Chapter Seven
>THE SUBSTITUTE'S COMEBACK
...The Luxurious Wedding Venue
The temperature in the limousine grew with several centigrades.
And Muse found herself blushing at the blatant compliment from Pierre.
She wondered what exactly he was playing at now as she studied his face.
His facial features were chiseled to perfection by the creator; long pointed nose, small lips with a well defined Cupid bow and a jaw that screamed power.
He had sharp piercing blue eyes that seemed bottomless no matter how long you stared into them orbs.
And those eyes were what held her under scrutiny this very moment.
Her body was reacting to his haetaed gaze, her nipples slowly beading.
She had always liked beautiful men.
The sound of a phone ringing pulled the both out of the passionate stare.
Muse knew that the device didn't belong to her because she didn't have one.
Pierre looked away and she instantly let out a breath that she had been holding.
She resisted the urge to reach out and hold onto her chest in a physical bid to stop her heart from beating violently.
Pierre slipped the phone out of his pocket and took the call.
When he ended the call, he turned to her the moment she turned to him.
Why were they so in sync?
"The media is beginning to talk just like you predicted," he informed her as he put the mobile phone away.
"We'll give them something to talk about soon," she said with an evil smirk.
"We shall soon arrive. We are only a few minutes from my penthouse."
He glanced at his watch.
"They will never see this coming."
In the quiet that followed, Muse allowed her mind to drift back to the past weeks after she had signed the marriage contract.
She had agreed to Pierre's deal readily but had surprised him and herself with her own request for time.
It was not time to reconsider her decision, but time to prepare for it.
"I will need just two weeks," she had told him in a firm voice.
She still remembered how he had looked at her with furrowed brows.
"I just need two weeks in order to transform myself into that woman who will help you destroy the Vitale family."
Pierre had been skeptical about that but he had agreed to it because he was curious.
He wanted to see what game she was playing at with that decision.
During that two weeks, Muse had requested for Pierre's assitance.
She wanted to learn more of business. And she had immersed herself in studying.
Pierre had provided her with books on business law, corporate takeovers and strategic management.
She had absorbed everything like chia seeds left in warm water overnight.
She had worked on herself and learnt to let go of the hurt and betrayal, replacing it with cold and skillful calculation.
"You have really changed a lot," Pierre's deep voice suddenly interuppted her train of thoughts.
She looked up.
"And in such a short time too," he added with keen observation.
"I had to," Muse simply said, "because I doubt that the old Muse would be able to survive what's coming."
Pierre studied her profile.
She was beautiful, yes, and she had always been to him.
But as she spoke now, there was something more to her, an edge that made her both intimidating and irresistible.
He felt that familiar rush of desire stirring within him but pushed it down.
This was supposed to be a business arrangement, after all.
To her at least.
"They are all waiting in the hall," he continued instead. "The creame de la creame of the elite society has all gathered to witness our union."
A small but dangerous smile tugged at the corner of Muse's lips.
"Hope that includes the Vitale family?" She asked him, glancing at him.
Pierre swallowed inaudibly as her eyes settled on his face.
"Yes, they were placed front and center just as you had requested."
Her smile widened.
"That is perfect."
Meanwhile, at the luxurious hall of the famous Rosenthal Hotel, the creme dela creme were gathered.
The guests mingled with each other at the wedding venue with a growing impatience.
The ceremony was scheduled to have begun about an hour ago, but neither the bride nor groom had arrived.
At the center of the space, the Vitale family was sitting huddled together at a VIP table with their expressions a sassy mixture of amusement and slight disdain.
Colleen who was dressed in a stunning red gown that highlighted her curves was leaning against her new fiance, Reed.
Reed wore his status of her fiancé like a badge of honor as he smirked.
There was a flute of champagne sitting prettily in her hands as she sipped.
"It seems like the great Pierre Donovan has been stood up by his bride," she giggled.
The people at the table laughed as she clinked her flute against Reed's.
"As expected," Mrs Vitale sneered.
"Perhaps his poor bride had realized what she was getting into," Reed said.
Michael Vitale joined them with a look of satisfaction on his face.
"Poor Pierre," he said sarcastically. "He is always so controlled and yet he can't even make sure his wedding begins on time."
The Vitale family laughed at their rival with glee and excitement.
They were expecting his downfall.
"I wondered why he had even invited us to this wedding. We are enemies."
"I think he wants to rub the marriage in our face, Lucas," Colleen said.
"And maybe the bride discovered on time that he is a cold and dysfunctional man," Lucas continued to mock him, causing the group to burst into laughter.
Mrs. Vitale was smiling like a toddler as she watched her children with pride.
Things had been perfect ever since Colleen had returned to them and Muse had been eliminated from their lives.
The Vitale business was thriving and the family name was stronger than ever.
The doors to the hall swung open and the whispers of discontent among the guests died down as all turned to look.
Pierre Donovan stepped forward, clothes in a resplendent tailored white suit that was a sharp contrast to his tanned skin.
The room gradually grew quiet as he strode confidently to the center of the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his authoritative voice carried easily across the room.
Everyone stared.
"I want to apologize for the delay. My bride and I had encountered a small situation that needed our attention."
Several curious murmurs swept through the entire crowd, especially since the identity of the bride has long been hidden.
"But rest assured," Pierre continued as his eyes sought the Vitale family.
He found them instantly.
"The ceremony will proceed shortly as my bride shall join us in a moment."
He gave a small bow and then walked to the altar that had been set up at the center of the decorated hall
The officiating minster was already there, waiting with a scowl.
Pierre said words of apology to him and a promise that made his smile.
Reed leaned in close to Michael.
"It seems like our rival will get to say his marriage vows after all," he whispered.
"What a shame," Michael sighed. "I was really looking forward to watching him thoroughly humiliated today."
They burst into raucous laughter.
But their laughter was cut short as the doors opened once more.
The string quartet began to play the wedding march and all heads turned to get a glimpse at the hidden bride.
She was standing with her bridal train in the doorway, a vision in white.
Her gown was breathtaking.
It was crafted from several layers of delicate white lace and silk that cascaded to the floor in a magnificent train.
A net veil covered her face.
But to Colleen, there was something hauntingly familiar about her posture and the way that she held herself.
The guests gasped in admiration ss she began her walk down the aisle.
The bride moved with ease and grace, and slow but confident strides.
The Vitale family watched with narrowed eyes as the bride approached.
There was something about her that stirred that recognition in them.
And when she reached Pierre's side, he slowly lifted her white veil.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Mrs. Vitale's face drained of color while Michael and Lucas simply stood to their feet, frozen in shock.
Reed's mouth was stupidly left agape.
But it was Colleen who reacted the most dramatically from the suprise.
The champagne flute that she had been holding slipped from her fingers to the tiled floor where it shattered to shards.
The bride's name was what escaped her lips in a shocked whisper.
"Muse?!"