THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Chapter 5

Alex’s POV

I couldn't hide the sudden pallor on my face from the woman in front of me, who claimed to be my twin's best friend. If she is Alexa's best friend, she will definitely notice that I am not her because she is very familiar with my twin. So concealing the truth from her is pointless.

"Where is my friend? What have you done to her?" she asked bluntly.

I couldn't help but look around, afraid that someone else might have heard what she said. Then I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed there were no guests nearby and they were all busy talking to each other.

"I'm not Alexa, but don't worry, I didn't do anything bad to her," I replied, then made her read Alexa's letter that I found in my hand when I woke up.

"OMG! Then it's really true that she has a twin. You're Alex, right?" she exclaimed in disbelief after reading the letter. She quickly refolded the letter and handed it back to me before anyone else will notice.

"You know me?" Although I was surprised, I still felt happy. At least someone knows my true self and I don't have to pretend to be Alexa in front of her.

"She mentioned you to me, but I didn't believe her. She also told me what she planned to do, and I thought she was just joking. I just realized now that she was really serious about what she said," she said while staring on my face. "You do look alike. By the way, I'm Monic. Your twin's classmate and best friend. I've been talking to you for a while, but I haven't even told you my name."

"Nice to meet you, Monic. I have something to ask about things related to Alexa."

I asked Monic all the things about my twin that I wanted to know, and she patiently answered. While we were eating, we continued to talk as if we had known each other for a long time. She's as chatty as me so we quickly clicks as friends.

Monic was by my side the entire time and we were having fun. It's as if she's my groom. She's with me instead of Uriel, who's busy talking to his business acquaintances. It's a good thing he didn't want me to share at their table, if he had, I might be dying of boredom right now.

I'm glad my twin's plastic friends never spoke to me again. Maybe they were scared because I was with Monic, who was clearly a sassy and has brave character. Alexa's father, I mean, our father, also spoke to me, but only for a moment before his acquaintances, the businessmen, drew him away. It's a good thing he didn't stay long because I still don't know how to face and communicate with him. I despise him so much. And my rage will not subside until I hear his explanation for leaving me and my mom. But I hope his explanation is acceptable. Otherwise, I will never forgive him for the rest of my life.

When the night grew darker and the guests began to leave one by one, I told Uriel that I was going to bed. I explained that I was too tired to entertain the guests, even though Monic is the one who usually speaks to them, especially if I don't know them.

When I entered the room, I was stunned for a moment and stared at the wide bed. My situation seems to have just sunk into my brain. It turns out that Uriel and I are married, so that means we will sleep in the same bed and do what married couples do. Absentmindedly, I crossed my arms in front of my chest. I survived the honeymoon because I heard Uriel tell those he talked to that he had no intention of going on a honeymoon abroad because he still had many pending jobs in his company. But it doesn't mean I would survive our first night as a newly married couple.

"No, this can't be. I have no intention of giving myself to him, no matter how handsome and wealthy he is. I will only give myself to my husband," I told myself, as if I were insane. But I was taken aback when I realized Uriel was indeed my husband. "To the man I love and will truly marry, not as a substitute bride," I corrected myself.

I immediately thought of how I could avoid having s*x with him. I looked for the closet where the clothes were kept, but I couldn't find it. I only see plenty of doors inside. Bathroom door, and then there are two other doors that I don't know where they would take me. I first approached the door closest to me and opened it. I closed my eyes when the strong and cold night air hit me. It turned out that the door led to a spacious terrace. I immediately closed the door and walked towards another door. I was amazed to see that the last door I opened was a walk-in closet. That's why I didn't see any wardrobe outside because Uriel's beautiful clothes and various personal items were here. I looked for where Alexa's clothes were. I smiled when I saw how many sleeping clothes he had. I took five and layered them on my body after I took off the dress I wore to the party. There was a smile on my lips when I went out the door, but my smile was immediately erased when I saw Uriel, who was already inside the room and was leaning against the back of the door with his arms folded across his chest.

"Why are you wearing that?" Uriel asked me as his piercing eyes wandering all over me. He didn't seem to like what he saw. I swallowed when he walked closer.

"Ah, eh. I-I'm just like this when I sleep," I stammered. What now, Alex? Why did you stutter? Where did your sassiness disappeared to? I said to myself.

"Really?" Uriel said in a low voice as he stopped in front of me, and then, without a word, he suddenly lifted me to bed.

"W-What are you p-planning? D-Don't continue s with what you're planning or else I'll scream," I said to him in a panic. What is this that I have come across? Will I give my body to a man I don't love? Will this be the replacement to save my mom's life? Is there no other way to stop whatever Uriel is planning to do with me?