Vows of Freedom

My hands shook and my face pinched as I forced out yet another fake smile. A never-ending parade of guests walked up to me and wished me all their best.

I had, an hour ago, just gotten married as my sister — a desperate attempt to save my family's business. Lucias Drake was one of the world's wealthiest bachelors. Owning several successful multi-million dollar businesses at just the age of thirty.

Lucias had been looking for a wife for some time and because of who he is he decided to choose his wife. His Father had approached my father with the proposition of marriage to my twin sister, Lisa. In return, my Father would receive a large and continued investment into our construction business.

He'd chosen her because our family were wealthy, not like him but enough that he believed she wasn't after a rich husband. She was also pretty enough but not a flirt. I'd scoffed at that under my breath.

Naturally, my sister wasn't happy about it. She'd adamantly refused, proclaiming she loved her boyfriend and only wanted to marry him. Some B-list model who wasn't as high profile as either of the claimed.

Of course, she'd been convinced to accept the proposal. My Mother was sure that when she saw what was being spent for the wedding and what she would get she would come around.

Indeed, I had expected her to. After all, as a wedding gift, he bought her a car. Not just any car but a Mercedes AMG, a car she'd always wanted. She'd even got an expensive wedding dress by a world-renowned designer.

However, the day before the wedding all hell broke loose. Mother found a note from Lisa, she'd run off with her boyfriend and her new car. She didn't want to marry some old man just to save the business.

She hadn't believed my Father when he said she would be marrying his son. Lisa was convinced the old man was looking for a young wife and just using his son as an excuse. Lucias' dad did have a reputation.

Mother had instantly cried herself to sleep, even Father broke down. They looked so lost and I felt helpless and angry. Lisa had always been the spoilt one, always gotten her way. Mother and Father gave her anything she asked for, forgiving her mistakes. How could she abandon them like this?

I'd been the one to suggest I pretend to be Lisa. being twins we looked alike. My frame was slight just like hers and I know I could use one of Lisa's wigs. I told them the contract only required his child to marry Lucias. It didn't specifically say it had to be Lisa.

So, here I was just after saying I do and now the reception is winding down. We'd had our dance and for a moment I forgot I was playing a ruse and was supposed to be playing my sister. It had felt nice to be in his arms, to have him so close. He was so handsome with his striking green eyes and short, dark hair.

As the night drew closer, my nerves kicked in more. Soon we would be going home, soon it would be the wedding night. Soon, he would find out he's been tricked.

How will he react? Will he be angry, hurt or disgusted to learn he'd married a man instead of a woman? Would he refuse to help with our business?

We waved at the guests as we climbed into the car. The ride was silent and he looked stoic. I wanted to speak to him, to have something fill the silence but one look at him silenced me.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, not looking at me.

"What! Oh no, nothing," I spoke in a slightly higher-pitched voice similar to Lisa's.

"Really?" he asked.

"Well erm …"

I was at a loss for words. It felt like he wanted me to confess but I had no idea what. He couldn't know who I really was … Could he?

---

The car led us to a private airport. We climbed onto a small jet and I was in awe, it looked so fancy. My excitement bubbled up over my nerves.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"On our honeymoon," he sighed as if annoyed.

"Well, yes … I mean I know that but I meant … erm …" I stammered.

He sighed and pinched his nose. It was strange, all day he'd been polite and happy, now he looked annoyed.

"Is everything ok?

Lucias stared at me for a long time, I squirmed in my seat and looked out the window.

The dark sky looked ominous as the silence continued to fill the small space. I chanced a glance at him and he was still staring at me.

"Do you like the car I bought you?" he asked.

I was startled by the question.

"Oh yes … yes it's a great car."

"Did you like the colour? I was told it was a colour that girls like?"

My mind whirled. I'd never seen the car as I didn't live at home. Plus, Lisa gave it to her boyfriend to drive.

"Oh yes, I love the colour."

"Really? I didn't think neon pink would work for the car but if you like it, then I guess it's ok."

"Neon pink?" I called out in shock.

He smirked at me with cold steely eyes.

"I mean …" I stammered.

Lucias leaned forward and clasped his hands together on the small table between us. I felt as if I was on trial.

"The car was a deep grey," he told me. "It's curious you don't know the colour of the car I bought you."

My cheeks felt like they were on fire as kittens did somersaults in my stomach.

"I know every place that car has been to since I bought it. Even though I chose you to marry I did have to be sure that you were the type of person I wanted to bind myself to. You've been to a few interesting places," he smirked.

"Oh?"

"Yes, most places were normal. Coffee shops and malls, places like that and a few gyms too which also wasn't unusual. The thing that struck me was that when the car was at your home it was only there for a few minutes, never overnight or all day."

Dread filled my heart.

"Instead, it stayed overnight somewhere else. At someone else's home. A Mr Clark Hollins, a mid-level model."