We left the courthouse immediately, a black Rolls Royce was waiting out front. The same driver from earlier held the door open for us, I bunch my dress with my sweaty palm, lifting slightly before getting inside as I arrange the train around my legs. The door to the other side opens and the man gets in, closing the door silently. The driver gets in at the front and the car rolls down the curb. I look out the window as the courthouse disappears from view along with Mr. Alfread, he raises a hand to bid us bye, I wonder if he is leaving from here to give Dad the news at the hospital to tell him his precious company is saved. Fingers clasped in my lap. I am numb as the car zips past the streets of New York. Beside me, the man doesn’t say a word to me, his eyes not once moving from the screen on his phone, as he types away, likely conducting business. I wasn't even allowed the courtesy of bringing my own phone as I was rushed out of the house this morning. It’s done. It’s really
I blinked at her, astounded, from what I understood, the arrangement was finalized less than twenty-four hours ago when I agreed to marry Dad’s business partner or was it his son? So as to keep the company within the family, when did they have time to be planning a wedding party? I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, I felt the urge to run into the nearest room with a door, lock it, and have a minute or ten to myself. But with the firm grip the lady had on my hand and all the activities she just mentioned, I doubt I’ll be able to get some personal time today. I didn’t agree to any of this. What was her name again…? “Ms. Patricia-“ I begin. “Oh, Ms. Pat is fine, everyone around here calls me that, I’ll have to introduce you to the rest of the staff but that is Amelia and Emma,” she indicates behind us to the ladies who wave in greeting. I blinked at them, mumbling an awkward little ‘hello’ if they thought I was being rude, I didn’t have the chance to apologize as Ms. Pat kept tal
After a shower where I spent most of the time thinking about how to get out of this mess, no ideas were forthcoming so turn off the water, and dried off with one of the towels, I came out to see a transformed room, a nail tech has set up on one part of the room, the make up artist had her tools laid out by the vanity and fiddling with a ring light, in the middle of it all, Ms. Pat is directing two attendants on where to position yet another rack of dresses, this ones has more dresses in shades of whites and lavender, silk and tulle sweeping the floor. It looked like ten people were to get dressed in here not a single person. “There you are!” Ms. Pat exclaimed immediately she spies me standing at the bathroom door, still clutching the handle. “Why don’t you change into this and they can get started with some facials and then move unto your pedicure? After that we can try out some choices” She moves in front of me, a short cream colored silky robe dangling from her fingers, I accept
“There they are!” The voice is followed by a loud applause the moment we step into the hall. I focus on placing one foot in front of the other, my hands on Ian’s arm. “Wow!” “Congratulations!” “What a pretty couple!” And “Bravo!” Is thrown around. Even a few wolf whistles pierce the air. A camera clicks several times, flashing, as we walk.Who are all these people? Business associates of Ian I suppose. The distinguished-looking men are dressed in suits, the ladies in pretty dresses and diamonds large enough to blind. I am in a state of shock as I take everything. How did he get so many people to come on such short notice? The hall is filled with people. My eyes skim over a champagne tower, on the other side of it is a chocolate fountain. More finger foods and cakes are arranged tastefully on shiny silver trays. And the flowers. Dark red roses so many, lining the aisle we walked through a moment ago and more were arranged in large banquets around the room, the sweet scent filled t
He is Bill Benson. As in Senator Bill Benson. While I’ve met a number of CEOs and executives of leading corporations, a news anchor from a popular station, and some social media influencers, mostly as plus one of the men tonight, I didn’t think I was going to meet an actual senator that I know. He seems so normal, not like I thought politicians aren’t human beings. His wife who I now know to be Naomi Benson and runs various charities shakes her head and turns to me, “I for one am interested to know how you two met, you must tell me everything, so I know what to say when my friends ask how you managed to get this one off the market” Well, snap! My eyes widen. “Of course, join us at our table” Ian invites. And I notice everyone seems to be going around to find their placement on the dinner tables places around the hall. Oh, fudge. “Did you know Naomi and I met at a resort center during one of my high school holidays?” Mr. Benson asks. Now that I knew who he was I couldn’
Mr. Benson lifts his glass. “To the newlyweds, cheers!” “Cheers!” the echo rings out and champagne gets tossed back. And that was the first of many toast of the night, so many I zone out. Soon enough Ian and I stand facing each other, my hand on his shoulder, my other clasped in his as we have our first dance. A few other couples have come to join us on the floor. We sway slowly, I must be paying even less attention than I thought because I step on something uneven, my ankle tipping to the side sharply. The arm at my back tightens, holding me up against the front of his body. I snap back straight, looking at where I’m stepping on his foot. “Sorry,” I mumbled, heat spreading up my cheeks, usually I'm a better dancer but his hand on my spine is a constant reminder of him, no matter how hard I try to imagine being somewhere else. We continue and when I step on his foot for the third time, I decide it’s best to pull away. Bringing so close to him unnerved me in a strange way I cou
We sit in absolute silence in the car for the third time today leaving the party hall, I’m glad the day finally is over. I just want to get home, climb in my bed, and forget all about today, at least for a few hours. If I’m lucky, I won’t run into Eunice and Monica. I swallowed, my throat, still tight from the emotions of the day “Can I go home now?” “We are on our way home” I glanced out the window and watched as we drove past the road that would lead to my house. My eyes jumped from him to the driver at the front, wondering if I should call his attention as he kept driving further and further away. It took courage but I finally voiced to the man beside me, “I mean my own home” “You live with me from now on” I almost swallowed my tongue, heat spreading up my neck in frustration, “Bu-but my things…” I trailed off. “I’ll have someone pick them up by morning,” he says effectively putting an end to the discussion. I sit tensed, my fingers clasped tightly around the clutch in my la
Ian is seated behind a large oak desk that dominates the room. He looks up at my entrance. And I catch a look of surprise etched on his features before he becomes unreadable again. “I thought you’d be resting by now” The walls are covered in shelves housing books. There is a sitting area leading just up to his desk spanning two black leather couches, and two side tables holding decanter of alcohol. Stealing my spine, I walk to the middle of the room, stopping between his table and the bit of space spanning his sitting area, there’s more than enough distance between us. "I needed to talk to you, is this a good time? I can come back later" I say then winced already I'm thinking of ways to turn back my mind whispered. No, I just prefer not to disturb him, Dad didn't like interruptions when he was working. Ian motioned to the seats on the other side of his desk. I shake my head. “I can’t do this.” “Do what?” I wring my hands in front of me, then bring them down to my sides,