But I can't do it.
Even if I do walk down that aisle, my legs will shake so hard—I'll collapse and embarrass myself. People will laugh at me nonstop—it will be aired on CNN. Oh, gosh.
"Cassie..." The colors on Peter's face drain as the sight of me about to cancel my own wedding strikes him like thunder in the middle of bright daylight.
The poor guy has been coordinating with the organizers to prepare the most phenomenal wedding this year, only to find that the bride is about to run away.
I clench my fists tight at my sides, my vision starting to get blurry with tears. Paul approaches me, while I catch sight of Peter abruptly calling someone.
"Cassie," Paul says, holding my shoulders firmly. "You can do this. It's gonna be fine. It's gonna be okay. This is the best decision you've made to make everything better. To save everything you've been working hard for. To save yourself."
From Morgan.
Yes, I know that I'm doing this to survive. It's just human nature to do so. But then, how can Paul say so when he was also against this wedding in the first place?
Someone else steps into the room, making me snap my head toward them. Oscar is now standing by the door. He flashes a smile but then freezes when he sees me and the mess we're all in.
I'm still shaking. "I can't." Letting out a shaky breath, I shake my head in denial. "I don't even think that I can walk down the aisle." My legs feel so weak, like they’re about to collapse anytime soon.
Oscar approaches me with a concerned look. "You don't have to walk down the aisle alone. I'll be by your side."
His words touch my heart. The plan was to walk down the aislealone because Dad's gone and Morgan wasn't going to come, and I haven't thought of anyone else.
But then, even though Oscar isn't a father figure to me, he's someone dear to me. He's been with me through the ups and downs of my life, guiding me along the way.
Honestly, I couldn't have asked for someone better, and I appreciate his effort to support me during this difficult time. Now, I regret underestimating the weight of my decision to get married. It isn’t until right at this moment that I become paranoid.
Another movement from the door startles me, and my eyes widen in shock. Now I know why Peter suddenly called someone.
Luke is standing there, anger radiating from his body. There's a split second when he seems starstruck as he stares at me, but then he strides toward me, his jaw tight.
Wait. What is he doing here? Aren’t the groom and bride not supposed to see each other before the wedding starts?
But of course, which groom wouldn't if he just heard that his bride was going to run away from him?
Oh, shit.
I'm in big, big trouble.
No, don't come closer.
I gulp as Luke steps closer to me with full strides, making me automatically retreat. I can't believe that he's here, in the bride's dressing room.
And I hate myself that even though I should have no time to think about this, Luke looks fine as hell in his navy groom suit.
Right. I suddenly want to rip my brain out of my head.
When Luke halts right in front of me, he hisses, "I want everybody else out of this room this instant." When there's no response due to the shock everyone else has, Luke clenches his jaw. "Now!" he hollers.
And that makes Paul, Peter and Oscar abruptly rush out of the room before closing the door. That might be useful to prevent the organizers or any other people from eavesdropping on ourconversation, which I must say, will most likely be a fight.
I stare at my angry supposed-to-be future husband and step back again, only to knock the dresser behind me. Luke glares at me like he wants to end me for forgetting our deal.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asks.
I swallow hard, starting to regret the stupid thought that has crossed my mind that I could run away from him.
But then, his temper makes anger build up inside me too. It might be easy for him to do this fake marriage thing—he has no idea how the thought of taking the sacred vow just for the sake of lying in front of the whole world has messed with my mind.
