Chapter 1: Wedding Gone Wrong

Kendis's POV

It started two years ago...

Being at someone's wedding could turn out this way, I had never imagined it.

Flashback

While we waited for the groom to appear, I was bothered with the problem ahead of me. My phone has been ringing nonstop. It was from my mom, and I knew I couldn't escape it anymore.

Excusing myself, I walked inside the Victorian castle; finding a lone place to talk to her.

Suddenly, I heard a crash and some distant loud voices.

Slowly, I sneaked with a racing heart.

It was an argument over probably a fight. Don't tell me it was amongst the marrying party?

Somehow, I was outside the slightly ajar door, hearing all the commotion, loud and clear.

"The fuck she dared to do that to me! To me!!! Find her and I will make sure she sees the worst side of me!" A deep voice caught my attention.

A very dangerous one!

"Please calm down, Liam! Your parents might be here, if not already! How are you going to answer them, think about that!" And my eyes went wide realizing that Liam was probably the groom.

'Then what exactly happened here?' And I momentarily forgot that curiosity killed a cat.

Swept by intriguing nature, I tried to listen closely when they had switched to murmuring.

Stuck to the edge of the wall, barely hanging on the ajar door, I did my best not to give myself away while listening to their conversation.

"Dad would kill me! I chose her over them… They haven't even met her which is worse all the more… Now what am I going to tell him? And the others???" He grunted.

"Tell them the truth! Say she ran away on her wedding day." The other guy's words did shock me completely.

So that was it? She really, did it?

I chuckled inwardly, feeling bad for the guy too. Honestly, I always knew that this bride was untrustworthy--after all, she is my cousin!

"Are you fucking out of your mind!!!"

"You want them to make fun of me! A girl ditched Liam, the billionaire, on his wedding-" And he shouted so loudly that I almost tripped over, banging lightly on the door.

"Shhhh! There's someone out there." The other guy spoke just as I ran off, with a thudding heartbeat.

I dashed into the second open door and hid inside, trying to calm my thunderous heart.

The fuck was that? Candice left her groom on their wedding day.

Man! Why did she do this? Wasn't she happy with her fiancé?

Bzzz… Bzzz…

I startled and almost shrieked when my phone buzzed again.

Immediately, my finger swiped on accept and listened to my mom's scared voice.

"Kendis! Why the hell weren't you picking up my calls? I was so scared!!! David threatened to reveal us. To call you at their daughter's wedding, it was a trap!" My mom dropped another bomb on me.

I could feel my legs give away and I slumped down on a small couch placed beside the wall.

"What are you saying mom? He can't! Didn't he threaten me to come for the same reason?" I asked not knowing what that old man was thinking.

Not only did they involve us in this mess but now taking advantage of it.

"I am not lying! Please leave immediately!" She urged and I sat dazed.

"Mom, mom, relax please! Nobody is going to find out anything! Breathe!" I requested hearing her getting on the edge.

"I can't believe them! Please leave…" She said and I sighed.

"Candice ran away!" I interrupted her and successfully, she went silent.

"What!"

"Yes… Nobody knows this mom, so don't worry. If that old man tries to mess with us, I'll use it against him!" And before I could say something else, the door behind me slammed open.

Terrified, I ended the call and turned to see two extremely handsome guys storm towards me.

I was about to pee in my pants seeing the murderous look on their faces.

"I knew it! I knew someone heard and look, she is even planning on outing us using that! Unbelievable!" The other one glared at me and swiftly cornered me against the couch.

"Wh-What do you mean?" I tried to put a brave front; unfortunately, they could see past me.

"Don't try to act smart, missy!" He threatened, coming close to my face; our noses brushing against each other.

I closed my eyes shut and sunk deeper into the couch's cushioning.

"Who are you? And how do you know Candice?" The other one asked, getting my attention.

I glanced sideways and gulped seeing how devastated he appeared.

"Answer him!" The one pinning me down scolded me rudely; I was near tears.

"I… I… She is my… cousin!" I finally said and fought my best not to cry.

"Cousin?" The guy loosened his grip on my wrists and finally got off me.

"Kendis?" From his outfit, I guess he was Liam; the groom who got dumped on his wedding.

"Don't give me that pitiful look!" He shouted and I jumped in my place, glancing away.

"H-How do you know my name?" I asked meekly but was cut off by the other one.

"Fuck! That's right. It's really her; Kendis Cooper!"

And my jaw dropped hearing my full name. This is impossible!

"You owe us a lot!" He added and I frowned.

"Look, Misters! I hardly know you both. So, cut this crap!" I was pissed off and scared knowing they found out my hidden identity.

Surely, they were dangerous, and I don't intend to stay any longer around them. So, I got up to leave.

"Oh, wait, wait, we aren't done with you Miss Cooper!" He grabbed my arm and pushed me back on the couch.

"The fuck is wrong with you!" I screamed and heard a phone go off at the same time.

He covered my mouth while Liam answered it with a hesitant look.

I struggled against the guy's palm, panicking in anticipation of his actions.

"Yes, dad!... We are already here!"

...

"Sure! How long?"

...

So many things could go wrong and from a recent incident, I was too worried for it to end up in a bad way. The thought that these two insane guys can take advantage of me, without anyone's knowledge, was fearing me the most.

"You guys are about to reach?"

He looked for help.

...

So, I tried calling for help but sadly this guy got a good grip of me. I was feeling dizzy from the lack of oxygen.

...

"O-Okay! See you then!" Liam hung up and scolded this guy.

"Andrew! You'll end up killing her!" And gratefully, Andrew listened.

While I coughed and struggled, I heard them discuss something before Liam dialed a number asking them to bring something.

My face was hot! Liam got down to his knees and grabbed my hair with a tinge of hatred in his voice.

"Listen to me carefully, Kendis Cooper! You are marrying me and don't even fucking dare to reject me. Since you tried taking advantage of someone's situation. Let me drag you too so you can enjoy it as well." He then grunted and stood up, not even glancing at my way.

"No, No, No, no! You're mistaken! That wasn't my intention…" I tried but Liam showed his palm to stop me mid-way.

"We heard you well over the phone, Cooper. Plus, since you are Candice's cousin, her only sister… Shouldn't you be taking responsibility for what she did? Someone should!" He turned swiftly to throw daggers in my direction.

"Listen to me at least." I started but was stopped when he grabbed my face, squeezing it harshly.

Argghhhh!

"Act lovingly in front of my parents if you don't want the debt collectors to give you and your mom a hard time. I can promise you that! Be my wife and I'll keep your identity safe. Try and outsmart me, and I will make sure you won't get a place to hide your head! Think wisely, Kendis!" And with a dangerous smile, he left the room; momentarily followed by Andrew.

I sat there stunned with tears running down my face.

What did I get myself into?

Candice! Why!!!

"Excuse me, ma'am! This is your dress! We'll help you get ready quickly. Mr. Brown is waiting." A lady who looked like a professional one said in a monotone, not caring about my tears.

I had no option but to follow their orders. Meanwhile, I googled who this person is and my eyes went wide!

Liam Brown was the richest man in this world; no matter he held the power to threaten me and everyone! But why did Candice leave him? I guess it is because of his snobbish ways.

Yet, she wouldn't have given on a powerful guy like him. After all, they are greedy sharks!

"Expect us to be your bridesmaids. I will be your maid of honor. Now, we shall not delay this anymore." She instructed and I wasn't thinking right by this time.

It was as if planned for a long time. Now come to think of this! Their invitation had "Liam and K. Cooper" tying their notes on blah blah blah… This was because of the pride Candice had in her last name; ever since her dad took over my dad's business. He even changed her name from Candice to Kandis, a minor spelling difference in both our names.

Now it all seems like a joke to me.

Was I really replacing my cousin?

And before I knew it, we were already standing in front of the guests who cheered us. I noticed how tense Liam was. Definitely, some of them have figured it out as there was nobody to walk me down the aisle.

I just kept my eyesight on Liam who seemed to be having an equally difficult time in seeing me as his bride.

Nonetheless, he extended his hand, and I gladly took it; fearing I would fall due to these overwhelming emotions.

"Uh, can you tell your first name, miss?" The lady whispered and I struggled to answer her back.

I would sob any second of this blinding future.

"Kendis." Liam said with a hint of irritation.

"Do you, Kendis Cooper, take Liam Rick Brown as your soulful husband?" She asked and I wanted to scream no but said the opposite.

"Yes, I do!"

And the cheers around us seemed to go loud.

"And do you, Liam Rick Brown, take Kendis Cooper as your lawful wife?" She asked and Liam said 'I do' without any hesitation.

"I object to this marriage!"

A voice from the crowd shouted and I ignored the gasps from the watchers while my heart throbbed in hope.

'Yes, Yes, please…'