Chapter 16 Marriage ceremony
1382 Words
As Lisa's wedding day approached, she became so withdrawn and despondent that she rarely left her room.
Mera and her mother were ecstatic and content as the day of Lisa's marriage to Lugard drew near.
They had been keeping a close eye on Lisa, trying to figure out if she was planning to escape or plotting something, but they hadn't discovered anything suspicious.
"Tomorrow is your daughter's wedding, Mom," Lisa said, tears swelling in her eyes as she gazed at her mother's photo in her hand.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be strong and won't let anyone mistreat me easily. I'll stand up for myself. Even if it's Miller's son, I'll make sure to teach him a lesson. If I die trying, I'll be happy because I'll finally meet you up there and be free from this cruel world. We'll be happy there, I know you won't mistreat me or make me feel bad like the people here did. Dad doesn't even care about me or love me the way he used to. He's selling me off for the sake of friendship and power."
She gazed at her mother's photo, tracing her mother's smiling face and hair. "I love you, Mom, and I miss you very, very much," she whispered, hugging her mother's picture frame before a knocking sound interrupted her.
Lisa sat with a frown on her face. "Who is that?" she wondered.
"The wedding dress has arrived, young miss," the maid announced.
Feeling nervous, Lisa clenched her fist and bit her lip, trying to calm down. "You can come in," she said, placing her mother's pictures back in their original positions and heading to the bathroom to wash her face.
The servants entered and placed the dress on the bed. "Miss, you need to try it on to see if it fits perfectly," they said.
Lisa emerged from the bathroom, wiping her face with a white towel. "Okay," she nodded at the servants.
After trying on the wedding dress, the servants cheered, "Yes, it fits you perfectly. Oh my, I wish I was as beautiful as you. It looks so stunning on you. I'm jealous!"
Everyone was amazed by Lisa's beauty. She looked like an angel descending from heaven. Lisa smiled, thanked them, checked herself in the mirror, and touched the beautiful dress with her hands.
The servants continued to praise her happily.
Meanwhile, outside Lisa's door, Mera stood eavesdropping. She came expecting to find Lisa crying helplessly, but to her surprise, Lisa was not only not crying but also laughing and talking with the servants. They were busy praising her like a goddess. Mera's face turned black with anger, and she stormed out to find her mother.
The day of the wedding arrived, and Lisa felt like she was trapped in a nightmare. She stood in front of the mirror, her heart racing as she gazed at her reflection.
Her servant, Victoria, who was like a mother to her, walked around her, making final adjustments to her wedding dress.
Lisa's wedding gown was a breathtaking, floor-length masterpiece. The ivory silk fabric shimmered in the light, adorned with intricate lace and delicate florals that seemed to dance across the bodice.
The fitted, mermaid silhouette accentuated her slender figure, while the flowing train behind her cascaded like a river of moonlight. A delicate, sparkling tiara rested on her forehead, complementing the subtle sheen of her gown. Her veil, a whisper-thin layer of tulle, framed her face like a misty aura.
"Lisa, stop fidgeting," Victoria said, her voice stern. "You're going to ruin your makeup."
Lisa took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She had never felt so helpless in her life. She was about to marry a man she had never met, a man her family had chosen for her. A man rumored to be an incompetent, ugly beast, with a face and body so disfigured that no one could recognize him.
Victoria squatted in front of Lisa and hugged her very tightly. "Don't cry. I feel your pain. I don't know what came into your dad that made him arrange this marriage. Maybe it's for your good. Don't cry. You are your dad's favorite daughter; he won't lead you into the fire because he knows that it will hurt you."
"I know your dad can go to any lengths to see that you are happy in the future and satisfied. Otherwise, there is something that happened that we don't know that resulted in marrying you to resolve the problem. Can you promise to stop crying so that you won't ruin your makeup?"
Lisa smiled and hugged Mrs. Victoria back. "I will listen to you. I won't cry. But as for my dad, I don't want to know why he did what he did. That's his business, not mine."
As Lisa walked out of the room, she saw her best friend Didi waiting for her in the hallway. Didi's eyes were filled with tears, and she mouthed "I'm so sorry" to Lisa.
Lisa smiled weakly and hugged Didi. "It's okay," she whispered. "I'll get through this."
Suddenly, Emma, Lisa's best friend who had just come back from the USA for Lisa's marriage, exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, you look amazing!" She started taking pictures of Lisa.
"Baby, can you smile for me? I want to capture your beautiful smile," urged Emma, and Lisa smiled.
The people around were very happy watching the friends' joyful moments.
Shortly after, Mr. John Davis came and hugged his daughter. After a brief conversation, he took her hand, and they all left.
Mera was very jealous of Lisa's appearance, and she started causing trouble for the maids.
The grand marriage party took place at the opulent Bellvue Estate, a sprawling property renowned for its breathtaking architecture and immaculately manicured gardens. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a majestic entrance flanked by towering marble columns and adorned with intricate gold leaf details.
Upon entering the estate, guests were enveloped in a world of luxury and excess. Crystal chandeliers refracted rainbow hues across the polished marble floors, while lavish candelabras and exquisite flower arrangements added to the air of sophistication.
The party area was transformed into a luxurious oasis, with:
- Plush, cream-colored lounge seating and intimate, velvet-draped conversation areas
- Towering floral arrangements featuring rare, exotic blooms in shades of ivory, champagne, and pale pink
- A stunning, crystal-encrusted bar serving fine wines, champagnes, and signature cocktails
- A lavish, multi-station buffet offering an array of gourmet cuisine, from succulent seafood to decadent chocolates
The decor was a masterful blend of elegance and opulence, with:
- Personalized, monogrammed linens and tableware
- Exquisite, one-of-a-kind centerpieces featuring rare flowers and delicate, hand-blown glass
- A dramatic, floor-to-ceiling backdrop featuring a custom, hand-painted design
Every detail reflected the unparalleled wealth and status of the two families, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for the celebration of Lisa and Lugard's union.
The ceremony was a blur. Lisa went through the motions, her mind numb. Since Lugard wasn't present, his proxy, a stern-looking man, stood in for him.
It was just a small ceremony, and many people were not invited, but it was full of a sea of people. Some were looking at Lisa pitifully, and some were smirking at her.
Many people were causing her claiming that she married Lugard because of his money and family fortune.
Some said that Lugard is a demon, a blood-sucking demon, that will eat Lisa up tonight.
Some said that Lugard had killed a family and eaten them without batting an eye.
Some said he is an old man.
Some said that he is an incompetent man, useless, and can no longer touch a woman. He won't touch her.
Someone answered that since the demon is useless, she will go outside and have fun, will she be able to stay without being touched? It will be useless.
Everyone started laughing.
"Yeah, there will be cheating. She will surely cheat," they said, laughing.
"Oh, she is very beautiful, but she chose an ugly, incompetent, old man beast because of money. Haha."
"Let's see if this beast will let this fresh meal survive this night."
Lisa's head was filled with people's curses, mockery, laughter, and pity. Her friends were so angry that they started calling people back.
- Writer
