Blurb: The orphans of Gregory orphanage were set in disorder by a mysterious fire outbreak in the orphanage's compound. The staff and children were left wailing in anguish, as their home was burnt to the ground. In the midst of confusion and plight to ensure the safety of the children, the orphanage supervisors emerged for the immediate adoption of the orphans. Ten years old Sky, who was abandoned at the gate of Gregory orphanage at infancy, wished to be in a proper family. Her desire for parents and complete loving family is unmatched to her overwhelming desire to always be with her best friend Chess. Growing up together in the orphanage, the best friends had always wished to be adopted into the same family, so they made a pact to always be together. Chess, who is two years older than his best friend Sky, gets adopted by Mrs Willow Creek, a famous business woman from Los Angeles. Sky on the other hand was rejected due to speech impediment at the time. Having been left without an option of a new home, Sky and the other kids who weren't adopted were mobilized to be moved into another orphanage in New Orleans. Brokenhearted by her separation from her best friend, Sky escaped from the watch of her caregivers and ventured into the dark ghetto streets. She soon questioned her decision when she's met with profound hunger, thirst and cold. Falling sick and unconscious due to the unfavorable conditions, she is taken in by a local nurse. Regaining consciousness, Sky is welcomed by a new life, different from what she had known. A new life filled with rigor and struggles. But young Sky preferred this life to the one she would live in the orphanage without her best friend.
Chapter 1 The wedding.
The Family's Bride.
Chapter 1: The wedding.
Sky's POV.
I stare down at the document in my hands for the hundredth time.
My signature shines boldly on it.
The part where it read, marriage contract, my insides turns.
"Whew.." I try to remain calm, fighting the creeping urge to run away screaming on top of my lungs.
"How you are feeling Sky? You look very tensed." Sonia asks in a matronly voice as she approaches me with a bouquet of tulips.
Hell yeah I'm tense, I'm getting married to a man I have never met.
"Is the ceremony necessary? I mean we could just sign the document.." I try to persuade her, I will persuade anybody if it means not getting married in a chapel.
"Yes, it is Sky.
We need the pictures to convince the media that Damon actually married you." She says with a warm smile.
" We could just stage the whole thing.
Take pictures and leave, we don't need a priest officiating the wedding." I press on.
"If Damon couldn't convince me not to hold the wedding, trust me when I say nobody can." She insisted, rearranging my white silk dress..
I take in a long breath, trying to embrace the reality in front of me.
I'm freaking getting married. It's all happening so fast.
The chapel's door opens wide and Sonia takes me by the arm.
"Your Dad is supposed to be the one doing this, but it is what it is.." she chirped, trying to cheer me up.
"Just tell me the groom isn't some sick dude who's on a wheelchair," I sniffed with pleading eyes.
" It's just a year ok, and you already agreed to it, Sky.
Let's just go in and get this contract signed." She reprimanded, making me eat up my words.
I sense the change in her mood as she held onto my arm tightly.
I take my first step into the chapel and my heartbeat increases.
We walk down the aisle and I notice that the chapel is almost empty.
Just a few people seated in the front row and two men in black tuxedos standing beside a podium.
My decision starts to dawn on me and I feel drops of sweat, rolling down my back.
Approaching the podium, I feel his piercing gaze on me.
Facing him, I behold his hazel eyes. So tender and soothing.
There's no way this man does drugs, he got the calmest of eyes.
He looks intensely at me for a split second and then turns away.
"Can we begin saying the vows now?"
The priest says with a warm smile.
" And please Miss Sonia, get the rings," he continues, motioning to Sonia.
I watch his lips move as he spoke, his words not wielding anything in my mind.
I turn to look at the groom and for some reason he looks like he's lost too.
"Now Damon, wear Sky her ring." The priest says and Damon hesitantly reaches out for the ring.
He opens the ring box, exposing a brilliant diamond ring.
I smile brightly at the beautiful ice.
I'm definitely selling this ring after the contract is over.
He lifts my left hand gently, the smooth texture of his hand setting me in transe.
He smiles at my reaction but his eyes hold great warning.
"You are now husband and wife," The priest says after I wear him his ring.
In a split second the chapel's door flings open and a crowd of paparazzi matches in.
I turn to Sonia and throw her a questioning look, but she smiles in response.
"You may now kiss your bride"
Kiss the bride..?
Nobody said anything about kissing.
Oh gosh!!
What if the spinach from lunch is stuck in between my teeth? Maybe my breath smells like fish. I knew I should have chewed a mint.
I widen my eyes as I see him leaning towards me.
My heart rate speeds up as I feel his warm palm on my face.
He presses his awesomely soft lips on mine and I perceive the scent of his cologne.
With his hands now on my waist, he draws me closer and deepens the kiss, making my heart flutter.
I close my eyes to feel the richness of the lips but he pulls away.
"Please come with me," he says in a commanding but yet comforting voice.
I put my hand in his and we walk down the aisle towards the exit.
Numerous flashes of light descend on my face and I hold tighter, into his hand.
"Careful now, watch your steps." He says as he traps his arm around mine.
For some reason I now feel excited about this whole thing.
It might just be a deal but we can be good friends.
We walk to a Ferrari parked in the courtyard of the chapel.
He motions me to get into the car.
"Get in, the driver will take you home," he says after I don't bulge.
"Home? Which home?" I breathe.
"And why aren't you coming with me?" I ask, looking him straight in the eyes.
He squints his eyes and kisses his teeth, as if trying to come up with words.
"We are married now right?
So you are going home, now get in," he growls.
The sternness in his voice compels me to enter the car.
Still marveled by his sudden change of mood, I stare at his tall figure as the car drives away.
"Are you ok ma'am?
Do you need a bottle of water?" The driver asks, watching me from the rear view mirror.
" I'm fine, thanks." I say avoiding his eyes'
reflection.
"Are you sure?
The car's AC is on and you are sweating. A bottle of water will get you hydrated." He counters.
I feel the pressing urge to scream. Why on earth do I feel this anxious?
"I would appreciate the bottle of water please." I say, smiling warmly.
He passes me now and I'm by the speed at which I emptied the content.
Right, I haven't eaten anything today.
"Congratulations on your wedding ma'am.
My name is Chris and I'm your new driver.
My job is to make sure you reach your designated destinations.
Be rest assured that your safety is my uppermost priority, ma'am."
His words leave a smirk on my smitten face.
I guess this is what you get for marrying a billionaire.
"Call me Sky.
Being so professional will only make me uneasy.
Where are we going exactly?" I ask as I try to peep at the car's GPS.
"To Mr Damon's house."
I don't get to live with Sonia?
What happens when Mr arrogant loses it.
Thank goodness I learnt judo when I got the chance, husband or not I'm gonna throw in a chop if he tries anything funny.
"There are more bottles of water if you want. Seems you're pretty thirsty." He says as if reading the worry on my face.
I try to reach for another bottle of water when I notice a Jeep speeding towards us from the side.
"Umm Mike what's happening." I ask in clear fright as I try to tighten my seatbelt.
In a split second, it has colluded with us.
Losing control, I smash my head into the car's window.
With everything going blur, I feel blood dripping down my forehead.
"Mike.. Mike," I whisper as everywhere turns pitch black.