The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us-n
Chapter 1: She Was Just A Substitute

It was a night of autumn, and the night sky was filled with clouds, almost covering the moon. Tonight was a busy night for the Hyatt Hotel, which was the most luxurious, six star hotel in the city Antawood. The worldwide famous businessman, Brian Clark had booked the whole hotel for tonight. Brian, in his black suit, sat in a luxurious room, with a cigarette between his slender, long fingers. The smoke curling up from the burning cigarette had created a mysterious aura around him. "Brian, we all had a good time tonight. But it's late now “ the man next to him exclaimed. He had dark skin, thick eyebrows and big. eyes. "I've heard that Miss Woodsen is a social butterfly. She's well known for sleeping with a lot of men. Are you sure about this?”. Someone else added. From the tone of their voices, you could tell that they had their doubts about this marriage. However, since Brian had made his decision, there's nothing much other can do. Tonight was a busy night for the Hyatt Hotel,. which was the most luxurious, six star hotel in the city Antawood. Some discussions can only happen after consumption of alcohol. "Clayton Woodsen owes me a huge amount of money. Giving me his precious daughter is not going to cut it,". This time it was Jaime Turner, Brian's right hand man who spoke. Brian still wore his usual stony expression. Taking a drag of his cigarette, he said, "Keep a close eye on Clayton Woodsen. I will. make his life a living hell!". "Is that what you're going to do to your bride tonight as well?” The person who asked this had a sly smirk on his face. "Or. have you other plans for her?". He had only heard of the beloved daughter of the Woodsen family, but never had the chance of meeting her. In fact, there were very few people who had seen her before. "I've heard that she's a beauty. She has the curves that all men desires
She might be a tough one. The men sitting around the sofa participated in the conversation actively about the bride who was yet to show up. However, the woman standing beside Brian had a bitter expression on her face. She obviously hated the woman they were talking about. "Enough!" when she couldn't stand it anymore, she blurted. "Oh! Miss Anna is angry. It was so obvious to everyone who had dis cerning eyes that Anna, who had been foll owing Brian her whole life, had a special . place for him in h er heart. The relationship b etween the two of them was ambiguous. She had failed to become Mrs. C lark, which was all because of a woman named Arlene Woodsen. To Anna, Arlen e didn't even deserve Brian. “A ngr y?” . Brian put out h is cigarette and glanced at her. Though very subtle , a faint smile ap peared on his lips. "Brian," Anna call ed out his name and said nothing else. She kn ew her place. No matter how close she had been to him, she would have to stick to her duties and would never cross the line between them. "Brian, why don't you introduce yo ur new bride to us?" a follower of Brian asked with others agreeing. Brian raised his glass gracefully and gulped d own the drink in one go. Putting down the gla ss on the table, he nodded his approval. Meanwhile, Ayla Woodsen w as waiting anxiously in a deluxe presidential suite. She was wearing a luxurious wed ding dress specially customized in Paris with delicate makeup. Today was her wedding day, but there were no relatives present. She just signed her name on a piece of paper and sold the rest of her l ife to a man that she had never met. Despite her unwillingness, for the sake of h er father and to support her family, she bec ame the substitute for the so called "sister" . she had and had t o marry a devil n amed Brian Clark. She was squatting in the corner of the ro om, trembling. She was only twenty-two year s old. Her life had only just begun. But now . she was forced marr ied to a man six ye ars older than her
Though the room was luxurious and brightl y lit, she was still scared. She was terri fied, but had no choice. She had not eaten . anything since ye sterday, and now s he was very dizzy. There was no food in the ro om except for the wine bottl es and glasses on the table. She had never drank alcohol in her life and she had always been her teachers’ favorite student. She knew that since the moment she promis ed to be the substitute, her old life was behind her and her future was filled with . unce rtain ties. Her st omach g rowled. She w as sta rving. Her glossy lips were drying out. She bit on her lowe r lip trying to kee p herself conscious. She had been waiting for the man that everyone c alled a devil to show up. The door opened s uddenly and two s trangers entered. Both men were rough looking and neithe r of them was Brian. "Mrs. Clark, Mr. Clark wants to see you," one of them spoke co arsely, rather disrespectfully. "Whe re is he?" . Ayla stuttered and sc ooted back like a fri ghtened little bunny. The two men didn' t answer. Instead, they pulled h er up rudely and dragg ed her out of the room. She resisted and stru ggled to free herself, but all went in vain. "O uc h!" . Before Ayla knew what was going on, she was thrown hastily to the ground. Even th ough the ground was covered with carpet, . she was still ba dly hurt. "Arlene, look at me!" B rian spoke with a stead y but domineering tone. “Arlene! That's right! I'm Ar lene Woodsen now, not Ayla Wo odsen” Ayla thought inwardly. She didn't dare raise her head to look at Brian. If he realized that she was just a substitute then her life would be in grave . da ng er!