~ FIVE ~

~ KAIDEN ~

I kept pacing around the entire dressing room. I walked to my laptop to view the live video of what was going on in my Wedding Hall. The number of people there had definitely reduced. People were gossiping, some were wandering about and doing stupid things I didn't care about.

I was starting to get worried. What if she didn't agree. What if she embarrassed my father? Gosh, this was terrible.

"And is your so-called replacement bride ready?" Scott said as he walked in, making sure to lock the door. "I've made sure that the Security ensures that no one comes here or notices that you're still here."

"Thanks, man." I sighed, settling my head between my palms and my elbows on my lap.

"What is it with you and that woman?" Gosh, did he have to ask? He was clearly curious to know after these days but he hadn't asked, so why now?

"Never mind."

"Your bride is here and is all dressed. She has agreed to this Marriage, I've taken her to Elizabeth's dressing room, her make-up is done and everything is all set. Can we get started with this marriage thing?" As my dad spoke, we both stared at him.

"She agreed? So easily?" Scott shook his head in astonishment.

"I'll be right back." I rose to my feet, wearing my Suit coat again then left the room. There was no way anyone could be on this floor, spying me, but I still had to be extra-careful.

Walking into the dressing room, I could already ingest the smell of Miss Tatum. I walked into the room, locking the door then tip-toed to her.

Curling an arm around her waist, she flinched at my touch.

"Kaiden." Her voice was rigid and it sounded...odd.

"Miss Tatum?" I furrowed my eyebrows at her.

Did father bring the wrong Miss Tatum? I twirled her around by her shoulders then removed the shit she called a veil from her face.

"Kaiden!" She shouted, "how could you be so rough with that fucking veil?"

Yep, it was my very own Layla Tatum. "Is that really what you're mad about?"

"I'm mad about that, I hate you and I wish I could just break your head right now?" She screamed.

"Please keep your voice calm." I smirked, inching forwards then held her waist. "I seriously can't believe you'd easily agree to this wedding. Is this seriously how hard-to-get you're?"

She clenched her fists, panting. "If only you know what is coming for you. Do you think I'll easily marry the man that used me 3 years ago, when I was only 24 years old?"

"As it seems, yes." I shrugged. I knew I was sounding like a monster, cold asshole but I didn't care. It was very well appropriate to me.

"Kaiden," her eyes became tear-filled. Gosh, I hated the emotional part of all this shit. "You made me abort our child because you weren't ready to stop sleeping around with bitches! You received me, Kaiden." She choked on her words as she coughed.

"If I had a heart, I should be feeling sorry. It's too bad that what's enclosed in my rib cage is nothing but a rock." I laughed. "Did you really think you could get away from me? You might decide to stop this wedding now but believe me when I say you'll regret it. I'll make you pay for it in ways you'd never imagine."

"You're so cruel." She started hitting my chest with her fists. It did hurt but I had to act like it didn't affect me then I held her wrists.

"Didn't I tell you that I'll get you? I'm not interested in getting married to you because I love you, I want to make you pay for leaving me, for rejecting me. Did you think you'd deny me and be free? I'd make sure you feel so worthless so you wouldn't think too high of yourself. I'll ruin you."

"I hate you! I'm not getting married to a monster like you." She pulled her wrist free from my grip. She started to take off her earrings.

"Stop this, you can't do this to me." I attempted to hold her hands but she already threw the earrings away.

"Why not? I expected your dumbass self to have had a change of heart but I'm highly disappointed in you. I'll take care of my Kealey without the help of your stupid money." She sobbed. "Why do people like you think they can get their way with money?"

"We don't just think, we know. If you dare back out, you'll put yourself and your sister in trouble. I'll make sure I ruin your life and your sister's. I know how much you love your sister so I'll paint you both as terrible people, make sure it gets published in the Newspaper. I'll ensure that you never get a job anywhere. Your sister will never get admission into any University or College if she decides to study any further like she dreams to,"

"Enough!"

"No, not enough. You better not act stupid." I smirked. It felt so good to be at the upper hand. "If that isn't convincing or threatening enough, there are more options on how I can destroy your lives."

***

As the musical instruments played their soothing rhythm, I watched as the Little Bride and flower girl walked in. Then, Layla walked in, escorted by my Father.

Miss Tatum, my bride-to-be was in her wedding gown. I could tell she was looking beautiful though her veil covered her face. Her hair was tied in a ponytail with the wedding veil hooked to it. We wanted it to be a big surprise to everyone when her face would be revealed. Everyone was very curious to know who this bride of mine was.

Dad walked her till she was in front of me. She handed her bouquet to the Maid of Honor that was to represent Lizzy.

"We're gathered here today…" The officiant started with the remarks. His words sounded so boring and uninteresting to me as he spoke. He said the importance of the vows we were about to take and other boring things.

I was starting to feel very nervous as it was time to exchange the wedding vows? Why? Jeez, I was extremely nervous and sweaty already.

I started to recite my Wedding vows. "I, Kaiden Coleman, take you to be my beloved wife, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always." Ew, lies! "I promise you this from my heart, for all days of my life." Gosh, it was finally over.

She cleared her throat then held the already-written vows. My heart was throbbing fast against my rib cage. I swear something was wrong with me.

"I promise to hold your hand every night and to never let us lose our spark." Was it me or was something wrong with my bride? "I vow to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed, and to share in the silence when they are not. I vow to be giving and forgiving; to make you laugh and to laugh at myself." Okay I wasn't crazy. Something was wrong!

"Please exchange the rings." The officiant said. Like we didn't already know that. I internally rolled my beautiful eyes.

I held her hands. Awkward! Was I really getting married? Was this how I ought to feel? Was everything okay?

I took the ring then slipped into her left ring finger. She wriggled her fingers in front of her and let out a silent chuckle.

She also slid the ring into my left ring finger then the crowd applauded and made cheering noises.

"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss your bride." The officiant announced which made the clapping and cheering noises increase.

"Unveil her! Unveil her! Reveal the bride! Reveal the bride!" The audience shouted, increasing the noise volume.

I slouched my back and chuckled before holding the tip of her veil.

"The bride y'all have been waiting for is none other than Miss Tatum…" wasn't it supposed to be 'Mrs' now? Whatever. I threw the veil to the back of her head with a smile. My smile didn't last long as I called my bride's name, "...Kealey?"

The entire crowd stood, cheered, clapped, screamed. Why the fuck was my bride Kealey and not Layla?!