In no time,the preparation for Courtney's and Oakley Hugo's wedding began. She was devastated but still tried to stay strong for her family. Sometimes,she was found weeping bitterly by Lauren while the other times,she just sat in her room like a forlorn figure, deeply lost in thoughts.
A lot of gifts were sent to both her and her family by the Oakley's family. The gifts and preparations kept tearing her apart as she kept recalling how Hugo had behaved.
"You okay?" Lauren asked sitting close to Courtney after she found her lost in thoughts, oblivious of her presence.
"Yeah, I'm fine" Courtney sat up straight with a perturbed look.
"What's wrong?" Lauren asked Curiously though knowing what was going on but just wanted to have a little chit-chat with Courtney.
"I just can't seem to process this...I can't believe I'll be doomed for life with such a person with an obnoxious attitude. Did you see how rude he was to both you and father? He's such an ill-mannered Chap mom. How do I manage such a person? Forget about me…..I can't stand him mistreating both you and father" Courtney conveyed with an obvious apprehensive look.
"You don't have to worry about us Courtney. We'll be fine. Just be strong for your brother okay? I believe there will be equilibrium in no time" Lauren affirmed enfolding Courtney. Then, she stood up walking away as Courtney bowed her head hoping for the best though she knew the best wasn't coming anytime soon.
The days ran so fast and it was finally the day of Courtney's marriage to Hugo. The place was decorated with a grand cathedral and red roses, chandeliers and cameras surrounded everywhere flashing lights at Courtney as she walked down the aisle with her father as she trembled slightly.
The billionaire made sure the wedding was lavish and that it also feels like a cage for the bride Courtney. Some guests kept whispering about the sudden wedding arrangement while others admired the venue and the bride as she was slowly escorted to the altar by her father.
"Just smile...everything depends on this" Sean whispered gently to Courtney as she glanced at him cascading a smile but her eyes betrayed her misery.
"You're escorting me into a cage father" Courtney mumbled sniffing slightly.
"Better a cage than a coffin for us all. Just Facade a grin" Sean responded handing Courtney over to Hugo as they stepped into the altar.
Hugo stood calm with his hands at his back. He held Courtney's hand warmly but with a tight grip as she exchanged glare with him. He moved closer to her whispering:
" Smile wider. This is the happiest day of your life. Remember?" He murmured, releasing a deadly smirk which rendered Courtney helpless.
Cameras flashes and to the world,they were a glamorous couple but in reality,they were just fire and ice.
The priest began the vow and deep down,each word felt like a tightening chain around her. As the vows continue,her eyes drift among the mob of crowd where she suddenly spotted Roman standing at the back. His face is pale and red while his face read heartbreak all around as they locked eyes ignoring the ceremony going on.
Courtney who was lost in thoughts as she continued to stare at Roman almost dropped the ring but was halted as she got a grip on herself facing reality which was Hugo. His eyes meant no good as he noticed Roman standing at the back but for some reason he smirked making it even more difficult for Courtney to process his behaviour which seemed more like he was rubbing the whole thing right on Roman's face.
The priest faced Courtney who batted her eyes in an attempt to stifle her tears.
"Do you Courtney take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?" He asked, proceeding with the wedding vow. Courtney after hearing this slightly gasped for breath as she made an ado in responding.
"She doesn't love him, she's mine! This is all a big sham" Roman yelled out as he made an attempt to go up to the altar but was halted by Hugo's Bodyguards who dragged him out of the venue while he kept screaming Courtney's name.
Courtney sniffed as she bowed her head with the priest repeating the same question. She looked at Sean in a puzzled stare as he made a gesture telling her to say yes then she turned and looked at Hugo who glared at her with an eye which seemed to dare her to say No.
"I…..I….." Courtney stammered as the crowd mumbled in an elude.
"I…..do" Courtney finally responded as Hugo let out an obvious smirk which did no good to Courtney's condition.
The billionaire drew her closer with a tender yet tight grip as he kissed her. The kiss was long and seemed possessive which she saw as a kiss of chains. She could no longer hold back her tears as she let down the hot ball of tears gently rolled down her cheeks but Hugo cleaned it up with her hands.
"Save it. For I have not yet given you a good reason to cry" he whispered breaking Courtney down the more.
To the audience, this was nothing but a romantic scenery,they kept applauding, cheering as cameras kept flashing continuously.
After the vow and the pronunciation of them as one,Hugo walked down the altar with Courtney,with the crowd still cheering, paparazzi flashing cameras as he walked down the stairs with her.
Hugo kept a tight grip on her arm as he smiled to the camera like a perfect husband. Courtney grinned fragile as she tried to hide the storm she held inside her. As the Limousine door opens, Hugo whispered in her ears with his lips gently touching her:
" Wipe your tears before you get inside,my wife doesn't cry in public"
Courtney felt herself gasping for breath. She turned looking at her parents and younger brother who stood at the top of the stairs bidding her farewell. She waved back covering her mouth with her hand as she wept slipping into the car.
The limousine drove away trailed by the Bodyguard's car. Courtney sobbed lightly as the car drove away,Hugo paid no attention to her as he sat coldly in the car expressing no emotion.
Ten minutes of the ride,the car suddenly slowed down abruptly as a young lady with a red dress approached their car in a catwalk. She was identified as Kelsey Hugo's mistress.
"Sir….. it's Ms. Kelsey"His bodyguard announced.
He smirked loosening his tie as he responded tapping the glass:
"let her in"
Courtney who was sobbing suddenly stopped as she looked at Hugo in a daze but he gave no consideration to her.
The car door was opened as Kelsey slipped in leaning towards Hugo as she kissed him.
"Did you miss me darling?" She asked, giving a wicked smile, looking at Courtney as she ignored her focusing on Hugo.
"Get out" Hugo commanded as he turned towards Courtney with cruelty.
"W-what?" Courtney stared at Hugo in full puzzle.
"You'll ride in the other car. Kelsey rides with me" He announced as Kelsey chuckled, giving him a kiss on his lips.
"How can you say that to me? I'm your wife" Courtney said, shaking her head as tears streamed down her face.
"Exactly. You're my wife and that means,you'll do as I say" Hugo cruelly responded as he made a gesture for Courtney to leave.
"Run along now Ms. Billionaire. Don't keep the spare car waiting " Kelsey chuckled brushing her hand down Hugo's chest.
The door was yanked opened by one of Hugo's men who gestured Courtney to step out of the car. She was escorted into another car where she sat down in dismal looking at Hugo and Kelsey who made a loud cacophony of laughter.
Her eyes blur with tears as she rests her head on the tinted cold glass watching her Billionaire husband and his mistress drive into the night, leaving her broken.