Chapter 5

• "I saved you from your fucking abusive boyfriend!"
• I said, raising my voice which startled her and I continued, "And if you are ready to face it again then okay, we will part ways, I run far away and never return." I said, stressed. She remained silent and looked down, "Tell me Marianne, if you are ready to let the world know that you killed your boyfriend and your sister who is apparently an introvert, helped you to win the case as you never got arrested for taking a life." I said in a fit of rage which caused tears to brimmed in her eyes. I immediately calmed down and engulfed her in a hug.
• "I am doing this for you. Don't ruin your life. Please..." I said gently.
• "And you..? " She asked.
• "Please stop this. Our secrets will haunt us forever. We are nothing but puppets whose strings are attached to him. " I said, rubbing her back.
• "You could have become the master of your puppet." She said.
• "Don't start with this now.. " I said, pulling away.
• "You are deliberately pushing yourself in the darkness. " She said.
• "Yes! I am pushing myself, In fact I want to remain there because the darkness that fall upon the brightest sky is deadly."
• "and what about the morning after that brings new hope."
• "My morning got lost is someone else's night and never came back to me."
• We went home as I went to Papa studies.
• "Cancel this marriage, there's a guy willing to marry me." I announced.
• "Marry you? " He asked in his usual mocking tone.
• "Tell me your answer." I said coldly.
• "I don't care about that guy. You are getting married to Ryan. You could have told me about this before." he said turning his attention back to his laptop.
• "He wants to marry me."
• "I have given my words to Mr Xavier." Father said. I opened my mouth to say so something but he continued first,
• "If both of you want to get married together then I don't mind. Ryan will get the woman he wants and you will get your love."
• "And Marianne happiness? " I asked.
• "The marriage with Ryan won't be cancelled. You will marry him." he declared. I cursed under my breath and turned to leave but he began to say,
• "If you are thinking of running away then don't forget about Marianne because she has to bear the outcome of your action."
• My walk came to a halt as I turned to him and said in disbelief,
• "You truly are a bastard." I said and left.
• Fate is so cruel…
• ***
• I looked at my reflection in the mirror, an aristocratic woman with enthralling looks. Beauty with such a charm she never wants to show. A ravish appearance that can hold any heart captive in them. But all those looks cannot hide those heartbroken emotions that are filling her heart as her whole being is cold as ice. Facades hidden behind those layers of makeup and the gorgeous dress.
• No one is satisfied with my dress but I felt like it suits me well as it is showing what future holds for me; darkness. I know it is nothing but a day of despair for me. All I can do is to keep my calm as I hoped deeply in my heart that upon seeing me, Ryan will cancel the marriage. Papa may have deceived him quite well by not telling anyone the name of the bride, even to media and in invitation cards but I wonder how long that will remain. How Ryan will react when he will find out that his bride is me not Marianne.
• I looked at myself, feeling utterly hollow. My heart felt heavy as I felt like my whole being is burning on fire but I cannot show it as I have to bear this overwhelming feelings in me and put up a strong- cold front.
• I stood up and looked at my dress. It's a black A line floor-length dress. The dress was adorned with lace. The dress was gorgeous. My hair are secured in a waterfall hairstyle. A dark red lipstick and that cat eye eyeliner with those smug black eyeshadow. My makeup was dark and Gothic. It didn't seem like it's my wedding because neither my emotions nor my appearance was emitting any positive aura. I feel like I am getting ready to attend a funeral. Whose? Mine.
• Marianne entered as I asked,
• "Why did you go out? You are not supposed to leave this room." I said. She gave a look filled with immense sorrow and began to say,
• "I went to see the guest.. There are too many. Think about it again Rebecca."
• "Tell me what choice do I have if I ran away from here? " I asked. She looked down and remained silent because she knows even if I ran away, these apparitions will haunt us forever. My one mistake can destroy our lives. Papa wants to throw me away and he is willing to cross any limit for it. I don't understand why marriage is the only solution to him. Marianne was right, he can throw me out of the house too. Oh, well he is doing this in a sense.
• Marianne put the veil over my face and handed me the bouquet of roses. I lowered my gaze and in that moment Papa entered. His eyes fell upon me and it seems like he is stunned for a second. His eyes flicker with something mystifying which is beyond my understanding and I honestly don't even want to know. He narrowed his eyes as his lips slightly parted and it seems like he is struggling with himself about whether he should do something fatherly or remain like a bastard. Before he could say something I spoke up first,
• "The moment I'll take a step out of this room, I'll never turn back to you even if it kills me." My words shocked everyone. Marianne and Papa looked at me with sadness as I continued,
• "Today, you died for me and I for you." I said and walked out of the room.
• I inhaled deeply and held back my tears. I curled my toes to give myself any consolation but no avail. A heavy pant escaped my lips and I tried to control my urge to cry out loud and let out my misery. I bit my cheek and tap my feet on the ground.
• After a few moments, Papa walked out with a watery gaze to which I retort, "What's the point of showing regret now?" but he is my father and we both are insensible. I am glad that Marianne is not like us.
• "It's not." He said, turning his head away and wiping the tears present in the corner of his eyes.
• "Yeah, Right. Why would it be? You are finally throwing your garbage." I taunted and Marianne also walked out and I said to her,
• "Since, I am going to California now, I guess we can meet often." I said emptily with a smile. Marianne looked down in shame and turned her head away.
• And finally the dreadful moment came and I turned my back on Papa with no intention of looking back...