Chapter 2: Substitute bride
Jasmine's pov
The moment he said he was getting married to Rachel. I felt like my whole world was crashing right in front of me.
I became dizzy and my heart hammered. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks and the pain was unbearable.
I don't know how I will watch the man I have loved from childhood get married to another woman.
"Jasmine," he called for me. My back was turned at him, I don't deserve this from Liam.
"Congratulations," I blurted out and it came out more like a whisper. I walked out of his office with my legs shaky beneath me.
I grasped the door frame to calm myself. I took in deep breaths as I made my way out of the office.
I walked to the parking lot slowly where my car was parked, the latest model Ferrari.
As I entered into my car, I bursted into tears. Everything felt overwhelming for me, I was so hurt.
I placed my head on the steering of my car to relieve myself. I came back to New York to see him.
I was so excited to tell him how much I love him hoping he would tell me the same thing. I should have stayed back in London, I shouldn't have come here.
"Calm down, Jasmine," I said to myself and wiped my tears. My vision was still blurred with my tears so I had to wait for some minutes in my car.
I checked my phone and saw messages from Liam. He apologized for hurting me and I left him on read. Replying him wasn't necessary.
I replied my brother who asked me where I was and told him I was on my way home. I sighed and turned on my car.
The way the engine roared into life made me smile a little bit. I drove down to my house. My mom died when I was a child while my dad died five years ago.
My Dad was a wealthy man when he was alive. He has a company and Alex is the head while we both have enough money in our accounts that will sustain us for years.
I alighted from the car after parking it in the parking lot and walked inside the house. It's a big mansion with a homely vibe in it.
"Jasmine, where have you been?" Alex asked me with worry in his voice.
"I just went sightseeing. I'm happy to be back in New York again," I lied and he smiled.
"Have you heard from Liam? He will be so surprised to see you. You know, when you left he was sad but he started dating Rachel and he became happy again without your presence," Alex explained.
The thought of Liam and Rachel together still makes me cringe. "He is with Rachel?" I asked pretending I didn't know anything about it.
"He is getting married to her tomorrow. I'm surprised he didn't tell you," he replied and my mouth fell open.
"Tomorrow? Like tomorrow?" I repeated because I couldn't believe the marriage was going to happen tomorrow. It's so sudden.
"Yes, tomorrow. Do you have a dress you will wear to my best friend's wedding tomorrow?" He raised his brow as he sat beside me.
"I'm not going to Liam's wedding," I said in a sad voice.
"Why are you so angry? Liam is your best friend as well and trust me, Rachel won't take him away from you. I will make sure he spend enough time with us," he assured me.
"I'm not attending his wedding, Alex. And stop taking about it," I warned and his face was laced with worry.
"Jasmine, what is wrong? Why don't you want to attend his wedding? Why are you acting strange?" He asked worriedly.
"Nothing is wrong, Alex," I shrugged and he shook his head. "There is something wrong with you. You are not like this," he asked again.
"Alex, I love Liam," I confessed as tears rushed down my cheeks. He pulled me closer to him and I cried into his chest.
I soaked his shirt with my tears as my body shook uncontrollably. Alex held me and whispered 'you will be fine' into my ears repeatedly.
"I love him so much, Alex. I'm so hurt to know that he is getting married to someone else. It's painful," I muttered admist tears.
"Jasmine, I'm so sorry. I know how it feels when you can't be with the one you love. Everything will be fine, sis," he assured me.
"I'm not sure about that," I said in a shaky voice. "Trust me when I say everything will be okay. Just stop crying, I do not like to see you like this," he said.
"Thank you," I replied and he gave me a tissue. I blew my nose and went to dispose it. After washing my hands and my face, I went back to meet Alex.
"Have you eaten?" He asked and I shook my head. "I'm not hungry," I muttered and he sighed. "Don't hurt yourself because of Liam," he advised and I nodded.
"Cuddle?" I pouted and he chuckled. "You are a big baby," he teased and I giggled. He wrapped his arms round me and my head was on his chest.
"Thank you for making me happy, Alex," I said and pulled me closer. I closed my eyes and was on the verge of sleeping when I heard Alex say something but it was not clear to me.
He carried me upstairs to my room and placed me gently on the bed. "Goodnight, Princess," he said and closed the door softly.
My heart warmed at the love and affection my brother showed me tonight. I love him so much.
Next morning,
I groaned as the sun shines through the window and reflected on my face. I opened my eyes slowly and yawned.
I picked up my phone and went to my Instagram page. The first post I saw was Liam's.
He was in the bar with my brother and his other friends. They were drinking and having fun. It was the caption under the post that ruined my mood.
He added the caption that says latest husband in town and Rachel was tagged in the post. I hissed and threw my phone to the bed.
I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and shower. After doing that, I heard my phone ring and I picked it up reluctantly.
"Jasmine, there's a big problem," Alex said hurriedly over the phone and I frowned. "What happened?" I asked him.
"Rachel is nowhere to be found and the wedding will commence in the next one hour," he replied.
"What am I supposed to do with this information, Alex?" I asked as I rolled my eyes.
"He wants you to be his substitute bride," he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone