3 ~ Aurora

"He did what? He's an asshole." River said furiously when I told her about how dinner went the previous night.

"I agree." I said. "But then it's not his fault."

She shook her head vehemently, "Oh no, you're not going to blame yourself for being set up to marry a disrespectful jerk."

"Maybe I'm being set up and forced on him because no one really wants to marry me." I muttered sadly.

"Aurora trust me, you are so beautiful, men would topple over each other for you. You just don't get out enough." River always said this. Sometimes I believed her, other times I didn't.

Being a homebody meant me not wanting to go out even if I had a chance to. In my case however, I did not get a chance to.

"There's no point now." I was slowly resigning to fate. 

"Ohh," she tsked. "It's going to be alright." She came around and hugged me.

I nodded. I did not actually believe that but River liked to be positive and I just wanted to avoid another pep talk. 

"He's kinda cute though." She said cheekily. Of course my 'FBI friend' had done a little research on him.

"Kinda?"

"Okay, okay, I was only trying to be respectful. He's hot!!!" She screeched, faking a melodramatic fall, and I found myself wheezing.

It was always a breath of fresh air to have her around.

~~~ 

In the next few days, I found out there was going to be an engagement party. I found it unnecessary but as we know, I did not have a say in anything.

 I had a plethora of dresses but my mother insisted that I go shopping for the best of the best. I was aware that she in fact just wanted to impress Leo's mother. I told her I could make my own dress and even the wedding dress too but she refused vehemently.

"We need you to wear known brands so they'll know our family isn't cheap." She said, scolding me.

I swore to myself that I would own a 'known' brand that day, with no idea as to how I was going to achieve that with how I was about to be whisked off to marriage. I was still hopeful about my dreams regardless.

It was from one designer shop to another afterwards. Their dresses did not fit no matter how much we tried because their models were in smaller sizes, very unlike me. Mother wanted to sue them for lack of inclusivity but I dissuaded her from it, fighting hard to not slip into a mild depression at the realization that nothing was my size. 

My weight loss journey had been futile for the most part because I always ran back to comfort foods whenever I was stressed. It was an unhealthy habit but I could not let go of it so easily. 

"Tuck it in Aurora Lopez," My mother was agitated as she forced me into yet another dress. The engagement party was two days away and I was yet to find a dress so her anger was quite understandable.

I really should have insisted on making something for myself to avoid all these issues, but she would never listen to me whenever she was determined to show off in front of someone.

"Mother I can't breathe." I told her as she tightened the knots on the back of the laced up corset dress.

"It's just for a couple of hours you would not die." She gritted out, eyes focused on the corset.

"But,"

"Make sure you don't eat anything like junks until the engagement is over. In fact, you start intermittent fasting today. Gloria," she turned to her assistant.

"Ma'am."

"Tell the cook to curate vegetable meals for Aurora. Strictly fruits and vegetables no fats, got it?!"

"Yes ma'am."

I gasped. She was taking this way too far.

It took a bit longer but we eventually found something that worked for the engagement. A frilly burgundy lace dress that gave just the right amount of a bridal look. At least I did not have to wear a corset anymore and look like a bloated penguin. 

~ 

On the night of the party, I had my face caked up with makeup by the MUA my mother had hired for the occasion. I typically went for something light when it came to makeup but they both insisted that I had to look like the bride which categorically meant shouty makeup. I could not even recognize myself when she was done. 

I had to do a whole entry into the large living room where the party was being hosted. Guests swarmed left and right and I stared at the buffet table longingly, knowing fully well I was not allowed to go near it.

Then I spotted Leo. He was on the other side of the room, holding a glass of wine and looking bored with the whole affair. I looked away when he spotted me, forcing myself to socialize with the numerous guests that my parents and Leo's had invited.

When it was time to do what it was we were gathered for, I stepped forward shyly as Leo's father made a speech. I could hardly pay attention to what he said due to the fact that I was nervous and standing next to Leo with his cologne pestering my nose messed with my senses. Senator Adams did say something along the lines of our union being so special and unique and how he knew we would make the perfect couple from the first time he saw me. I almost laughed. It was how they were so desperately trying to sell that this was a love marriage that got me.

Soon the ring was brought forward and Leo slid it on my finger. He did not crack a smile at me, he simply did it with a blank face. But when it was time to face the cameras, he smiled widely and for the first time I totally swooned over it. When I saw the pictures a little while later, it was obvious that I was a goner with the way I stared up at him in admiration when he smiled.

"The wedding would be in two months." My father announced  joyfully after the engagement and the applause increased. 

I almost screamed out my frustration. Two months was such a short time to plan a wedding. It was going to be such a chore to get everything done in time. I also had a feeling that our mothers would never agree on anything so we needed more time to at least let them get along. 

I stared at Leo for a bit and he stared back, unblinking, I looked away and walked off wanting to go to bed more than anything. But I decided to hang with River and my brother, Antonio, even as people still kept coming around to congratulate me.

Unfortunately, my dress ripped towards the end of the night but at least, it served its purpose although it was quite embarrassing to back out of the hall. 

I sighed when I laid on my bed that night. It was finally done and over with. All I had to do was face the next hurdle - wedding planning.