The Black Dahlia (Cartel Series #1) ✔️

39. Anniversary

Gabriella

I look at the reflection in the mirror. “Mirror Mirror on the wall tell me who is the prettiest of them all?” I asked in a mock fashion trying to channel my inner snow white fan girl. I was really pleased with my look.

I really loved the white princess gown and in my mind looked no less than Snow white. I was lost in my dreamland, gushing to myself. Suddenly the door is pushed open and in walks my father, breaking my trance like state.
“Are you ready yet?” he asks and sees me turn around to him with a smile.

His stressed expression gives way to awe and I nod slightly, excited and confused beyond my wildest imaginations. So this is how people feel on their “big” day.

He offers me his hand and I take it as we walk out together, all smiles and hand in hand. As we near the main entrance, it decorated with a vivid array of flowers of all colours and fragrance.

The entire area, the stage, and the food service everything is on point. All my nervousness disappears as I slowly take in the beautiful setup. It’s a beautiful lakeside estate complete with a gothic cathedral. My family and love really went the distance in making my day extra special. I am running out of words to describe the picturesque backdrop to my “big day”.

A little fear still lingered on in the back of my mind. What if all if this was just a dream?  A product of my active imagination and wishful thinking?
I pushed these thoughts out of my mind and walked into the cathedral to, my father by my side.

No sooner I had stepped foot in the cathedral, the orchestra started playing. I couldn’t recognise the piece they were playing but I really liked it, like honey dripping through my ears and enriching my soul.

One look at the interiors of the church and my mind was blown, but there was something else even more beautiful waiting for me straight ahead.

Alejandro, the love of my life, dressed in a fine tuxedo looking s dashing and smoking hot as ever. The journey of a million miles has reached its most logical conclusion, as my father gives my hand to him.

Now I am his responsibility for the rest of our lives!  “Don’t you dare disappoint me young man, she is all yours” My dad sad with a cheeky wink, in a non threatening manner.

I look at the people gathered and I find a lot of familiar faces all cheering and hooting for me. The priest began the ceremony.
“Do you Gabriella Sanchez take Alejandro Martinez as your husband” I looked at Alejandro and found him with a sad and confused expression. Before I could react he pulled a gun out of his breast pocket.
I was really shocked by this gesture, 'why does he have a gun at the wedding why is he pointing it at me?' all these questions raced through my mind.

“You bitch, you really though I will marry you after what you did to my family.” He said and pulled the trigger.
“No” I shout and then see my mother’s and brother’s lifeless body on the ground. My white gown is splashed with blood.

There is an eerie silence around me, which is pierced by Alejandro’s sinister laugh. I cannot believe the scene playing out in front of my eyes; the love of my life destroying my world.
He points the gun at me and pulls the trigger and the world around me goes black.

I woke up with a jolt and swiped the sweat forming on my forehead and sighed in relief, it was only a twisted nightmare. I checked my phone and realised that it was almost time for the ceremony.

I took a quick shower and decided to wear a black dress. I paired my outfit with a pair of black heels and braided my hair just like my mom used to do when I was a little girl.