His Gamble, His Bride

“Help! Help!” Mira’s voice was so loud and trembling as she struggled.

But no one stopped. Students walked past her as if nothing were happening.

Some had earphones in. Some were talking and laughing.

Life was moving on around her, and she was invisible in the middle of it

The two gentlemen held her arms. Their grip was hard. Their faces showed nothing.

No pity, just blank. They dragged her across the campus like she weighed nothing.

“Let me go, ” Mira shouted, trying to pull her arm away from their grip.

“Where are you taking me to?”

One of the gentlemen looked at her for a second.

His eyes were empty.

“You will find out soon,” he said. Then he looked away.

His answer scared her more than anything.

She couldn’t breathe properly.

She tried to free her wrist, but their grip became tighter. One of them, his fingers pressed into her skin.

Her heart started beating faster.

She looked around again, someone, anyone.

But no one looked back at her. No one helped.

A black-tainted car was parked ahead and the engine was already running.

And the door opened before they even reached it.

Mira shook her head quickly.

“No.. never, I’m not getting in there!”

One of the gentlemen pushed her head down and forced her inside.

The door closed softly.

But to Mira, it sounded final.

She pressed herself against the door, her body shaking.

The car moved. Mira looked outside as the school slowly disappeared.

Her throat felt tight. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath.

The car passed through a tall gate. Then she saw it.

A big mansion, so beautiful but too quiet.

White walls. Tall windows let in the sunlight, creating a very clean environment.

The mansion looked like a dream, or a warning.

Mira stared at it. For a few seconds.

She forgot everything. Even if I die here, she thought, I will die in peace.

“Get out.”

The door opened again, and one of the men stood there.

Waiting for her to come down.

She stepped out slowly. Her legs felt weak.

They guided her toward the entrance. The doors were already open. Like they were expecting her.

Inside was quiet, too quiet.

Her footsteps echoed on the floor.

The air felt cold.

Mira walked slowly into the main hall. Then stopped.

Her breath caught. Her mother was kneeling on the floor and her stepfather was beside her.

Also kneeling.

“Mom!” Mira ran forward quickly.

“Mom, what is happening?” she said, kneeling beside her. “Get up, why are you like this?”

She touched her mother’s arm. But her mother didn’t move.

Didn’t even look at her properly.

Mira’s hand slowly dropped. Her chest tightened.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

She turned to her stepfather.

He didn’t look at her, his head stayed down. Like he was ashamed.

“Welcome, my angel.” The voice came from behind. Deep, calm, and strong.

Mira froze. Her hands stopped moving.

Slowly, she stood up. Then she turned and saw him.

For a moment, she forgot everything again.

He was sitting in one of the king-sized chairs, with a gun in one hand and the other hand placed on the arm of the chair, like he owned the place. Tall, dressed in a black tuxedo. Sharp face, but it was his eyes, hazel, bright. Holding her in place.

Mira blinked. Why did the room suddenly feel smaller?

“We have been waiting for you,” a strange man said.

His eyes kept watching her

Mira looked away first. She can't accept it, but she likes the way he is looking at her, like he can eat her but the other way around, she doesn’t like it.

“Do I know you? she asked, her voice got stronger now. “I have no business with you, so why am I here? Who are you?”

She noticed something again.

Her stepfather still didn’t look at her. Not even once.

Surprisingly, that didn’t hurt at all, it is not like they are best of friends.

The man didn’t answer her, as she thought, instead, he reached out to the corner side table which she hadn't noticed, and picked out a file.

He gave the file to one of the men who kidnapped me, who placed it on the floor beside me.

“Read it.” the strange man said

“What is that?,” Mira said quickly.

“Read it,” His voice was calm and cold.

But something about it made her feel goosebumps.

Slowly, she stepped forward. Her fingers shook as she picked up the file.

She opened it. Her eyes moved across the page. Then stopped.

Her breath caught.

Her name, Mira Rossi, boldly written there.

“What is this?” she whispered.

Her eyes moved up, then she saw it.

Marriage Certificate.

Her stomach dropped. Her head snapped up.

“This is fake!” she said loudly. “I never signed this. I never agreed to this!” Her voice was rising.

“This is crazy!” No one spoke or denied it.

Mira looked back at the paper, and her eyes went to the bottom.

To the signature. Her hand started shaking.

It looked like hers. Exactly like hers.

“No,” she whispered. “I didn’t sign this”

“It was processed legally,” the man said.

Mira looked at him quickly.

“You forged it!” she shouted. “You forged my name!”

He stood up and slowly stepped closer.

“Legal,” he repeated.

Mira couldn’t breathe for a moment

“But what do you want from me?” she asked.

A small breath left him.

“You’ve already been paid for,” he answered.

Everything stopped. Mira turned slowly to her stepfather.

He still didn’t look at her.

Her heart dropped.

“No,” Her voice broke, “You didn’t..”

She turned to her mother, her eyes begging.

“Tell me you didn’t.”

“Just do what he says, Mira,” Her mother finally spoke.

Mira felt something inside her break.

She turned back to him. Her whole body was shaking.

“What is this?” she whispered.

He didn’t hesitate.

“You’re my wife.”

Mira stepped back.

“No, no, that’s not true, you are lying,” she said quickly. “I would remember. I will remember you.”

He slowly walked toward her. He stopped close to her, too close.

His eyes locked onto hers.

“You don’t need to remember,” he said quietly.

Mira’s breath caught.

He looked at the paper in her hand, then back at her.

“You are already my wife.”