3— Getting Wedded

Every functioning organ in me stopped working at the statement. She'd be humble. Her background? So first, they wanted a wife from a lower background because she'd take whatever they dished out to her.

Humility means taking whatever was being dished out to you.

That's it.

Oh my god.

My head spun around as my memories tried rushing back. The same cycle. Goodness, I was about to repeat the same goddamn cycle.

“Calvin…” Mrs Logan stressed and hurried to us, “Why will you say that?”

“Isn't it a fact?” He shook his head and rubbed his temples, “I have loads of work to attend to, do you want to get married or not?”

“I will not,” my voice came out firm as my fist tightened, “Until you apologize to me. For coming late and for talking to me lowly.”

At that moment, the people in the hall were staring at us and that moment, mum rushed to me.

“Cora!”

“Apologize to me or we won't go ahead with the wedding.”

“Oh dear,” Mrs Logan forced a smile and grabbed my shoulders, “please let it slide. I would talk to him.”

“No,” I stated calmly. The last time I let the first slide, it kept on happening. I'm grown now. I'd handle it the way I should.

“Then you don't have to get married to me. I'm not in the mood for this after all,” he rolled his eyes and turned to his mother, “Get another bride. Fix next week Friday. Get the money back from her mother.”

“No,” mum mouthed a silent scream and grabbed my head at once, her eyes pleading and I understood. Mum already spent the money. That means… I had to compromise.

“I'll leave,” he turned and mum gasped.

“No. Don't leave yet. Cora, please. Just let this slide. I spent the money already,” she whispered desperately and I shut my eyes.

Too much compromise for this woman. Fine!

“Okay,” I breathed.

“She has agreed to let it go!” Mum said and Calvin paused in his steps before turning and walking back to us.

“Let's get done with this.”

I licked my lips and fought back the urge to say any more words and slowly, I walked with him to the inner court and in no time, we were reading the vows.

Fake vows. Oh Cora, How'd you get here?

“Yes, I do,” I replied to the priest when he asked the question.

“Now, you may kiss the bride.”

And the two of us paused. Raising my head, I met the pair of eyes staring calmly at me and for a second, my heart thumped and slowly, he leaned down— into me.

And before I could grab it, his lips were on mine. And gently, he sucked on them and I hated that my eyes went shut. Soft. The spicy taste of his lips. But it was barely 3 seconds.

When the lips disappeared, my eyes snapped open and raising them to see his face, irritation was written on his face, reigniting the earlier rage.

Irritated he kissed a poor girl? Oh god, How'd I get here?

“Congratulations!” Screams from the group of five people and claps from the bodyguards filled my ears while I gazed down at my finger and the ring was already on.

Probably when I slipped into my thoughts. He must think lowly of me now.

“Thank you,” I watched Calvin say to his mum while she hugged him and slowly, I walked down the altar towards them.

“Goodness, the ring looks very pretty on your hand,” mum gushed as she stared at my hand and I forced a smile.

“I'll leave.” Calvin spoke and turned to the bodyguard who brought me, “Take her home.”

“Calvin,” his mother caught his hand as he was about to leave, “You just got married to her!”

“And my trusted guard is taking her home. What else should I do?” Frustration coated his voice slightly, “Or if you want, go home with her, Aurelia.”

“Don't be rude to me.”

And that moment, I realized he called his mum by her name. That definitely tells a lot. Not surprised.

“Let him go. It's not real after all.”

“That's it.” The sharp voice came on and grabbed my face so roughly it took me by surprise, “if you let this flop,” His voice tightened, “if you let anyone know this is fake. I promise. It won't go well for you.”

And my jawline was released roughly, the same way it was grabbed, while I remained in shock. Abuse. That was abuse. Another one.

My heart palpitated as my eyes remained wide open in shock while reality played in my head. He grabbed my jaw so roughly in front of everyone. That means…

Would he hit me when no one is there?

Would… it happen all over again?

“Calvin!” Mrs Logan screamed and I heard the rough exhale.

“I'm sorry,” Calvin's voice broke into my thoughts and I raised my head to him and for a second, guilt flashed across his face before he turned and headed out through the door.

“I'm so sorry, dear,” Mrs Logan held my shoulders and gently kneaded them, “He's just stressed. Don't take it to heart please.”

And raising my head, I managed to find my voice, “Would he hit me?” My voice was barely audible but with the expression on Mrs Logan's face, I bet she heard me.

“No. Of course not. He won't. I promise. He's not that way. He's just stressed.”

Almost the same words.

“I am not like that. I am just sick.”

Would I cope? I could. When you stand up for yourself, you will conquer everything. I already signed the agreement. I can't do anything.

“It's okay,” I got myself back and smiled, “it's not a problem.”

“It won't happen again I'm sure,” mum chipped in and I nodded before turning to the guard.

“Can we go?”

“Yes ma,” he bowed and I headed after him with Mrs Logan by my side.

“I wish I can follow you right now but I have to attend to the media about this marriage.”

“It's okay,” I smiled at her, “Thank you.”

We reached the car and mum pulled me in for a hug I almost repelled. “Take care of yourself. Let some things go too.”

“Bye,” I pulled out of the hug fighting back a scoff and Mrs Logan hugged me.

“There's Lorraine at home. She will put you through everything.”

“Lorraine?” I asked, confused and she smiled.

“Yes, Calvin's housekeeper.”

“Oh,” I muttered before I got into the car and slowly wondered how the coming six months was going to be.