Game Of Love

Before they could continue with the interesting discussion of how Mr Torres knew Sofia, they reached their destination. They were baffled to see right before their eyes, the magnificent palatial structure of the Royal Torres Casino and Hotels, overlooking The Strip.

"This is Torres' hotel? Wow! Why didn't I connect the two together? I wish I could get married here," gasped Victoria but no one was listening. 

Sofia felt claustrophobic seeing such a grand venue. She was a simple hearted girl who preferred the neighborhood chapel instead. "Breathe Sofi," whispered her mom, knowing her too well. As soon as they climbed down from the limo, there were attendants all around them to guide them inside. However, before they could even take a step forward, suddenly the place filled up with reporters fighting with the security guards who prevented them from questioning Sofia. 

"What's going on, mom?" Asked an agitated Sofia with a confused look in her face.

"Damn! How did these people get the information?" Muttered their dad, stretching his arms to protect the girls and his wife. 

"My God! Is your client so famous, dad?" Asked Victoria, already impressed. 

"Yeah, he is!" shrugged their dad. 

"What's his full name? I wanna Google him," asked Victoria excitedly. Sofia rolled her eyes at her twin. If she was so interested, she was welcome to marry him! All this was giving her a headache. 

"Stop it, Vicky. He's not for you. He wants Sofia. So behave!" Chided their mom. A group of bodyguards approached them and guided them inside the grand structure. Sofia blindly followed them. If it hadn't been for her dad's strong hold upon her elbow, she would have fainted already. 

"Take a deep breath, honey. It's okay. You'll get used to it," her mom comforted her. Sofia tried to do as asked. They were led to a luxurious suite. 

"Please freshen up before the ceremony, ma'am. We'll take you to the venue in ten minutes, " one of the guards said to Sofia's mom. Once they left, everyone sat down to calm their rapidly beating hearts. Sofia freshened up and her mom checked her train and hairdo. Victoria on the other hand explored the suite room interestedly. 

After ten minutes, one of the guards walked inside and led them out of the room, down the glass elevator towards a huge banquet hall, exquisitely decorated and furnished with the most expensive articles that Sofia had ever seen. As they stood just outside the door to the banquet hall, Sofia glanced at the far end and gasped with admiration. 

There was a huge metal mirror arch decorated with thousands of white and dusty pink roses and crystal beaded curtains interspersed with white wisteria. The place looked so romantic and magical that Sofia was dumbfounded by the beauty of it all. An aisle was created with low glass pillars at regular intervals decorated with the same crystal beads and floral decorations. 

Victoria handed her the bridal bouquet having the same white and dusty pink roses and ferns combination. It was sent by Davion early in the morning. Sofia closed her eyes and stood outside the banquet hall. She could see people running around them, too busy to even glance at them. She wondered how her future husband would be. Was he such a hard task master that the people cowered under his presence? Was he a tyrant? She sucked in a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she tried to check the altar. Was he there? She could take a sneak peek. 

Her dad patted her hand and Sofia looked at him. "Ready dear? I want you to know that we love you very much. Okay? If you can't continue with this marriage, you can always come home," he told her. Sofia nodded and gulped to choke back her tears. 

They started a sweet romantic music inside the banquet hall and the marriage officiant and a few others walked up to the altar. Sofia couldn't see a thing other than black tuxedos. She tightened her hold on her dad's arm just as the glass door opened for them. Her dad nodded at her and started to walk slowly. Sofia looked at her feet and her train as she walked slowly down the altar, all the while concentrating on her breathing to calm her jumpy nerves. She couldn't believe that she was getting married. She had never dreamt that her wedding would be like this. Everyone gasped around them seeing her walk down the aisle but Sofia didn't look up at anyone. 

Davion stood at the altar, his eyes glued to the vision right in front of him. He couldn't look away. She looked so angelic and enchanting in her wedding dress that Davion's mouth hung open seeing her. His whole body trembled with excitement seeing the way the dress clung to her curves. He couldn't wait to hold her in his arms, he couldn't wait to have her all to himself on his wedding night. He blinked the sinful thoughts away. They were for another time. Right now he needed to see how she would react upon seeing him. It was clear from the poker look on her face that she hadn't seen him yet. He stepped down from the altar to take her hand in his. 

As they reached the altar, Sofia looked up at the man who stepped down to lead her towards the altar. Her groom! However, her jaws dropped at the sight of the most hateful man on earth standing right there wearing a black tuxedo and smirking at her! The insufferable d*ck, Dave! What was he doing here? Where was old Torres, her groom? She tugged at her dad's sleeve and gave him a questioning look. 

"Davion Torres, my client," murmured her dad for her ears alone. Sofia looked at the horrendous Dave with horror and disbelief. So Dave was Davion Torres? Oh! Why hadn't I Googled him before?' Thought Sofia wanting to bang her head somewhere. Every piece of the jigsaw puzzle fell in place and she realized why Dave has chosen her instead of Victoria. Suddenly Victoria's advice to escape her own wedding seemed like the best choice left for her! Anything was better than marrying this guy. 

Her dad placed her hand into Davion's and he grasped it firmly and all chances of escape vanished into the air. He held her gaze daring her to look away. Sofia stared back into his electric blue eyes, hers reflecting the hatred that she felt deep within her. 

"Davion, promise me that you'll take care of her," said her dad with tears in his eyes. Davion's hold on her hand tightened and he looked away from her towards her dad.

"I promise, Mr Blakesley. I'll take care of her all my life," he said sincerely. Sofia was taken aback by the honesty in his voice. Did he really mean that? Wasn't this all a fake drama? She wished she could know what exactly was going on. Why would he promise a happily ever after when their entire relationship was fake? Was this some sort of revenge?

Her dad walked away with a nod, to take his seat beside her mom. Davion helped her towards the altar. Although Sofia tried to snatch her hand away, she couldn't with his holding her in a death-grip. She gritted her teeth and stood with him while he kept his hold on her throughout the wedding. It seemed as if he had seen through her thoughts. It seemed as if he knew that she was dying to escape.

The wedding ceremony began and Sofia refused to look at her groom. She clenched her teeth and stood patiently throughout the ceremony. Sofia had mugged up a formal vow which she recited in a monotonous tone. Davion's eyebrows lifted with amusement hearing her boring vow since he could understand that she didn't mean a word she spoke. Anyway, apart from her family and  few employees of the casino, no one was present to witness the ceremony. It was the most weird wedding she had ever seen. Didn't Davion Torres have any family or friends whom he could invite? This made her question the authenticity of the wedding in her mind. Davion's vows were indeed quite impressive. Of course he was the king of deceit! It didn't at all look like he was lying. 

It was followed by the ring exchange during which Davion held her gaze again daring her to object to what was happening. But  what he didn't know was that Sofia would never embarrass her family in that manner. She looked away and concentrated on the ceremony more than on him. She had to agree that although he was an insufferable d*ck, he was indeed the most handsome one. The tuxedo that he wore didn't hide his muscular frame at all. His sharp jawline and electric blue eyes, and plump lips could make any woman fall for him. Then why did he marry her out of all the women in the world? His warm fingers slipped the ring onto her finger and Victoria gasped and clicked photographs. It was enough to bring Sofia out of her reverie and glare at her. The officiant started to speak and all attention was showered upon his next words. 

"To make your relationship work will take love. Take time to show each other that your love and marriage grows stronger with time. It will take trust to know that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other. It will take dedication to stay open to one another and to learn and grow together. It will take loyalty to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.
And it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you have both pledged today," said the officiant. 

"And now by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, it is my honor and delight to declare you married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. You may seal this declaration with a kiss," said the officiant with a faint smile. Sofia's eyes widened. God! She had completely forgotten about the kiss!