chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

MARA’S POV

Huh? Why does this place look so familiar?

"Hey Mara, hurry up and go get the juice from the basement." Wasn't that Sam's voice? I thought he wasn't talking to me again.

Suddenly, someone that was an exact copy except with shorter hair sprinted through me. Seeing the dress she was wearing, I realized that this was a recollection.

I stood like a bystander and watched as my other self sprinted to the basement happily. I remember thinking at that time that the orphanage kids surely make it obvious that they wanted to surprise for my birthday.

I waited in the basement for a little while to give them time before coming out with the juice. I had been all smiles as I walked into the hall we used for celebrations in the orphanage.

What I had seen had shattered me.

The banner that had been hung didn't say happy birthday. Instead it said, congratulations Talia on your successful Thesis.

Talia stood amidst them with all smiles as they sang for her and celebrated while I watched on, forgotten and alone.

"There it is. What took you so long, Mara. The younger children were already clamoring for the juice." Sam asked loudly and that was when Talia's eyes met mine.

"Mara, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that they prepared all this for me. I thought it was for your birthday." Talia said guiltily.

At this moment, a normal person would have lashed out but as I remembered how Talia had been the only person who wished me happy birthday, I toned down my anger.

At this point, everyone was staring at me

"It's alright. It's not that much of a big deal."

"How is it not much of a big deal? Look at you all dressed up in your best gown. I'm sure you also thought that the celebration was for you. This is unfair to Mara guys. Come here Mara. Well celebrate your birthday instead."

I hesitantly walked over to Talia and I could hear the snide remarks of the orphanage kids.

"There she goes again, ruining another nice event."

"Is a birthday that important?"

"Talia is way too nice for this world."

"Can't she see her plain face? Who would want to celebrate with her over Talia?"

"Party ruiner."

"Her best dress? More like her worst rag. Look at that worn out piece of crap."

The remarks that were only whispers began to get louder as I replaced myself in the recollection. They all began to surround me as they said degrading words over and over.

I covered my ears, frantic to block their words but it was of no use as it resounded in my mind clearly.

"Her Mara." Talia called and I looked up at her in hopes she would relieve my pain like always.

"Don't have hopes. You'll always be in my shadow." She said, a sly smirk on her face that looked so foreign.

I suddenly sprang up in fear only to find myself on my bed. Hit with relief and sadness, I bawled my eyes out till I had no tears left to shed.

“It’s okay Mara, it’s all going to be okay. You’ll get someone who will love you more than you love yourself.” Gretel comforted me and I nodded as her words appeased my spirit a little bit.

I looked out the window only to notice that it was still late at night. I sighed and laid back on my bed intending to force myself back to sleep because my wedding was the next day.

Even if I wasn’t getting married on my own terms, I was sure as hell not doing it with a haggard face. Soon, sleep lulled me back into its embrace and by the time I woke again, it was the day of my wedding.

I didn’t even get a chance to get my bearings before a multitude of people led by Mother stormed into my room and then began to fuss over me. I was dragged off my bed and then shoved into the bathroom to take a bath. From the other side of the door, mother kept urging me to be quick as they moved about doing god knows what in my room while chattering.

I came out of the bathroom toweling down and donning my bathrobe only and then they dragged me to Talia’s room where I was instructed to sit on the chair before her dresser.

I didn’t even get to comment about how they invaded Talia’s room as they didn’t even give me a chance to speak. Daniella, Talia’s friend who I heard was a stylist, walked in and then began to fret over me while wearing a cold expression.

“Your skin is way too rough and tanned for my liking. If it had been Talia that was here, I wouldn’t have so much trouble finding the right shade of concealer for her.” She remarked for the umpteenth time as she worked my makeup. She had continuously made remarks comparing me to Talia which made me start second guessing if I should really go on with this marriage.

The worst thing was that the other ladies in the room also agreed, making me feel even smaller than I felt before.

Soon I was done and then I was fitted into a very beautiful wedding gown before I was towed into an equally expensive car then driven to the venue.

Everything was going too fast for me but I couldn’t even protest.

I soon reached the venue where I was sent to the waiting room. I had spotted Rhys talking to another man as soon as I entered and I had to admit, he looked dashing as hell. I tried to make small talk since we were about to start a life binding arrangement to see if he was as nervous as I was but he didn’t respond to me. He exuded a cold and distant aura, which made me upset.

I felt intimidated so I stopped my attempt at getting through to him. I then focused on picking at the flower adorning my dress.

I could hear him step out as he was called to walk the aisle. Then soon, I was also summoned.

Mother helped me walk down the aisle that had mostly strangers on both sides. The ceremony was almost mechanical at this point but I tried to keep a radiant smile like Mother told me and pretend like I was the happiest bride in the world.

It was all a blur from then.

The preacher talking, the vows, I do.

“… and now, you may kiss the bride.”

I didn’t get to fully process that sentence before Rhys’s mouth came crashing down on mine in a ferocious kiss. My mind blanked as pain and dare I say pleasure shot through me. At this point, I didn’t know where I stopped or began as I was kissed senseless.

Eventually, his mouth parted from mine as we both painted. I could vaguely hear cheers from the crowd as they celebrated the passionate couple.

I was still in my headspace unable to fully comprehend anything around me, until he bent and whispered in a voice only he and I could hear.

“I know what you did to Talia. You think marrying me equals happiness ever after in riches and power? No! I’ll let you realize that saying I do to me was the biggest mistake you ever made in your life. Brace yourself dear Mara because I’ll let you know what true suffering is.”