CHAPTER 4

                                    Raymond's POV

I burst into the room, anger evident in my facial expression. My father, seated on the couch with a cup of whiskey, looked at me, his face pale and free from all emotions.

“ You can't do this to me, Dad. You just can't!” I yelled in anger. “ I know you think I am irresponsible, but forcing me into marriage and choosing a bride for me without my consent? That's unfair!” 

My father's eyes narrowed and he put his drink on the table. “ The last time I checked, I never sought the opinion of an irresponsible child. Never in my life have I reduced myself to debating with irresponsible people. Just do whatever I instruct. Don't ever question or challenge me.” he replied, rolling his eyes. 

“ You're doing this for your selfish interest! What did you promise the godforsaken bride? A house? At times I wonder if I'm truly your son.” My rage was boiling and threatening to spill. I had to keep it in check.

“ Let me burst the bubbles, Raymond. You're not my son. The word ‘Irresponsible’ hasn't been recorded in the history of my ancestors. 

You're just an embarrassment to this lineage.” he rose in anger and looked me in the eye, “ The accident that happened last week when you were returning from a hotel, remember that? 

Every fucking time, you're seen with a lady in a hotel. How is that related to being responsible? You keep spending your money on ladies and an expensive lifestyle. 

When I was your age, I never behaved like you. You're just all shades of embarrassment!” he said, slamming his hands on the table and breathing heavily. Afterward, He sat down on the couch and closed his eyes in frustration.

Well, I didn't expect much from him. Everything about me irked him. I walked out of the sitting room and into my room. 

I needed time to think for myself. I sat down and lit a cigarette stick, inhaling the acrid air and exhaling slowly. 

Different thoughts crept into my mind. Why does my father dictate everything that happens in my life? My father's decision seemed to dictate everything in my life. 

He yells at me like I am a child. To crown it all, he got me a wife? How long do I need him to dictate my life? This is sick. All I had to do was wait for the perfect time. 

                                            Elena's POV

My breath came in short, shallow gasps and sweat ran down my face, stinging my eyes. I tried to scream but no sound would come out. 

All I could do was run, as fast and far as my leg would take. I knew I couldn't outrun them. They were getting close, I could hear their breath and the sound of the crunching of leaves under their feet. 

Was this my fate? To suffer and die in their hands? Well, fuck fate. 

I was lost, alone, and scared. I could still remember the perverted look on their faces. 

I could see from their masked faces the thirst that was burning in them. The thirst to have me. 

The shrill ringing of the alarm jolted me from sleep. I was panting and breathing fast.

I sat on the bed, trying to catch my breath, my heart still pounding in my chest. “ It was just a dream,” I said to myself, trying to calm my racing thoughts. 

No matter how hard I try to let go of the incident, I always see it in my dream. The pain I passed through in the hands of my abductors, their perverted looks on their masked faces.

The Painful experience wasn't something one should be reminded of constantly. But look at me, with an unborn child and a dream to remind me of it.

In the corner of the room, I saw the wedding gown hanging there, white and pristine. It was meant to symbolize purity and innocence but all I could feel was pain and regret. 

Tomorrow I will walk down the aisle with an unknown man. 

Someone I have never met. I'm being given out in marriage to pay my family's debts. I would Have to spend the rest of my life with him and I knew nothing about him, not even his physical looks. 

Tears trickled down my chin. Was I meant to suffer like this?

I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just past midnight. With tears in my eyes, I laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. 

I tried to will myself to sleep, to escape from the reality of what lay ahead. But my mind was racing, unable to settle down. 

My heart was beating too fast, and my thoughts were a jumbled mess. I just wanted to wake up and find that this was all a nightmare, but I knew that wouldn't happen. 

The night has passed in a twinkle of an eye and the early morning was filtering through the window. I sat up in bed, the reality of the day ahead settling in. 

There was no turning back. I was getting ready for my groom. I felt it was a dream and none of this was real. 

“ Elena, come here,” my stepmother badged into the room, her face pale. The ladies that were dressing me retreated to give us privacy.

She kissed me on my chin and whispered into my ear “Keep the baby a secret. If he dares find out, I'll make you die a painful death.” Was that a threat? 

What other death haven't I died? I have died a thousand times! 

I walked down the aisle to meet my groom. A grim look was on his face. He looked like he wasn't happy with the marriage. I stood close to him and exhaled slowly. 

“This marriage will be filled with pain and suffering. The word love will be invincible in this relationship. A world of torment you'll live in. 

You have two choices, run out of this altar and never return into my life… or stay and get married to hell. ” Raymond whispered into my ears. 

“ You may now kiss the bride.” the priest commanded and the crowd cheered. What were they cheering for? The bride isn't happy with the ceremony.

I was told a veil is used to cover the beauty and show the innocence of a bride during her marriage. Well, I think they're all wrong. 

Mine was used to cover the pain I was passing through, the regrets that were written on my face. The disappointment, the fear, the hatred and bitterness.

I was forced into an arranged marriage to please my family and also get my baby a father. I wouldn't want him to be considered fatherless when he grows up. Even if that means passing through the eye of a needle. 

Raymond slowly raised my veil, a mocking smile appearing on his lips. I could see his lips move to form words. It looked like he was whispering “ Run, Elena.” he shook his head as he drew his lips closer. 

I could see a reflection of my red puffy eyes. My makeup was ruined with tears. 

His lips drew closer to mine and he rested on it for a while. The crowd applauded while some screamed out of joy. Despite the noise, all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. I felt frozen in place, unable to move or speak. 

My eyes darted to the corners of the church. I could see Alana and her mother, a cruel smile playing on their lips. 

They have successfully gotten rid of me. I must commend her mother for being good at her games. I mean, it'll only take a perfect trickster to pull up such a game. She was a goddess in her game.  

Deep down, I know I'm a prisoner in the marriage. I'll have to carry my cross and pass through the walls of a painful and emotionless marriage, trapped in a marriage of no love and pain. It is my fate, I'm cursed and born this way.

“ Do you take Raymond as your lawfully wedded husband?” The priest asked. I looked at my father and Alana. They beckoned for me to say yes. But the question is, was I going to allow their rule to affect my life?