Where Love Meets Evil

op the wed

iss Laurel

t dry and itchy from the m

. Ivan B

ce to be heard ended

awfully wedde

sponsibility!'

and to ch

s merely a tool used to save

ss and in

acrificed, given off over a mere signature

eath do

nately, both parties had a mutual

s La

E agree t

s La

nd I am called back to the wedding ceremony

ates, and unfortunately my groom. To onlookers, he may look serene but to me, those s

n advanced man in a priest's robe with

iving the mic to my conf

band?" he asks and at the mention of

m being given off for chump change that runs into several billions of U.S. dollars, in th

I force out when the

mach turn. A loud cheer pours in from the crowd and I am far from being excited. I turn to the crowd, and for a second I si

ch and slides one hand down my back while the other wraps my neck, our eyes never parting. Then he tilts his head to the crowd as he pulls me in for a kiss but suddenly stops midwa

eant to be an affectionate hug – coming from 'your man' on 'your wedding' – but it's just stuff

mile doesn't have to be genuine. But you don't have to lo

witch difficultly to form a smile even when I know no one's seeing it. 'Y

cker my lips like a forsaken child.

hours, until a lot of those pass by, brin

wentieth floor in one of the most luxurious five-star hotels in Washington, alongside six of his lackeys who

s fixed ahead, and then down at my poor hand firmly in his. He had told me he'd be hosting an after-wedding feast right here at thi

y he agreed

nt somethi

. What do you

anting us access. The door leads to another passageway, void of

into this place is limited begin

my face, shielding whatever lies in store on the other side, from me. Only for a few seconds. I clench my dress, waiting for when he

n gently, he fingertips my chin up, bringing our eyes to meet. It's the first time I

he atmosphere. "Rest assured, I won't hurt you. And no one will ever

ing for years. But coming from him, the words are left floating like feathers. They don't ev

hands stretch to get the door for us. The doors creak open

ia, and Lauretta – thanks to my prior research. They're all seated around the table which only has decorative tissue boxes on it, yet to be flooded with food and drinks. The aura here is stuffy with ten eyes now preying on us, especially on

s making herself too comfortable if you ask me. The air around here is damp with spite, the silence both confusing and heavy as Ivan remai

let her in?" His tone is different, dismal. It's no rocket science figur

t to respond befor

orders. The said man snaps his fingers three times

warmth his hand gave mine. "What are you doing h

" his mom sitting by

roaches Alicia keep everyone on hold. We're all watching him,

e Alicia who tilts h

void of the tiniest atom of humor. He's looking d

answers cockily, tipping he

ing, Alicia. Strangers a

defensively. "She's just as

when I hear my name. What

egret, get yourself out of here and out

licia crosses her arms again, facing forward like

ams her face on the table. It happens in a flash, one second per

" wide-eyed. He shows no shred of remorse. Instead, he picks her head

er step when the creamy-haired dude who's been stuck to me the entire evening steps in my way.

oor. The last one beside his mom who looks to me like the youngest already has a pool around he

!" He points commandingly at the last one of his me

opposes, fuming. "If Laurel is a

y WIFE, Ma!"