Elvira stood before the mirror, her face a mask of panic. The wedding dress she wore was far from perfect. Her blue eyes, reflected in the glass, were filled with sadness as she repeatedly tried to call someone on her phone. The number she dialed went unanswered every time.
"Lisa, where are you?" Elvira's voice trembled as she left yet another voicemail for her cousin.
"Miss, the young master is ready at the altar. All the guests are waiting for you," a maid informed her, urgency in her tone.
Vira raised her hand, signaling for more time, her frustration palpable. The room was thick with anxiety. The makeup team, the bridesmaids, and the three servants were all visibly nervous. They feared the young master's wrath if they delayed the bride any longer.
"Lisa, please, pick up the phone," Vira muttered into the device, her desperation growing.
"Miss, we have to go now," insisted the butler, a stern yet polite figure who stepped forward. Two other servants moved to take Vira's arms, guiding her toward the door.
Why is this happening to me? Vira's mind screamed as she was ushered downstairs toward the altar.
She barely registered the priest's words as she stood beside the groom. She glanced at him, her eyes squinting in displeasure. The wedding ceremony, supposedly a sacred and joyous occasion, felt like a nightmare.
The hall was adorned in white, with bouquets of flowers everywhere, but the few guests in attendance whispered among themselves. They admired the groom, a tall, handsome man in a beige suit, and pitied the bride, who, according to rumors, lacked the family's blessing.
"Isn't she lucky to marry such a man? Has she saved the world in a past life?" one guest whispered enviously.
Tears welled up in Elvira's eyes. They think I'm moved by the priest's words, she thought bitterly. They have no idea how I really feel.
"Miss, we must proceed," the priest urged.
Vira lifted her head, looking at the man beside her for the first time. "You look very handsome, but... may I know, who are you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
The guests continued their murmurs, misinterpreting her words as admiration.
"I accept you in joy and sorrow; I accept you in happiness and disappointment," the priest prompted, hoping she would repeat after him.
Vira remained silent, her gaze fixed on the groom. He took her cold hand in his, trying to ease her nerves.
"She's just shy," he explained, kissing the back of her hand.
Elvira's heart skipped a beat. Oh, my God, I can die!
"You may kiss your bride," the priest announced.
As the groom reached out to touch her, Vira's composure shattered. "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....!!" she screamed, pulling away.
The guests gasped in shock. The groom's face turned red as he tried to calm the situation, but Vira's cries only grew louder.
"What do you want? You embarrass me, you know!" the groom finally shouted, exasperated.
"Huaaa ... huhuhu ... !!" Vira sobbed uncontrollably.
The groom, his patience worn thin, grabbed her hand and led her out of the hall, towards the elevator. His grip was firm, and despite her protests, he didn't let go.
"You're hurting me! Let go of my hand!" Vira's voice was filled with pain.
He ignored her, dragging her to a room and roughly pushing her onto the bed. Vira clutched her wrist, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"What do you want? You embarrass me, you know!" he repeated, his voice breaking.
Vira's sobs only intensified. "Huaaaa ..... huhuhu ... !!"
"Oh, my God!" the man whispered irritably, running a hand through his hair.
Elvira lay on the bed, her wedding dress in disarray, her makeup smeared, feeling utterly defeated.