Chapter 4

I'm on my way back to my Mother’'s hospital. I was wearing a black hoodie, cap, and facemask. I have fruits and food with me. I'm going to stay in the hospital room for a while because the dangerous man from yesterday might be waiting in my apartment.

As I walk down the street, my phone rings. Shannon has been calling me multiple times. It's been a year since she helped me. It's been half a year since I left the fast food restaurant to become a full-time prostitute because I earn more here.

I know my work is not legal and clean. It never occurred to me that I would do this, but it is my only hope. After what Dad did, Mom and I's life became hell. He left us in debt. I don't know if I should feel sorry for him or resent him. How could he do this to us? To me?

Sometimes, I feel tired from all of this and I feel like I just want to end my suffering, but every time I remember Mom, I get a little bit of hope. She's been comatose for half a year and there's still no sign of her waking up, but I won't give up. I will wait for her to wake up and when that happens, she will no longer need to sleep in the small and dirty place we used to stay. She no longer has to endure poor food. I will give her what she gave me before and take care of her like she did when I was a child.

I stopped walking when I saw the traffic light turn red. Even though there was no car passing by, I still didn't cross. This is what my mother taught me when I was young.

While waiting for the light to turn green, I looked at the plastic bag to check the food I bought. When I ensured everything was there, A black van stopped before me as I glanced back at the traffic light. I immediately froze and backed away.

It opened and before I could run, they covered my mouth with a handkerchief and pulled me inside. I dropped my phone and the plastic bag on the road.

"Hmm! Let me go! Let me go!" I cried and screamed. "Who are you?!" I tried to get away but they were too numerous and substantial.

They closed the door of the van and quickly drove off. When I smelled something on the handkerchief, I immediately lost my strength, as if my vision had started to blur. I looked at those who abducted me and saw that they were wearing black suits. They are the man who chased me yesterday.

I shook my head and felt tears fall as I passed out.

-

I slowly opened my eyes when I felt someone tap my cheek. I saw that I was still inside the van but something was off. I looked in the front mirror and was stunned to see that I was wearing a grand white gown and my hair was well tied up with beautiful accessories.

I quickly looked at the man next to me. "Come with me," he said while pulling my handcuffed hand.

"What are you going to do to me?!" I shouted as he took me out.

As soon as I set foot on the ground, I saw it was dark already. It is night. I looked at the building in front of us and saw a big white church. I was filled with dread as I realized what was going to happen next.

"What.." I immediately remembered the marriage the man mentioned yesterday, and my eyes widened. "No!" I tried to get away, but they grabbed me and dragged me into the church.

When the tall, double-white door opened, I was almost blinded by the sudden light inside. I closed my eyes a little and when I adjusted to the light, I saw the familiar man waiting at the altar with a priest.

A piano background song started playing and the two men continued to drag me down the red carpet. While walking, I looked around. It's beautiful here. The walls, floor, ceiling, and chairs are all white. There is a large diamond chandelier by the altar and a few giant paintings of God. There are also white and red rose petals all around, lined up.

As we reached the altar, the man to my left pulled out a gun and pointed it at my head.

Shotgun marriage usually happens when there is an unintended pregnancy resulting in marriage in a hurry or enforced but... not in my case.

"Desmond Cro'esnt, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

I looked straight into Desmond's eyes. They are raven black and it does match his long, wavy black hair. "I do," he answered as he smiled innocently at me. Making himself look promising.

Then, the priest turned to me. "Neiva Ariella Hillstone, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

I still can't believe that I'm going to marry this man. He looks happy, waiting for my answer. His white suit is making him look even kinder. The only witness we have here is the priest and his men in black suits, currently pointing a gun right into my head.

"Time is running, Neiva. It's either you marry me or you die." His innocent smile turned into a devilish one. This suits him more because this is the real him.

And that answered your question. My shotgun marriage happened to be the literal meaning of it.

I closed my eyes and deeply breathed before answering, "I do."

"You're mine now." He pulled me by my waist and pressed his lips against mine.

I am now officially the wife of this Psychopath Billionaire Mafia Boss.