Chapter 1
Casandra was tucked into bed after a date with her mother. Her wedding was at twelve the following day and she had been strongly advised to moisturize, hydrate, and sleep early that night. So, as she rubbed lotion into her arms, she dialed her fiancé’s number.
She had a funny thought about being a jealous wife who doesn’t want their husband to get a lap dance from a striper at their bachelor’s party. She had given her blessings but Micheal Spencer, her fiancé, had protested vehemently.
See, he was a famous movie star who was known for his ethical and gentlemanly conduct. How could he get a lap dance? So, the confident Casandra called Micheal a couple of times to hear him blubber drunkenly.
Instead, the phone rang and rang until finally, he picked it up. She expected to hear him greet her, but instead, she heard a tragic sentence.
“Ignore the call,” Micheal said gruffly.
“She must be worried. You are getting married to her tomorrow,” the female responded softly. Still, Casandra could hear her clearly. She raised her brow, not allowing herself to think too much, but she knew that whoever this woman was, wanted to sow discord between her and Micheal.
“I will have to see her every day for the rest of my life after tomorrow. Let me have a night of peace,” Micheal sighed.
The woman giggled. “If you don’t like her, why are you getting married to her?” she whined.
Micheal scoffed. “Who said I don’t like her?” He paused. He must have seen something on the girl’s face as he added, “But not as much as you. You don’t suffocate me and police me. I love you,” he muttered. “No more talking about her. You’re mine for the night, Roxanne.”
Casandra sat frozen. Her hands were limp as she stared at her phone screen for a long time-the sound of two people panting and groaning filled the room. For a second, she regained her wits and pressed on the app to record the call.
She remembered belatedly that Roxanne was the name of a rising star who had received a lot of important roles out of the blue. She could tell from the names of the investors that she either came from wealth or had a financial backer who was hoping to push her to the top of the industry.
Casandra’s eyes cooled and she started to laugh softly. Any affection she had for Micheal Spencer seeped out of her body and left through the tips of her fingers as she took her phone in her hand and started typing a text to her best friend, Damon Faulkner.
[Do you have a burgundy suit that fits you?]
The response came immediately. [Huh? Why aren’t you asleep? And aren’t Micheal and his groomsmen wearing burgundy for the wedding?]
Damon was understandably confused by why his childhood friend was asking such an odd thing the night before the wedding.
[No. Last minute change in plans. The groom needs to be changed.]
The cutthroat manner in which she wrote made Damon, who was having chips and watching a series raise his brow.
[Why? Did he cheat on you?]
It was supposed to be a joke. But the ‘Hm’ he received in response made him put his chips aside and call her immediately. But she was busy on another call. He rushed to look through his cupboard and found a burgundy suit.
[I have the suit. Will reach on time.]
On the other side of the city, right after they had ended their lovemaking, Roxanne Smith hung up the call before curling into Micheal’s side.
“I feel guilty doing this the night before your wedding
“Don’t be. Who in the industry doesn’t indulge once in a while?” Micheal coaxed. He looked down at the woman in his arms before kissing her hair.
“If you don’t like her enough to remain faithful, why didn’t you call the wedding off?” Roxanne asked curiously. They had known each other for the past five months and had been together for that time, too.
“She devoted her time and faith to me when I was a struggling theatre actor. Even though she was in university, she rented a small apartment for me and cooked me meals. Though she couldn’t afford much, she put all her hopes on me. Moreover, she has a great sense of which projects will do great. Even though she is from a humble background, the things she has done for me… I am indebted to her.”
Micheal furrowed his brow and then sighed. If only Casandra came from an affluent family like Roxanne. Then, he wouldn’t have to stray and cozy up to others to further his career.
Roxanne pulled away from him and reached out to take two flutes of champagne from the trolley. “Here. Your last drink as a bachelor.” She clicked the glass with his before downing it. She eyed his movements over the rim of the glass and smiled when he drank it without a care.
Casandra stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her brown hair was styled into a braided bun and tendrils strategically hung, framing her small heart-shaped face. Her full lips were colored brightly and her makeup was flawless. The white dress was beaded from the collar to the middle of her thigh, and the mermaid tail made her five-foot-five-inch body look a little taller.
The door to the wedding venue burst open and her mother rushed in. Casandra looked at her mother, Anna Naese, and found her smiling fondly.
“Your father is greeting the guests. I wanted to check up on you,” she said fondly. She closed the distance. between them and caressed her daughter’s face. “You look beautiful, baby girl.”
Casandra’s eyes twinkled. Despite the suffocation she felt because of Micheal’s cheating, she still liked the way she looked. “Who are in attendance?”
“You know your father. He likes showing off how successful you are the most. He called everyone in the business circle. Even a few people from abroad. There are quite a few celebrities, too.”
Casandra hummed. “Micheal called them.”
Anna’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Speaking of Micheal, why hasn’t he come yet? I saw all the guards you commissioned so that the paparazzi can’t enter the venue.”
Casandra stiffened for a moment before she relaxed. She confessed, “Mom, Micheal won’t be coming today. The security is there to stop him from coming in.”
Anna gasped. “What do you mean? How can the wedding happen without the groom? Why have you suddenly-”
“I witnessed him cheat… last night. I couldn’t call off the wedding because our family would be laughed at by others..”
“How can Damon just fill in?” Anna raised her voice to ask.
Casandra looked at the clock and saw that it was past the time Damon should have arrived. She picked up her phone and called him. She was stunned when an unfamiliar person answered.
“Hello, this is the police station. The person you are calling is currently in a holding cell.”
“What?” Casandra yelled. “What did he do?” she groaned.
“He got into an accident and then had a physical fight with the other party. Witnesses called us and we took him into custody,” the officer explained. “Can you come over and sign his paperwork?” Casandra didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry. “Sir, I am getting married today. He is the designated groom. Can something be done?” she asked helplessly.
“This is the procedure. Can you send someone over instead?” The police officer was apologetic as well. Casandra sighed. “I will try to send someone over.” She hung up and called her assistant. She explained the situation in a hurry. This was when Anna understood what was happening.
“Damon is in jail?” she panicked.
Casandra raised her hand to silence her mother. Knowing that Damon wouldn’t make it in time for the ceremony, she started calling male friends she could trust. All of them were out on business trips or simply laughed incredulously at her offer.
She knew they would not divulge her helpless situation to anyone else, but she was still embarrassed.
“Mom, I might need to call the wedding off.” She gulped. “Will Dad be upset?”
Of course, he would be, but there was no other way. “Your Dad being upset is much better than marrying a cheating scumbag. Our family won’t sell our daughter just because the world will talk for a few days. Your lifelong happiness is more important!” she huffed angrily.
How could a rogue celebrity take her daughter down?
Anna Naese stormed out of the dressing room and rushed to her husband. She was explaining everything to her husband and he looked like he would blow his head.
“I told her to marry a respectable man so that she can take over the company, but she chose such a piece. of crap. And now I need to pay for her lack of judgment?” he fumed.
Leonard Naese was a man in his late fifties, balding but still carrying the demeanor of a man in power. He was a billionaire and had an impeccable reputation, but such a thing…
Suddenly, the wedding planner caught their attention. The woman looked awfully confused but still determined. “Sir, Ma’am, please get seated. The time for the wedding is here.”
“How will the wedding happen without the groom?” Leonard grumbled.
“The groom has arrived.”
The mother and father dazedly entered the venue and nodded at the guests. They had no idea who the substitute groom was, but they were happy someone had taken the role. They could get an annulment later on if the match wasn’t good.
They were barely seated when the wedding march started playing. The big wooden door opened and through the brightness outside, the guests could see two beautiful people standing hand in hand.
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