pregnant. Something was happening and she was not sure of it. It was either she stayed in the room or went out for answers. 

Either way, she needed some clarification. This felt so much like 6 years ago, she wanted and wished so much for it to be true and not Kelly playing some nasty trick on her.

 She remembers everything from the fall, their betrayal, her baby, and those tearful pearls of hope that longed for her even in her last moments.

 The door burst open revealing Kelly in a bridal dress, yes she had worn white to her wedding and she had allowed it back then but now seeing her in one only inked her.

 Cassandra stepped back, not sure if to accept the bouquet of roses Kelly held up to her. It was not her favorite color she had specifically asked for purple mixed with white and yellow, but Kelly was holding a pink rose bouquet out to her 

“I know you don't like this color but this was all left, they say there was a mix with their order system.” Kelly gently explained. Indeed Cassandra could not forget such a great moment. Her best friend had flown in from South Korea where she was doing her thesis for her Cosmetology exams.

 There was no mixed order, she had specifically flown in late in order not to go shopping leaving the only option for a dress choice to be a wedding dress and now she had specifically ordered her favorite color. Everything happening only made Cassandra sick, she felt so sick to the core, 

“ Kelly, will you ever leave me? Cassandra didn't care if it raised suspicions but she was done, done being played and regarded as a fool. If this was some dream or reality. 

She was going to show them just how she would never let them  fuck with her brain. She was not the type to be messed around with not anymore 

 “Of course not, how can you ask me such? We have been friends for such a long time and you are marrying your love. Shouldn't you be more concerned about that?”

 Yeah, Kelly was right she was marrying someone but not her love, the feelings she had died when he would look her in the eye and convince his mistress to get rid of her and their baby. 

 How can such a man be called the love of her life? He meant something to her. He was important for it was her enemy and getting rid of him was her goal.

 “ Can you help me check on Frank? You know I'm not allowed to meet him” Cassandra turned to Kelly who agreed almost immediately. how could she not have noticed that spark in 6 years? 

The way she smiled out at the mention of Frank, the way she looked happy at the mare side of him, Cassandra felt stupid. It took her 6 years of lies and 6 years of deceit to know her man had never loved her. 

If things were repeating it would mean the letter from 6 years ago was yet to be planted, time was done, and her father was dead already if only she had arrived a day earlier then she would have saved his life.

 Kelly was now out, she needed a way out, and a quick one at that. The thought of that, someone reaching out from the above balcony flashed before her.

Her dad had hoped to have him as a son-in-law; she might as well grant that wish. Today was her wedding and the death anniversary of her father. If only she had returned a day earlier father wouldn't have died. 

Cassandra took out her Mobile. Since fate had given her a second chance at life. Then gambling with few odds wouldn't be such a bad idea. She dialed and waited patiently.

 “Hello Cassie, change your mind?” a voice came through. Cassandra didn't know if she should be angry at him for hoping the marriage wouldn't go through. 

A crazy thought crossed her mind. Had he been waiting in her previous life until the last minute? 

“Since you know, then why are you not here to do the needful?.. she asked confidently.

 “If you walk out through the back exit, you will know I have been waiting to do the needful” Cassandra held the phone so tight to her heart. 

Her breath choked as she ran out of her dressing room. She was very much aware that Frank and Kelly were making out as she passed through his door. The big question was did she care? No, she didn't not anymore.

 Today was her wedding day and the getting married she was determined to do. Her wedding dress followed her behind as she fled her wedding discreetly

“It was about time,” a cold voice came from behind stopping her in her tracks. The back exit was dark with no light, a set of strong arms pulled her into a tight hug 

“ I have waited for too long. I can't another minute” he whispered close to her ears brushing hair away from her earlobe

 “Then why hold back? I know my reasons wouldn't change your mind” Cassandra felt a pin stab in her heart. How could she have been so blinded? 

She is pulled and carried to the car. In the light she could see him perfectly the driver started. The man before her looked sleep-deprived.

 He was not a fan of smoking but he smelled of it. She had noticed he was holding one when she fell.

 How long had he been watching out for her in the dark? She wanted answers but held back because she was only marrying him for revenge and guilt she was giving him the love only he deserved. She had been the one not to see just how much she meant to him in her previous life. 

“We have 10 minutes,” she tells him. Carson turns to her with a nod. His features still carry the same charisma he had when they had first met. Just now he looks anything but healthy. But how long has he been waiting? Was her biggest worry 

They both had their reasons and wanted to prey at the moment. The car came to a halt right before the marriage bureau. Cassandra looked at him with questions. She had nothing on her, not even her ID card. In a hurry, she left it behind. 

“Everything had long been prepared by your dad”. Carlson tells her, stepping out and talking her hand into his, his hands were cold as if he had been out of warmth for a very long time. 

The marriage bureau was busy not only with new couples but angry ones in need of divorce. Carlson glanced over to a fighting couple he never wished for such a scenario for the both of them

 “There won't be room for divorce”. Cassandra glanced at where he was looking. She had to hold her laugh. Yes, she did hope there won't be room for one. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared in disbelief.

 Carlson the wealthiest bachelor at the marriage bureau with a lady in a wedding dress? Such an interesting tip in just a second Cassandra heard flashes.

She had forgotten she had the nation's treasure baby by her side. How could she not have thought of the media? Carlson noticed her tensed figure. 

“Worry not, nothing will be realized immediately. You have an hour to take care of that mess”. His voice was thundering hot. Cassandra nodded. An agent was quick with their application and in 5 they were out with their marriage certificate in hand.

 It felt like a dream and Cassandra wanted to stay a little longer. The drive back to the wedding venue was quick when they came to a half at the back exit. He took her hands leaning in and placed a long kiss on her lips

 “Mrs Carlson Cowell you have an hour. prepare well for  hubby will be here to pick you up grandly…”