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Chapter 4: The Wedding

As the unintended words slipped from my lips, Jacob's jaw clenched involuntarily. The damage was done, irreversible. A heavy, unsettling silence descended upon us. Slowly, he lowered the menu, fixing his intense gaze upon me. I shifted uncomfortably, hoping to evade his scrutiny, but his commanding tone pulled me back. "Look at me, Lily," he insisted.

Reluctantly, I complied, meeting his piercing gaze. "I'm sorry," I whispered softly.

"Jacob. Call me Jacob, like Lily does," his voice carried a stern edge, a subtle threat lurking beneath. His eyes bore into mine, demanding an explanation I was hesitant to give. I attempted to convey the insurmountable gap between Lily's status in their society and my own abilities. "I can't mimic her mannerisms, her speech, or her demeanor, even admiring her feels impossible."

"Can you read?" Jacob's voice was devoid of emotion, cutting straight to the point.

"Of course, and I can count too," I retorted, infused with a touch of sarcasm.

Handing me the menu, he instructed, "Then choose our meal."

Unfamiliar with the upscale dining experience, I browsed the menu with growing bewilderment. The lines between culinary delights and promotional fluff blurred, leaving me confused. "This is impossible. I can't even decipher which dish is fish. They've given such obscure names for a simple menu. Is it just for the sake of being different?"

Jacob snatched the menu back, grumbling. "I asked you to choose what to order, not to complain about their business practices. This one is salmon."

With Jacob's inadvertent guidance, I managed to make selections, but the sight of the extravagant spread before me left me staggered. As I stared at the opulent dishes, memories flooded back from my childhood in the orphanage, where even stale bread scraps were prized possessions and a piece of cheese was a luxury. A pang of heartache gripped me.

In that moment, my thoughts turned to William, my confidant, my savior. The urgency to locate him resurfaced, overshadowing the lavish meal before me.

Though the flavors were rich and the cuisine exquisite, my taste buds remained unresponsive under Jacob's watchful gaze. It was peculiar, this internal struggle that stifled my gratitude towards the man I held in disdain. Yet, a voice deep within me urged obedience, its whisper resonating strongly.

After our meal, he embarked on a series of phone calls, orchestrating the intricacies of our impending wedding – a wedding in which I played the role of Lily. Each time he mentioned her name, now synonymous with my own, my heart raced in my chest. His occasional glances in my direction were accompanied by a smug, mocking smile.

As we prepared to depart, a striking woman, draped in an elegant blue silk dress, approached us with an air of excitement. Her eyes were fixated on Jacob.

"Hello, Jacob. This is an unexpected encounter," she greeted him with a kiss on the lips. Turning her attention to me, she exclaimed, "Oh, Lily, how are you? What happened to the wedding?"

Caught off guard, I found myself at a loss for words, opting to seal my lips and gesture towards Jacob. It was the safest response I could muster, and Jacob swiftly intervened, putting an end to her curiosity.

"Sofia, the wedding is scheduled for this coming Saturday at the same venue," his tone now light, a stark contrast to his previous seriousness.

Sofia inquired, "Same time?"

Jacob confirmed with a nod before leading the way towards me. "Let’s go, honey," he said, taking my hand and guiding me to his side. "Excuse us, Sofia. We still have some preparations to attend to for the wedding." And with that, we left Sofia behind, her frown deepening as she watched us depart. I could sense her confusion, likely stemming from my unusual behavior as Lily.

"She knows," I muttered to Jacob.

"It doesn't matter. Just be cautious with those heels," he replied, steering us out of the hotel's grand entrance.

After a short while, our transportation arrived, along with the so-called assistant, Lora.

The journey unfolded in silence after we dropped Lora off at her apartment. Jacob resumed his calls, discussing various business matters and clients. His demeanor remained stern and unwavering in each conversation, yet a single call prompted a rare softness in his tone, "Mother, we're on our way home. I promise." A few minutes later, he powered down his cell phone and closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

An hour later, the limousine came to a halt in the mansion's front parking lot. The chauffeur guided me back to my room, making sure the door was securely locked from the outside before leaving. It was a stark reminder of my continued captivity. To pass the time, I decided to indulge in a long soak in the bathtub.

To my surprise, when I emerged, Jacob was sitting on my bed. "Read this book cover to cover," he commanded, tossing a hefty volume onto the bed, his eyes fixed on me.

"You sound just like Mother Ursula," I couldn't help but smirk.

"I want you to study hard on how to take care of your husband, which is me," he stated before leaving.

As I delved into the pages, my thoughts drifted to William. I longed for his rescue, hoping he would somehow come to my aid. Memories flooded back of our close friendship during my formative years. He had always been my protector in the face of bullies at the orphanage. When he left, he promised to come back for me. But it had been three years now, and I hadn't heard from him.

Never did I imagine becoming the wife of a renowned CEO, a prominent figure, let alone a perilous stranger. But my basic needs of sustenance and shelter were pressing, pushing me to accept the absurdity of this impending wedding that fate had cast upon me.


The day of my unexpected wedding arrived the following morning. A team of beauticians swarmed around me as early as four in the morning, their hurry evident as they worked diligently. Hours passed swiftly, and as I gazed perplexedly at my reflection in the mirror, it felt like I was caught in a dream. I couldn't quite grasp the reality unfolding before me, dressed in an expensive wedding gown.

Once again, the door swung open, revealing a flamboyant man with a black scarf around his neck. "Greetings, my fabulous lady!" he exclaimed, striding over and positioning himself next to me in front of the mirror. "Today, the bride shines with pride." His energy was contagious.

He chuckled, "You've caught the CEO's eye, you lucky thing."

"What?" If only he knew the real reason behind this wedding.

"Nevertheless, I've brought a video of the wedding venue for you, just to give you an idea. We haven't rehearsed the ceremony at the actual location, which is unusual. We need to get there ahead of time," the lively wedding planner informed me. "And your groom will be waiting for you there."

The door unexpectedly swung open, and Mr. Alvarez entered. He took my hand with urgency in his tone, saying, "Let's go." He wore a gray wedding suit that complemented his dark eyes. The wedding coordinator seemed momentarily surprised but quickly recovered and followed us.

"This wedding needs to be over," Mr. Alvarez muttered.

He guided me to the waiting limousine parked in the back, and the chauffeur promptly opened the door. The journey began in silence. Mr. Alvarez remained lost in thought, gazing out the window and avoiding my gaze.

Upon arrival, the wedding location was bustling with activity. Everyone was elegantly attired, and a palpable air of excitement permeated the space. The wedding coordinator appeared, flashing a smile. She guided me to a room, where a makeup artist performed last-minute checks, ensuring no detail was overlooked. Curiously, the artist turned to me and inquired, "Miss Lily, how does it feel to be marrying into wealth?"

"I don't feel anything." I whispered.

The door opened once more, and the wedding coordinator returned with a smile. "It's your moment," she declared, slowly guiding me as we readied ourselves for the procession. The first step involved walking alongside the bridesmaids, resplendent in sky-blue gowns with delicate crowns adorning their heads. We descended a grand, winding staircase. I felt like a princess, bedecked in a white bridal gown and crowned with diamond gems.

The ceremony began, and my mind and soul drifted as the ritual unfolded.

This is just a task to fulfill, I reminded myself, even though it felt like the most vivid and extraordinary dream I'd ever experienced. Memories from my past flashed through my mind, reminiscent of the times when William and I would play at having our own wedding, him promising to be my protector and future husband as we laughed and spun fantastical tales under the tree house.

"You may kiss the bride," the marriage celebrant announced.

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Jacob Alvarez drew me closer, his presence enveloping me as he locked eyes with mine. I caught the scent of his freshly cleaned breath as his face drew nearer to mine, surrounded by an air of romance. For the second time, he held me tightly against him, and a sense of awe swelled within me as the applause of the onlookers washed over us. "Kiss! Kiss!" the younger crowd chanted.

However, the moment was abruptly shattered by the intrusion of a door swinging open and the sound of a woman's anguished voice, tinged with tears.

"Jacob! I curse both of you; may you never find contentment in each other for the rest of your lives!" The voice belonged to none other than Miss Sofia Perez, the woman from the restaurant, her tears visible on her gaunt face with her hand carrying a small gun.

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