4 years later,
In the desolation of the dimly lit room, a man knelt, battered and barely clinging to consciousness.
His anguished groans harmonized with the echoing wails of a woman who hardly had herself covered, begged and pleaded for his life, a desperate symphony in the face of impending doom.
Amidst the torment, Alec Wilson's gaze, sharp as lightning, slashed through the shadows.
Each flicker escalated tension until the room itself seemed to quiver with an ominous chill.
To offend Alec Wilson was to plunge headlong into an abyss, their pleas swallowed whole by the suffocating darkness.
A second woman stood in horrified silence, a silent witness to the revelation unfolding in its full, terrifying glory.
Ignoring the cacophony of pleas and groans, Alec's eyes bore into her soul.
His hand slithered around her delicate waist, a clandestine attempt to steady her trembling form, while the other clamped onto her arm with brutal force.
"Did you know about this?" he thundered, a tempest of rage and inexplicable emotion in his eyes.
She shook her head, a whisper of defiance in the face of impending catastrophe. "No," her voice barely audible.
Alec's gaze lingered on her, an indescribable emotion swirling amidst his rage.
"Ahh..." The tortured groans of the man seized Alec's attention, prompting him to release her arm abruptly.
"Arrange a bride for me before the scheduled wedding hour, or brace yourselves for the witnessing of this man's demise," he declared, teeth clenched in an unyielding vise of determination.
His ominous warning lingered, leaving an unsettling question in the air — in what unforeseen ways would their lives be reshaped, forever altered by the impending storm he had set into motion?
3 days ago,
Alec and Ricky arrived at Hamspearl hotel early that day. Alec's bride to be Elena had requested him for a destination wedding.
The hotel was situated on outskirts of South Hills. It was a place to behold filled with scenic elegance.
"No one has come yet?" Ricky said raising his eyebrows at Alec.
"Elena will be here soon, with her parents"
"And what about your parents" Ricky asked
"they'll be here tomorrow or day after, there are still 3 days for the wedding, besides the wedding planners will take care of all arrangements. Come lets check in and then have a look around".
Later that evening, Alec and Ricky were hanging out in the hotel lawn, when they heard a sweaky voice
"Al…" it was Elena.
"I didn't know you'll come this early Al, these are my friend" she said pointing towards 4 people standing near her. Ponting at Alec and Ricky she introduced them to her friends, they exchanged pleasantries.
"My parents will be arriving tomorrow, Elizabeth's wedding took place in Hamspearl hotel itself, it was beautiful"
"This place is indeed beautiful." Alec said and then continued
"you people must be tired", he handed them the keys and said
"here are the room keys, I've got to see the wedding planners,. You guys go rest." Saying this Alec left with Ricky.
"What do you see in her, Alec?" Ricky asked rolling his eyes.
Clearly he didn't like her.
"She is better than all other choices I've had. Besides, Grandma wants to see my wedding. She wants a wedding, she'll get a wedding" Alec said with determination but his face fell the next moment.
"Hey, cheer up Al. Grandma will get better, she has a long and healthy life ahead ahead of her".
"Yeah, she'll be fine" Alec said assuring himself.
Later on, Alec asked Ricky to join him for dinner with Elena and her friends. Ricky reluctantly agreed.
Before they could join the group, Ricky asked
"Who exactly are those guys with them, just friends or boyfriends?"
"Well one of them is Elizabeth's husband, and the other guy must be the other friend's boyfriend" Alec replied
"So who is Elizabeth and what's the other friend's name?"
"I don't remember, she just introduced them as friends." Alec sighed.
At the dinner, Elena was busy talking about herself and her wedding dress. One of her friend was eagerly replying to her, while the other smiled brightly and nodded.
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Ricky asked
"Let's visit the jewellery store, I've heard it has great reviews. People from prominent families and celebrities travel miles to visit this exquisite jewellery store."
"There are tons of lavish jewellery stores back in South-hills, this is a beautiful ecotourism place. Let's visit a place more naturally inclined? Ricky said. "I heard the lake is beautiful at this time of the year," one of Elena's friends said.
"So let's visit the lake," Ricky agreed.
"But the jewellery store is exclusive, they do not have any other branches anywhere else" Elena insisted.
"Okay fine, we'll go to the jewellery store first and if we have time we will visit the lake" Alec said shutting both of them.