Dave Mitaka takes the Defiant family's prettiest daughter for a bribe in place of a debt owed by the family. Lita, the bride elopes a night before her wedding, leaving her elder sister, the not so pretty Reed, to suffer the consequences.

"You'll pay for this Reed. Mark my words, you'll suffer the consequences!"

"Please Reed, I beg you, I've never asked you for anything, and I also know how bad I have been treating you, but please, help me out here, just this once." Lita pleaded.

Reed's back was turned to her, she was in deep thought, what Lita was asking of her is something she just can't do, she knows her mother and father will definitely kill her if they find out.

Lita's wedding is tomorrow, their father owes a rich billionaire, and since they couldn't pay their debt, the man decided to take Lita as his wife.

Lita was Reed's younger sister and she was the most beautiful, thereby, making her the most loved. Everyone in town admired Lita and no one ever seems to notice Reed. Even their parents favored Lita the most.

Lita was in love with someone else, a guy who claims to be wealthier than the man Lita was suppose to marry. Lita has fallen head over heels in love with him due to the fact that he claims to be richer, and now, Lita was planning to elope with this guy. Now, she wants Reed to cover up for her, which is something Reed was finding difficult to do.

"Reed." Lita called, then she turned Reed to face her. "Please help me out. Just this once." Lita said, giving Reed her best puppy doe eye look.

"I don't think I cản Lita, what will mom and đad say, you know they'll kill me it they find out I'm helping you out with this, and besides, you can just tell them you don't want to get married, they adore you, and I'm sure they"ll listen to you." Reed said, trying to reason with Lita.

Lita let go of Reed's hand. "That's not it, it's not even possible, you know we're owing him, he has every right to take me as his bride, mom and dad won't be able to do anything, they can't stop him, he has the power to make our lives miserable, he can even send us all to jail, I don't want this Ree, please." Lita said, then she began shedding fake tears.

"I love Michael, and he's the one I want to get married to."

"Lita." Reed groaned.

"Please Ree, help me."

"What is it that you even want me to do, hope you won't ask me to get married in place of you, because I can't do that." Reed said.

Lita laughed. "Oh come on, that's not it."

"Then what is it?"

"The thing is, I'll need you to tell mom and dad that I eloped with the man I love tomorrow morning, so you guys can flee from here."

"What!!." Reed yelled.

Lita immediately closed her mouth with her palm.

"Shhhh... shut up Reed, are you trying to bring mom and dad here." Lita whispered.

Reed slowly removed Lita's hand from her mouth.

"I'm sorry, but are you crazy? Flee from here? Where do you want us to go, and why should we run."

Lita rolled her eyes at Reed. "Because of Dave Mitaka silly."

"If he finds out I eloped, I wouldn't want to imagine what he'll do, and to save us all from his wrath, you'll have to tell mom and dad so you guys leave this place."

"This is crazy Lita, where are we even supposed to go?"

"You do not have to worry, mom and dad have relatives, I'm sure you guys can go to one of them."

"What you're saying sounds so selfish Lita, you're not concerned about mom and dad, and how they'll feel if they find out about this, they love you so much."

"You should reconsider this Lita, think of mom and dad and what they would go through knowing you eloped with another guy."

"Don't try to lecture me, Reed." Lita snapped, surprising Reed.

"I've already explained things to you, you should just help me, and anyways, if you don't want to help me then leave it, I was wrong coming to you anyway. I thought you'll agree to help me since you're my sister, my elder sister, but no, you don't want to help. I'm sure you're doing this because you don't want to see me happy!"

Reed's jaw dropped in shock. "What are you saying Lita?"

"The truth." Lita spat, glaring at Reed.

"If you won't help me, don't. But that won't stop me from leaving this godforsaken town with Michael, mark my words."

"What If I tell mom and dad about your plan right now?" Reed said angrily.

Lita smirked "Alright then, go tell them, and let's see if they'll believe you."

Her words cut deeply through Reed's heart.

Lita was right, even if she tells their parents, they won't believe her.

Lita noticed the pained look on Reed's face, she sighed, then took Reed's hand. "Listen Reed, I wouldn't want us to fight, believe me. I already explained everything to you, all I ask is for you to convince mom and dad."

Reed had a good heart, deep down, she knew she can't refuse her younger sister. No matter how bad Lita had been to her, she couln't say no to her.

"Alright then, I'll help you." Reed agreed.

Lita screamed in delight, then she hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much sis, thank you."

"It's okay." Reed replied with a sad smile.

"When will you leave?."

"Tonight."

.......................

The moment their parents went to bed, Lita packed her little bag and left the house.

Reed sat beside her window staring at the moon. A lone tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it off. Tomorrow, she'll have to break the news to her parents about what Lita has done, they'll be devastated.

Lita was the apple of their eyes, the beautiful Lita who the whole town admired because of her beauty, they'll probably want to kill her after finding out. After all, she was literally like a slave in the house.

She stood up from her chair, went to her little bed and layed down. She didn't feel like sleeping, but she had to force herself to get some sleep.

Dave Mitaka was a wealthy and powerful man who has a cold heart as well, the wedding will be done in a grand style, but what would happen when they find out that the bride eloped with her lover on the night before her wedding day, and not just that, her family also moved out on that same wedding day.

Reed hopes her parents will agree to flee the town just as Lita had said. And with that thought in mind, she closed her eyes and gave in to the sleep that overcame her.

Next day....

Reed woke up with a start as she heard someone banging on the door loudly.

"Open this door right now Reed." Her mother yelled from behind the door.

Her heart skipped a beat, she thought her parents would have realized that Lita was gone.

She hurriedly got down from the bed and rushed to open the door.

On opening the door, she was welcomed with Helen's hateful glares.

"G.. good morning mother." She stuttered.

Instead of replying to her greetings, Helen rewarded her with a slap. "Are you forgetting what day today is?"

"Today is your younger sister's wedding? She should be getting ready already, and instead of you waking her up and helping, you are busy sleeping." Helen yelled.

Oh no, mother has no idea about Lita fleeing. Reed thought. What should I do? She panicked.

"Go prepare breakfast, then go get Lita and help her get ready." Helen said, then turned to leave.

Oh no, I have to break the news to mother, we have to leave this morning. Reed ran after Helen. "Mother."

She called when she got to her parents room.

"What is it you want huh? Haven't I told you what to do? Don't bother me right now, just go do what you have to and help your sister. I have no time for you right now." Helen spat, her back turned to Reed.

Reed almost felt like crying, but she managed to control herself, it's not like her mother has ever had time for her.

"Good morning dad." Reed greeted after seeing him, but he ignored her greeting as always.

"I have something important to tell you mother." Reed said, then she took in a deep breath.

Helen turned to face her, and eyed Reed dangerously.

"Didn't I tell you this before, I have no time for you, whatever you have to say can wait, just get out already, your ugly face irritates me. Had I known you would have been this ugly, I would have aborted you, it would have been better than giving birth to a disgrace like you." Helen cussed.

Reed shut her eyes tightly, and when she reopened them, they were filled with unshed tears, "I never asked to be born in the first place." She muttered.

"What did you say?" Helen asked.

"It's nothing, mother."

"Good, then get lost."

"I can't mother, I must tell you this, Lita has eloped with her boyfriend." Reed finally broke the news.

Helen and Thomas both felt like a bucket of ice was poured on them.

"W w what?" Helen stuttered.

Thomas stood up. "What do you mean?"

"Yes father, what I'm saying is the truth, Lita has eloped with her boyfriend, she doesn't want to get married to Dave, and she says her boyfriend is rich too, hence she eloped with him last night."

"What rubbish is this, what nonsense are you saying Reed." Thomas' voice boomed.

He sounded so angry, and his voice sent cold shivers down Reed's spine.

"This is nonsense, you're talking rubbish, Lita is in her room and I'm going to prove it right now." Helen said, then she and Thomas hurriedly left for Lita's room.

Reed followed behind them in despair.

Lita's bed was still neatly arranged, and that's because she didn't sleep on it. Mrs. Helen and Mr. Thomas stared in shock.

Both turned to face Reed, and she swallowed hard, she just knew she was done for.

"Where's Lita?" Helen asked softly.

Reed went quiet, she couldn't find her voice.

"Answer me." Helen screamed.

Reed flinched,"She left mom." Reed said.

"W.. what? Left for where?" Helen asked in shock.

"I have no idea mom."

"You helped your sister elope with another man?"

"I'm sorry mother, Lita wasn't happy with this marriage." Reed said.

Thomas slowly walked up to Reed, and he slapped her hard.

"What have you done?" Helen asked as she slapped Reed across the face too.

"What have you done?" Helen's voice boomed and the next thing Reed felt was another hot slap on her cheek.

"I'm sorry mother." Reed cried as she fell to her knees.

"You're sorry?" Helen scoffed. She looked at Reed with so much hate in her eyes, one wouldn't believe she gave birth to her.

"Sorry won't solve this problem, you've made the biggest mistake of your life and now you'll have to pay for that mistake you useless girl" Helen screamed,

Thomas, Reed's father couldn't do anything else, he only stood there, watching the whole scenario. He felt like killing Reed but he held himself back.

"Please mom, I’ll accept any punishment you give to me, just please forgive me mother, I made a mistake, I'm sorry. We have to leave as soon as possible" Reed cried.

"You're right Reed, you caused this, so you'll suffer the consequences of your foolishness." Helen said.

Reed raised her head to look at Helen.

"What's the punishment mother?"

Helen stared deeply into Reed's eyes, and the next thing she said broke Reed. "You'll have to get married to Dave Mitaka."

"W.. what?" Reed stuttered, then she stood up.

"N.. no mother, please, you can't do this, l can't get married to him, please mother, reconsider this, he'll kill me if he finds out."

"And that's your problem, I don't care what happens to you, you made the mistake, so you'll have to pay for it. You'll be getting married in place of Lita, and there's nothing you can do about this, if you do anything to ruin this, then I swear to God I'll be the one killing you instead. I won't think twice about piercing your heart with a knife, mark my words." Helen said through gritted teeth.

She eyed Reed dangerously, then she left.

Thomas stared at Reed, his eyes held so much hate and disappointment in them. "You're a mistake and a disappointment, you should never have been born, you've ruined everything, and you'll pay for it." Thomas spat, then he left also.

Reed dropped to her knees, she now regrets ever helping Lita to elope, just for this mistake, she'll suffer the consequences for the rest of her life.

The thought of a miserable future flashed through her eyes, and she wept bitterly.

Dave was staring at his bride from the corner of his eyes, he was glad that he'll be getting married to the most beautiful lady in town.

"Do you, Lita Defiant, take Dave Mitaka to be your husband?" The priest asked in a loud voice.

Reed didn't answer, her heart was beating so fast and she was sweating profusely.

Her mother has strictly warned her not to take her veil off until she gets to Dave's home.

She was already imagining what Dave will do when he finds out the truth, what will happen to her when he finds out he was married to her, the ugly one and not her beautiful sister.

Dave frowned deeply, his bride was taking so much time to answer and it was getting on his nerves, he was a man with little patience.

The priest cleared his throat loudly, then he repeated his question.

"Do you, Lita Defiant, take Dave Mitaka to be your husband?"

Dave nudged her arm, bringing her back to reality.

"I I do." Reed stuttered.

A small smile appeared on Dave's lips.

"Do you, Dave Mitaka, take Lita Defiant to be your wife?."

"I do." Dave said hastily.

"Do you vow to be with each other for the rest of your lives, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish each other, until death do you both part?"

"I do." Dave answered.

"I do." Reed answered.

The priest smiled.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride." The priest said, and the congregation began cheering and clapping so loud

"You may kiss the bride." The word kept on ringing in Reed's ears as she slowly turned to face Dave.

"Oh no, I can't let this happen, Dave must not see my face, not yet." She panicked.

Dave's face was void of any emotions, one couldn't tell what was going on in his mind.

He slowly took the hem of Reed's veil and was about to lift her veil up when Reed held his hand, stopping him from lifting her veil any further.

Dave furrowed his brow in confusion, isn't she supposed to let him lift her veil, why is she stopping him.

"P please." Reed stuttered.

"What's wrong with you?" Dave said softly.

His voice was deep and calm, but you could still note the authority his voice carries.

"The new bride must be so shy." Someone yelled from the crowd.

"Is that why you're preventing me from lifting your veil? Because you're shy?" Dave asked.

Reed nodded.

He sighed, then he let go of her veil.

Dave then bent to whisper something in her ear. "You can stop me from lifting your veil now, but you won't be able to stop me from claiming you when the time comes." He said, then he stood straight.

Reed's heart skipped a beat, she couldn't tell what he meant by those words.

She wasn't in the right frame of mind at the moment, she was wishing she could turn back the hands of time, she wouldn't have helped Lita in the first place.

Her mother and father didn't even come to the wedding, but she must have guessed Dave didn't care.

Maybe he didn't notice, because he didn't ask her anything about them, or even if he had noticed, maybe he didn't just want to ask, after all, he must be thinking he's got what he wanted, so there's no need to bother himself about asking for her parents.

Sadly, he got what he wanted, but not who he wanted.

.........................

Reed paced around the room, she was still in her wedding dress, and she hadn't taken off her veil either.

She wasn't at rest, she knew Dave would be there at any moment, and she dreads what he'll do to her.

The door opened, and she flinched, she turned to see Dave, who stood at the door, staring at her quizzically.

He must be wondering why she's still in her wedding dress.

Dave came in, then he closed the door, he made sure to lock it.

He took slow strides towards her, and Reed moved back in fear.

"What's this, are you afraid of me now?" He asked as he slowly approached her.

"Weren't you the one who was flirting with me the last time we met, you even let me romance your body."

"What!!" Reed yelled, surprising Dave.

She stopped moving backwards, and Dave rushed to stand in front of her.

"Don't act like you don't remember."

The last time he met Lita, they had both done some things, he had asked to make love to her, and she consented.

He wasn't surprised when he saw she wasn't a virgin.

He was a bit pained by that fact, but he didn't seem to mind, after all, he'll be getting married to her, and he'll be the only man she ever sees.

But he was surprised she didn't let him kiss her at the altar, and he was still surprised to see that she's still in her wedding dress.

He was expecting her to have showered and be ready for him.

"Why are you still in your wedding dress?" He questioned with a frown.

Reed toyed with her fingers nervously.

Dave sighed when she didn't answer, he swiftly grabbed her veil and made a pull for it, but Reed immediately grabbed his hand.

"What is wrong again? You've got to stop doing this, don't forget, we made love the last time we saw each other, stop acting like this will be the first time you'll be seeing me."

Reed couldn't believe her ears.

Lita claims to be madly in love with Michael, but why did she sleep with Dave if she was in love with Michael?

"I'm taking off this veil like it or not." Dave said, and before Reed could do or say anything else, he pulled off her veil, exposing her face.