Chapter 5

Aliyah's POV

“Excuse me, what!?”

I flinched at her exclamation and let out a sigh as she paced around in confusion.

“Calm down, Eva—”

“Calm down? You want me to calm down? My best friend is getting married, no, is married to the grandfather of her fiancé! And you want me to calm down? Isn't he married or something?” Eva asked at the top of her voice and I let out a sigh.

She had almost caught me kissing Carlos earlier and I just knew she would have had a heart attack.

“He, well, he never had a wife. A baby showed up at his doorstep and he took him as his child.” I explained, remembering how Mike explained it to me. “ Also, Mike's my ex-fiance, Eva. And relax, he's not that old.”

“Girl, he's in his sixties! And he's not that old?” She asked in disbelief and I let out a sigh. “Tell me everything that happened. Right now.”

I spent the next hour explaining how I had caught Mike pounding my sister and how he expected me to apologize. How I bumped into Carlos and how he drove me home, then kissed me. How my parents knew about Sylvia and Mike's betrayal and wanted them to get married instead. And why I decided to marry Carlos.

When I was done, she stared at me with wide eyes, as she tried to process everything I had just said.

“Oh my goodness… I'm sorry babes…” She muttered, pulling me into a hug and I sighed. “That Mike is a stupid bastard and I swear I'll rip his dick off his legs—”

“Eva.” I interrupted and she let out a sigh of defeat. “How could he hurt you like that? And that backstabbing sister of yours. How could they do that to you?”

“I'm adopted. It's easy for them to hurt me.” I muttered and her eyes widened, then softened as she caressed my back gently.

“They don't deserve you. No one does. Except me, that is.” She said and I chuckled. “You've married Carlos now, are you sure you're not going to regret this?”

“I don't know, Eva. But everything tells me that he won't hurt me. He kissed me like he loved me. Did you see the ring he bought me?” I showed her and her eyes rounded. “He bought it because I liked it. He's sweet… and thoughtful and…”

“Calm down, Aliyah. You've only hung out with him for a day. It could all be a facade.” She said, and I knew she was right, but still. There was something about him.

“I'm already in knees deep anyway. I can't back out now.” I muttered and she hugged me tightly again.

“No matter what, I will always support you. We're crashing that wedding tomorrow, aren't we?” She asked with wiggling brows and I chuckled as I nodded.

“Of course.”

******************

I woke up the next morning to my doorbell ringing and Eva groaned as she turned over to the side in annoyance. She didn't want me crying myself to sleep, so she offered to stay with me all night, which helped so much to distract me.

Sleepily, I made my way outside but when I opened the door, there was no one there.

“The hell?” I murmured in annoyance and was about to turn away when I noticed a box sitting on the floor with my name written boldly on it.

Confused, I took the box in and opened it, wondering who must have sent it. The moment I saw the content, I screamed in joy mixed with glee.

“Oh my goodness, what is it?” Eva groaned as she marched to the sitting room and the moment she saw the gown sitting in the box, folded neatly, she screamed too.

“No freaking way! There is only one of these gowns in the whole world, and it's here? Who sent it?” Eva asked in shock as I took out a card stuck by the side.

“Carlos,” I whispered, my lips curling slightly as I read the words out. “For my beautiful bride.”

“Girl, you've just hit the fucking jackpot!” Eva exclaimed in excitement and I couldn't help but giggle too as I took the gown out gently.

“OMG. Those shoes!” Eva squealed and suddenly snatched the gown from me. “Go take your bath now. Let's get you ready for a wedding to ruin!”

I freshened up with my heart pounding fast and my body feeling giddy. I was so excited and nervous.

As soon as I stepped out, Eva made me sit while she restyled my hair and applied a little touch of makeup to my face. By the time I put on the gown, I couldn't recognize myself anymore.

“I swear you would look even more beautiful than anyone in that hall. Damn it, I'm so proud of you.” She whispered and I couldn't believe how gorgeous I looked.

Eva got ready as quickly as possible as well and just as we were ready to leave, my doorbell rang again. My hands were sweaty but I moved anyway and opened the door to come face-to-face with Carlos.

Eva gasped behind me and I swallowed, taking in his handsome appearance.

“He's so hot, girl, why didn't you tell me?” She whispered in my ear, and I blushed, shooing her off as Carlos took my hand.

“By God, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” He muttered as my face flushed even more.

“Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.” I muttered, not knowing what to say and I heard Eva slap her hand over her forehead.

“Shall we leave?” He asked and I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as he led me outside the house.

Was I making the right decision?

I got into the backseat with him and Eva got in the passenger seat, her eyes finding mine immediately.

I was nervous, and Carlos seemed to notice as he took my hand gently, rubbing his thumb over it, and I let out a sigh. It would be okay.

I was choosing myself.

The car ride was longer than I expected, and with every second, my stomach churned in awful ways.

When the car finally came to a stop, I let out a deep sigh.

“Are you ready to crash your sister's wedding?”