Chapter 2 - Whose Wife

Waking up to realize that there is no body occupying the space next to you can be heartbreaking, especially if it's supposed to be your honeymoon.

Walking from the bathroom to the balcony after taking a shower, I take in the beautiful island we are in. From a distance, I could see the blue ocean waves and the numerous green tress surrounding the area. Taking a deep breath in, my nostrils are instantly hit with the fresh smell of non-polluted air. I might as well enjoy my time here, I think.

Walking back to the room, I change into my spring floral dress that Steven loves so much. What changed between us exactly? The Steven that kept on bothering me for two weeks straight just so that I could go on a date with him five years ago isn't the Steven I know now. He is no longer the guy that made time for me no matter what came up and definitely not the guy that couldn't leave me alone in the same room as his brother. But now he is so comfortable with it that he even asked me to stand in the altar with Blake! The thought continues to make me feel even more stupid the day after.

Don't think about it, just try to enjoy your time here.

I'm right, I should just focus on this lovely island. Now finished with fixing myself, I take my room card and leave the honeymoon suite. Mother and I made plans to spend a few hours together, since she has to go back home and fix some few things.

Stepping into the spa, I am met with the most beautiful woman ever - my mother. I believe that she used to be a model in her days even though she denies it. Like the way her curves fit in her well maintained fit body, she is just amazing. And her face! Don't let me get started on my mother's face. She has a perfect jawline- Angelina Jolie type. With the perfect eyes which I inherited from her - sky blue eyes. The same ones that made me fall for Steven when I realized how he had the same eye color as mine.

"Mother!" I run up to her and even though she is mad, she hugs me nevertheless.

"Let's go to the steam room, I want to yell at you properly without disturbance." She throws the hotel's white gown at me and walks into the steam room.

"So Aria, tell me what in the world is going on!" Where is Steven?" Mother yells before I could get comfortable and I could see the steam coming from her and trust me, it's not the one caused by the steam room we are occupying.

"Mom it's really complicated."

"Complicated she says! Don't you dare use that word on me. You just don't want me telling you how stupid you are."

"Fine. I will tell you what is going on but promise not to kill Steven."

"Will you just tell me what is going on and start straight from the beginning before I slap some sense into you because it looks like you need a good slap."

With mother staring at me so angrily but with worry swelling on her face, I tell her what happened. Starting from the moment I got a call from Steven.

*

"Babes why are you calling? You're going to see me just a few minutes from now, don't worry." I smile and try to focus on putting on the diamond earrings he got for me and asked that I wear on our special day.

"That is the problem. I won't be able to make it today-"

My heart hits the ground and shatters the same moment my phone does. This- this can not be happening. I tell myself and could feel the room getting smaller as if trying to squeeze the living out of me.

"Babes?! Aria?" I hear Steven's voice from my phone that is lying on the white fluffy carpet.

I rapidly pick it up, "what do you mean Steven?!"

"Look before you start getting really mad, just know I have a solution okay. I talked to my brother and after a very lengthy conversation and business deals he agreed to stand in as me and keep the wedding going. I had to leave for a business meeting which is out of the country." He talks as if choosing a business deal over me is not a big of a deal.

"You what?! This is crazy Steven. You know how much your brother and I can't stand each other so why would you want me to stand with him at the altar? You want me to seriously say my vows to another man?! You want me to kiss another man?! Really now?!"

"Noooo, I don't want that but that is the best I could come up with. Like I said, I talked to Blake and he also agreed not to kiss you on the lips okay? He will kiss your cheek and everything will be fine."

Dropping to the floor, I try to process things. "Can I think about this?"

There is a huge silence before he could answer, "sure but please think about us also Aria. You know that I never wanted this to go this way right?"

"Right." I then drop the call and throw my phone across the room.

Taking in a deep inhale, I kneel down and pray to God to give me the strength and let my heart lead me in the right path. After I'm done I stand before the mirror and my heart breaks.

Steven won't see me walking down the aisle with my father in this beautiful dress. He won't see the huge smile on my face as I reach the altar and hold his hands. He won't say his vows meant for me in front of the pastor and everyone else, including me. With the thoughts roaming my mind, I get really frustrated that I pick up the flower vessel on the left side of the mirror and throw it across the room. I kick the dark blue sofas from their places I mess the place up and do feel better afterwards.

I look back into the mirror again.

Don't do it Aria. It's a bad idea

But me being the stupid girl I am, I open the door and tell the people outside that I'm getting married. When the cleaners walked in, I could hear their horrified gasps as I walked away. Good thing I left some money with a note saying how sorry I am. That is the least I could do for bringing them into my mess.

*

Silence falls upon us after I'm done telling mother what had happened. Her eyes inspect my every move for minutes before she finally says something.

"So let me get this straight, you went ahead with Steven's idea even though I raised you better that this Aria! Where did you lose you mind?"

"You won't understand mom."

"I need a drink." She walks out of the steam room with me following behind. We change into our clothes and head towards the dining area.

Along the way, we had been quiet. I know she won't say anything until she at least orders her drink. This is going to be a long day.

Arriving at the diner, we are greeted by a beautiful waitress who leads us to our respectful seats. We take our order and mom does order her red wine.

"Aria I did not raise you this way. Or was I doing such a terrible job that a boy comes into view and you forget everything?" She asks and I could see the pain in her eyes. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I start playing with the table cloth. "From a young age I tried to not hide the relationship between your father and I. How he is not the best father and husband because of his workaholic ways. I might still be in this marriage with him but I don't want you to be like me. I want what is best for you and frankly, this does not look like that. If Steven could not make time for his wedding, what else won't he make time for?"

"I don't know but mom I love him. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I know that this looks bad but Steven loves me too and he-"

"Your father loves me too but look at our relationship. He is not the man I fell in love with years ago that got me pregnant at 18."

"Mom," I slip my hands into hers and squeeze them tightly, "I know you are worried about me and that you don't want to see me hurt but there is a reason I went ahead with this. I know that Steven messed up big time but he is probably sorry and will make it up to me and you."

Our food and drinks arrive causing me to pull my hands away from my mother's and start digging in.

"Just so we are on the same page, I no longer love Steven but I will act civil towards him for your sake." She says and fixes the cloth onto her laps. "So the one you were at the alter with is Blake?"

"Yep. He is the one I've been telling you about."

"The one that you once believed had some sort of crush on his brother." She then laughs so hard, making me embarrassed as the couple close to our table stares at us crazily. I do say a lot of dumb things.

"Well the way he was acting made me think that there was some incest thing going on. He always picked on me and never hid his dislike from the moment I met him."

"Well it's better for someone to not hide their dislike for you rather than put on a smile yet wish you dead."

"True." I smile at her and cut the soft tender steak.

"So is anything going on between you two?"

I choke on my very delicious steak and I'm forced to gulp down a lot of water removing the wonderful taste in my mouth, "ew, no! Blake and I will never - ew mom! Even if he was the last man on earth, I will never ever have anything going on with him. He is the meanest person I've ever met and he hates me." I stab the steak with so much force that a 'click' sound is made from the contact of my fork and plate.

"That is what most people say." She takes a sip from her glass. "The way you people kissed, I almost got fooled into thinking it was a real wedding."

"Firstly, it was a real wedding. Secondly, we kissed just for the act."

"Are you sure? Because the way your lips were-"

"Mom!" I hide my face in my hands. "Can we please not talk about this?"

She lets out a laugh, "sure. Oh and you know that I have to go back home early, right?"

"Yes, you told me."

"Well I will be away for a long time after I finish with the deals back at home. There is some small country music celebrity that will be going on a two months tour and asked me to be her makeup artist. I will make sure to video call you everyday, okay?"

"Okay mom. But remember that I'm grown," I raise up my ring finger. "I'm someone's wife."

"Whose wife exactly?" She mumbles under her breath.

"Mom!"