Pearl's POV:

Only five days left before my wedding. If you ask me that I am excited or not then my answer will be yes and no.

Thinking what kind of answer is that?

Yes, because I am excited to wear my wedding dress and all the attention I will be getting that day and no because one can't be excited to get herself stuck in a marriage without love.

But no one knows what will happen in future. May be... Just may be I can get the love of my life from this marriage. It will take time but I will.

I know Ryan doesn't look at me properly but come on I am the gorgeous Pearl Bennett. Every boy dies to just see me. Even Ryan probably. I think he pretends to ignore me because he wants to keep his respect by not drooling over me.

There can't be any other reason, am I right?

My days are going by searching church for our marriage, going to jewelry shops and doing lots of shopping for my wedding.

My wedding dress will be designed by Khalil, assistant designer of my boutique. He requested me to give him the honor to do this in which I happily agreed. Cause I know he is naturally talented, I met him in India. He was studying fashion designing there and I got the chance to meet him by incidence. When I offered him the job to assist me he almost cried due to happiness.

It has been almost six months of my boutique and it is now a famous name among the women. We are expecting to do a fashion show next month.

I am more excited about that than my wedding.

Wedding!!!!!

***

"Wake up, sleepy head!" Someone yelled near my ear and I woke up almost jumping.

"What?" I groaned rubbing my eyes and looked at the idiot who woke me up from my sweet sleep.

It was Sofia. My beautiful 19 years old cousin. Who will be my maid of honor and extremely serious about everything.

"It is already 9." She informed with a serious face.

"So?" I said as I really don't know why she is telling me the time.

"So! You are telling me so!" Her eyes are looking like they will come out anytime.

What is wrong with her?

"For God's sake it is your wedding today." She shouted. She really doesn't have any respect for elders.

"Oh." I sat up with annoyed face.

Wait.

What???

My wedding!!!!?

I will be married today????

"Don't tell me you forgot that." She almost shouted. Disbelief was prominent in her eyes.

"Huh! Yeah... I mean... I know.. But.. But it slipped from my mind." I stammered.

"You are so stupid."

I felt myself bewildered.

"Hey, I am not."

"You are. Who forgets about her wedding?"

"It was a mistake and I didn't forget. It just slipped out."

"Has the bride woken up from beauty sleep?" I heard a voice and looked at the door to find Kara my personal beautician.

"Kara thank god you are here." I ran to hug her.

"Give me a hug also." I looked up and saw Louisa, my best friend. She is the only girl who is my friend because she likes me for who I am not for my family status.

"Obviously" With that I hugged her.

"Ok, let's start my magic on her." Kara rubbed the palm of her hand with each other as I laughed.

"Where is Khalil? I didn't saw my dress till now." I whined.

"Be patient bride. Here is your dress." I turned to see Khalil's standing beside Louisa.

He was holding a big bag which I grabbed from her hand.

I took it out and was stunned by it's beauty.

It passed my ankle and the skirt of the dress was fluffy. There were silver color embroidery on the upper portion of the white dress. It was backless with no sleeve. But the most important thing is, it's pearled near the waist. I know he used pearl because of my name.

"I love it." I smiled at Khalil. I would've gave him a hug but he feels awkward about it.

"I am happy that you liked it." Khalil pretended to bow and I smacked on his shoulder laughing.

"We are getting late. Eat something dear, then we have to make you ready for our eligible bachelor who is going to become eligible husband." Kara stated giving me a mischievous smile.

I skipped a heartbeat hearing that.

Is he?

***

"If a competition happens between the brides you will get the first prize." Louisa grinned.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Kara really did magic. I was always beautiful. But today... Today I am looking different. She didn't made a bun with my hair like others. She kept it open slightly curling it and used pearl to make it look more attractive. She gave me natural makeup with light pink lipstick. I am wearing five inch silver color stilettos and simple diamond necklace. In my ears there are diamond stud earrings and a platinum bracelet in my left hand.

"Don't say things like that. The bride will catch evil eye." Khalil protested and everyone laughed.

"We won't." Kara assured him smiling and turned to me. "Stay here, we are going to get ready."

I nodded and they left the room.

What I am going to do? I am feeling so restless.

I closed the door and went near the window beside my bed and closed my eyes feeling the breeze.

Half an hour left. I am going to be his. Ryan's.

A smile made it way to my lips.

Suddenly someone started to kiss me on my neck and collarbone from behind. I was shocked.

What is happening?

I tried to move away but the person hold me tight by sliding his one hand on my stomach and his other hand clamp around my mouth to not let me shout.

Tears came out from my eyes as I couldn't do anything save myself from him.

Anyone never touched me like that.

He turned me around and attacked my lips with his. My vision was too blur to see his face as he was kissing me furiously. I pushed him with my all force and finally I was able to see his face.

He?

What is he doing here?

Why did he kiss me?

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Ryan's POV:

It is time to say our vows. But her Highness is still not here. Did she ran away? If she did that I aren't going to leave her. How dare she?

Why I am getting hyper? Isn't it good for me if she doesn't come? I can easily get rid off her then.

But I am feeling angry.

No don't get the wrong impression. I am angry because if she ran away then it will hurt my ego and you know the reason. I am the most eligible bachelor of the state, Ryan Anderson. It will be a matter of shame if she did something like that. What will be the reaction of the public? It will be allover the media.

"Someone is becoming restless to marry." I heard Damon McLaren, my best man cum best friend snickering behind me.

"Just shut that mouth of yours. I have no wish to marry that barbie doll." I hissed.

"Really? Then move and let me marry her. Marrying Pearl. It will be an honor." He chuckled as I glared at him. If there were any system to burn someone by glaring then by now he would have became ash.

"Go and marry her then." I said through gritted teeth.

"Cool down man. By the way where is princess? Isn't she late." He cocked his brow up.

"How would I know where she is? She is embarrassing me. I swear-" I stopped in the middle of my sentence as I saw her walking down the aisle followed by her bridesmaids.

She is looking beautiful though I can't see her face because of the veil. Her father is holding her right hand and two really cute little girls holding flowers were walking in front of her. They were the flower girls I suppose.

I looked around the church and noticed every young man gasping. I know they are envying me for marrying the most beautiful heiress. I felt proud for a moment but it quickly changed into frown. Why is she looking like that she is shaking. What took her so much time?

***

Pearl's POV:

I am walking down the aisle holding my papa's hand. I looked up to see Ryan and he is practically frowning. I felt so guilty like I cheated on him. But there was nothing like that. He kissed me forcefully and I didn't kissed him back. I am a girl who wanted to give her first kiss to her husband. But he stole it. I never even imagined that he will do something like that.

"Relax my princess, don't be nervous." Papa patted on my back to stop me from shaking. He thought I am nervous. If only he knew.....

Flashback:

"What are you doing here?" I asked trying to catch my breath.

"Please Pearl, don't marry him. I can't leave without you 'cause I.... I love you." He said trying to touch my face but I moved away before he could do that.

"You love me? I'm going to be married in less than half an hour and here you're asking me to not marry him because you love me! Are you insane?" I whisper yelled at him. I ushered him towards the balcony door saying, "Go."

"I won't. Why are you doing this? Cause I know this can't be for love. Then why? When I know you love me then why are you going to marry him?" Desperation was clear in his eyes as he uttered the words.

I looked away from his eyes as it was too much for me. "I don't love you and you have no right to ask me those questions."

"You loved me." He pressed.

"I don't. Now go."

"I'm not going anywhere without you. You're going to come with me and we will get married today, here, in this very Church." He said as he grabbed my hand and started pulling me.

"I won't marry you. The only man I'm going to marry today is Ryan." I said and started hitting him on the hand which was holding mine. But that didn't affect him even a little bit.

"But why? I will keep you happy more than he ever can." He said in a tone which we use to talk to a five years old.

"How can I? Or more precisely why will I? My whole family is waiting there for me to come. Today is my wedding day and I'm Ryan's bride for God's sake." I was controlling the sob which was threatening to come out at any moment.

"Why will you? Right! My whole life Pearl, my whole life I dreamed to make you mine, my wife. I was planning to how to ask for your hands for years. But I never got the chance. I bought the ring to propose you last week and what I got to hear the moment I kept my feet on NY this morning? That you are to be married? I can't take this Pearl. Please, please Pearl marry me." He said kneeling down on the floor and it broke my heart to see him like this, so vulnerable.

"You know I can't. Just go away. Anyone can come here at any moment." I said and sat down in front him, trying my best to make him understand.

"Do you love him?" He asked, looking into my eyes. His eyes were red and tears were rolling down from them.

"I do." I lied but I had no other way to make him go.

"There is no chance for us?"

"There is no us." I said looking down.

"I'm sorry then." He lowered his head in shame.

"Why?" I asked, my voice sounded out of breathe even in my ears.

"For.... For kissing you like that." He stuttered and my heart clenched for him.

"It was my first kiss you know? I was waiting for Ryan to take that." I was ashamed for making him more guilty. But I had to tell that to someone. I knew it was selfish of me to do that to him but I couldn't control myself.

"I... I am really sorry. I wasn't in my right mind. I don't know what came into me. I will go faraway from here and you won't have to see my face again. I will...." He started crying hard before he could complete.

"Hey, it's OK. I understand and it was selfish of me to tell you that. You don't have to go anywhere. Please stay." I tried coaxing him with my words though I know it would have gone in vain.

"I can't Pearl. I have to do this for me. If I stay here, everyday I have to see you with him. That would be so hard for me." Saying that he stood up.

"I know. But still..."

"Don't ask me to do something that will hurt me in return. I have to go, even if it is for a while." He wiped his tears away and gave me a small smile. I never wanted to see him like that. So, I gave up and accepted what he wanted to do.

"Okay. If that's what you want, I won't stop you. But please promise me that you will come back. This is your city Nathan. You can't leave it forever. One thing more, though I don't love you, I care for you deeply. So please come back whenever you are ready." I requested as I stood up also.

"I know Pearl that you care for me and I thought that was your love for me. Well, that was in the past. Now, there is no misunderstanding. And I will come back. So don't worry." He looked at me and his face had softened. "If Ryan gives you a hard time then don't forget to tell me and I'll come to take you with me. It doesn't matter you want that or not."

I smiled on that. "I won't forget to tell you."

"Till then bye, Pearl. Take care of yourself." He said with a smile and went to the balcony's door.

"I will and you take care of yourself also. And remember, I care for you may be more than Ryan. If you had proposed me before I would have accepted that. But today is my wedding day and my family will be hurt if I do something like that. Though, I told you before that I love...." Nathan stopped me, nodding his head.

"I know you don't love him." I looked at him with surprise evident on my face. "No need to be surprised. I am psychiatrist after all and I can see that you don't have the spark in your eyes that a bride should have. But I also know that you can't marry me even if you want and it's not your fault. It is my fault that I'm too late." His eyes were watery but he still smiled at me. The sight made me hug him.

"Thanks Nathan, for understanding. I hope I will see you soon." I said pulling away.

"I hope so too my princess. Always remember that you are my princess. It doesn't matter that I wanted to make you my queen. What matter is, you will be my princess and if you need anything then I'll be there for you, forever." He kissed me on my forehead and with that he left the room.

"Bye Nathan, bye my Prince." I whispered to myself.

Still in flashback:

I felt everything around me is a lie. I don't want to marry Ryan. I want to just forget everything and go with my prince, Nathan. From the second I saw him all I wanted to do is to be with him, to be loved by him. Now when he came to me and confessed his love, I couldn't go with him. I am chained with daughter duties and I have to act like a heiress.

People thinks I am so lucky to born in riches and I am going to marry the most eligible bachelor. But believe me, I am feeling myself is the most unlucky specimen in the world.

If I wasn't born as Pearl Bennett I could be with the one I want. But I can't do that. It will bring shame to my family, media will make their life hell. You can say I am being dramatic. These things only happen in films and I am trying to act like a lead role. Then let me tell you, you're wrong. Let's think that I went with him. What will happen next? Will be I happy?

No, I won't. In every step people will taunt me and also Nathan. Will he love me after all this? Even if he does, for how long? One day he will blame me for everything. There will be no happiness. My family will hate me.

Does all of these worth to be with him? No, it doesn't. Yeah, I have feelings for him but I don't love him. But I am feeling like hell.

"Pearl, are you okay? Open the door." I heard Louisa's panicked voice along with the sound of knocking.

I looked at the mirror and stare at my image. I look like hell. I quickly wiped my tears and gave a little touch up and wore my veil. I cleared my voice. "Yeah, just give me one minute."

"OK, we'll be right here."

I hid my face with the veil and opened the door.

"Ryan is waiting there. You're late." Sofia crossed her hand and looked at me like I murdered someone.

"Let him."

"What?"

"Nothing. Let's go."

End of flashback

"Now, you may kiss the bride." The priest said to Ryan. I realized I zoned out whole the time of our wedding. I said my vow in trance. Oh god what he will think if he knows.

But I don't want to be kissed. I'm not ready now.

He came closed to me and lifted my veil. His eyes fixed on my lips and his brows furrowed. He looked really angry. Did he came to know I was kissed a few minutes back? Are my lips that swollen?

He cupped my face and I shut my eyes. But I didn't feel anything on my lips because he kissed on my forehead. All clapped, Louisa nudged me on my back and whispered that he is so cute or something like that but I couldn't form it properly as my head is jammed with different thoughts. I sighed a relief as he didn't kiss on my lips.

Now time for reception. Meanwhile I should get together myself or the others will doubt on my suspicious behavior. God knows what he had decided for me.

Nathan is my past and I have to make a bridge and get over it. I am now Mrs. Pearl Anderson. I won't cheat on my husband even by remembering him. Sure it will be hard. But I am not weak like those melodramatic girls who can't face the reality with a smiling face. No more zoning out. I will be myself tonight.

Now smile Pearl.

Well done. Keep smiling.

***

"Congrats Mr. And Mrs. Anderson." Mr. Adams wished us. He is an oil tycoon and friends of our dads.

Mrs. Anderson. This name sounds so alienatic. (Is that even a word? I guess not.)

A few hours and my life changed drastically. I am now Mrs. Anderson, not Miss Bennett. I changed my surname for him though I don't love him. Will he do that? Will he become Mr. Bennett for me?

No, he won't. It will sound funny to many people. But why do girls have to do this? Society....

"Thanks Mr. Adam, for coming here." Ryan smiled politely at him and I just gave him a nod with a fake smile.

Well I am faking a smile for hours. Now it is almost hurting. How many people they invited? This is ridiculous.

"I can't stand anymore Ryan. My feet are aching?" I whispered to him.

"Oh really? You should've wore 8 inch then you would've been fine." The devil gave me his signature smirk.

"You don't have to pull my legs you know?"

"Then what should I pull?" He said seductively and I blushed.

Oh why am I blushing?

"May be your hair." I replied keeping my voice stern as possible as I can.

"Just shut up. No need to be friendly with me." He muttered.

Well isn't he a bipolar? One moment he is flirting and next he slaps me with his words. Tada.

"I don't want to be friendly with a radish like you." I retorted. Huh as if I care.

He doesn't know I can be a real bitch. I am not those girls from romance novels who get scared if her husband scolds him or talks rudely.

"Radish and me?" His eyes became saucers. It does suit him. Note the sarcasm here.

"Oh you are blind also? Or you have concussion? Are you seeing things? God where is uncle Rob? We have to take you to hospital." I pretended to be concerned.

"What are you blabbering?"

"Now you are having amnesia also. Lemme remind you. I was calling you radish. You saw someone beside you and got confused that whom was I calling radish. There was no one beside you I promise. It was you who is a radish." You started this, now take what I give you.

"Whatever. Who argues with a blabbermouth?" He sighed helplessly.

"Right. I'm that. Still, I have a mouth to blabber. You always behave like someone stapled your mouth and you are having a great pain to talk."

He opened his mouth to reply then closed again. Can't get a proper reply dear Ryan? Deal with this.

"There is no use to talk to you." He shook his head in frustration.

"Yeah yeah." I gave him a cheeky smile.

He fumed in anger and looked away from me.

As I said, no one can get away without getting a good reply from me when he himself started it. I am a bitch when I am attacked. Like me or not your wish.

He thought I will be always prim and proper. No I won't. That was really fun to irritate him.

This is going to be a long night.

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