Shady Wedding

Chapter-1

On the banks of village river Mia stood staring at the sinking sun. Her gaze was unwavering she was beautiful with fair skin wearing a loose fitted white top and a skirt, which was just moving according to the flow of wind. She was holding a white paper loosely that could fly out any movement from her grip. Then the grip on paper tightened which crumpled it as if coming to a resolution Mia turned and walked back to the house with her head high.

The paper was not a simple paper it was a letter. Letter from Jake. Jake was Mia's childhood friend and her once so-called boyfriend. Whom she was going to get married to, but didn't as the groom didn't arrive and disappeared without a single word. And now after five years there was a letter stating only two sentences "You are mine. I won't let anyone have you". It was not easy for Mia to forget everything and agreeing to get married to Alex and this was the only way that could make her parents stop worrying about her. Alex was the son of her Dad's business partner and she personally had worked with him and she knew he was a very good person with good looks and brains. He agreed to marry her accepting her past and understanding her very well. He even said that he loved her but only she couldn't reply with the same words. When she felt that she could lead her life with Alex the marriage was announced and it was arranged for today. She couldn't let her marriage getting ruined once again by Jake. Thinking what he might do and how to stop, Mia was walking to and fro in the makeup room.

"Mia come on you are the next. Mia are you listening Mia..." came the voice of jenny, Mia's best friend who stood at the door looking outside and waving her hand in a gesture to come out. Mia coming out of her thoughts saw jenny and asked "Did Alex go?" jenny nodded and said "come on hurry up your Dad and everyone's waiting up for you." Mia started walking towards the door and took a look of her dress once on the mirror before stepping out. Once Mia was on sight George Dayton with a smile moved towards her smiling and said "You look very beautiful my dear child". "oh, come on dad don't try to flatter me I know I am not that of a beauty." saying this she held her father’s hand. A servant gave her bouquet of fresh flowers. This brought her the memories of old when she was eagerly wearing a wedding dress and holding bouquet in her hands and practicing her lines in front of mirror. "You look gorgeous." came a whisper near her ear. Looking at the direction of whisper it was Alex by her side. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't notice she was no longer beside her Dad. Turning back, she saw her Dad and Mom who seemed to be very happy. Then taking a look thoroughly of the room she faced to the front. She felt revealed as she didn't see Jake or anything suspicious. She thought maybe the letter was sent to disturb her. Now the procession of marriage was about to begin but then,

“Stop”.

A sudden word was heard from the backside of the room. Everyone in the room, with surprise turned back to see who was it and what was it? Hearing this Mia knew that this wasn’t Jake’s voice but she knew that he was up to something and maybe this person was related to him. Mia and Alex turned back at the same time. There was a young boy who was in his early 20’s he was handsome with brownish hair which suited his white complexion skin. He wore the latest trendy ripped jeans, with white coloured loosely fitted t-shirt having random horizontal pale red coloured strips and a black coloured coat and the custom-made shoes, wore many stoned bracelets on his right hand. On the whole he was a pack of latest fashion. He stood there giving a wicked smile and his gaze directly piercing at Mia said “Ladies and gentlemen I have an announcement this marriage is not happening so I request all of you to leave” hearing this George Dayton turned furious and in rage started walking towards the guy shouting “Who are you? How dare you say this?” the guy now looking at George “cool down old man take it easy I am Joe from Hayes company”.

Now everyone was like what Dayton’s done that Hayes had come to stop marriage. Hayes company emerged out of blue in the recent five years and turned into one of the most power full company and influential family that could have anything that it wanted and could make anyone anytime disappear, no one had seen the family or the CEO of the company Mr. Hayes. Work not related to company were handled by Joe. Hearing this George Dayton’s expressions came back to normal and in a polite voice said “We can talk about this privately”. Joe still smiling “as you say Mr. Dayton but it would be better if Miss Mia also join us”.

All three of them were seated in a room. George Dayton rubbing his palms in nervous started “what made you to come to us Mr. Joe. We have never offended Mr Hayes or the company and why did you say that marriage will not be happening?” Joe who was sitting peacefully observing George Dayton’s each and every move and making him more uncomfortable said “Mr. Dayton Miss Mia cannot get married without taking a divorce from her previous husband”. Listening to this Mia and George Dayton both were shocked. Taking a long breath “you might be wrong Mr. Joe how can Mia get divorce and from whom, she isn’t married to anyone” Dayton said. “you are wrong Mr. Dayton she is indeed married you can have a look at this”. Saying this Joe took out a paper from his inner coat and kept at the table. Taking a look at the paper Mia was not surprised to see her signature but was surprised to see the other signature under the name of Mr. Hayes and started wondering what could have Jake done to pursue Mr. Hayes in doing so, before she could use her brain a little more Joe continued “Mr. Hayes wants Miss Dayton to stay with him in Golden villa, and Mr Dayton if you say no to this there will be no tomorrow for you and your company think wisely before saying anything. Future of many lives or future of only your daughter”. “We need some time to think” came the answer from George Dayton. Nodding his head in approval “Tomorrow morning at eight there will be a car sent for Miss Dayton” saying this he took a leave.

All guests were sent away, even though the matter was big news it didn’t get in any trendy headlines. Dayton family and Alex’s family were gathered at Dayton’s house. Mia was in tears thinking what was happening and why? Letter was sent by Jake indicating he would stop marriage but it was stopped by Hayes. What connection Jake had with Hayes and What Mr Hayes wanted from her. The silence in the room broke with “we will not send Mia to Hayes right father?” questioned Alex looking at George Dayton. Looking at the face of her father she knew her father would never take any risk of opposing Hayes and ruining his years of hard work in a day. She also knew her father loved her, but if he had to choose between her and the company it would be the later one without a doubt. Company was his first love and child. “well for the time being we will send Mia to Hayes” George said.

“you said Mia was mine. I love her. I can’t live without her. Together we can solve this problem.” Alex said looking at Mia and George Dayton. Looking at Mia with loud and clear voice as if he was ordering “This is not a problem that can be solved easily, Hayes are powerful. Powerful then me and you. Do you think if Mia marries you, yours and my company will have a life it will die in the hands of Hayes so for our survival letting go of Mia is the best choice” said George Dayton.