*
"You see, I don't have much time left."
Those words kept resonating inside my head even after my father left, what did he mean by that? Was it a new way to trick me into forgiving him?
If that was the case, then I have no intention of ever freeing him from this guilt, he also needs to feel the pain of what he made me pass through all these years.
In fact, how dare he ask for forgiveness, he's making me marry a complete stranger against my will, who does that and who knows what I'm getting into. I screamed out of frustration then I heard a knock on my door.
I went towards the door and drew it open, not even trying to compose myself, as it was there was no need for me to hide this frustration from anyone.
"What!" I said arrogantly, it was Patricia behind the door, and for a second I saw pity in her eyes but it disappeared soon after.
"It's time." She said not saying anything more, she placed a veil that covered my face as we moved. I looked behind me as I followed her outside, my room, my space, and my life were all being taken away from me.
I never considered this my home but the memories of my late mother kept me safe, kept me through the torment, and kept me going with my life but that's all about to change.
I walked outside with Patricia towards our backyard, since my father owned a big estate, the wedding was to take place behind our home.
As a wedding gift, dad was supposed to give Veronica the house so everything was set but since I'm the one getting married now, I believe I was the only one who would be leaving. So much for planning my life now.
Immediately I stepped out the back, I was starstruck by the beauty in front of me, it was as if I had just stepped into a whole nother world.
Everywhere was decorated with white and a touch of soft pink as cherry blossoms gentle rained down the field giving it a Disney movie feel.
It all felt so magical, and to make it more impossible, immediately I stepped under the light, and each individual crystal on my dress began to shine, bringing attention to myself.
I immediately felt out of place, especially with my snickers on, everyone looked at me with a soft smile but behind that smile was a look of pity.
There was a heavy silence that accompanied those stares as I was brought to the beginning of a flower arch, Patricia had this fake smile on as she placed a light peck on my cheek placing a bouquet of flowers in my hands.
To break the silence was the pricing deep sound of a grand organ as it began to play the normal "here comes the bride" song.
I was scared, terrified, I hadn't thought this through at all, I felt myself backing away as Veronica's voice continued to echo in my head.
'Run!'
The next thing I felt was an arm snaked around my arm making me to release a small yelp.
I raised my eyes from my arm to the level of the eyes in front of me, in front of me was the sad guilt filed eyes of my father.
For a split second my heart softened as my eyes fell on the soft wrinkles that now rested on his face, especially under his eyes. I knew I was going to miss my father but I wasn't going to let him win in his little game.
He tugged on my hand as we began to move toward the flowered alter, there was already a man waiting for me there. No this wasn't right, everyone should be given the choice to marry who they loved and not be forced into it.
I stopped midway to the alter, and have more than second thoughts about running away, this wasn't what I wanted and definitely not how I planned on getting married.
"What's wrong child?" Father asked.
"This isn't right Father, he's supposed to be marrying Veronica not me, he should know that he's not marrying who he's supposed to." I whispered to father.
"Veronica suddenly called off the wedding and he has already saved our company from going bankrupt. You have to understand that I cannot just call it off." Father explained.
"But father-"
"Spare an old man this humiliation, I know you can't forgive me but do this for your mother." My defence broke at the mention of my mother, as I automatically began to move forward.
Before I knew what was going on I was already at the altar in front of my new-to-be husband and the priest, if I didn't know any better I would say the priest must have been imported like every other thing here.
My father gave me a light peck on the cheek as he handed me over to my new husband who I couldn't see clearly because of this damn veil.
As we walked closer to the priest, we were instructed to face each other and the groom was to remove my veil, I was a little clumsy because I had never been to any of the rehearsals which lead to me cursing more frequently.
"Please take off the veil and confirm if this is the woman you indeed want to marry." The priest instructed.
I felt my heart race faster as he stretched his hands to take off my veil, it was bad enough that I was taking Veronica's place but for the groom to find out this way. I didn't know what to expect.
I closed my eyes shut in case he was going to shout at me but the next thing I heard was...
"Yes, she is."
My eyes shot open as they finally rested on the man I was supposed to marry, the last man I would ever consider if I had a choice, the last man I'd rather die than marry.
My boss. Mr Liam Richards.
"Uh Hell no." I said out loud as I tried to walk away from the alter.
"If you leave now then I would consider it as the Hudson family going back on their word and all investments so far will be withdrawn and charges will be pressed towards the company and your family." Liam said.
I watched as he had this oddly satisfying look on his face as if he'd just won some mind game, I looked back to the crowd behind me and within them, I saw Patricia scowling at me, Veronica already had tears in her eyes but worst of all was the glimmer of hope in my father's eyes.
I took a deep breath turning around, I told myself that this was all for my mother and nothing else, I would do for my father this one last favour with my life.
My name is Cyra Hudson Richards and this is the story of how I ruined my life and found light at the end of the tunnel.
A few months earlier:
There was a ding above my head, I slowly opened my eyes to find that we had landed and would be getting off the plane any moment soon. The plane touched down and we were ushered out of the plane accordingly as I walked out into the blinding light and cold air of England, home.
It's been almost 6 years since I left to study in the states and now finally I was back. Most people would usually be thrilled with the fact that they could come back home and see their families and friends but that was the direct opposite story for me, as a matter of fact, I was forced to come back, it was either this or be cut off and I didn't have enough funds to be cut off.
Obviously I knew my family wasn't going to be waiting for me with a big welcome party or balloons like a normal family would, but at least they would send the driver to come to pick me up, right? I walked out to the waiting area and saw a tall man in black and white holding a card with my name on it. Well, what do you know, wishes do come true.
I walked towards him and nodded at the card as he lead me to a car outside, he helped me put my things in the trunk as I settled down in the back seat. For all, I knew there was nothing waiting for me at home.
The whole car ride was ridden in silence as thoughts about how I was going to dislike my stay at home resting with ease at the back of my mind. Why my dad even wanted me back home was unknown to me, for all I cared he already had his star daughter and his multimillionaire company, what did he need my low-life presence for.
When we finally got to the house I got one of the biggest shocks of my life. The servants were all lined up in front of the mansion, I wasn't sure why they were there, to begin with, but they were. I shrugged my shoulders as I cleared my mind from all impossible thoughts, they were probably waiting for Veronica or Patricia my stepsister and stepmother.
To my surprise the driver stopped in front of the house stewards, I gave him a confused look as I spoke.
"Uh... I don't think I'm supposed to stop here, so if you could just move forward a little, that would be very much appreciated. Thank you." I said but the driver did not respond.
"Hello?" I called.
"My instructions were to drop you directly in front of the Hudson mansion and that is exactly what I'm doing ma'am." The driver answered in a platonic voice.
"But..."
"I'm just following instructions. Please." He said again coming down from the car.
I looked out the window seeing two of the maids going to get my bags and all those other straight serious faces standing in a row.
It's not like I cared or anything but I wasn't used to all this attention and I wasn't going to start now.
I took a deep breath getting down from the car and made my way up the stairs towards the grand doors of the Hudson house, doors that I haven't seen in over four years.
I got to the door unknown to me another surprise was waiting for me.
"Welcome home dear."
A surprise that I definitely absolutely despised with my whole being.