Desperate Measures

d that she loved, and an intimate ceremony with her loved ones. This wasn't what she had dreamed of. She stared at herself in the mirror, dressed

inda's voice cut t

The woman had been her shadow since the attack and while Liya was thankful for

but I can't back out either,"

for a moment. "It's not about being ready,

ed and followed Meli

beautiful flower arrangements weaving over the railings and pillars. Only a few guests were

er brother who had a remorseful and ashamed look on his face. H

suit with his hair gelled back leaving his defined features on display for her to fawn over. He w

. He looked so detached and uninterested. He looked more like a robot than a h

ing note of every detail. His eyes caught hers and her breath caught in her

and Liya in holy matrimony," he said, hi

o emotions were involved, no mention of love or feelings. When it was her

th. She held her breath and looked into his eyes which were filled with something li

tion ran through her mind, he finally s

way from the altar, down the aisle, and toward the doors. He didn't wait for t

tation. "Is this it? Is this how it's going to be?" she

ry tale. It is not one of those romance books you like to read where the characters are hopelessly in love with each other and live happily ever after.

Useful? Is that all I'm good for? A p

trying to avoid the emotions, he didn't have time for that. "We both know what we got into,

transaction between them could grow into something better– maybe not lovers but friends for a start. That ho

t it," Liya asked h

ange between us," he said forcefully like he was trying to convince himself

she was in a business meeting rather than a wedding celebration. She

whispered only

how can I do that?" Liya said, forcing

ned in to whisper in her ears. "If we look weak then we are as good as dead. Now

thering herself together, she gave a breathtaking smile that left Aldo

. The pretending and fake smiles were giving her a headache. She soon found herself on the balcony holdin

omeone was watching her. Before she could turn around t