CHAPTER 10: THE GRAND WEDDING

CHAPTER 10: THE GRAND WEDDING
I am surrounded by many people, some fixing my hair, others my makeup, and others my dress. They all look very happy, except me. I should be happy, but this wedding doesn't make me happy. I'm not in love, and the man I'm marrying isn't in love with me either.

Suddenly, everyone leaves, apparently leaving me alone. I start looking at the skirt of the dress, and it is beautiful.

"You look beautiful, little Ali!" Ana says in her unusually high-pitched voice, overflowing with excitement.

I lift my head to look at her, and she has a huge smile on her face. Her eyes shine, and I wish she could give me a little bit of her happiness.

"She's not lying, you look beautiful." Suddenly, Imanol appears behind Ana, and nervousness begins to invade my body.

"What are you doing here?" I question, and before he can answer, I continue, "It's bad luck to see the bride..."

"I'm not the groom," he interrupts, making a face.

I look into his eyes, those beautiful eyes, and he approaches me.

"Relax, everything will be fine," he takes my right hand and squeezes it.

"I'm calm," I say, trying to let go of his grip but failing.

"I would have loved to meet you earlier, much earlier," he says and kisses my forehead.

I feel a shiver run through my skin as I feel his warm lips. He pulls away, and Ana looks at me seriously. I try to stand up, but I can't stop feeling that strange sensation of his lips on my skin.

"You like him," Ana says, looking into my eyes.

"No!" I respond, surprised.

"It wasn't a question, Ali," I furrow my brow, not understanding, and she approaches me. "You're going to marry his brother. I think it's best to get him out of your head."

I look at her, not understanding, and she hugs me. My head is a mess, and I can't process what just happened. My best friend thinks I like my future husband's brother. That's impossible.

"Ana banana, I don't like Imanol," I say, and Ana stops hugging me, putting her hands on my cheeks.

"Oh no?" I shake my head, and she furrows her brow. "Tell that to your eyes every time they see him, dear." She forces a smile and leaves me alone.

"Do I like Imanol?" I start laughing like crazy until I hear someone calling me. It's time to be an actress and for my life to be completely ruined.

I am by my father's side, who looks at me as if I were a treasure. I just hold onto his arm, not wanting to let go. In front of us, there are many people, a very long carpet, and at the end of it stands Harry, waiting for me.

The wedding march begins to play, and my father and I start walking down the aisle. People stand up with big smiles, and everyone looks at me just as my father does. I stop looking at all of them and look at the sea, the beautiful and vast sea in the background. I feel a strong desire to run away and never come back.

"I give you my daughter..." I realize we have arrived, and when I see Harry, I stop listening to what my father is saying.

Harry smiles at my father, then looks at me and extends his hand for me to take. I do, and we take a few steps toward the table where the minister stands.

"We are here to witness the union of these two souls who love each other..."

Do they love each other? I say in my mind, no longer listening. This is a farce, a complete lie. I don't want to marry him, and he doesn't want to marry me. This is a disaster. I hate being born into this family, I hate this damn contract, and I hate this damn wedding.

"Allison?" Harry's voice brings me back to reality, and I look at him with confusion.

"Yes?"

"You need to answer the minister," Harry says through gritted teeth.

"Can you repeat the question?" I ask, looking at the man in front of us.

"Allison Brown, do you accept Harrison McBride as your husband?" I look at him and then at Harry. He looks serious and again with that frivolous appearance that characterizes him. I give him a half-smile and look at the minister.

"Yes, I accept," I smile, and the man smiles too.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. The groom may kiss the bride." I turn my gaze to Harry, and he remains still, not reacting to the minister's words, so I decided to take action.

I dangerously approach Harry, stand on tiptoes, and wrap my arms around his neck. He realizes what I'm trying to do and puts one hand on my waist and the other on my face.

"We have to act," I whisper inches away from his lips.

"I know," he responds, his gaze shifting between my eyes and my lips.