Chapter 1

SELENA'S POV

Wedding bells are ringing, melodious music playing. The guests are all gathered, the groom and the bride looking perfect, definitely made for each other... Such a joyous occasion.

Except, it's absolutely not. The entire scenario's crazy!

“Do you hereby take Jake Marino as your lawfully wedded husband?” The parish priest asked me for the fourth time.

I was getting married to my childhood crush, Jake Marino. Of course, it's supposed to be a thing of joy, but it wasn't. Panic surged through me as my eyes glanced over the guests once more.

No one was here for me; not dad, not mom, and not even Aunt was here. This was a contract marriage. I wonder what father would say when he were to find out his only daughter was getting married without his knowledge or consent. More waves of sadness washed over me the more I thought about my situation.

Jake has finally gotten me trapped. I mean, getting married to my high school sweetheart was nothing more than a dream come through. But, I never wanted it like this. Not when the reality of my actions were glaring me right in the face. And damn, I couldn't even escape this particular trap.

The slow music playing in the background stopped. And just one look at Jake through my veil, I could tell he was greatly pissed at me. "Hey...why are you taking all the time in the world?” He asked through gritted teeth, his eyes shooting blazing laser in my direction.

Seeing how upset he already was, I knew I couldn't stall time anymore as I don't see any help coming soon. I won't be able to escape this one. I'd rather be positive and hope for the best throughout the duration of this contract marriage.

"Yes, I do.” I finally spoke up, making Jake breathe out in relief; he faked a brief smile whenever the press around flashed their light on him.

___

I sighed as I stared at my reflection in the mirror once more. My wedding dress looked very beautiful and actually accentuated my curves. My black hair had been styled in an alluring manner with a few curls falling at either side of my face.

“How beautiful…” I murmured softly, ignoring the frown on my slender face and taking a few steps backwards so I could get a full view of my look.

“See how supercilious she is,” Someone clicked her tongue in distaste. I was startled and immediately turned around only to see Nancy, Jake’s sister, standing a few steps away.

Her eyes ran over me, and I needed no one to remind me she never liked me getting married to her brother. I avoided her eyes, clutching my hands with my head slightly bowed while I regretted leaving the hall as soon as the reception kicked off in the first place.

I had easily sneaked off the moment Jake got busy greeting the distinguished guests and had been grateful for the temporary privacy I had when I got in the hotel’s restroom. But one thing I never expected was for Nancy to have followed me in here.

“c-- cognata,” I respectfully addressed her in Italian, slowly raising my gaze to meet hers even though I stuttered, the word itself seemingly hard to say when it’s clear she would never accept me as her sister-in-law. I know I shouldn't care about her, right? but I really need a friend my age in the family that could understand my predicament. I haven't had my chance to know much about them, since I only crossed path again with Jake few days ago.

“Don’t bother,” she said in disapproval, waving a hand in gesture of her disapproval as though my calling her ‘sister-in-law’ would disappear with it. Her disapproval made my heart sink even more. Would I ever be able to win her trust and love at all?

Pursing her lips afterwards, she crossed her arms beneath her chest and continued, “I’m not going to waste my breath on you, Selena. I only came to remind you never to dare think highly of yourself now that you are married to my brother.” My brows shot upwards in shock at her, my clasped hands falling loosely to my sides.

But she continued without being bothered, “It is not hidden that ‘I do not like you at all’. My brother was supposed to be married to someone else not you. However, he suddenly changed his mind and chose you. Whatever his reason may be for this, I must assure you that I won’t hesitate to have him kick you out the moment you fall out in any way.”

Tears from shock over her words and the manner it stung, immediately rolled down my cheeks. Seems like no matter what I do, no matter where I find myself, the world would continue hating on me…

“The Marino family would never accept you as part of us, never forget that.” Her last words repeated in my head severally as she walked away. And my tears poured…

I already knew this was a marriage of convenience between I and Jake but I never expected to be hated on so greatly, when it’s only less than an hour since I said yes to marrying him. Would I be able to survive during the duration of this marriage at all? This huge question hung over my head like a cloud as I walked out of the restroom and into the hallway.

“Honey!”

Just then a very familiar but not really needed voice suddenly called out, making me snap my gaze ahead. Jake?

Before I could properly process the situation well, he had covered the little distance between us and was now pulling me by my waist closer to himself. What in the world was wrong with him?

I was yet to get used to his sudden clinginess when my eyes fell on the gorgeous lady before us. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. My body stiffened as I stood rooted to the spot, I could barely bat my eyelids. This had to be a dream or some mysterious entanglement. Otherwise, what in the universe was going on right now?!

My brain swiftly put two and two together and I almost cried when realization hit me hard.

Rose? Ha! How much more funny would my life turn out to be?

Damn it! Tears already pooled in my eyes and I had to blink rapidly to stop them from spilling.

How could I do such a thing to my best-friend?!

The perfect boyfriend and fiancé gist Rose has been telling me about all these while was him? My God! Just what in the world has Jake Marino gotten me into? What in the hell of a betrayal has he made me do?

I’m in a secret contract marriage with my best-friend’s fiancé?!

Oh Selena Dacosta, your life is one horrible one.

"R-Rose," I said in a cracked, shaky voice. She was staring at me in horrified disbelief. "I...I..." I swallowed nervously, wishing I could get off Jake's hold immediately, but his tight hold on my waist wouldn't make that possible. "I didn't, I really didn't..." I tried again but she interrupted me this time with a slap on my cheek, the force of it threw me off balance.

It shouldn't have been that painful, but how could I not feel it when I just betrayed the trust of my very best friend?