1 COURTNEY PRAYER UNANSWERED

After waiting for an hour for her sister, Courtney was tired and frustrated having no idea what was on her sister's mind. Running out of options she gets down on her knees in the Minister's office and started to pray.

"Merciful and loving Father, You are my God, I don't know what to do, but wherever Tamara is please hasten in her footsteps. Please Lord, bring her here quickly. The groom seems to be getting angrier and patient less by the minute.

Please, Lord, look down on my family and remove any reproach and shame that may cause my family to bend our heads."

Still, on her knees Courtney heard when the door push open, knowing exactly who stands behind her. Without even looking or asking Courtney, could hear his breathing and sense the rage. The moment she came to the church and greeted him, his distinct cologne had wasp through her nostril. Now she could sense at that moment he was untamable.

Courtney, understood full well how he was feeling, even though she was angry with Tamara for her irresponsibility she had to wait just like him.

Hearing him whisper in her ear, she felt his closeness when he knelt behind her.

"You, my pretty lady will have to pay for your sister's negligence, no one is going to laugh at me and that dress has cost me a pretty nice change, so you will have no choice but to model in it for me today."

"What are you talking about?" Courtney stammered looking up at him she could see his bloodshot eyes as he glared at her without mercy.

Rufus looks into her eyes seeing the fear, at that moment he felt an unexplainable rage, he knew the young lady was innocent but he was in a predicament and she is the only available person that can fill the gap. Ignoring her fear Rufus gritted his teeth, for a long while he never felt his rage reach this boiling point. Having no choice but to ignore his sympathizing thoughts that keep shifting his focus.

Saying to her, "It is very simple Miss Brown, you will be my bride, I have too much at stake to lose if this marriage falls through.

Now I will appreciate it very much if you will kindly get into the dress because I am not waiting any longer for your sister."

"Are you out of your mind? I cannot do that, Tamara is the one that loves you, or so I believe, I am already engaged to marry Kyle?" Courtney stammer.

"Well my dear, I don't care right now, who is in love or who is engaged, Tamara will have to fill in for you, and you for Tamara, it is simple and easy as that." Mr. Dawson snarled as he gritted his teeth.

"Look, Mr. Dawson, I cannot do that, I don't know anything about you, and you don't know anything about me.

Now is not the time to make any harsh decision, so please be reasonable and try to think rationally, many other lives are at stake."

Looking at him hoping he will try and understand even change his mind.

Feeling the firm hold on her hand, he whispers in his frustration, "Now you listen to me carefully, and take heed to what I am saying.

I don't have time to waste any longer, just put on the stupid dress, with your sister not here, it is disrupting all of my plans and time is running out on me, so hurry up for God's sake."

Courtney notices as he releases her hand in his anger as if he no longer has control of his rage. Her wrist was blue-black, tears building up at the corner of her eyes but he also seems to traumatize by Tamara an absent.

Seeing the way his hand was trembling, ignoring the pain in her hand, and the dark blue wales on her wrist from how firm he had held her hand. Feeling like doom and gloom has overshadowed her and there was no way of escape. Being caught up in her thought when she heard him snap at her.

Courtney jump in fear, feeling her inside trembling, having to take some deep breaths to try and calm her brain down from this unexpected twist that is occurring presently.

Her inside seems to be trembling violently as she hugs her body still on her knees.

Wanting to speak but the words seem to be stuck in her throat, closing her eyes and praying silently for courage and boldness to speak in her defense.

"I am very sorry Mr. Dawson but I cannot do what you are asking Sir," Courtney responds almost in a squeaky voice.

"Then allow me to do it for you." Courtney thought if she defy his command he will quit and she will be free. Lease she had thought he would be this determine and impulsive.

Once more he said in a bit louder tone.

"Are you mad?" Courtney raised her voice becoming angry herself, ignoring the fear in her heart and mind. Even the way her body was trembling.

"You could say so, right now, your sister leaves me no choice, and my time is running out on me, so just get into the stupid and dress," Mr. Dawson demanded.

When she didn't move, hearing the way he growls at her and she was unable to stop him. Courtney only felt him unzip her gown as her body go numb.

Feeling her gown drop on the floor her mind immediately went blank and her body become numb.

Unable to cover her nakedness. Courtney bent her head in shame, then as a robot, he commanded her to step into the wedding gown.

Hearing the command but her body won't move one inch forward. She only felt it when he lift her out of her gown that was lying on the floor as though she was featherweight.

Seeing him kick the gown she had on aside then rest her down once again. When he took up the wedding gown she had brought and began dressing her Courtney felt like her body was heavy like lead. still unable to move, he slips her hand into the sleeve, then zips up the dress. When he presses the vale over her head the pope sees the door

His tone of voice was rough and the anger still didn't subside. "Here you go;" placing the bouquet into her hands and a ring he slips out from his finger, "Now you are ready, stay right here."

'Thinking as soon as he moves, she will run away,' but then he whispers in a controlling and demanding tone.

"I know exactly what you are thinking, but if you run away, I will find you and your family, and I promise you every minute of your lives will be a living hell."

Feeling the dress floating in her, 'Tamara, was taller and thicker than her, they both were a perfect match.

Both selfish, arrogant, and self-centered, they don't seem to consider other people's feelings or opinions, just having their ways.

Taking a few footsteps, thanking God, 'That at least she was wearing her shoes.'

Having to raise the front of the dress before she trip over on her head, but then she thought, as the crazy idea struck her mind.

'If that were to happen it will be a good thing. It might even be the perfect solution to this immediate problem. Being unconscious the wedding will be called off and she will marry Kyle.'