"Hannah, your wedding is tomorrow!" a feminine voice called out, echoing through the backyard.
Hannah sat on the floor, her raven-black hair dancing in the gentle breeze. Her sky-blue eyes, usually bright and sparkling, seemed lost in thought as she gazed out at something in the distance. The warm sunlight cast a golden glow on her face, illuminating the mix of emotions that played across her features. She was still in a daze of the news she just heard. She still find it hard to believe she was getting married tomorrow. Why? Why is fate suddenly being cruel to her? What did she do to deserve this cruel punishment from fate? What even makes it more complicated and heart wrenching is she is getting married to one of the most powerful mafia CEO. A cold blooded billionaire who is known for his ruthless kills.
She was so lost in thoughts not caring about her surrounding until she heard her aunt's voice. The only person she knows as family.
"Hannah, your wedding is tomorrow, didn't you hear my voice?" Her aunt Mary said panting hard as if she was running miles.
Hannah's gaze that was focused on a distance finally turned to look at her Aunt.
Aunt Mary gave her a confused look and asked when she saw tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying dear?"
Don't you want to get married? You -
Are you happy letting me marry a ruthless billionaire who enjoys killing people? Hannah cut her off. Her voice broke letting the lurked tears slowly slide down her cheeks.
Aunt Mary suddenly became mute before she went to grabbed the old broken chair and sit on it. The chair made a creaking sound when she sat on it.
Come and hug me. Her aunt said calmly.
Hannah slowly stood up and hastily hugged her aunt.
Her aunt hugged her back slowly stroking her hair.
Yes, I am happy. Her aunt said calmly even though her voice broke.
Hannah pulled away from the hug.
It doesn't look like you are happy. Hannah pointed out crying softly.
Her aunt wiped her tears away cupping both her cheeks.
Yes I am. Do you want to know why I am happy? Her aunt asked and Hannah slowly nodded.
It's because once you are married, eyes won't be on you anymore. You will get a better job that pays better. Her aunt said softly. "And you'd be able to pay our bills and your cousin treatment". Her aunt added.
Hannah slowly smiled.
"I know that's the reason why you want me to get married."
So I do not want you to think too much about it. Her aunt said calmly.
Hannah nodded.
Now clean your tears and go and eat your food. Her aunt said and Hannah slowly chuckle cleaning the remnants of her tears.
She pecked her aunt's both cheeks.
Thank you auntie and I love you. Hannah said smiling. Her heavy heart has lightened a little after her small conversation with her aunt.
I love you too child. Go and eat quickly. It won't be good if the bride of tomorrow looks pale. Her aunt said softly and Hannah nodded before going inside the small house.
They were living in a neighbouring town with houses lined up in rows.
Hannah walked into their small apartment that was a bit far from all other houses.
The inside of their house was not too big as there was only a couch and a centre table. On the center table was the black shopping bag with a design and a name of a popular boutique, that was brought by the billionaire.
Her gaze lingered long on the bag before going to check the name of the boutique.
Her hands flew to her mouth as shock registered on her face.
Oh my! Starwave boutique!? Is this not one of the most expensive boutique that an ordinary wealthy person can't even afford. Only the multi billionaires and trillionaires could afford to get things in that boutique.
Does that mean her future husband is a multi billionaire too? Her thoughts went wild but she quickly composed her self. She can't be enthralled by mere materialistic things. Her focus now is to pay the bills of the family and also pay her cousin's treatment. She thought.
Meanwhile, at the backyard
Aunt Mary who was sitting on the spoilt old chair took in a deep breath and exhale harshly. She still remember when she was going to the market to buy some food they'd eat when some people started throwing eggs at her, calling her a mother of a whore.
But Hannah doesn't look like one that will work in a brothel to make endsmeet. But she also can't tell cause Hannah is rarely at home and comes home late at night, so she will ask Hannah later during dinner. The reason why she had accepted the marriage proposal from Emerson was because of the challenges she and her family were facing. They were very low on money and hardly eat a three square meal.
She believe that once Hannah gets married into the Emersons house, she will bring them wealth. She sigh heavily.
She stood up from the creaking chair which fell backwards.
She went inside the house and was surprised to see Hannah staring at the black shopping bag.
Dear, it was brought in last night by your soon to be husband. Her aunt said calmly.
Hannah dropped the bag and turned to look at her aunt. There is this one particular question she has been wanting to ask her aunt and she believe her aunt knows the answer to the question she wants to ask.
"Aunt, can I ask a question"?
Sure dear, what is it? Aunt Mary said calmly.
"Why did the Emerson offer us a marriage proposal?" Hannah asked, it's not because of the problems we are facing cause they would have helped us in whatever way they could rather than offering us a marriage proposal.
As if aunt Mary knew Hannah will ask, cause it doesn't make any sense why a billionaire family will offer a marriage proposal.
I knew you'd ask. Her aunt started.
"Your uncle's friend worked as a guard in the Emerson mansion. He over heard the conversation of the grandpa telling his son to look for a wife for his grandson. So that night, he went to meet the grandpa and told him he knew a girl for the billionaire. So the grandpa asked about us and our background and your uncle's friend gave him all the details about us and without thinking about it, the grandpa sent an invitation for me and your uncle to come which we went and he offered us the marriage proposal". Her aunt narrated carefully observing Hannah's reaction.
Oh. So does Mr and Mrs Emerson knows? Hannah asked surprised by this information.
That I don't know yet until you are married into that house. Her aunt said. Please and please, you know how proud this people are, don't do things that will make them insult you. Her aunt said and Hannah nodded.
After their small conversation, Hannah went to the kitchen to eat her food.
A/N: Enjoyed chapter one? More chapters coming ~
This book is my first entry to the WSA 2025!
I'd really appreciate if you read and drop a review about the book. And also pls vote and comment 🙏♥️