CHAPTER 17

Lisa's POV

The groom of the day is waiting for the bride patiently on the bridal arbor as I enter the church and make my way slowly toward the altar without the best woman but with my arms around my grandmother's.

I have a veil over my face and am carrying flowers. I've dropped my head in shame and remorse.

I regret not having this as my dream. The embarrassment of doing this and not having the guts to cancel last-minutely, explain the situation to Grandma and wait for the right guy for me.

the guy who would be eagerly anticipating having me as his wife and waiting for him at the altar. A guy who would really adore me and never do anything to make me feel unhappy or tear up.

Shame for allowing Grandma to do this. guilt for not being honest with her. guilt for lying to her continuously and today.

Juliet didn't show up. During the setup, she was absent. She didn't call to express regret for what she had done, so I was left without a maid of honor.

I don't worry as much about it. It used to concern me, but not anymore.

The wedding won't be halted by this. I may be the first bride without a maid of honor, but I know I won't be the last to have my closest friend turn on me at the last minute, leaving me without a single maid of honor or a group of bridesmaids.

I informed Grandma that Juliet had an interview out of town. I made up the story that she had a new job outside of New York and would be gone for a week.

I have no other options. I just have Juliet as a buddy. Simply put, I merely hope she leaves permanently—not because I wish her ill will or death, but rather because it would be to my benefit.

I don't want her to appear and muck up my plans. I don't want to run into you again. Because I know she may tell Grandma the truth, I also don't want her to meet with her.

I should be the one to tell Grandma the truth. If not, it will destroy her. But I'm not quite ready to tell her yet. I'll let her know after the wedding is over.

I reach the bridal arbor where my Groom is waiting, looking dapper in his three-piece tuxedo with polished suede shoes and a pair of sunshades dangling at the edge of his suit pockets. At that time, the solo piano stops.

I have kinky hair with ornamental braids and curls, whereas he has a fashionable and traditional pompadour hairdo.

He is not grinning.

His closest buddy Gabriel is standing behind him, grinning ear to ear like a fool. The way Damien is beaming would lead me to believe Gabriel, not Damien, is the groom if I were in the crowd and didn't know Damien and Gabriel.

My wedding dress features A-lines, which have tight bodices through the waist and fall outward toward the floor to resemble the letter "A." Compared to a ball gown, it has a little more flow. A silver ribbon keeping the translucent veil securely in place is tied around my hair.

I'm too deep in concentration to even hear the priest speaking to the small group of invited guests. I'm not sure how Damien accomplished it, but I'm happy he did. I had no idea he would adhere to my recommendation for a modest gathering.

Grandma is the lone member of my family there while more than 100 guests watch the wedding. The others are friends, family members, and close business partners of Damien.

I was relieved to see that there were no reporters or photographers when I got out of the Jeep after he told a driver to transport us to the chapel.

That helped calm me down a little bit.

The priest continues, "Dearly beloved," and I blink as I realize how strange this is. It really is happening, and in a few moments, I'll be Damien's legally binding wife for a year.

The priest goes on. "Today, Damien Alex Russell and Lisa Gracia Rodriguez are being joined in holy marriage in front of God and people. The act of marriage is great. He turns and takes the ring from the ring bearer, "It is a holy commitment to spend your life with one person for all eternity and to remain with each other through thick and thin.

Damien, who is positioned on the right, is given the first ring by the man. The vows may now be exchanged.

Damien clears his throat, which makes me hope he would at least grin to show that we are really excited about getting married.

He had instructed me to remember the vows through email last night so I won't stumble or make any errors, and I had done so.

I excel at this, to be honest. Memorization.

Even the vows weren't even in my head last night till this morning. He must have followed suit, I suppose.

In the name of God, I, Damien Alex Russell, take you, Lisa Gracia Rodriguez, as my legally married wife, to have and to keep, starting now, for better or for worse, for richer or worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. I start crying as he places the diamond ring on my middle finger.

I keep telling myself that this isn't real.

This is not true. Not a genuine wedding, this. All of it is a façade. In a year, it will be done.

The priest also extends the ring in my direction. I accept it and reach out to touch Damien's finger, which causes a little electric shock to go through me.

My voice falters and a droop forms in my throat.

He utters "Lisa" in a trembling voice.

As I will myself to speak, a tear of terror slides down my cheek.

"In the name of God, I, Lisa Gracia Rodriguez, take you, Damien Alex Russell, as my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death does us part, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to have and to hold, until death does us part." As I place the ring on his index finger, the group starts to murmur with excitement.

Is there anybody in the room who would want to object to these two becoming man and wife before we announce them to be man and wife? The priest asks while looking across the whole crowd over the backs of his spectacles, which are perched snugly on his nose.

My heart starts to beat frantically with terror right now. That's it. There will be a person. Someone is going to reach out and stop this.

I'm not sure whether I should be happy or sad. Sad that this farce will come to an end as a result. Or depressed that the deal, which would have earned me extra money, will be terminated.

"Is anyone there?" He asks once more, luring me to turn around. "Speak now or keep quiet forever."

There is a pause. Even now, one can hear the sound of a needle dropping. Damien does not exhibit any signs of apprehension. He exudes calm and assurance.

The priest says, "With the power vested in me." "I now pronounce you man and wife, you may now kiss the bride."

Even before Damien can raise my veil and get closer to me, his scent flying through my nose, there is a standing ovation at this point.

The audience erupts in jubilation as soon as he bends in and brushes his lips on mine.

Almost immediately, Damien pulls away, and something inside of me warns me that I may not survive this marriage undamaged.