2

After the ceremony was over, Dalton made an excuse to pull me out of the wedding hall. I was grateful that I no longer had to witness any heartbreaking scenes for the rest of the day. Half of the day was torturous enough for me. 

Dalton took me to our house. The moment I was inside the room I would be living in, I stripped out of my wedding dress, leaving myself only in my undies. I wore a snap-button bodycon dress and paired it with silver heels. As for makeup, I decided to go with a no-makeup make-up look. Once I was finished getting ready, I went out to where my husband was waiting for me. 

Husband. It was weird being married to my best friend, especially to someone who knows about my past relationship with Carl. You heard it right. He knows about it and as for how he came to know about it - it was yours truly who told him. As I said, he's my best friend, someone whom I trust and someone who knows me better than I know myself. There have never been any secrets between us and nothing was stopping me from sharing my happiness with my friend. He was also the one who was trying to stand up for me and cancel the marriage but I stopped him.

Whenever I look at him, I feel a pang of guilt toward him. He should have married someone who loves him, not me. I should have refused the marriage and stayed single instead of convincing him to marry me. I acted on the impulse, thinking at least I would have my best friend to cry to.

Dalton looked up from his phone when I entered the living room. I looked around the living room now that I had the time to admire it. Dalton had purchased this house for us three days before our marriage. He wanted us to live where no one would be able to stuff their noses in. He liked his privacy and detested others' interference in his life. He purchased the house on the outskirts of the town for that sole reason. It was separated from the other houses and had good privacy. I was thankful that I wouldn't have any neighbors who would give me a pity-filled look.

Just so you know, the town we live in is a small town with a population of 1700 people. It means everyone here knows everyone. The whole town was aware of my little escapes with Carl. I don't know how it was kept secret from my parents but I'm thankful that they didn't expose anything. 

Back in the present, the house was nice and pretty. It was designed in a cottage style to give it a cozy feel. The interior was a combination of beige and sage green, my favorite colors. Our bedroom, though, was covered in white. From walls to bedsheets, everything was white. Even our en-suite bathroom was white. Not that I'm complaining. I loved it a lot. It was the perfect blend of my and Dalton's tastes.

An arm circled my waist and pulled me flush against a hard chest. The familiar smell tingled my senses. His expensive cologne mixed with his natural smell calmed my nerves. His scent always works wonders when I'm stressed.

"Did you like our home?" he asked me in a hushed voice, as he was afraid of my answer. "Yes. I love it," I replied just as quietly. After the chaos aka my wedding, I needed peace and he provided me with that. I don't want to think about something or someone right now.

I turned around in his arms. My Sapphire blue eyes met his forest green ones. His eyes look beautiful every time I look into them. They represent nature and are just as calm. He smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back.

It was a fake smile but a smile nonetheless.

"We should go now. The trip to the airport is long and we don't want to miss our flight," he suggested. I went ahead with his plan because why not? I'll just think of it as a much-needed vacation. 

He has already put our suitcase away so I just have to settle myself in the passenger seat.

The trip to the airport was long, just like he said. After we checked in and settled in our seats, I let myself relax. Dalton's and my honeymoon destination was Hawaii while Carl and Amara decided to go to Paris. It was her dream honeymoon destination and she convinced him to go there. Not that I'm complaining. I don't think I would have been able to see them act lovey-dovey in front of me. That would have been unbearable.

It was an 8-hour trip from our town to Hawaii so I decided to sleep on the way. What's more affecting than sleep when you feel down? Nothing! This week has been tiring for me and now my body needs some healing.

~•~

After landing.

We checked into our room. It was more beautiful than it was on the website. It gave a perfect view of the ocean and the mountains.

"You take a look around while I take a shower," Dalton walked into the bathroom to take shower so I decided to change out of my clothes in the room. I changed into a crop top and shorts. Just as I finished changing, Dalton entered the room.

It was when reality knocked at my conscience. We might have married because of our fathers and to save our business, but it was the fact that we got married. And like any other man, Dalton has his needs too. My heart started beating fast inside my chest, it felt like it was going to burst any second now. I knew what was about to come and I wasn't ready for it. I don't think I ever would be.

I turned around to see Dalton in his boxers and making his way to me. He brought me to his chest, placed his hand on my waist, and kissed my neck. 

I panicked, even though I knew Dalton would never go ahead with it if I said no. Dalton was like that. He was too much of a gentleman to have sex with a woman without her consent. 

I tapped on his chest to gain his attention. He leans back to look at me.

"I'm not ready for it yet. Can we do it when I'm comfortable?" I said in a small voice. 

"Of course," he said without hesitation and pulled away from me. "You know, I will never force myself on you, don't you?" I nodded my head. 

"That's right. So, don't feel nervous around me. Nothing has changed between us. I'm still the Dalton you know," He kissed my forehead. "Come on, let's cuddle like old days." 

We lay in bed together. He cupped my frame from behind and brought me to his chest. It was a normal thing for us. He always used to come to my room whenever I was upset and we'll fall asleep in each other's arms. He used to cheer me up whenever I was out of it. 

I don't deserve him and I sure as hell don't deserve his love. He deserves someone who returns his love, not me, who can never acknowledge his feelings because I'm afraid to lose my friend. 

I closed my eyes, letting sleep come to me. Tomorrow will be a new step toward my new life and I'm nervous about what the future has in store for us. 

Before sleeping, my thoughts wandered toward Carl. What is he doing? Is he making love to her like he used to do with me? The thought alone makes my heart ache and keeps me up throughout the night. 

I forcefully shoved the thoughts to the back of my mind so I could sleep. I need the energy to face the new day.  

~•~