The Deputy Bride

"I love you, I always have and I always will."

Those words made Aliyah Sanchez stop in her tracks so she could see who had said those words. She veered around and.....

"Aliyah, Aliyah!" Ashley yelled snapping her fingers in front of Aliyah's face which drifted her out of her reverie.

"Yes," Aliyah murmured tilting up her head to meet Ashley's annoyed gaze.

"You know what I think you need a change of world, you should consider teleporting to a fairy tale world," Ashley sassed with curled-up lips as she sat beside Aliyah.

Aliyah knew she was going to get an earful from her friend so she let out a sigh bracing up for it.

"I'm sorry I didn't know you've been here for long," Aliyah apologised.

"Yeah right. You never know, how would you know when you prefer to dream in broad daylight? Which fairytale was it this time? Was your prince charming real this time?" Ashley burst out laughing after the last word left her mouth.

Aliyah's brows furrowed as she stared at her best friend laugh to her heart's content until she realised Aliyah's icy glare was on her.

"Don't tell me you are mad now? I'm the one who is supposed to be upset. I've been in this room for almost ten minutes and you didn't even realise that because you prefer your fairytale boyfriend to your real best friend, how lovely," Ashley faked a grin placing both hands on her chest.

"I already apologized Ashley, what else do you want me to say?" Aliyah heaved a breath.

"I want you to say nothing rather do the right thing. It's high time you stop this fantasy of yours. Love isn't real, it's just pure hallucinations and lies fooling gullible people.. No offence.." Ashley shrugged.

"None taken because I know why you are like this. It's because of what Josh did right? How he broke..." Aliyah didn't get to complete the rest of her statement because Ashley interrupted her.

"Remind me who Josh is again," Ashley's eyes narrowed as she faked being confused.

Typical Ashley that was her way of telling Aliyah she didn't want to talk about Josh but Aliyah couldn't blame her whenever she aired her opinion of love. Ashley didn't always have that view or think that way. It all started when Josh left her at the altar two years ago, he called off the wedding over the phone. Aliyah panicked and was dead worried when she didn't shed a single tear rather she was quiet for days and when she recovered, she hated when anyone talked about Josh to her.

"Ashley, don't you think it's time we talk about all that happened?" Aliyah muttered fixing her eyes on her.

Aliyah could see the sadness that clouded her best friend's eyes but they vanished in no time and her face held no expression.

"What would you be wearing for your cousin's wedding?" Ashley giggled springing up to her feet acting like she didn't hear what I just said.

Aliyah sighed and decided it was going to be best if she didn't push the matter any further. She could only hope that one day Ashley was going to be ready to talk about it and open her heart to love once again.

"If I have a choice trust me I wouldn't want to be seen anywhere near the wedding."

"Really? We both know you are too kind to not attend your cousin's wedding," Ashley smiled.

Ashley was right, even though Aliyah's cousin Kylie was a fully geared bitchy, crazy spoilt brat Aliyah still cared about her, they were family after all.

Aliyah opened her mouth to say something but swallowed her words when the door to the room flew open revealing Kylie.

"Speak of Jezebel and she appears," Ashley murmured under her breath but Aliyah heard her go and she realised Kylie did too because she turned in Ashley's direction.

"What did you say!" Kylie barked scowling at Ashley who kept a scrunched-up face.

"Have you lost your hearing just like you lost your manners?" Ashley crossed her arms glaring at Kylie.

"My bad, I forgot you never had any manners, to begin with. How dare you barge into the room without knocking?" Ashley questioned.

"Really? Who are you to tell me how I get to behave in my own house?" Kylie scoffed clapping her hands.

"You know what?" a wide grin grew on her face making Aliyah and Ashley exchange glances.

"I do not have time for any of this. You are just a bitter soul Ashley filled with jealousy," Kylie continued.

Ashley erupted into laughter, "Why would I be jealous of you? I would rather be jealous of a pig!"

Hurt flashed Kylie's eyes but she maintained her smile. "You are just pretending. You know that I know you are jealous of me unlike you I will be getting married tomorrow not like you who got ditched at the altar!" Kylie mocked.

Aliyah glanced at Ashley but she had the opposite reaction she thought she was going to have.

"If I was to get married to a man like your fiance I would prefer to get ditched at the altar a million times," Ashley fired back.

Kylie turned red with anger and she raised her hand to slap Ashley but Ashley caught her hand right in time before it could hit her in the face.

"Don't you ever try to do that again!" Ashley warned fiercely making Kylie stagger backwards in fear as she tried to pull her hand out of Ashley's grip.

"Don't push me else you would end up being the most beautiful bride covered with bruises," Ashley threatened with a sinister smile playing on her lips before she finally let go of Kylie's hand.

"I just.... Came to tell... you that mom has called for you," Kylie said in stutters.

"You should have done just that and not tried to insult Ashley..." Aliyah mumbled staring at Kylie who still looked scared. She had no idea Kylie was going to take Ashley's threat seriously. Well, it wasn't because Ashley couldn't do what she said but because Kylie was always acting so tough like she feared no one.

"You better hurry and come meet Mom.. You know how much how she hates being kept waiting.." Kylie rushed her words after which she left the room slamming the door loudly.

"You scared Kylie so much," Aliyah chuckled.

"I don't think that was enough, if it was she wouldn't have had the guts to slam the door." Ashley giggled shaking her head before taking her seat.

I chortled, "Just let it slide. I'm sorry for the things she said to you."

"No need to apologize for anything. Only a fool will take Kylie's word to heart. She is just so filled with her insecurities. " Ashley shrugged.

"you are right. I'll go meet my aunt right away before I get into her bad books," I sighed standing up to my feet.

"You are already in it," Ashley joked making Aliyah laugh.

She was right, Aliyah wasn't her aunt's favourite person and her auby never even tried to hide it. She hated Aliyah for reasons she couldn't understand.

"Should I come with you?" Ashley muttered.

"No don't worry. I don't think I've done anything to make her mad," I sighed.

"She is always mad," Ashley laughed after mimicking the expression Aliyah's aunt always has on her face.

"That's my aunt you are talking about," Aliyah tried to keep a straight face in an attempt to hide my mirth but ended up laughing.

"I know you agree with me. I won't tell her I promise." Ashley whispered dramatically zipping her lips.

Next Day......

"Your aunt has called for you," One of the workers informed. From the look on her face, Aliyah knew all wasn't well, her heart started to beat hard in her chest as she hoped nothing must have happened to her uncle.

"is my uncle fine?" Aliyah asked the woman who was halfway to the door when she finally found her voice.

"Yes, but Kylie is nowhere to be found. Please don't tell Madam I told you that." The maid pleaded before sauntering out of the room.

"Aliyah, daydreaming again.." Ashley snapped her fingers in front of her face.

"No, there is a problem." Aliyah let out facepalming.

"What is it?" Ashley asked placing her hand on Aliyah's shoulder.

"Kylie is nowhere to be found," Aliyah told her. Ashley smiled making Aliyah purse her lips as she wondered what was so amusing about what she just said.

"Why are you smiling?" Aliyah frowned.

"Because you have nothing to worry about. The bitch is gone for good," Ashley's smile widened.

Aliyah's brows furrowed, "That's so insensitive."

"Sorry, but it's the truth. Kylie might have as well eloped who knows? And here you are getting worried about her whereabouts."

"I'm going to meet my aunt," Aliyah mumbled before trotting away. She didn't want to listen to Ashley talk. Despite the fact that Kylie didn't like her she never hated her.

"I'm coming with you," Ashley said running after Aliyah.

"if Kylie has eloped it won't stop this wedding," Aliyah heard a voice she recognised to be her aunt's as they approached the living room.

This made Aliyah hasten her steps. The moment she stepped into the living room her eyes met Marion's and she looked away immediately but she could still feel his gaze on her.

"What do you mean by that?" Marion questioned.

"Aliyah can take Kylie's place if you agree. Don't get me wrong, you have put in a lot for this wedding. My daughter has embarrassed me and this family by eloping and leaving a written note behind. But this is going to be more embarrassing than it already is if this wedding doesn't hold." Mrs Sanchez Aliyah's aunt let out.

What the fuck was she talking about Aliyah pondered! I was forced to look in Marion's direction and they locked gazes. The look on his face made Aliyah think that he was giving her aunt's idea a thought.

Her aunt sighed and then continued, "I know everyone will be asking a lot of questions as to why Aliyah would be the bride but it is better than having no bride at all. Like I said it can only happen if you agree Marion."

A small smile played on Marion's lips as he peered at Aliyah," Fine, I will bear the loss of getting married to Alie."

He was joking, right? Aliyah tried to process his words before putting her words together.

"What! I will not marry you!" she stated firmly as she stood in front of her aunt, Marion and his mom who had now turned their attention to her.

She was no loss, she was done being the sacrificial lamb. She was going to be no one's Deputy!