For The Camera

"Eww!" Mia was yucked out.

I could not stop throwing up, my eyes were hot and I felt like I was floating on clouds of ice — I was cold and a bit lightheaded 

Uncle Pete wrapped the blanket around me. 

"There is the toilet bowl. You could have just gone in there." Jared was as disgusted as his fiancee.

Jared walked over to the wash basin and began cleaning himself.

"What should we expect from a low class?" Martha said from her distance.

Uncle Pete was the only one who didn't complain.

I moaned in discomfort. My stomach churned more, I felt like going for a second round and I was yet to have breakfast or even lunch.

I had no idea what the time was specifically but if I could guess, it was lunch or close to. Martha had refused me eating anything this morning despite being a pregnant woman who needed food for her fetus.

According to her, I didn't need to have a bloated stomach and look unattractive on her son's day. That had been laughable because I had a natural flat stomach. 

It didn't matter what I ate, it would never show.

Although, I had a lot of cold feet and nerves to be worried about so I didn't argue about the food part. 

"Uncle Pete, what do I do? She's ruined my suit." Jared was upset.

"Don't be a baby and come take her home." He told him, still supporting my weak body in his embrace.

"What?! There's no way I'm leaving. I have guests to see..."

"Exactly." Uncle Pete cut him short. "Guests to see what a caring husband you are, Jared. Going into politics is not all about being a smart business man and knowing how to talk. You are going to be ruling people. Be in charge of their welfare."

"What has that got to do with taking this tramp home?" Martha cut in.

"Enough with the name calling, Martha." Uncle Pete admonished her. "Jared, whatever you do here today, before the public eye, that's what is going to be used to judge you for a long time to come. If you're going to want to make this look real and also, prove to people they are deserving of your vote in the future, do that now."

"By taking her home?" He was very much annoyed.

"Literally, that's what you'll be doing. But in their eye, you are taking care of your home. You have sympathy and are kind. You show people what a good husband you can be, they'll be ready to give you a listening ear when it's time for politics. Remember, the man is the head of the home. A good husband equals a capable leader." 

"But..."

"No one wants a cold, unfeeling leader. A dictator. They want to see compassion, love, care, empathy and what better place to start if not in your home." Uncle Pete preached as he handed me over to Jared.

"You brought those media people out here today. Show them you're not what they initially thought of you."

I was weak as hell and could barely stand on my own. His body was so firm, even through the suit, I could feel it.

"Can you walk?" He asked me.

"I can try." I replied weakly.

He began to lead me out of the bathroom stall. I saw Mia's blazing eyes, if it were possible for her to melt me with those eyes, she'd have done it without a moment's thought. 

"I won't let you take my man away from me! You hear me, you slut!" She gave me a rough shove.

"Hey!" Uncle Pete shunned but she was already storming out of the place.

Martha gave me an equally blazing glare, hissed viciously and followed Mia out.

"Do something about your mom and Mia, Jared." Uncle Pete told him.

"You need to understand, uncle. She's my girlfriend. The girl I want to marry. She loves me and is only acting out of the pain she's feeling." Jared defended his girlfriend.

I didn't have the power to talk. My steps were lagging and I moved slower than a snail, my strength was failing. I was thoroughly weak.

"You want to be a leader, don't be stupid about it." Uncle Pete left the bathroom stall as well.

"You can't walk after all, can you?" The bitterness in his tone was conspicuous.

"I can manage." 

"No you can't! You can't do anything for me except to ruin my life and invite trouble." An angry groan left his mouth.

Despite his angry words, he lifted me off my feet gently. Wrapping the blanket tightly around me. Carrying me bridal style, he walked out the place.

His body was so snuggle-worthy, I couldn't resist given the state of my health. I held onto him and closed my eyes. 

I heard voices, hushed whispers. People were talking.

Where were we? I opened my eyes to see he was heading for the park where his cars were.

"What happened to your wife, Mr. Johnson?"

I saw uncle Pete in the crowds. He moved forward in an attempt to block the increasing crowd.

Wow! The world was filled with nosy people. 

Was this what dad and mom had been shielding me from? The judgemental, keen eyes of the public? 

"My nephew is quite busy. As you can see, his wife, whom we all know is pregnant, is feeling unwell and needs rest. Family comes first, isn't that right?" He smiled at the crowd.

Murmurs of agreement were heard from the crowd some of which were guests. 

Christian would definitely see this news of my marriage? Would he be happy? Or jealous? 

I sighed and subconsciously clung tighter to Jared, needing the stability his body provided at the moment.

"Let's give the new couple their space and privacy. Thank you." 

Then he turned and followed us. 

They stopped asking questions but that didn't stop them from taking pictures of me in Jared's arms. 

I didn't dare look at Mia's or Martha's face. 

One of his bodyguards opened the backdoor of his vehicle and gently, he lowered me to the seat, doing a public show of wrapping the blanket around me.

His suit and shoes still had some smear of my vomit. 

The cameras were still following, taking as many pictures as they could.

Everyone wanted news of a big shot business man such as Jared.

Then he did another show but this was one I didn't expect. 

He caressed my face and tilted my chin so I was eye level with him. "You'll be fine, darling."

I was surprised. 

Then he kissed my forehead.

That had my eyes widening in shock and within my chest, there was a little nervous flip.