Cursed Bride of Billionaire (Book 2 of Mysterious Bride)

“Girl!!! You are not ready yet. You know what, everyone out is waiting for you. Do you want to fire all of us? You should have been ready by now. The guests will leave by ten-thirty. Don't keep us waiting!” A short-haired woman in an olive green suit came and yelled at me. Her big black eyes were gaping at me angrily. Like she'll eat me right now. It was normal for her to be mad at me. It was her third time coming and asked me to get ready. I was in the darkroom, with barely a single dim light in the corner. Sitting on the wooden chair, I was peeking at my face in the mirror again and again. Even though the mirror was shrouded by small LED lights, my face was still looking so sluggish. It was so pale and bloodless as if I had prolonged anaemia. I had never seen my face so sad before. I thought things would be alright. I'll start smiling again. But all that now seemed impossible. After the tragedy that happened to me a few months back and now this. I was completely broke. The women standing at the door caught my attention as they were muttering something. They were looking at me secretly, stooping and hiding behind the door. There was a surprise on their faces. They keep hiding behind the door as if it's prohibited to see me, otherwise who doesn't want to meet the bride? “Wow! The bride looks so beautiful. Poor girl! How did she feel about all this?” One woman asked another. They were so loud that I could hear them from sitting in the dressing room. “What trap? She must have wanted to run behind on money. Otherwise, why does such a young and well-looking girl accept such a deal!” another one added. After listening to them, I was convinced that I was going to do something wrong. But now I can't look back. People say that I am beautiful like my mother. Even though those people were giving compliments, they said that my life would also become hell like my mother’s. I always denied that, I was standing on my feet and earning well as an editor. Now I was feeling helpless. As if the glow on my face has gone somewhere. As if there is no life left in my body. Even if I wanted to smile, I could not. Even if I tell you about it, you will find it funny. Today is my wedding day. Today is my wedding and I am considering today the worst day of my life. This is the happiest moment of life for any girl. This day will be a good memory for any girl, but it is not the same in my case. For me, this day was worse than death. At least death causes peace forever, but here I was restless. What was happening was nothing less than a shock to me. But I had no other choice. I have to do this marriage even though I don't want to. “Are you mad? I am telling you to get ready soon. You have to reach Grand Road by midnight.” The women came again and stood at the door. “What is this, you haven't even dressed yet. What do you want? Should this marriage be cancelled? Have you forgotten what your mother said?" This time her voice was louder and she was irritated now. “Shall I get a glass of water?" I asked her in a hushed voice. My heart was thumping. It was not an easy thing for me to get ready for marriage in a single day. "Yes." She went out and came in. This time she had a glass of water in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. "Do you want me to call madam here? Look, I don't want to be harsh. ” She stared down at the wedding gown and jewellery. I felt that I was wasting time unnecessarily. I gushed water into my throat. I should stick to what I have decided. I took a deep breath and looked at that woman. “I'll be ready in fifteen minutes. Can you leave the room please?" I smiled bitterly at her. She went out making her face weird. I picked up the diamond-studded earrings I kept in front and put them in my ears. That magenta-coloured gown, which once seemed to be the most special thing for me, has become the cause of my sorrow today. I used to love doing makeup, but today I find it scary to have such an expensive makeup kit. Many questions were going into my mind. “Come out. It's time to get married. Don't make anyone wait." My mother’s assistant came while sitting at her wristwatch. She stared at my face with her squinted eyes. “What is this, you didn't hide your face with a veil.” She pulled a veil at my face. I forgot mom told me not to show my face to anybody else. “Where is mom? Didn't she come with you?” I asked her while looking behind her. “She is busy. Miss Laura has a ramp walk today. Miss Miriam must be there,” she said and left the room quickly. I was alone in that room. There was no one around me to take me onto the stage. I was very nervous. Even though it was out of the deal, I was marrying for the first time. I was worried as hell. I started coming out quietly. My heart was beating fast. I was going to get married and I didn't even see my husband. I didn't know his name, address or any identity. Well, I don't even want to know that. As soon as I came out, I felt strange seeing the view outside. I was peeking through the veil at the audience. Just ten to twelve people attended my wedding. They didn't even look like any close relative of the groom. Everyone was busy on their mobile phones. No one had any happiness or sorrow for the arrival of the bride. "Oh f**k! The bride is coming now! We have to stay here for an hour.” I heard some murmur while trudging through the row. "I'm very hungry. Can I even get food here? Why is there no food in the dining area?" one old aunty kneaded her tummy and began staring around. "I don't know how long I will have to sit here. I am so tired of sitting here. I would charge more for additional hours.” one lady rolled her eyes to another one sitting beside her chair. All kinds of things were being heard in my ears. It seemed as if they had come by paying some money. Everything was so unusual that there was sweat on my forehead. Where did I stick to? “I would like to call the bride on the stage.” The priest pointed toward me. This church looked so old that it was as if my marriage was the last here. Far away from the main city, completely abandoned by people, it made it so horrible. The smell of damp walls and crumpled thatch crinkled my nose. Dusty statue. Seeing all this, it seemed as if no one had come to that church. With slower steps, I got on the stage. I was wondering if the man I was marrying was not beside me. I was standing alone in front of a priest. I knew this marriage was a secret wedding. But that absence of the Groom was even more bizarre than that. What kind of marriage is this? What was the purpose behind such a marriage? A man with curly hair came with a piece of paper in his hand. It was a marriage certificate. I knew that because I had seen our country's marriage certificate before. A brown coloured crape paper with golden lining in the corner of it. That was way attractive when I looked back previously, but not now. The priest pointed to me and I took that certificate in my hand. It was no ordinary certificate. Not as same as I have seen before. Some parts of it were hidden using black tape. It was purposely kept hidden. “I miss Hazel Robinson, a citizen of the United States of America, officially getting married to Mr. [black tape] on 24th May 2019 at 4.30 p.m. in California. We pledge to be faithful to each other for this marriage. ” I read that. “Signature. Bride: Miss Hazel Robinson. And Groom: black tape.” I started laughing at my luck. Even if I read this name, nothing is going to change. "Sign it. And the wedding will be over. Nothing else will happen except this." The pastor told me in a serious tone. I picked up the golden pen lying on the table, but my hands started trembling. I knew that I could not go back now. I promised my mom that I would not look back. I stared at that certificate again and again. I still remember what happened three days back. I did not come out of one trauma, but I fell into another shock. [three days before] In the Night club “Wohooo... Now let's see whose turn is coming. You guys are killing it!! I loved that.. Woooo..." Mia turned to the blue coloured wine bottle kept on the table. “Jeerrrrrrrr.” The bottle started whirling. My friends were all sitting at the corner of the table and they were playing truth and dare. I was sitting at another table thinking about something. Even in that crowd and loud atmosphere, I was alone. I was silent. I feel pain in my heart... Leo, why did you do that? I came to sense it when a hand was kept on my shoulder. I turned back to see it was Mia. "Oh, Hazel. Are you sitting this sad? Why aren't you coming to play truth and dare with us? What with this face about Huh? Come with me." Mia asked me, holding my hand. She was pulling it but I was steady. She was getting angry with me. All five of our friends came to this nightclub after a long time. Almost four months. Mia had given a party, especially for her birthday here in this nightclub. Everyone was very happy and cheerful. My friends were one kind of people who wanted to enjoy their life. I didn't want the party to be uninteresting because of me. Therefore, I was stooping on the table in one corner. I was afraid that my off mood would ruin her party. "Mia, please look at the rest of your friends. Don't worry about me. I am better sitting here. You know I have no interest in playing this game,” I told Mia. It was her birthday and that was a special day for her.