(Alana)
Like a dream, I was guided outside the farm house. It was luxurious and completely beautiful. I was told all the Romero children got married here. It was their tradition to marry at their old mansion.
I also met two lovely girls, they were twins. Kira and Kiara. They were Erin's daughters. They dressed in pretty white similar dresses and nice white sandals. Not only that, but they carried two lovely baskets decorated with white flowers. Erin told me they would walk in front of me while throwing some flowers
Immediately we got outside, my mom dropped the veil over my face, I was grateful to her knowing I wanted to avoid being seen. Or for people to look at me and see how red my eyes were
My dad hooked his arm with me, I heard cheering and the wedding song instrumental played. It was a BEAUTIFUL IN WHITE song. I loved the song, maybe my mom requested for it to be played knowing how much I bragged to her to play the very same song on my wedding day
I felt even more emotional, I couldn't hold myself as I let my tears flow. Recalling the many times I would dance in the rain while playing the song while imagining myself in the arms of the man I loved. It was close to my heart,
My dad didn't rush but maintained the same pace as me. The wedding dress I was wearing was a little tight. It was beautiful with a long train, something the Romero family bought since all this was done rushing
Soon I felt we were approaching. Tension built up, I felt a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach. My throat had gone dry, my legs had turned to jelly.
Oh gosh, I dreamed of getting married one day, but not like this
“Careful sweetie,” my dad said while guiding me up the stairs I just noticed. I slowly and carefully climbed the few stairs leading up. Inhaling and exhaling. The music stopped and we stopped walking. I guessed we arrived
“I give you my precious daughter wholeheartedly…take care of her and make her happy…she's all I have, I… I wouldn't survive if anything happened to her,” my dad said while handing me over to the man, I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was about to cry. Likewise, I felt a sharp pain to my heart hearing him about to break down
“She's all yours,” he added when I felt warm large hands grab my cold hands and held me just as tight. My heart skipped a beat, the hands were large and a little rough. Despite the warmth, I felt insecure. I was a bit afraid because I was standing in front of the groom. My soon-to-be husband,
“We are gathered here, to witness…the wedding of Mr. Ricardo Romero and Miss Alana Mendoza.” It was the priest who said through a mic, and my heart lurched. My breathing increased. Not just me, but the man's grip on me tightened a little. Was he also afraid? I wanted to remove the veil and see him. But I waited as the priest continued reciting the vows. Preaching about marriage and a blessed reunion. There was no love, I argued against that statement
“Please remove her veil, so she can see her beloved,” the priest said, startling me, swallowing hard to refuse, but the man let go of me. He reached for the sides of my veil and like a slow movie scene
The veil was thrown off my face leaving me bare, a gush of cold breeze brushed against my face as a shiver ran through me. My eyes were closed. Slowly I tried to open them, afraid of whom I was about to see. Opening my eyes fully, I was met with dark, sharp eyes. A piercing gaze which could penetrate a soul. He was also tall and lean, refined and a lot muscular. His hair was short and neatly styled with a few bangs falling over his face, a sharp chiseled chin with a clean beard. He was wearing a black tuxedo which fit him perfectly. Other than that, he had a stern expression on. He didn't seem happy to see me or was it just his resting face
His presence made me feel afraid, the difference between him and Armando. Mr. Armando was scary from afar, but nice up closer. The man before him had a frightening aura, so dark and malicious that I didn't want to marry
“Miss Alana?” I was startled back to my senses by the priest, realizing I had been staring at the man before me like some lost fool. Glancing at the priest. I was confused. Did he say anything? I glanced over at my mom seated in the front roll, and she had her hands together as if praying I didn't run away. The groom's family was looking at me with intense eyes. Shifting my gaze back to the groom. I was automatically speechless
“Do you take Ricardo Romero…as your wedded husband, in sickness and in health…to love and to cherish, for better or for worse until death separates you?” The priest repeated the question I guessed he asked me earlier, and the world stopped around me. Was I ready for this, to accept the cold man before me as my husband? This was a big decision, but one look at my parents and I knew I had no choice
“Y-yes I do,” the words left my lips and I heard people cheering and clapping
“Do you, Ricardo Romero…”
“Yes I do,” the man said in a stern deep voice, cutting off the priest. I was surprised how fast he said I do, we exchanged rings just like that
“I now pronounce you husband and wife… you may kiss the bride,” the priest declared the final words and my soul left my body. I was now married, I was not Alana Mendoza but Mrs. Alana Romero. This was a forced marriage, we didn't kiss, which I appreciated. People walked up to the stage and came to congratulate us. The groom's family were the first one to come.
“Welcome to the family Sweetheart, this grumpy fool is lucky to have you as a wife,” the woman I knew was the stepmom to my new husband said and gave me a hug. I had no sentiments whatsoever, but out of respect. I smiled and pretended as if everything was okay
“She's beautiful, isn't she? Ricardo…come here and take photos with your wife,” Erin came and gave me a hug as well. I was a little when she called me beautiful
“Erin is right…this is a big day, come here…stand close to your wife,” my mother-in-law Marcela said and shoved the man close to me. His shoulder brushed against mine a little and I shifted away immediately
“Your arms around her, come on be a good hubby,” Erin said cheerfully and asked the photographer to take a picture of us. For goodness's sake, I was so nervous, especially when he snaked his arm around my back, he didn't hold me but kept a distance. To people it looked like he was holding me, but in reality he was faking it. I appreciated it, knowing I didn't want him to touch me
“Aww, you look beautiful together,” people around murmured cheerfully. Despite everything, my entire attention was on my parents. I was leaving them for another family. Thinking about that, I felt tears lingering in my eyes.
(Alana)After a tiresome ceremony, Mrs. Erin Romero brought me to the same room and gave me some refreshments and something to eat. I told her I wasn't hungry, but she was adamant; hence I had no choice but to take a few bites“What's this…it's very neat…did you draw this,” she said while I was busy putting the suitcases properly. I glanced up and saw her holding my sketches“Your mom gave these to me, she said they are important to you,” she said and started checking the designs, I was quick to get them from her, knowing I would burn them later“Oh no, actually just some silly drawing,” I said and shoved them in the backpack“They are beautiful, the necklaces go with the dresses… are you a designer?” She asked with interest in her eyes. I shook my head in denial“No, it's…well, I get sometimes bored so…”“I'm a designer myself, I know something beautiful when I see it… my husband runs a jewelry company, and it's now run by Ricardo…. Show the designs to Ricardo…he might need some new
(Alana)I was woken up by the noise of chirping birds somewhere by the window. Oh, how I hated waking up in the morning. I shifted a little to the left, and it was awfully cold. Grabbing a pillow I snuggled to it and attempted to ignore everything and go back to sleep. “Mom, close the darn window,” I mumbled and curled into a ball, I could feel my feet getting colder. Why was the window open, mom knew how I hated anything interrupting my sleep? Unfortunately, that was interrupted when I realized where I was.I sat up immediately, scanning the room I was in, and reality hit me hard. I was in a foreign room, decorated beautifully with red roses and some other romantic fabrics. “Darn it,” I ran my hands through my hair, of course, I wasn't at home. For one thing, I was tired after a long night at the farewell party. By the time I came to the room to sleep, it was past midnight. I recalled Erin teasing me and making remarks about a beautiful wedding night with my husband Of course, thi
(Alana)The flight was two hours and some minutes. When the jet landed, It was in the afternoon. The sun was bright and at its full peak. Throughout the journey, I was completely occupied with going through the city's brochure. I wanted to pin down some nice places I was going to be visiting. The city was huge, with countless things to explore. Paris had a reputation for being a romantic and cultural city. The city was also known for its high-quality gastronomy and the terraces of its cafés. Other than fashion, I was eager to know more and learn the French language. Although this was new to me and the people, I was going to try my best to adjust When we exited the jet, we found two cards already waiting for us. A slightly medium-height man wearing a black suit came to us. He looked to be French and well-kept“Good day, Mrs. Romero… welcome sir,” the man greeted us with a low bow. I responded with a bow, not sure how to react since I had no idea who he was. While Ricardo ignored him
(Alana)The lady told me Ricardo had a five-year-old son. I didn't believe it but, I wanted to ask him why none of his family members told me he had a sondid they think marriage was a joke, how was I going to be a mother to a five years old boy? This wasn't right, I was too angry to do anything; hence I started unpacking my things. The room they gave me was okayI didn't like big rooms, although this one was like the master bedroom“This should be burned,” I said once I took out my designs and sketchbook. I just needed to find time and a place to burn everything. “What's this?” I said once I took out a white envelope, I didn't remember having it. Maybe it was something my mom packed without knowing With ease, I carefully opened the envelope. There was some document inside. When I pried it open, I was stunned to find something I wasn't expecting, “No way, when did this come in!” It was unbelievable, it was a letter of acceptance. I applied for a job at several companies. I didn't mi
Alana had woken up early after her alarm clock went on just as she managed to get some shut eyesTo be honest, she didn't get any sleep. She kept tossing and turning until it was morning. Only when she closed her eyes to get some sleep did she hear her buzzing alarm which startled her“Oh gosh, I only have thirty minutes to get ready,” she jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. She didn't even manage to arrange what she was going to wear. Getting in the shower room, Alana didn't even mind bathing in cold water. She was getting late for her first day hence had to be quickAfter minutes of showering, she was finally done. Alana quickly got ready, she didn't have to wear too much makeup but just blow-dried her hair. Straightened it and was good to goShe grabbed her files and purse and rushed out of the room when she met Mrs. Marks on the way“Ah, good morning madam…breakfast is ready…what…” the lady said adjusting her specs“Well I can't eat…maybe later,” I said as I walked towa
The Romero jewelry company had existed for years and Armando had run the company to success and greater heights that it became the number one leading jewelry company across the world. A highly fragmented sector of most developed economies, the jewelry industry was the sector that involved the making, distribution, and repair of jewelry, such as watches, rings, and necklaces. The company offered a wide range of career opportunities. When Ricardo took over the company, he decided to make some changes. Used fine gems and diamonds to extend their business. Moving to France, Paris was a good idea because of its rich in fashionEvery week, the company got over a million clients, and Ricardo knew he had to produce the best. The reason why he needed a highly trained secretary. He needed a person he could trust, a woman for that matter. He knew women had creative ideas, and something new on the tableHe fired some employees due to their lack of experience, Two years ago, Armando decided to
(Alana)After I was told what to do by Ricardo, one of the employees dragged me away an empty office so I could get rid of the clothes I was wearing “This should do…please be still”“You don't have to… I'm fine,” I tried to say slightly, pushing the lady's hands away, but she looked up at me with a frown. To be honest, it was my fault that I climbed that tree and got hurtThe lady cleaning my wound was the same receptionist who guided me to the boss's office and told me I got the job…her name was Brigitte, and she was French and beautiful as well as friendly“You are new here… you should get your wound cleaned before you suffer any infections… we don't want you going on leave before you even work for two days,” the lady said with a smile and gently cleaned my arm. I was a little nervous, but she was so welcoming and lovely. No wonder she was given a position at the reception. She knew just how to treat people “Thank you, it's terrible that my first day is this disastrous, oh I do ap
(Alana)“Do you need a ride?” Brigitte asked when we were heading out, it turned out my first day wasn't so bad, I attended the board meeting. And no one found out about my identity “No, I'll take a taxi,” I said while glancing at my wristwatch. It was just 7:30 pm. I wondered if Ricardo already left. Earlier in the day, I heard Brigitte say the boss left for a meeting. He didn't tell me to come with, so I didn't bother. “Are you certain, or is your husband coming to pick you up?” She asked throwing a mischievous look, I shook my head feeling a little embarrassed “Nope… it's just that I have someplace to go to,” it was true, I had plans to get some nice fabric at some local shop I saw online. I wanted to buy a sewing machine as well. I thought of asking Ricardo to let me have space for setting up my office in the house for making my designs“Fine Alana, you seem like a pretty secretive girl…but, see you later,” Brigitte said with a loud exhalation but smiled once we left the buildi