1 month later

One month later

"Thank you so much, sir please visit again," I said smiling at the customer while handing him the bag of pastry with coffee.

It's been a month, I am working here in the cafe, and trust me this is the most amazing place to work as co-workers are very friendly and I was enjoying very much working here, but honestly said that voice which I encountered that day, owner of that car which I ruined, his deep husky voice was still very deeply settles in my mind with heart and soul, it seems like my peace, my concentration is always focused with a glimpse of that voice, after that day, but something strange also happened, here my brother Asher, he doesn't call me since a week ago, I tried to call him but his phone is coming out of reach, I just hope is fine.

''Emberly, will you please do me a favor, dear,'' Mrs.Glint asked me

''Sure Bernice', just tell me what to do," I said to her enthusiastically if she didn't give me this waitress job then how can I manage here in New York, such a beautiful but it is a very expensive city too, even I managed to afford a rented apartment here because she pays me enough to make living without lack of important things, yes finally I am living in a rented apartment, not in the motel, my apartment has one living room with a bedroom with kitchen, perfect for me to live, Although it doesn't have any expensive furniture my whole day get here in the cafe, I only go there for sleep and spend my weekends in my apartment as Sunday; I have half-days.

''Emberly, we got the order of cookies with a vanilla pastry from customers who is in Cosmopolitan Hotel and Sky, our delivery boy is on sick leave as he is not feeling well, his call comes in morning his medical reports say that he has diarrhea can you go there to deliver this,'' She asked me while giving me food packet.

I took that packet from her ''Sure, why not," I replied, poor sky I will visit him in hospital once in will deliver these cookies to them.

I sat on my bicycle, This is a second-hand bicycle I bought from my neighbor, my neighbors buy a new car for their son at his graduation ceremony, so they sell this bicycle to me at a very affordable and cheap price.

I took out my wireless Bluetooth earphones and set them up and play 'one last time-by Ariana Grande'on my phone.

Finally, I reached towards Cosmopolitan hotel, which is one of the Seven-star hotels owned by Campbell Empires, I read in newspapers, magazines about them, it is owned by Adrian Campbell, the billionaire; I didn't saw his pic as I am not, I interested in it, but I read about his company.

They also own many airlines, with software companies come under it. Not only that, they also own many luxurious chains of seven-star hotels, but mainly they are a construction company. They distribute tenders for shopping malls, water parks, resorts, and many other important things. I also read in that article that today is marriage, with Sarah Winston. She is the daughter of a billionaire, Mr. Gabriel Winston.

I parked my bicycle outside near a garden some distance away from that grand hotel, because I don't think that watchman will let me take my bicycle inside to the hotel's parking area. I stared at a woman who wore an expensive gown, with a diamond necklace coming out of the car. She looked like a supermodel with a perfect figure and clothes. With a man in an expensive suit. Not only them, but many other people wearing expensive clothes are going inside the hotel. Most are celebrities. If I didn't come here for delivery, then I would take selfies with them .

Finally, I sighed and walked towards the entrance gate of the hotel. It's a beautifully built, luxurious hotel. Well, it is one of the seven-star hotels owned by Campbell Empires

I saw the team of guards surrounding it, eyeing everyone around it. I made my way towards it to enter. I ran my hands over my black jeans and straightened denim jacket while fidgeting my fingers.

A guard stands "Miss, may I ask why you're here?" he asked monotonely.

I quickly pulled out that email and received a message from a customer who ordered refreshment from our cafe.

They nodded after seeing that message and unblocked my way. I came inside to the hotel and left the breath, which God knows how long I was holding.

Damm, it's so unbelievable. I never saw a five-star hotel before. They always used to lock me in the storeroom where I live. I was never allowed to go outside except for my school and coaching classes and at the homes of some selected friends.

I looked around in awe.

What a beautifully made masterpiece it is

The lobby of the hotel, spread over two floors, impresses with its grandeur, which was achieved through the architectural design.

The combination of materials and textures complements each other in a harmonious and luxurious look.

Geometrical forms and shapes used in décor and architectural details pique the viewer's interest and make them want to explore the masterpiece where lines guide the eye through the décor.

I have never seen a seven-star luxurious hotel before. This is so beautiful.

I called the customer who ordered from our cafe to inform them that I would give their food bag to the reception staff of the hotel. They will deliver it

As I come towards the corner of the hall.

Just as I pulled out my phone, I felt a tap over my shoulder. I turned around and found a beautiful woman looking the same age as mine. She had waist-length brown hair with beautiful sapphire eyes. She was wearing a bathrobe. Wait, she is Sarah Winston, but what is going here, as today is her wedding with Billionaire Adrian Campbell, I blinked rapidly as my eyes tried to process what I had seen. Her eyes, which were so puffy, it was obvious that she had cried for god knows how long, even though she was looking so worried.

"You." I trailed with a shaky voice.

"Come with me," she whispered, while looking around, making sure that no one saw us.

I tried to ask but she dragged me with me somewhere. I stared at her with a small gasp. Finally, we reached towards a room. She opens the door and we both come inside there

I frowned at her.

"I need your help," she asked me while holding my hands.

I frowned at her. "What kind of help?"

She sighed. "I love someone else, but my father is forcing me to marry Adrian Campbell as my father's company is going bankrupt, but only Adrian can save it. But the condition is I have to marry him, and I can't marry him because I am pregnant with my boyfriend's child, but my dad got to know about it and now my dad is threatening me to kill my boyfriend and our unborn baby if I don't marry Adrian,"

I covered my mouth with my palm after hearing her words; how can her father do this? How can someone be this cruel, even if he will kill an innocent unborn child if she doesn't marry Adrian? This is so disgusting.

"Tell me I will help you in any condition," I told her while taking hold of her hand and softly nodding at her.

She nodded and wiped away her tears. Suddenly, her phone rang. She quickly picked up the call.

"Yes, I am coming," she told someone, then hung up the call. My eyes stopped at the wallpaper of her phone. I freeze at my place while shaking my head

She had my brother Asher and her pic on her phone home screen. I looked at her wide-eyed, swallowing

She looked at me as her brows furrowed. Seeing my reaction, I quickly took her phone.

"T... this is my brother." I stuttered, looking at my brother Asher and her pic

"You are Emberly?" she asked, and I looked at her, dumbfounded.

"You know me?" I asked, and she nodded, smiling slightly."Asher told me about you; your brother loves you so much," she told me while placing her hand over my shoulder

But then I realized Asher is her boyfriend, which means my brother has been kidnapped.

I felt my throat felt so dry. I quickly took hold of the edge of the bed and looked at her. Gulping, I said,

"This means my brother has been kidnapped." So this is the reason he didn't call me for two weeks because he was kidnapped

I fell on my knees and even tears started coming out of my eyes continuously.

"He will be fine, nothing can happen to him," I uttered while shaking my head and wiping away my tears furiously

Sarah put her hand over my shoulder and wrapped her arms around me.

I felt soreness in my throat and lungs.

She wiped away tears. "I got to know the place where they kept him. Now I am going there to save him and some of my friends are already at that place. They are informing me about everything happening there." She said to me while putting her clothes in a duffle bag.

"My brother will be fine. Nothing can happen to him," I whispered at her while taking hold of her arms. She nodded.

"I am going there, but men of my dad are standing outside the room and hotel, so I need your clothes. I will wear your clothes and go there in your disguise," she said and I nodded.

I paced around the master suite room, Sarah already gone, trying to save Asher in my clothing, and here I am, dressed in a yellow ruffled sundress similar to Sarah's, so that her father's men outside who were guarding her didn't realise she was leaving.

She informed me that she would contact me when she and Asher were in a secure spot so that I could leave the hotel after that. I looked at my phone screen as I clasped my hands to my breast.

But, first, I can't because everyone believes she's in this room getting ready for her wedding, but it's actually me who's there.

I jolted as the door to her room swung opened, and I drew a deep, uneven breath before immediately turning aside so that my face was hidden and my back was towards the person who had just entered.

"Sarah, you haven't prepared yourself yet," I heard a female voice.

I didn't respond because I was experiencing a bile burn at the back of my throat.

When I heard their footsteps approaching, I tightly closed my eyes, knowing that they would see me immediately. Sarah also didn't message or phone me to let me know that she and my brother were okay.

What am I going to do now, God?

I felt a touch on my shoulder, a strong thudding in my chest from a faster heart rate, and I spun around.

"What the heck, who are you, and where is my daughter?" she hissed, her brows furrowed.

"Who are you?" a man dressed in a Marron tuxedo in his mid-fifties snarled at me.

My phone suddenly buzzed, signalling that a message had come.

Sarah's message appeared on the screen of my phone.

"Emberly, Asher and I are now at a secure location; we are now on our way to the airport; we will be far away from this location; I will phone you later."

Sarah

There's a photo of Asher and her beneath her message; they're both in a car, perhaps on their way to the airport.

I closed my eyes and pressed my hands to my tummy, thanking God that our plan had worked and that my brother and I were now safe and sound.

That middle-aged man hissed, his jaw clinched angrily at me, "Answer me damm it."

"I...I don't know anything; I'm just here to bring these meal orders to Sarah as she requested," I said, twitching my fingers and swallowing.

The phone of that man, Sarah's father, suddenly rang, startling me.

When he took up the phone, his cheeks flushed as he heard words from another line.

But his face darkened and his eyes became crimson with wrath.

"Your worthless daughter runs away with her useless boyfriend," he remarked angrily to Sarah's mother.

Her face became pale as well, and she opened her lips to say something but nothing came out, so she closed her eyes and leaned against the wall.

"What we'll do now," Sarah's father said quietly as he massaged his temples.

I moved back gently, trying not to draw attention to myself, but before I could figure out what was going on, it was too late.

Someone snatched my arm and smashed me against the wall with such force.

Due to back discomfort, I winced and carefully peered at a figure; it was Sarah's father, who was staring at me, his mouth clenched.

"Get ready, you're going to marry Adrian in this outfit," he said as he tossed the white bridal gown over my face.

I looked at him, and I could feel my slower breathing and heartbeat, as well as my entire body, when I heard his words.

I peeked at him, hearing his words my seems like someone I felt my slowed breathing and heartbeat, even I can feel my body getting drained with energy, heaviness in my limbs

"W.....what," I manage to stammer, wide-eyed at him.

How can I marry Adrian if this isn't possible?

Mr. Winston, Sarah's father, smacked the flower base so hard on the floor that I flinched, then grabbed my hair and dragged my head towards him.

"Don't say anything in front of anybody," he snarled, baring his fangs. "If you love your little crap life, Adrian will sign the deal paperwork, you will marry him, and make sure your face is covered till this wedding is finished," he continued, his eyes darkening and his muscles stiff.

Finally, he lets go of me, and I collapse on the floor, my body spent and devoid of vitality.

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

My throat burned and dried as I swallowed while looking at that man in I'm standing in front of Mr. Winston's church, my face hidden behind a long veil as I walk with Mr. Winston; for the rest of the world, Sarah Winston is getting married soon, but now it's me.

I observed Mr. Adrian Campbell. He was adored by the fairer sex for his black hair. It was a casual jumble sometimes, but mostly neat and flowing. His crescent-of-moon eyebrows were thin and narrow. He carried an imperious nose well, and his angular cheekbones were carved down towards a flinty jaw. He had a manly, Samson-like physique...

His brown eyes were orbing around and darting constantly, a-gleaming with delight and the vigor of youth. They were soft brown eyes and swam with joy. They shone brightly as two sapphires dipped in milky pools. The swirl of his loamy cologne had them swooning in the aisles.

Oh God, Adrian Campbell, the CEO of Campbell Empire, I can't believe that I am seeing him in real. Actually, he is my role model. I want to become like him. He didn't take over his father's company, but he worked so hard and established his empire, and the result is now Campbell Empire is the most successful and renowned multinational company in the whole world. They are mainly a construction empire, as they build and distribute tenders for waterparks, malls, and airports.

Adrian Campbell, I will soon be married to him.

I felt someone squeezing my arm hard. I snapped my head and found Mr. Winston glaring at me.

"Remember, if you open your little mouth, then I will destroy your trash brother's life," he said with barred teeth, while his eyes had a sinister look.

Drawing in slow, steady breaths, I nodded weakly.

I don't want to marry him. Technically, I am betraying him.

But what can I do? I am so helpless this time. I don't have any other option but to marry him.

I stood beside him. He didn't look at me. His face was cold and emotionless, like he was not interested in this marriage.

We faced the priest. The priest started hymns of marriage.

I think I should run away from this alter before this marriage happens, because if this marriage happens, then everything will be messed up so badly.

I felt something on my hand. When I saw the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen in my life, I looked down and bit my lip, and then I heard a deep husky voice.

"I do," my eyes widened and I silently cursed myself; this cannot be happening; he has already accepted me as his wife, not by my name but by Sarah's.

The priest looked at me.

Do you take Adrian Campbell, to behold your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you apart, according to God's holy law, in the presence of God you make this vow?"

I wanted to scream, "No." But then I looked at Mr. Winston.

I could tell it was a bad idea just by looking at him, so I quickly closed my eyes and clenched my fists.

Let me do this for the sake of my brother.

"I do." I swallowed like a low whisper and looked at the wedding ring in my hand. I bit my lips while making him wear it. I could feel my hands trembling so badly.

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said, and my eyes widened; a kiss, how can he kiss me?

My whole body burned with a strange sensation when I felt him coming near me. Suddenly, Sarah's mom, Mrs. Winston, comes

I looked around to find something to stop this all, but I gasped a little when

I felt his hands around my waist, making me shudder.

Then I felt his soft lips brush lightly with mine. I felt so good when his lips touched mine. I closed my eyes as my knees were trembling. I quickly gripped his shoulders to support my body, but soon I came back to my senses. My eyes widened slightly when he pulled me apart from him.

Everyone began to come up to us and congratulate us.

Then Mr. Winston and Mrs. Winston arrived, and he looked uneasily at Mr.Adrian Campbell.

He inquired, "Can we sign those documents now?"

"Sure." Adrian nodded and walked away with Mr. Winston.

I looked around at the guys in tuxedos and women in costly dresses trailing after them.

I'm so tired of being alone in the alter that I want to go back to my apartment.

Then I noticed the escape door and decided, "Yes, I'll do it."

I'm not going to let anybody take advantage of me; I know Adrian will find out the truth soon, and I can't even picture what will happen to me after that.

Secretly, without getting noticed, I made my way out from the church,

Finally, when I reach outside, I took a long breath, of relief and quickly took out that veil and runs away from this place.

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

I curled into a foetal position as my legs felt restless and my stomach churned, increasing my thirst with what had happened to me today, I got married and then ran away, I don't remember anything, I'm laying in my room, in my apartment, staring out the window and seeing plants swinging as the air touched them.

What will happen now? Adrian Campbell is a very powerful man, and if he finds out what I did to him, he can ruin me.

I sat up fast on the bed and drew my knees up to my chest, closing my eyes firmly, vowing to leave New York as soon as possible; sure, this is the only way to rescue myself.

I keep my clothing in a duffel bag and have already changed into blue jeans with a plain black shirt and sneakers as soon as I may leave this metropolis.

Finally, after packing everything, I took my bag and headed out the door, but my eyes fell on that wedding gown, and for some reason, my heart ached as I looked at it, as if I was doing something wrong, so I hurried towards the exit door, but before I could open it, the door to my apartment opened abruptly, and my blood clotted in my veins as I saw who was standing there in front of me, and I stumbled with a small gasp.

"M.....Mr. Campbell," I stuttered as I stared at him; just looking at him makes my entire body feel chilly.

His hands were squeezed into fists, and his handsome jaw was clinched as well.

As he moved closer to me, I took a cautious step backward, trembling.

I hardly have time to comprehend what's going on before I have to take another step back.

He quickly grabbed my elbow and tugged me towards him, causing me to gasp and sending shiver down my spine, his fingers wrapping around my waist with possessiveness.

"Why did you take her place at a wedding?" he questioned calmly, but I can sense a Strom in his voice.

"Please, Mr. Campbell, I have no idea how this is going to turn out." I choked as I stared into his eyes, and I winced as he tightened his grasp on my waist.

He frowned and asked, "Do you even know what just occurred, what you did?"

Seeing him like this made me feel dizzy, with goosebumps all over my skin and a dry throat; I'm not sure why, but I felt like I was about to pass out.

Tears welled in my eyes as I gazed down."You made a terrible mistake, and you dare to fool with me by keeping me in the dark," he held my jaw and made me gaze into his frigid eyes. He said something that made me feel insignificant, and his tone made me feel that way.

"I'm sorry,"I stuttered and averted my gaze, but he loosened his grip on my hair, not so tight as to injure me, but just firm enough to keep my head in front of him, our faces only inches apart.

"You and that bastard Winston believe you're going to make me a fool, and that bastard brother of yours, with whom my bride ran away, but don't worry, my men will find them soon, and then you'll see, I'm going to make his life like hell with pain," he growled.

I shook my head and closed my eyes firmly, exhausted.

"Please don't destroy Sarah's life because she is pregnant with my brother's baby, they are in love, she wants to be with my brother because they are in love," I sobbed out.

My chest clenched with my increased breathing as he quickly leaves me, causing me to collapse over the floor.

Silently, I began to cry.

No, I can't allow this happen to my brother, he replied, he'll destroy Ashton's life.

"You will pay for what your crap brother and Winstons did, I will destroy Winstons and your brother, but you will also be the one who will be ruined with them, you will see what devil of a husband you have," he sneered and stormed out of my flat, leaving me in excruciating agony and tears.

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

Mr.Branton, my husband's chauffeur, was driving, and I brought my legs up to my chest while staring out the car window.

I'm heading to Campbell Mansion; I have no idea what fate has in store for me, but it won't be pleasant.

Mr.Adrian Campbell, my so-called husband, threatened me the day before yesterday, and the next morning, Mr.Branton, Campbell's chauffeur, showed up at my door, telling me that it was Mr.Adrian Campbell's order to take my belongings into his mansion because he wanted to live there.

I'm not sure what he had in mind for me, but based on his actions, he doesn't seem to care about me.

I'll be seeing my husband at his mansion.

I simply hope things improve soon, because I've had a horrible life since childhood, was raised in hell, and now I'm afraid to face another hell.

Mr. Branton interrupted my thoughts by saying, "Mrs.Campbell, we've arrived."

"Please call me, Emberly, I will like it," I said, and he nodded smiling; he is a really gentle man in his mid-fifties.

Finally, I looked up and came across a gorgeous, beautiful home that resembles a glass castle. It is something I've always envisioned in fairytales.

It is something I've always envisioned in fairytales

I can't believe what I'm seeing; I've only ever seen such a lavish home on Pinterest and in architectural magazines

I can't believe what I'm seeing; I've only ever seen such a lavish home on Pinterest and in architectural magazines.

I never imagined that I would one day live in this home, despite its beauty, since the owner of the mansion despises me and refuses to see my face because his soon-to-be wife went away with my brother, and he wants vengeance because he is now my husband.

I'm perfectly aware that I'm imprisoned in hell with a Devil, that my throat is burning, and that I have no choice but to live with him in this home.