Chapter 1 Stranger’s Bride
Gina’s heart pounded wildly against her chest, as she waited for the maid to finish styling her hair. Sitting across the mirror, the beautiful makeover did not help to conceal the sadness reflecting on her face.
She pressed her lips together as she fought the urge to bit them, trying to suppress the sobs that were attempting to escape. She doesn’t want her father to think that he was making a bad decision, even if she knew that he was feeling guilty, she doesn’t want to add more to his pain.
Her father had tried so hard, bring her up alone and doing everything he could to make her happy, she would jump at any opportunity to repay him dearly even if it was going into a loveless marriage with a man she had never met before.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
She shut her eyes tightly as her vision was about to turn blur with tears again, which she fears might start falling any moment.
“There you go ma’am, everything is all done.” The young maid finished styling her hair and gave her a bright smile through the mirror. “Never seen a more perfect bride,” She added cheerfully.
Gina opened her eyes at the maid’s comment and gave her reflection another glance. “Thank you Amy.” She smiled half-heartedly and the maid helped her up from the chair, careful not to step on her long wedding dress.
“Believe me ma’am, I’m very sure that young master is going to love this dress on you, he specifically sent it over and his assistant said that he picked it himself. Awn I never thought he could be so romantic, you are really lucky ma’am.”
The maid continued chattering as they got out of the room toward the stairs. Gina’s face held a small smile as she listened to the excited maid. Apart from her father, everyone in the mansion had thought that she was going to marry her ex-boyfriend, who had returned from overseas after so many years.
All the servants who had adored her so much were very enthusiastic that she was finally going to be with her love after so many years of waiting. A sad chuckle escaped her lips, which was dimmed by the servants happy chatters and all of them approached her as she got down the stairs.
The servants offered words of congratulations and even though they found it funny that the young master didn’t want to hold an extravagant wedding, all in all, their lovely young miss was finally going to be happy.
“Gina, you ready?” Her fathers voice sounded from the huge door and Gina’s head snapped up after taking a bouquet from one of the maids who had said that it was her gift to her.
“Yes, Dad.” She nodded with a half smile as he reached her side and the servants who had gathered around her bid her goodbye and went back to their duties.
“Uhmm.” Mr. Carlson fought for words but finally nodded with a sigh. “I’m so sorry Gina.” He dropped his head.
Gina shook her head and held his arm. “It’s alright Dad, you don’t have to feel bad… I would do more than this if I had to.” She stopped in her words and also dropped her head, not wanting to see the guilt in his eyes.
Mr. Carlson patted her head and smiled sadly. He wasn’t only worried for the fact that he was giving out his daughter to a stranger, as the only way to save his business. But he was also worried about how his daughter’s life was going to be as the guy’s ruthlessness was well know across the business world and if he hadn’t fallen into his trap a few days ago, he wouldn’t have come to this hard decision.
“Let’s go,” he said, and they walked out of the huge door toward the car where a driver was already waiting with the door opened.
Her father released her and Gina looked between him and the black limousine, a stark contrast to her white wedding dress. “I’ll miss you Dad.” She gave him a hug.
“Me too dear… me too.” Mr. Carlson patted her back and pulled away. “I’ll visit you.”
Gina nodded and got inside the car. The driver closed the door and walked toward the middle aged man before handing him an envelope. “This is from the young Master, everything is ready and you can have your company back. He also said that the new company’s ownership will be put under your name.”
With that said, the driver got inside the black limousine and drove out of the mansion.
Mr. Carlson gripped on the envelope as his gaze followed the car which has disappeared. After the gates closed, he looked down and opened it. And just as the driver who he knew was one of the guy’s bodyguards had said, all the documents seized by the authorities were inside.
“I’m so sorry Gina,” he muttered, with dropped shoulders, still standing at the same spot. “I’m very sorry Emma.” He called out to his dead wife.