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CHAPTER 4

"Get dressed and be down there in five minutes. " He said and turned to leave.

Lia let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding and closed her eyes. She wasn't aware he was still in the room until he spoke, sending her running towards the bedroom.

"I won't touch you, not yet anyway. Don't even think for a second that you can pull a disappearing act on me like your mother. I will find you and take my time punishing you. I will make it so painful you'd beg me to kill you."

With those last words hanging in the air between them, Fernando walked towards the door and let himself out leaving Lia shaking like a fish.

She was too shaken to cry and now wasn't the ideal time for tears. She had to be strong for herself and her mother. Should she blame her mother for this? After all if she had been here, Mr Fernando wouldn't have turned to this lunatic.

"He's just hurt because my mother betrayed him. He will come around eventually." Lia said the words but even she didn't believe them to be true.

She had seen the truth in his eyes. He would really kill her if she didn't marry him.

Where are you Mum?

"Where are you going, Lia? What's going on? I tried to talk to Fernando earlier but he breezed past me so suddenly. He had this mafia boss aura. Did something happen in there?

Lia forced a smile for her best friend's sake. "Everything will be fine. Mr Fernando found a solution to the problem. I'm going to find mum and then everything will go back to normal." She lied through her teeth praying she was convincing enough because her best friend was observant.

"A solution? What kind of solution? Is that a wedding dress? Wait, what is going on?" Jane asked, blocking her part and Lia took a deep breath.

She couldn't give anything out, she had to remain as cool as a cucumber. It was to protect Jane. If she told anything then her best friend would have her running for her life risking her safety. "I'll explain later but please just support me.“

"Are you getting married?" Jane asked and then her eyes grew wide as saucers. "Wait, you're getting married to Fernando?! Have you lost your mind?"

'Not yet but I might lose my life if I don't keep walking.' Lia spoke in her mind. "I have to do this Jane. I will explain when all this is over."

"But it will be too late to stop you then. Tell me Lawson, what's going on?"

Lia couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Jane pulled her close and they stood there for a while, Lia forgetting the time limit she had been given.

"Come on Amelia, what's going on?"

"I'm worried about Mum, Jane. She could be anywhere."

"That doesn't explain why you're wearing a wedding dress and walking towards the hall where your mother is supposed to get married."

"I have to stand-in for mum to protect Fernando and his reputation. Remember I look like mum so it won't be so obvious which one of us it is." Lia smiled through her tears trying hard to sell her story. She couldn't tell Jane the real reason. "How do I look?"

Jane smiled, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You look divine. I think you're the most beautiful stand-in bride I've ever seen."

Lia sniffed and blinked, willing her tears to stay put. She didn't have enough time to apply another coat of mascara. "My mascara.."

"Right, no more tears." Jane wiped her cheeks with her hands and smiled. "Let's go, my lady. I guess I get to be the maid of honor after all."

They laughed as they walked towards the hall but none of them was really happy. This wasn't how weddings were supposed to go.

Lia fought back tears as Jane opened the door leading to the hall where her 'groom' was waiting.

"Let's get you married!"

"Do you Amelia Lawson take Fernando James as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Lia almost missed the question. It took her a good three minutes and a tap on her arm from Fernando for her to respond. "Yes, I do." She forced a smile for the sake of the media.

The minister asked Fernando his own question and then it was time to exchange rings.

Lia's hands shook as she slipped the ring on Fernando's finger. This ring symbolized the reality of the situation. With this ring, she was bound to him, for life.

She watched him slip the ring on her finger and shivered when his hands remained on her arm longer than necessary.

How was she supposed to live with a man whose touch repulsed her?

You don't have a choice Lia.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr & Mrs James Fernando."

Lia stiffened as Fernando reached for her no doubt to seal the deal with a kiss. Just the thought of his lips on her sent shivers down her spine. Surely he wouldn't ask for her to consummate their marriage?!

"Relax darling, I don't bite." He winked at her before his lips descended on hers.

Lia expected to hate the kiss and be inclined to end it. Instead, she found herself leaning into her husband as he explored her mouth with his tongue.

The man could kiss!

When he pulled away from her, she bit her lip and looked at her best friend who was already looking at her. Heck, half the room was staring at them. It had been a heated kiss so the guests wouldn't suspect a thing. Only three people in the room knew the truth and it'd stay that way.

Lia didn't recognize any of the people who came to congratulate them as they walked out of the hall towards the reception for the after party. They were probably her mother's friends or Fernando's friends. She didn't want to know them, all she wanted was for the ceremony to end so she could hide in a room with a key and a door.

"Well-done, Amelia." Fernando said, patting her head and Lia resisted the urge to pull away.

How strange would it look if a wife was repulsed at her husband's touch? Besides he was in a good mood, why ruin it?

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