Chapter Three

"I won't be in the office today, reschedule my meetings to next week, I have something important to take care of. I Will be flying to France".... The almighty Jack told the other caller.

"Alright sir, consider it done"....

Jack smiled at himself in the mirror after ending the call and tossing his phone on his sofa, being so lucky that it did not fall on the floor and went to the promised land(scattering into pieces). He was checking out the outfit that he picked for his wedding, and at the same time admiring himself. His stylist had given him the usual white and black wedding suit with a bow tie, telling and urging him to pretend as if it was his real wedding, without knowing that there was a little truth behind what he said.

Jack had lied earlier to his stylist telling him that he was going to his best friend's wedding and would be acting as his best man. This made the poor stylist innocently come up with the idea of the suit, not knowing that it was Jack's fake wedding. Jack on the other hand didn't want to explain much to his stylist which was the reason behind the lie he told him, and also he wanted the marriage to be a secret.

After admiring and making sure that the cloth was well fitted, he sat down on his sofa waiting for his driver to come pick him up. With his two legs crossed, he thought about his wedding and it made him smile. That wedding was going to be the beginning of Jessica's downfall without her knowing. As it is now, Jessica doesn't know his true identity. that is, the true him, and with time she would know why he gave her the money and married her daughter, by then it will be too late" He thought to himself. He knew how he suffered and lost his will just because of her, many years ago, when he was nothing and very helpless. He will make her pay for it. 

Marriage is a thing that should be taken seriously, but to Jack, it was his tool of revenge.

************

The doorbell's shrill ring sent shivers down everyone's spine, particularly Kate, the future bride. Fear clouded her features as she grappled with the unknown arrival. Helen, overcome by unexpected dread, bolted for the bathroom, while Kelly disappeared into her room with haste. Jessica, like a tightly wound spring, forced a smile. Though on the surface she appeared calm, a flicker of nervousness danced in her eyes, betraying the tension coiled within.

"I'll answer the door," Jessica instructed Kate, her voice barely a whisper. "Stay here in the parlour and try to relax."

Kate watched as Jessica made her way towards the door to see who it was while she sat down patiently and uncomfortably on the sofa, waiting for the worst to happen. If Jessica will shiver this way because of Jack, then who was she to be less afraid?

As Jessica opened the door, she came facing Jackson, his bodyguards and cars.

" Didn't expect you would be early today?" Jessica asked Jackson, still in fear

"What about my bride, hope she is ready" Jackson asked Jessica, ignoring her initial statement.

"Yes sir, your bride is ready and waiting patiently in the parlour, you may go in now," Jessica told him.

Jackson together with two of his bodyguards walked into the parlour, while the remaining stayed back outside to guard the compound. As he came to the parlour and saw Kate, he stopped for a while to take a good look at her. She was stunning, and his heart skipped a bit but he acted so well not to make it obvious.

"Is she my bride?" Jackson asked no one in particular, but it was meant to be answered by Jessica.

"Yes sir, she is," Jessica replied.

"What is your name, young lady?" Jackson asked Kate who was already sweating out of fear.

"My name is Kate".....

"Kate, what of your other sister, isn't she around ?"...

"No, I mean y-es sir, she went inside the toilet for a few seconds" Kate confusedly answered the question.

Kate was so scared, that she almost shed tears, why was Jackson asking her those questions, and why didn't Jessica tell her the answer of what she would reply if she was asked? She was so confused. She was in front of a well-built and manly-looking man, who was meant to be every woman's crush, but ended up being a curse to them instead. Aside from his good-looking body, his aura was dangerous and at the same time attractive and charming put to his good-looking face and deep voice that every lady wanted their man to have.

"I have three daughters, this is my last daughter Kate, and she begged me to let her go with you" Jessica lied, indirectly coming to her rescue

Kate stared at Jessica in disbelief with her mouth wide open. Why will she have to lie to that extent just to get her out of her life? When did she even beg to follow Jackson of all people, the mysterious man, whom everyone feared? If there was a way the ground would open and swallow her, she would have been happier that it happened, than marrying Jackson.

Jackson turned sharply at Jessica and gave her this confused stare

"I thought you had two daughters, or is there something fishy going on here" Jackson asked.

"That is what the world knows, at least what I wanted them to know, but in reality, I have three daughters, and this is my last child" Jessica lied again.

"Well, I don't have much to say, as I said earlier, that you should prepare one of your girls, and I think I like this one already, we will sign an agreement, so you won't come back later claiming that I forcefully married and took your daughter away from you like other people do" ...

Jackson made the statement and went ahead to bring out an agreement paper, which Jessica signed without even reading it to understand what was written on the paper, whether it meant her death or not. This attitude surprised Jack a little bit, but knowing the kind of lady Jessica was, he didn't think it too far.

However the next question Jackson asked threw everyone off balance, it came unexpectedly.

"Jessica what type of white wedding do you want for her, luxurious or simple and expensive or no white wedding at all"...

Jessica smiled stupidly and told Jackson not to bother about any wedding, and that he should do what pleases him with Kate. Jack looked suspiciously at Jessica to confirm if she was serious or not, and also looked back at Kate to see her reaction to what Jessica said.

"You are seriously going with that, I mean that is what you want right," Jackson asked Kate.

"Yes sir, I am OK with her decision" Kate tearfully agreed.

Kate cursed Jessica in her mind, even if she didn't like her, and they were all pretending to impress Jackson, why didn't she continue the act like a caring mother to the end? It would have been better for everyone, than humiliating and embarrassing her that way. 

Because who on earth marries their daughter off without a proper wedding?

"Well, since you agreed to that, we will then set out to fly back to my house. I have some important business to take care of, " Jackson said, and beckoned Kate to follow him, after ordering his men to carry her luggage.

As Kate was about leaving she took a last glance at the house that started her suffering, pain, and agony and thought of the painful situation she will be in her new place. Moreover, she saw Kelly and Helen waving mock-ling at her through their windows and telling her not to come back ever again, and to enjoy her new hell. She felt like screaming at everyone, but couldn't.

She was just a girl, somehow like a toy, meant to be tossed around just to satisfy everyone and end up not still satisfying them at all. She had to face the reality and calamity that had befallen her.

Kate closed her eyes and inhaled some air for the last time, opened her eyes and left the house to meet up with Jackson.