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โPoor bride. Sheโs been standing there for hours waiting for the groom,โ I heard a womanโs whispering voice.
โItโs truly so sad. I canโt imagine how sad sheโs feeling,โ Another woman replied in a hushed tone.
โDo you think the groom has ditched her?โ A man whispered in a low voice.
โThat would be too sad. Please donโt say thatโฆโ Another woman replied with what seemed to be genuine sadness in her voice.
I stood silently in front of the altar in a white wedding dress that was far too elegant for my tastes and far too heavy for my comfort. The overly high-heel shoes that I was wearing was starting to hurt my feet and my legs were starting to feel sore from standing still for too long. I clenched and then unclenched my hands together for the hundredth time, or something along those lines since I had already lost count.
The sequined lace fabric of the dress that covered my arms in a long sleeve was itchy, not that anyone cared. I didnโt choose this dress. I have never met my groom. I was in love with another man. Most of all, I didnโt want to get married.
Yes. Me, Malissa Maxford is being forced into a contract marriage with the heir of the largest global mafia syndicate.
It was cold inside the white marble church; however, I was sweating in discomfort. I donโt know how long Iโve been standing here just waiting for my future husband to arrive. It must have been at least a couple of hours and everyone else have gotten restless and anxious.
If this had been a wedding that I wanted, I would have felt so worried that the groom has not shown up. However, the truth is, I didnโt care if he never shows up. Actually, it would be for the better for us all if he never showed up. Then the wedding would be called off and my grandmother and I can return to our normal and peaceful life.
I glanced sideway to see my frail and very sick granny sitting in a wheelchair with a nurse standing close behind her. I wish this wedding or whatever would be over quickly so that she can return to rest at the hospital. My grandmother was very old, and recently, I had discovered that she was very sick. The doctors couldnโt tell me how much longer she had left but even my untrained eye could tell that it wasnโt very long.
โWhereโs the groom?โ a man asked in a hush voice.
โGood questions. Weโve been waiting for almost three hours alreadyโฆโ another man replied before yawning.
โShhhhโฆbe quiet. The boss will kill you if he hears,โ another man hissed to the other two.
โHas someone found him yet?โ another voice asked seriously.
โI sent a bunch of men from my squad already. It shouldnโt take much longerโฆโ someone else replied but I couldnโt sense much conviction from his voice.
โDonโt stare at the boss. Heโll kill you if he sees you staringโฆโ one of the men hissed.
โThatโs right. Heโs definitely not in a good mood,โ another one said with a sigh.
โWhat is that damn son of his doing?โ the other said in a very soft whisper.
โExactly, itโs his wedding and heโs not even hereโฆโ another man replied in agreement.
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