Valerie
The decoration of the hall was elegant as ever, the numerous lights glowing like we were in heaven. Soft music being played as I walked on the aisle.
Hmph, this would be a beautiful view if I were not getting married today. I walked down the aisle alone, and to correct your thought, it's not that my parents didn't care, but I asked my dad not to walk the aisle with me because my supposed groom was not even present. I could face the embarrassment today alone; no need for my family to be pulled into this. I was stronger than they thought I was. After all I grew up in the countryside. Not in the way you read in novel, the poor sad girl with no family growing in the countryside with only the live of her grandmother …. like dahh, my life is not a novel.
But I lived in the countryside with my grandma for five years, that was when my dad started the family company and it was really struggling financially, he and my mother took me to stay with my grandma as the cost of living in the countryside was low and me knowing you, you might not be happy about it and might even hate them but guess what, I don't hate them for doing that because I know they wanted the best for me and moreover I gained experiences I would not have learned if I were in the city.
...
My poor mother looked sad; in fact, she had tears in her eyes, and my father looked strong while her held my mother, but I knew he was breaking inside.
You may be wondering, why was I getting married? It's not like I wanted it anyway, I already had someone in my heart I wanted to marry but then he delayed and I have long given up on him. I legit wasted my youth waiting for him to remember his promise and the weak little girl who saved him but he did not. Who in their right senses, promises someone marriage and does not get in contact with the supposed person they promised marriage to.
I'm now willing to get married, I can't wait for a lifetime and I'm also doing it because my family needs a huge investment , or we might go bankrupt. I had to sacrifice my happiness for my family. And come to think of it, it's not as sad as it looks.
First of all, I'm already twenty-five and the society will start pushing me to get marriage, and me knowing my parents, I would have to prepare for countless dates.
Secondly, I have to give my parents grandchildren and my grandma great grand kids and I don't want to be giving birth around the age of thirty because it also has its disadvantages and I'm not sure if that dead man who promised me marriage is ever going to show up. So, it's a win-win situation, what do you think? Not that I want your opinion anyways, because nothing can be done about it this god forsaken fact.
Come to think of it, the reason, the old master of the Voss family took me for a daughter in-law was because, he promised my grandma, who was he's first love but could not marry because of the involvement of his family, that his first grandson will definitely marry my grandma's first granddaughter, which happens to be me.
And hold on a minute, it's not like my parents, agreed to it in my young age. They agreed to it when they realized I wasn't bringing any man home and most importantly, my family was going bankrupt and needed funds and some investments which Old master promised to help out with. This was the easiest way out for us all. Moreover, the Voss family was willing. A brief history of my soon to be in-law's the Voss family so you don't think they're at a lose because they're not.
Voss family, the top tier family in X country, a family whose net worth exceeds the net worth of X country, and power exceeds that of X and Z country. The family actually holds power in every sector in the county and even internationally. The old master has a third son who happens to just spend the family's fortune with his family without doing much, his second son and his family, having nothing to do with the family business as they are associated with the military and his first son, Luke Voss, who is my father in-law, who used to run La Voss Empire, which is the most influenced company in the country. Luke Voss later handed the company to my supposed husband, Leon Voss.
People say he's handsome, cold and a demon in business which may be true as I have not seen him myself but then with how he managed to pull La Voss Empire from just being the best in the country to being the seventh best worldwide, if he's not a demon in business, what else is he? Well, that's a question you have to answer because I have serious issues at hand…. Leon has a brother no one actually knows much about and a sister who happens to be married and she administrates the company in Z country.
Enough of the family introduction, it's my wedding after all and you don't even know my name. Such poor connection we have. Anyways, I am Valeria Dray. You could call me Val and that's if you want. If you don't, forget I ever told you. People, especially my friends who are a huge total of two normally say I'm outspoken and lovely. I don't care if you think so but that's what they say.
As you know I happen to be getting married today so stop guessing my life story and let me focus on walking down the aisle, it will be much more embarrassing if I lose concentration and trip or something. I smiled just thinking something like that happening.
"Why is she smiling? A socialite in the crowd asked not too loud but still in a tone I could hear. Isn't it sad that she's getting married alone or that's her way of consoling herself? The person added. People joined in the discussion. I heard their words and smiled more.
I successfully reached were appears to be the altar. I stood with my back straight and my chin held high ready to start getting myself married, suddenly.....
Leon
The moment I stepped into the ceremony hall, the air forgot how to breathe. Conversations softened, breathes froze midair, and even the soft music seemed to bend around me. I didn't need to announce my arrival—my presence did it for me. The black suit fit like a secret tailored only for sin, my tie done just enough to whisper danger. They felt my gaze before they saw it—steady, deliberate, the kind of look that stripped away pretence and left you exposed. I moved like time itself waited for me.
I was not supposed to be here, I told myself I'll not agree to this wedding but my grandfather just found a way to have me come here for this waste of time. Nobody forces me to do anything unless I really want to do it but the way my grandfather tried to threaten me by declining hospital care when he's got a sudden attack after my rejection and how he begged me to be present softened my heart a little. The deal he struck with me also made sense so why not?
Let's get this over with quickly, I thought. When I entered, I heard the whispers people were exchanging but my supposed bride was not moved to cancel this wedding. Hmmm, how strong is she or it is just for the money? I asked myself.
Let's continue the program, I said not too loudly but I believe the priest or whoever was supposed to head the program heard me vividly.
He continued the program as he was supposed to and my bride just stood there like she's been struck by lightning. When it was her turn to repeat the vows, the priest had to repeat himself before she crawled out of her cloud nine.
"I Valerie Dray, do take Leon Voss as my lawfully wedded husband...." She continued to rattle those statements that made no sense to me.
When she was done, I took my turn and said everything with no emotion attached. I just couldn't wait to go back and see Clara. The girl who went through hell to save me that faithful evening in the countryside woods of X country. If not for her, I would have been killed by wolves and would not have been alive to witness today.
I promised her that I'd marry her but thanks to this woman and my grandfather, she's not my bride. In what ways can I make her happy when she returns from country A?
I'll do well to spoil and convince her, that no matter what, I'll divorce this woman who she is being tied to me.
People say I'm cold and ruthless, but those close to me know I'm kind of soft but then you must be really close to see that side of me and it's not like I show that side, nah I can't lower my steeze… I believe in loving secretly in the heart, making others know just puts you at a disadvantage as your enemies would know your weak point and the people you show love to will in turn try to manipulate you.
Apart from my family, childhood friends and Clara, who also happens to be my childhood friend and saviour, I don't have time to spare on anyone unless it is business I want to humanely negotiate…don't even think that's often because it's not. I am hoping this human I am getting married to doesn't become a problem in the nearest possible time…..