1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,200 I knew this day would have come since I was 12. My parents had made a deal to marry me off on my 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:11,440 21st birthday. Everything had been set, and I was given a husband long before I knew I existed. 3 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:16,480 And now, I have to spend the rest of my life with him all because of tradition. 4 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:22,320 All because of my parents' massive wealth. I'm standing in my dressing room with at least 5 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:28,000 five people tending to me. I was born rich. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth which 6 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:33,360 is also why I don't have to lift a finger to get ready for my wedding day. Everyone is excited, 7 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:40,480 they are grinning and laughing and just happy. Everyone except for me. My freedom is gone. 8 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:48,240 And I am never going to get it back. I am numb. Last night, I'd been crying my eyes out. 9 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:54,800 My friend said it's going to be okay, but I know it's not. I have never seen this guy. I have no 10 00:00:54,800 --> 00:01:00,640 idea who he is and how he is. Whether he's a beast, an abuser, a liar, a drunk or a cheat, 11 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:06,800 all I know is that he is to be my husband, that he is wealthy, just as rich as my family. 12 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:13,520 I want to think happy thoughts. I want to think that he's a good person, but based on past experiences 13 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:20,960 of my friends, they are never a good person. Rich men are usually chaotic beings. They are raised 14 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:26,640 as animals. They have no manners and care for nothing. I should run away. I should leave this 15 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:34,880 wretched place. But I can't. Where will I go and how will I survive? I've been living off my parents 16 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:41,280 since I was born. I know nothing of working for my bread, as they call it. The assistant my mom 17 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:46,400 hired to get me ready for today's event snaps her fingers, bringing me back to the real world. 18 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:56,800 Well, she asks. I peer at my reflection. I look beautiful. Had this day been a day where I was 19 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:03,840 actually marrying the person I loved, then I would have had something to say. Sadly, I don't feel 20 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:10,720 anything besides the weight of this goddamn dress. The assistant sighs. This wedding is going to be 21 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:17,760 amazing. I stare at her, but I don't say anything. She can say that because she's getting paid for 22 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:24,480 this. And she doesn't have to endure the future that is about to be cursed onto me. I'm trying my 23 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:30,240 best not to cry because I'll smudge my mascara and my makeup. Mom would be pissed and I hate it when 24 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:37,520 she's mad. There's no more room for crying now. I have to accept what my life is. The woman snaps 25 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:42,080 her fingers again and her minions begin bustling around me trying to get the last detail in. 26 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:48,320 When they are finally finished, they stand in a line and stare at me as if I'm some doll in plastic 27 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:54,160 ready to be opened and played with. Maybe I am the doll in plastic. In a few moments, 28 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,400 my husband will unwrap me to do whatever he wants and I can't do anything about it. 29 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:06,400 I take a look at myself one last time in the mirror. One last time of the single me. The free me. 30 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:12,560 Just five months ago, I'd been in college with one more year to go before I secured my accounting 31 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:17,440 degree. I'd been going to parties and hanging out with my friends and having a grand time as 32 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:22,960 how people my age are supposed to do. Now I'm soon to be betrothed to a stranger and I may never 33 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:28,800 get to finish my degree because my mother says that it's up to my husband. My mother enters the 34 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:35,360 room and the place grows silent. She can be like that at times. People enable her. They make her 35 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:42,480 feel important and she rides on that shit. Mom stops beside me and then slowly encircles me. 36 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,480 She has a thing for neatness. She doesn't like anything out of place. 37 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:53,040 After a few minutes, she is satisfied and dismisses her staff. Beautiful, she says. 38 00:03:53,840 --> 00:04:00,960 Sergio is going to love you. Oh, right. It's all coming back to me. Two nights ago, 39 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:07,680 mom and dad had briefed me on my husband to be. Sergio Bonaparte is his name. He's 30 and already 40 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:13,280 runs his father's oil company. He is a chemical engineer, but he's also his father's right-hand 41 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:20,720 man or whatever you call it. My mother takes my hand. She knows that I'm upset. She knows that I 42 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:27,360 hate all of this, but she doesn't care. Well, if she does, she's not showing it. 43 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,160 You and Sergio are going to have such beautiful babies. 44 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:39,760 Hopefully, sooner than we think. She touches my cheek and winks. Now come. You can't let the 45 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:46,080 groom wait all afternoon. She leads me into the hallway and there stands my six bridesmaids and 46 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:51,760 three flower girls. Family, of course. At least I got my best friend to be the maid of honor. 47 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:58,000 Had it been up to my mom, she would have picked that too. Rebecca, my best friend, squeals when 48 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:05,280 she sees me. Before she can hug me, mom darts her arm out in front of us. I'm sorry, but do you want 49 00:05:05,280 --> 00:05:14,000 to ruin her makeup and dress? No, hugging. Rebecca holds my hands from arm's length. B, you look 50 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:20,640 gorgeous. My dress is layered like a Disney princess. It's a cold shoulder and kind of looks like the 51 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:26,480 one Belle wears when she first dances with the Beast. Mom, with her extravagant self, 52 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:32,320 has plastered rhinestones on every free space she could find. I'm literally a white disco ball. 53 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:40,960 I give Rebecca a small smile and say thanks. Come Bianca, it's time. Mom says, 54 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:47,040 we head downstairs and stand behind the double doors to the chapel. The church is huge, 55 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:54,880 ridiculously huge, and I'm positive there are at least 500 guests at my wedding. My bridal party 56 00:05:54,880 --> 00:06:00,560 has gotten behind the double doors, awaiting their turn to walk down the aisle. When the doors 57 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:05,920 finally open, the music begins playing. My bridesmaids are first. I don't even know what 58 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:11,360 happens next because everything turns into a blur. I am out of it. Only when I'm at the 59 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:17,280 front of the altar, I recognize myself. My father kisses me on the cheek over the veil and walks away. 60 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:24,320 A veil that's supposed to signify my purity. I step forward and face my husband to be. 61 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:32,800 He is breathtaking, handsome. Sergio is nothing like what I imagined. He's the exact opposite, 62 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:37,920 and this frightens me. He looks like the kind of guy to have his pedicure done and his suits 63 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:44,240 tailored. He seems like everyone would be at his beck and call. Sergio looks rough around the edges, 64 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:49,200 so it means that he's not afraid to get his hands dirty. There's a tattoo on his neck, 65 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:54,560 the rest of it hiding behind his shirt collar, and one on the back of his palm, a tribal one with 66 00:06:54,560 --> 00:07:01,760 sharp edges. What does that mean? I take a deep breath. Sergio eyes me, but I'm sure he cannot 67 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:08,400 see my full face behind the veil. My mother has made sure of that. The pastor begins his sermon 68 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:16,400 by speaking about love, honor, and respect. But all of this is a lie. This man won't honor me, 69 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:23,360 he won't respect me, and he sure as fuck won't love me. Why do we commit to things we will never do? 70 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:28,880 Why do we say these things in front of God knowing our true intentions? I repeat the vows 71 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:36,080 like an obedient child, and Sergio does the same. And when it comes to saying, I do, I say it quickly. 72 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:42,880 I just want to get this thing over with. I want to get out of here. But the sad thing about all of 73 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:49,040 this is that when I do get out of here, it's with a husband by my side. Five hours later, 74 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:54,640 I'm standing in a five-star hotel room looking at the one bed arranged for us. My husband and I are 75 00:07:54,640 --> 00:08:00,240 supposed to be having a week-long honeymoon. Really, it starts tomorrow because our flight is in the 76 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:05,840 late morning. But I figured this is all an elaborate plan of my mother to get us started as quickly as 77 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:11,280 possible. I know she can get us a private jet and fly us out as soon as possible, but I know her. 78 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:16,720 I know how she can be conniving. She wants to make sure that something happens between us tonight, 79 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:24,800 that we consummate the marriage. I feel sick. I feel disgusted by all of this. Why is any of this 80 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:31,920 necessary? Why can't I just live my life without having these stupid consequences? Sergio walks 81 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:37,840 past me and heads into the bathroom, unfazed by any of this. He doesn't care because he's got himself 82 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:43,840 a wife, a woman he can control. Throughout the reception, he'd been on his phone talking to 83 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:50,000 God knows. He has barely glanced at me or even said one word to me besides our vows and I do. 84 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:56,480 And now I am stuck with him in this damn room with one bed. I hear the shower running, at least he 85 00:08:56,480 --> 00:09:03,520 has decided to take a bath, at least he's considerate. I don't move from where I am. I'm still standing 86 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:09,200 in the middle of the room staring at nothing. Everyone said that I should be happy, that I 87 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:14,720 should be glad to have one of the most handsome bachelors as my husband, but I feel numb. The 88 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:20,640 shower comes off and in a few moments Sergio walks back into the room shirtless. This man is ripped. 89 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:27,840 He is fit. He is fucking toned. Sergio is wearing boxers but it does nothing to hide how well 90 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:33,600 endowed he is. I'm beginning to think that he is wearing that exact boxer to show off his goods. 91 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:38,960 I need to leave the room. The shower is free if you need to change. He says, 92 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,520 I take a deep breath and grab some of my clothing before heading into the bathroom. 93 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,840 I take a long hot steamy bath hoping it was long enough for him to fall asleep 94 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:54,480 and for me to get into bed without disturbing him. But by the time I'm finished getting dressed in one 95 00:09:54,480 --> 00:10:00,400 of my mom's selections of lingerie and head back out, Sergio is on the bed with the sheets to his 96 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:07,760 stomach and clicking through the remote for the TV. He's wide awake, wide fucking awake. 97 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:16,640 God, my heart races. He's expecting us to do it tonight. He's expecting us to consummate the 98 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:22,000 marriage just as my mom said. I wouldn't doubt it if she had offered a large sum of money for him 99 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:27,120 to do it on the first night. I sit on the couch and keep my legs closed as tight as possible. 100 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:34,560 Sergio faces me, confusion etched on his face. Are you not coming to bed? I shake my head. 101 00:10:35,680 --> 00:10:41,600 No, I'm fine here, thanks. Bianca. I said I'm fine here. I can sleep here. 102 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:49,520 He sits upright and this is the first glimpse of him, the real him, the monster that I'm about to 103 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:55,040 uncover because of my defiance. I suppose it's better to get it out now and get it over with 104 00:10:55,040 --> 00:11:00,480 instead of the pretense. So I'll know what I'm dealing with. His voice gets low. 105 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:06,800 Bianca. I straighten my back. It's also the first time he has truly spoken to me. 106 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,560 Get into this bed now. It is not a request, nor am I asking for a response. 107 00:11:12,560 --> 00:11:18,560 Bianca. I lift my chin. Bianca. No. Sergio's jaw tenses. 108 00:11:18,560 --> 00:11:22,960 Bianca. I will not have my wife sleeping on a couch while there's a king-size bed for at 109 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:28,000 least three persons to sleep in. Bianca. I am good, husband. Bianca. I mock. 110 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:33,040 Bianca. Then you will leave me no choice but to get off this bed, pick you up and put you on it. 111 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:41,040 Is that what you want? Bianca. I shake my head because somehow I believe him. I believe he will 112 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:47,120 do exactly as he says. Aside from being as light as a feather, I really don't want him touching me. 113 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:53,120 I'm already half naked. Bianca. Then get your fucking ass in this bed right now. 114 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:59,280 Bianca. I stand and slowly make my way over to the empty side of the bed. I'm not following 115 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:05,120 his orders. I'm only doing what's in my best interest. I climb in, pull the sheets to my chest 116 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:11,200 and turn my back to face him. He's watching a sports channel. He's casually watching TV when 117 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:17,440 all I can think of is how my life has been destroyed. How I have no freedom to be me despite being very 118 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:24,880 rich. My family has taken my freedom and my dignity. They have taken everything and left me with nothing. 119 00:12:25,680 --> 00:12:32,160 I try stifling my sobs but my emotions get the best of me. I can no longer go to school. I can't 120 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:39,360 party. I can't have a social life. I bite into the pillow. I jump when a weight touches my arm. 121 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:44,000 I don't wait to see what it is. I scamper off the bed and stand at the door. 122 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:50,640 Sergio holds his hands up in surrender. Sergio. I'm sorry. I thought I heard you crying. 123 00:12:51,680 --> 00:12:55,360 Don't touch me. Sergio. I was only trying to see if you are okay. 124 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,480 Sergio. Why would you care? Sergio. Why would I not? 125 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:02,560 Sergio. I peer at him wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. 126 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:08,560 Because you are part of this. Part of the sham of a marriage. He pauses the TV. 127 00:13:08,560 --> 00:13:11,280 Sergio. You think I wanted to get married? 128 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:13,920 Sergio. But you sure as hell went through with it. 129 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,560 Sergio. He eyes the TV and then back at me. 130 00:13:16,560 --> 00:13:18,320 Sergio. And so did you. 131 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:23,760 Sergio. Well, he does have a point. Sergio sighs. 132 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:28,400 Sergio. Get back to bed, Bianca. If you're wondering, I'm not going to touch you. 133 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:31,680 And I don't have any plans for it. So you're safe. 134 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:37,920 I huff. Sergio resumes the television, leaving me standing at the door. 135 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:42,960 Why doesn't he have any plans on touching me? Does he have someone else? 136 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,240 Was that who he'd been on the phone with the entire time? 137 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:53,200 I should be glad. Happy that he has no interest in me, but instead, I feel like a sewer creature. 138 00:13:53,200 --> 00:14:00,720 Sergio. What's wrong with me? No. What's wrong with him? Who is this casual about an arranged 139 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:05,440 marriage and a wife they have never met? Who is okay with sleeping next to a stranger? 140 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:12,960 I climb back in bed adjusting the sheets. And my husband was right. He didn't have any plans 141 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:24,320 on touching me because for the entire night, I slept like a fucking baby.