Alexander's POV
A month later, I stood at the altar of a grand catholic church dressed in a sleek black tuxedo with Daniel by my side dressed in a black suit. Waiting for a wedding I didn't want.
The air smelled of incense and fresh roses. Soft glow of candles flickered around the church Illuminating the sculptured designs.
People whispered as the music played.
They weren't whispering about me.
They were whispering about her.
The bride.
The fact that no one truly understood why I was marrying her. A nobody.
Elena appeared at the entrance, dressed in a long white gown, lace trailing behind her as she walked slowly down the aisle.
She looked….Presentable.
Not breathtaking. Not the kind of woman people expected by my side.
But she knew how to play the part.
And that was all that mattered.
Her expression was calm, composed, her eyes straight ahead as if she wasn't walking into a room full of people who disliked her or had something to say against her. People who didn't want her there.
And me?
I stood there. My face blank, waiting for my bride to show up to reach me.
Sophie, her best friend who I only knew this morning, walked by her side in a purple fitted gown. She whispered something in her ear and whatever she did made Elena smile and loosen her grip on the bouquet.
When she reached me, I èxtended my hand.
She hesitated for a second before taking my hand.
Neither of us smiled.
But in front of the guests, we looked like the perfect couple.
The priìest spoke about love, commitment and family.
Words that had no place in this marriage.
I was silently waiting for him to get it over with.
"Do You, Alexander Sterling, take Elena Carter to be your lawfully wedded wife? In love and In sickness, till death do you part?"
I chuckled in my mind. A marriage of only three years. Till death do I part my foot.
I forced a smile, turned to Elena like I actually cared. "I do."
"And Do You, Elena Carter take Alexander Sterling to be your lawfully wedded husband? In love and In sickness, Till death do you part?"
She inhaled softly, lifting her gaze to meet mine.
For a moment, I wondered what she was thinking.
Then in a voice so smooth and steady that it almost sounded real and not fake. She whispered. "I do." She was good at acting.
The rings were exchanged.
The kiss was brief, careful, and practiced. Just for show and nothing more.
The guests applauded.
Just like that, we were husband and wife.
The reception was held outside the sterling mansion at the back where there was enough space for guests.
Tables lined with expensive wine and delicate floral arrangements. An orchestra playing soft music in the background.
Elena and I wore a change of cloth. I changed to a white suit while Elena changed into a flared flowery white gown.
It was the kind of wedding people dreamed about.
Yet, it felt hollow.
I moved through the room, greeting businessmen, CEOs and high profile guests playing the dutiful groom.
Elena did the same. Smiling, nodding and accepting congratulations as if this was real.
My mother didn't congratulate us. She just stood in one corner, unbothered and sipping her wine.
Everytime, someone toasts our future. I fought the urge to laugh.
There was no future here.
Only three years of contract.
Then we'd go our separate ways.
For the sake of appearances, I held her waist, touched her hand, leaned in and gave her a peck on her cheek. She allowed me, smiling all through just for a show of affection.
To everyone, we were so in love.
But it was just an executed plan of ours.
Victoria and her group of friends weren't bold enough to insult Elena in her front.
But the fake smiles, the low whispers, the jealous remarks were enough.
"she's not even fine."
"I wonder what she did to convince him."
"I give it a year."
Elena pretended not to hear them.
I pretended I didn't hear them either. I didn't even care.
The only one who had the audacity to speak was Victoria. As usual.
She approached with a sweet poisonous smile, her red gown bringing out her curves like she wanted everyone's attention on her instead of the bride.
I scoffed. What a pathetic attention seeker.
"You look lovely, Mrs sterling."She said. "I hope you enjoy your time with the family…however long it lasts."
Elena didn't flinch.
Instead, she smiled back, calm and unreadable.
"Thank you, Victoria. I hope you enjoy the reception…however long you last here."
Victoria's smile faltered.
I almost smiled at that.
But it wasn't Elena's voice that said that. I turned back and saw Sophie, Elena's best friend.
She was throwing daggers at Victoria and eyeing her.
"And who are You." Victoria asked, turning to meet Sophie's gaze.
"One person that you don't want to mess with is your best friend and if you know what's good for You, stay away from my Best friend." She walked up to Victoria, matching her gaze, not flinching or battling her eyes once.
Her best friend definitely knows how to shut someone up.
Victoria just hissed. Then She walked off with her group of friends. Fake friends.
"You good?" Sophie asked Elena.
She nodded, giving her a smile.
I knew Sophie didn't like me. Since I met her today, she hasn't even fully acknowledged me. It was good like that.
No closeness involved, after all it was just a contract. Our friends must not relate with each other.
~
I stood at the front of everyone, glass in hand, ready to give the required speech.
It was supposed to be a simple toast.
I would say something about family, love and our future together. Words that meant nothing but sounded good in front of the cameras and people.
I raised my glass.
Everyone became quiet.
And then.
Someone walked in.
People turned in shock.
Murmurs erupted.
"It can't be…"
"Is that–"
"No way–"
I looked to see the person.
My stomach dropped.
Standing at the entrance, dressed in a sharp gray suit, was a man I hadn't seen in years.
A man who should have stayed gone.
Reymond Sterling.
My father.
He stood there, calm, amused, eyes scanning the place before settling on me.
Then, he smirked.
"Really, son?" His voice was smooth, jalmost mocking. "A wedding? and I didn't even get an invitation?"
The room stood still.
Eleanor, sitting at the head table, froze.
Daniel, sitting beside me, tensed.
Elena just
sat there, a look of confusion on her face.
I felt my fingers tighten around my glass. Anger seeping through my veins.
He shouldn't be here.
And yet he was.
He had come back.
And I had no idea why.