CHAPTER 2 Tie the knot

　　(Alana)

　　Like a dream, I was guided outside the farm house. It was luxurious and completely beautiful. I was told all the Romero children got married here. It was their tradition to marry at their old mansion.

　　I also met two lovely girls, they were twins. Kira and Kiara. They were Erin's daughters. They dressed in pretty white similar dresses and nice white sandals. Not only that, but they carried two lovely baskets decorated with white flowers. Erin told me they would walk in front of me while throwing some flowers

　　Immediately we got outside, my mom dropped the veil over my face, I was grateful to her knowing I wanted to avoid being seen. Or for people to look at me and see how red my eyes were

　　My dad hooked his arm with me, I heard cheering and the wedding song instrumental played. It was a BEAUTIFUL IN WHITE song. I loved the song, maybe my mom requested for it to be played knowing how much I bragged to her to play the very same song on my wedding day

　　I felt even more emotional, I couldn't hold myself as I let my tears flow. Recalling the many times I would dance in the rain while playing the song while imagining myself in the arms of the man I loved. It was close to my heart,

　　My dad didn't rush but maintained the same pace as me. The wedding dress I was wearing was a little tight. It was beautiful with a long train, something the Romero family bought since all this was done rushing

　　Soon I felt we were approaching. Tension built up, I felt a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach. My throat had gone dry, my legs had turned to jelly.

　　Oh gosh, I dreamed of getting married one day, but not like this

　　“Careful sweetie,” my dad said while guiding me up the stairs I just noticed. I slowly and carefully climbed the few stairs leading up. Inhaling and exhaling. The music stopped and we stopped walking. I guessed we arrived

　　“I give you my precious daughter wholeheartedly…take care of her and make her happy…she's all I have, I… I wouldn't survive if anything happened to her,” my dad said while handing me over to the man, I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was about to cry. Likewise, I felt a sharp pain to my heart hearing him about to break down

　　“She's all yours,” he added when I felt warm large hands grab my cold hands and held me just as tight. My heart skipped a beat, the hands were large and a little rough. Despite the warmth, I felt insecure. I was a bit afraid because I was standing in front of the groom. My soon-to-be husband,

　　“We are gathered here, to witness…the wedding of Mr. Ricardo Romero and Miss Alana Mendoza.” It was the priest who said through a mic, and my heart lurched. My breathing increased. Not just me, but the man's grip on me tightened a little. Was he also afraid? I wanted to remove the veil and see him. But I waited as the priest continued reciting the vows. Preaching about marriage and a blessed reunion. There was no love, I argued against that statement

　　“Please remove her veil, so she can see her beloved,” the priest said, startling me, swallowing hard to refuse, but the man let go of me. He reached for the sides of my veil and like a slow movie scene

　　The veil was thrown off my face leaving me bare, a gush of cold breeze brushed against my face as a shiver ran through me. My eyes were closed. Slowly I tried to open them, afraid of whom I was about to see. Opening my eyes fully, I was met with dark, sharp eyes. A piercing gaze which could penetrate a soul. He was also tall and lean, refined and a lot muscular. His hair was short and neatly styled with a few bangs falling over his face, a sharp chiseled chin with a clean beard. He was wearing a black tuxedo which fit him perfectly. Other than that, he had a stern expression on. He didn't seem happy to see me or was it just his resting face

　　His presence made me feel afraid, the difference between him and Armando. Mr. Armando was scary from afar, but nice up closer. The man before him had a frightening aura, so dark and malicious that I didn't want to marry

　　“Miss Alana?” I was startled back to my senses by the priest, realizing I had been staring at the man before me like some lost fool. Glancing at the priest. I was confused. Did he say anything? I glanced over at my mom seated in the front roll, and she had her hands together as if praying I didn't run away. The groom's family was looking at me with intense eyes. Shifting my gaze back to the groom. I was automatically speechless

　　“Do you take Ricardo Romero…as your wedded husband, in sickness and in health…to love and to cherish, for better or for worse until death separates you?” The priest repeated the question I guessed he asked me earlier, and the world stopped around me. Was I ready for this, to accept the cold man before me as my husband? This was a big decision, but one look at my parents and I knew I had no choice

　　“Y-yes I do,” the words left my lips and I heard people cheering and clapping

　　“Do you, Ricardo Romero…”

　　“Yes I do,” the man said in a stern deep voice, cutting off the priest. I was surprised how fast he said I do, we exchanged rings just like that

　　“I now pronounce you husband and wife… you may kiss the bride,” the priest declared the final words and my soul left my body. I was now married, I was not Alana Mendoza but Mrs. Alana Romero. This was a forced marriage, we didn't kiss, which I appreciated. People walked up to the stage and came to congratulate us. The groom's family were the first one to come.

　　“Welcome to the family Sweetheart, this grumpy fool is lucky to have you as a wife,” the woman I knew was the stepmom to my new husband said and gave me a hug. I had no sentiments whatsoever, but out of respect. I smiled and pretended as if everything was okay

　　“She's beautiful, isn't she? Ricardo…come here and take photos with your wife,” Erin came and gave me a hug as well. I was a little when she called me beautiful

　　“Erin is right…this is a big day, come here…stand close to your wife,” my mother-in-law Marcela said and shoved the man close to me. His shoulder brushed against mine a little and I shifted away immediately

　　“Your arms around her, come on be a good hubby,” Erin said cheerfully and asked the photographer to take a picture of us. For goodness's sake, I was so nervous, especially when he snaked his arm around my back, he didn't hold me but kept a distance. To people it looked like he was holding me, but in reality he was faking it. I appreciated it, knowing I didn't want him to touch me

　　“Aww, you look beautiful together,” people around murmured cheerfully. Despite everything, my entire attention was on my parents. I was leaving them for another family. Thinking about that, I felt tears lingering in my eyes.