Chapter 1
The sun shone brightly through the large French window emanating a rich golden glow in the expensive hotel room.
I sat on the soft velvet bed as Kimberly sat infront of the mirror, her makeup artists working on her. Her face was a work of art, although she had said that I was a more beautiful, I thought I couldn't compete with her looks.
The main door opened revealing Mrs Dior dressed in an expensive tailor made dress. Her rich elegant style attracted my gaze as she walked up to Kim.
Like any mother she smiled at Kim before planting a quick peck on Kim's temple.
Kim forced a smile before her mother turned walking out of the room. Kim gazed back to the mirror before turning her gaze to me through the mirror.
I could sense her nervousness, I knew she was happy about this wedding heck! We didn't even know the groom. Kim was just doing this for her family, all her life she's been nothing but good to them.
She muttered something to herself as the artist continued. She held her gaze with me before turning away.
I stood up a sigh leaving my parted lips as I walked to the main door. I opened the door before glancing over at Kim then walked out.
...
Minutes later I found myself walking in the hotel garden bathing in the beautiful autumn sunshine.
I could see the Dior family commanding every servant around. I mean who could blame them, it was their little darling's wedding and heck she was to be wedded to the heir of the richest family in Country Z and Heavenly City, the mysterious Alessandro De Luca.
The Dior's called it the wedding of the century, a perfect match of status and wealth.
The Dior's saw this wedding as an opportunity of a lifetime, becoming the relatives of the De Luca family meant more power, status and wealth.
I could not understand why Kim was depressed, I knew she wanted her own freedom but marrying into the De Luca family meant a secure future.
I sighed as the delicate scent of roses filled my nostrils, I glanced over at the guests approaching, they were of elegance. From their glimmering expensive outfits I could tell they were from the richer class. Well-known celebrities entered, their fans crowding the front of the hotel. I knew from the way they dressed they were attending the wedding from the De Luca side.
I could see the De Luca had great importance in this wedding. I could tell that this place's decor costed hundreds of millions and dollars.
Some of the guests who had already settled in or arrived earlier were conversing enjoying the free expensive delicacies as they walked to the ceremony.
I glanced at my wristwatch and sure enough, I had twenty minutes to get ready.
I immediately rushed to Kim's room where I had left my clothes.
As I entered I met with Kim's family panic written on their faces.
"Find her!" Mr Dior yelled at his guards before they hurriedly ran out of the door
I stared at the face of my best friend's father as if smoke was coming out of his ears while horns grew on his head. I knew that Kim wasn't happy about this marriage but for her to run away without informing me that is just low even for her. I stared at Kim's entire family as we stood inside the hotel room.
"Father, if sister doesn't appear we'll have to suffer the wrath of the De Luca family" I heard Kevin's voice carried all hint of panic.
Mr Dior frowned as he remembered how many losses he'll have to face if this wedding should not go through.
After a while Mr Dior's men came back with worried expressions.
"Sir…Ms Kim is nowhere to be found" The head man replied nervously
"What are we to do husband?" Mrs Kim asked as she leaned onto the wall
Mr Dior smiled as he walked towards me and I felt my heart beating rapidly in my ribcage. Although I had known Mr Dior for ten years now I knew his true form was dangerous. All his gentle and kind personality was just a mask, all he was, was a brutal man.
He stopped in front of me taking my hands into his as the smile on his face simply made a shiver run down my spine.
"Claire my dear…" he began his voice gentle
"Uncle…" I replied as I stared into his dark face
"Do me the favor of marrying Kim's groom" I heard gasps from across the room
"Wh… at…?" I stuttered as I glanced around the room
"I beg you my dear" he caressed my hands
"Richard are you crazy, how can you switch brides?" Mrs Dior yelled as she stomped towards us
"Do I have a choice? Your stupid daughter has ran away and now if the wedding doesn't occur, you know the De Luca family won't spare us" Mr Dior's face turned pale
"Uncle why does it have to be me though?" I asked as I stared at the entire Dior family
"Because you were the only one who was close to Kim" He tried to reason out but his reason wasn't good enough
"What if Kim should return after the wedding?" I raised a brow as I glanced at everyone
"She'll not disturb you, and I promise you this my dear your future will be secured as long as you pretend to be Kim" He explained and I thought of the benefits I'd have as Mrs De Luca
"And my parents? " I again asked and I saw the faces of Dior's tired with my question
"We'll talk to them" this time Kevin replied, I hated his perfect face.
"Okay I agree but…"
"Child enough with the questions and just do us this favor" I heard Old Dior yell as I flinched a little
"Old Dior the problem is Kim and I are different people " I heard Kevin scoff as he walked to me
"Don't worry about that and just get dressed, we'll take care of it. The De Luca haven't even seen Kim's face" He patted my head before he opened the door entering the wedding venue leaving me alone with Mr Dior
"Just get dressed dear" I heard him say before he walked out along with the rest of the family leaving me with a few maids
I sighed before glancing around, my heart rapidly beating. I remembered how this deal with the De Luca was important for the Dior's and I knew that Kim was stupid for running away.
The De Luca was a half Korean and Italian family who nobody knew about how they became rich. But we all knew that they were the most famous and wealthy family in Country Z. Everybody feared them and wouldn't dare of crossing them. Other wealthy families tried to pin a marriage with them and I guess the Dior got lucky.
Here I was standing in my best friend's room staring at my reflection in the mirror as I wore my best friend's expensive pure white custom-made dress decorated with gold and diamonds. One of the maids pulled me to sit down where Kim had been sitted before, they began applying exquisite makeup on my face, enhancing my beauty.
I glanced over at a picture of me and Kim days before the wedding. Her smile was so radiant and sweet.
'Where could you have gone Kim?' I thought
"Madam we are done, please let us know if we should redo it" The maids stepped back as I glanced at the mirror
"It's quite nice" I kindly smiled but guilt was eating me up
The door opened revealing Mrs Dior with my mom who immediately rushed to me.
"Claire I couldn't imagine my ears when the Diors told me you were getting married to Kim's groom" My mother cupped my face tears twinkling in her eyes
"Don't worry mom, I'm securing our future" I sadly said asked Mrs Dior asked the maid's of leave
"Jasmine… we will compensate…"Mrs Dior began but my mother cut her off
" If my daughter gets into trouble I'll forget our years of friendship "My mother's gaze was deadly
" Come on Claire let's get you to the alter"Mrs Dior said
I stood up nervousness filling my entire being, I wore the veil before grabbing the bouquet.
Walking downstairs to the garden entrance, I stood by Mr Dior who had a grateful smile. He reached out to me and brought down the veil covering my face.
Countless thoughts ran through my head. I was freshly graduated from college and was now looking for a job but here I was getting married to her best friend's groom.
