Tides of Destiny

PROLOGUE

The Matrimony

Alfina Guerrero

Marriage is said to be the happiest day of your life. It is a union of two people who are bound together by love until eternity. I was ecstatic as any bride would be on their wedding day. Everything was in place, the decorations, the flowers, the guests, and all that was needed for the wedding. I did have some wedding jitters but it was due to the excitement of marrying the love of my life.

I was wearing a beautiful off-shoulder mermaid wedding dress that was adorned with thousands of Swarovski jewels which was designed by Julianna Veronica, a very well-sought designer of wedding gowns and custom jewelry. My hair was styled in a low bun which was elegantly secured with a small amethyst studded tiara that my friends insisted to wear. Claude spared no detail in making sure that the wedding is perfect and fit for a princess.

The view from the altar was breathtaking, there were a lot of people present during the wedding but I admit I do not know most of them. They are Claude’s business partners and associates. The only people whom I know are my friends and my assistant. “This is it. I’m going to say yes to him in front of so many people,” I cheerfully thought.

“Do you, Claude Hege, take the Marchioness Alfina Guerrero as your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest asked and pointed the microphone to his direction. I looked at Claude, he let out a sigh and gave me a weak smile.

Is he hesitating?

After a pregnant pause which felt like an eternity, Claude gave me a half-hearted smile and cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone.

“The wedding is off. I apologize for the commotion but I’m not ready for this Alfina. I’m in love with someone else.” my soon-to-be-husband, or was, announced. Gasps echoed throughout the beauty of the Tønsberg Cathedral in Norway.

I didn’t know how to react. I was struggling to find my voice. Whispers and murmurs filled the once serene cathedral. I knew that he would never love someone like me. It was too good to be true that one of Norway’s most eligible bachelors would fall for a broke heiress who loved art and doing crafts instead of mingling with society. But did I really deserve to experience this on my wedding day?

I didn’t have enough time to process Claude’s announcement as I only watched him race down the aisle and run towards his Rolls-Royce with one of the pretty guests. The car was parked in front of the gigantic entrance and photographers from the media were already taking pictures of them. Everyone in the church was still in a state of shock and disbelief at what happened.

With all the remaining strength and dignity that I magically had, I quickly left the altar and ran to the bathroom. My assistant, Olivia Herrera, followed me and tried to comfort me. I just cried and broke down. This day was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

“I want to go home, Olive. Take me back to Spain.” I pleaded with my assistant. “We can’t, we’re considered as fugitives in our home remember? Your Tia (Auntie) already sacrificed a lot just by bringing us here in Norway.” Olive said as she comforted me by patting my back and soothing it. I know that there was nothing that I could do. “Why did she leave with him?” I asked Olivia between sobs. Even my assistant didn’t answer and only continued to calm me down.

Claude Hege falling in love with me was a surprise to everyone, especially me. I felt like I was Rapunzel who was locked in an isolated tower for a long time and he was Flynn Rider who saved me from my misery. He was the one who opened my eyes to the world, who made me appreciate the beauty of life. Mother Gothel was the press who wanted a news scoop and any information about the former Marchioness who was recently sent to prison for attempted murder, assault, gambling, corruption, and money laundering. Claude did his very best in protecting me. Yet, it was all just fake.

But I knew that woman who left with Claude all too well. She was one of my cousins from our late father’s side, Bettina Guerrero. Bettina has everything that a woman could offer to a man like Claude. She was fun, outgoing, pretty, and very rich. She owned several boutiques that are doing well. Unlike me, I was bankrupt, I consider myself ugly, and introverted, and I was the sole heir of the Guerrero Country Clubs around the world. My father’s will states that he will hand me everything of his properties and the clubs once I am married. Although my marriage with Claude would have been advantageous for me, I didn’t care about getting my father’s money or the ownership of the clubs. I loved Claude with all of my heart.

Madre (Mother) didn’t like that she was omitted from Padre’s (Father’s) will. My last encounter with her was when she tried to shoot me with a gun. She wanted to have all of my father’s assets and she thought that getting rid of me was the only way she could get her hands on everything my father left for me. She was wrong, thank goodness for that.

“Olive, I don’t know what to do anymore. Madre is in prison, and I have no relatives except Bettina but she stole my fiancé, I am bankrupt because the government seized our assets and my only way of retrieving the Guerrero Country Clubs is by marrying someone. I am a hundred percent sure that once Madre is released from prison, she will kill me!” I shivered at the thought of my own mother killing me. To be honest, dying was the least of my concerns. My heart was too shattered to fathom why my treacherous cousin stole Claude from me.

The sound of glass shattering made me stop crying. The priest quickly ran to where we are and stopped for a bit to catch his breath. “Run! The press is going insane, people are fighting, and everything is chaotic!” the priest exclaimed. The priest led us into a passageway where he is the only one allowed to enter.

Olivia grabbed my hand and quickly led me to a separate stair of the church which leads directly to the parking lot. While we were making our way through the sacred rooms, Olivia was barking orders to someone on her phone. “Just be there!” she exclaimed. When we reached outside, the sun shone brightly which made the Swarovski jewels in my wedding dress sparkle. The day was beautiful yet it felt like there was darkness surrounding me. There were already a lot of reporters waiting outside and they clamored around us. Great.

Olivia led me to the white Honda Civic that was supposed to be the bridal car. I scoffed momentarily as I saw the ‘Just Married’ signage that Claude wanted to have. Talk about marriage. Olivia sat in front and I sat in the passenger seat. The car quickly drove off once we were inside.

The car drive was intense. Olivia was once again barking orders at the poor driver who was just doing his job properly. This is probably the first time that he was behind the wheel, running away from a very excited mob of paparazzi. Olivia ordered the driver to go east, where we can quickly outrun them if there were no barriers or checkpoints during this hour.

“They’re still following us! We need to lose them!” Olivia said to the driver. The driver stepped on the gas pedal and the car quickly accelerated. We were running on 80. I was praying to any god that was willing to listen to keep us safe and alive.

There were cars still following us. Crap. This might end in a tragedy if they keep on pursuing us. I held on tightly onto the car handle, I was scared for my life. What do they even want? They should be chasing Claude and Bettina for creating such a scandal today.

The driver took a hard right turn which led us to the tunnel. Wrong move, the tunnel was really dark and we couldn’t see anything.

“We’re going too fast! We might get into an accident!” Olivia screamed, my heart was racing as I watched the speedometer go from 100 to 140 in a matter of seconds.

I closed my eyes, trying to drown everything. I wanted this to be over with. I didn’t want to be in this situation anymore. I wanted to go back home to Spain.

I’d rather be labeled as a fugitive back in my hometown than be chased by the paparazzi every second of my life here in Norway. At least I’d still be back in my old room painting or reading a book.

I didn’t know if we already lost the paparazzi who were following us. We were passing through a highway that was near the sea and greenery of the little town of Tønsberg.

“Shit shit! The brakes aren’t working!” were the last things I heard before our car crashed.

“Olive?” I called out in a weak tone. There was no response. My forehead was bleeding and I looked over at my surroundings. It was peaceful yet dreadful.

I slowly got out of the car and saw that our car crashed into one of the lampposts in the street. I yelled in pain as I saw a huge shard of glass that punctured my leg. I cried out loud for help but nobody answered.

Despite being in tremendous amounts of pain, I decided to drag myself to the nearby shores to ask for help, hoping that someone may be fishing there.

I was feeling dizzy. I could no longer walk properly.I was basically dragging my body to someplace near the shores hoping that there were some fishermen who’d see me.

I could hear the sound of the waves hitting the shore, I felt at peace.

Am I going to die here? That would be great instead of facing the problems that I have now. But I can’t die here, I want to continue my father’s legacy and clean the Guerrero name.

I fell down on the ground and lost consciousness.