A lone tear left her eyes as she looked at her thighs, which were adorned with the white silk chiffon fabric. Peaceful music was playing in the background which was soothing to hear. The chatter of people was heard by her; they were laughing and quite happy - quite opposite to her state of mind. The white veil had covered her face, yet still she could see the surroundings because of its transparency. She was sitting in the makeup room, waiting to be called.
If you're confused, lemme tell you - today's her wedding - a marriage of convenience, to be precise.
"Bella, it's time..." The voice of a young lady with a medium height with a beautiful figure was heard in the room.
Bella, who was in the wedding gown, who was also shedding tears just a while ago, nodded in response. The girl, who was her bride's maid, as well as her best friend, came closer to her and helped her stand up by holding her shoulders. Both their eyes were glistened--they both knew why. She wiped my tear and sniffled as she spoke, "you're so brave for this."
A tear made its way to Bella's eyes, and she hugged her tight, not being able to hold in her emotions. This all happened too suddenly, too much for both of them to process. Christiana, her best friend, slowly rubbed her best friend's back, trying to calm her down.
"The mascara's expensive." Christiana said which made Bella chuckle.
"Seriously?" she sniffled as she broke the hug.
"Thank god the mascara is waterproof." Christiana said with a smile.
She rolled her teary eyes on her friend's silly comments. Before she could say anything, there was a knock on the door. Bella quickly wiped her tears, while her friend passed a 'come-in' to the person behind the door.
The door opened to reveal her father with a soft smile.
"It's time, my dear. Are you ready?" he spoke in the softest voice to her.
She nodded and smiled to assure her father, even though she did not know how much of it was. She slowly walked towards him and held his arm, while Christiana handed her the Bouquet. She rushed to her wedding hall from the back door to stand in the place of the bridesmaids.
Bella walked down towards the doors of the wedding hall. Once it is opened, her whole life will change drastically. What's worse than marrying a stranger that you don't know of? Bella's mind was filled with thoughts about her incoming life. About how would her husband treat her.....How her life would be after the exchange of vows....
"Sweetheart?" Her thoughts came into a halt at her father's voice. She hummed in response as she looked at him through her transparent veil which was covering her face.
He heaved a sigh before speaking, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
I was caught in a state of dilemma. What should I do? Should I say no? Should I just back off?---were her exact thoughts.
But then.......the thoughts of the aftermath of her decision hit her. She was again stuck in her thoughts. Closing her eyes, she exhaled a breath and looked at her father who was looking at her worriedly.
She nods in response while gulping the lump in her throat. "Yes, I am ready." She spoke.
Her father looks at her concerned but he knows that if it's her decision, then he must stick to it.
They slowly walk towards the giant door of the church, which was opened by the guards surrounding the door. The door slowly opened, and the heads of the crowd turned to see the bride. All the eyes were on her, scanning her, making her feel a little anxious but she shook it off while she slowly walked with her father in the aisle. But the eyes that were not only looking at her, but were engulfing the beauty of the bride as she slowly walked towards the altar. The owner of those eyes gulped as a hue of red spread on their cheeks as drops of sweat formed on their forehead.
"Relax, Calvin. Stare at her all you want in your bed tonight, but for now hold your horses." His friend, Matthew, whispered in his ears making the groom's--Calvin's eyes widen. His head snapped in the direction of his friend while he was controlling his laughter while biting his lower lip. Giving him a deadly glare, he turns back to his soon-to-be wife who was kind of struggling in her dress, but still she managed to walk elegantly trying not to show her struggle. His eyes were just stuck at her; adoring her, looking at her with admiration. On the other hand, Bella was sweating out of nervousness. She could see her husband's figure through her transparent veil covering her face. When she was near the altar, her right hand clutched on her dress, while her left hand was clutched tightly around the bouquet.
"Go, dear." Her father said with teary eyes, as he let go of her hand.
Bella looked at her father with slight wide eyes. It was finally time, now? She will let go of her loving family and go to someone she didn't even know of. She'll be living in someone's house as a wife....someone's better half. And that someone is someone she didn't know of. Irony, isn't it?
Her attention was soon caught by her best friend, and her bridesmaids for now, who took the bouquet from her so that she could climb up the altar. Her grip tightened on her gown, as she struggled to pull it up so that she could climb up the altar. Before she could do anything, she saw a big hand in front of her. She looked up to see a handsome man dressed in an tuxedo with two buttons open on his t-shirt. It was none other than her dear husband, who was now looking at her with a gentle yet stoic look. He had forwarded his hands for her to take; so that she won't have any trouble climbing up the altar. With shivering hands, she placed her hands in her husband's, who gently helped her up the altar.
And finally....her eyes met the hazel ones in front of her, which were staring deep into her soul through that net veil she had on her face. She scanned his face, like she hadn't ever seen the male species in her whole life. She had seen his photos on his Instagram before the engagement, but now, he was standing in front of her. According to her, he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her life, even though she was just seeing him through the net veil. 'I will be spending my whole life with him?' thoughts ran through her head as she continued looking, or shall I say gawking at her soon-to-be husband.
On the other hand, Calvin was mesmerized by the goddess in front of him. She looked better even from the close. The camera didn't do justice to her beautiful face! He couldn't believe that he was marrying her, finally. He noticed how her pupils were slightly moving as she stared right into his hazel orbs. He had imagined this day to come, but his wife had completely stolen the show, and his attention as well. His thumbs were slowly caressing her knuckles as they both looked at each other. Those little strokes of his hands were erupting a zoo of butterflies in her stomach but she tended to shoo them away.
'Stop acting like you're whipped! Refrain, Calvin!' his conscience scolded him.
The sound of clearing of the throat caught their attention. Both their heads turned towards the priest who looked tired. They both left each other's hands in a second and Christiana handed her the bouquet of flowers. She passed a sweet smile at her while she nodded in response.
The Christian customs soon started and her feet started to hurt at the long speeches. Why? Cause she was wearing Saint Laurent heels on her wedding day. Yep, her wedding is incomplete without these.
Yet still, her mind soon drifted off to many thoughts. Her life after this... what if her husband doesn't allow her to work? What if that happens? She'll die out of boredom for sure. And what if her husband thinks of her as a baby producing machine? And just wants her for bed pleasures? What if that happens? But can she say no to this marriage? No.
"Mr Calvin Arthur Richards and Mrs Bella Evans, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?" the priest's words snapped her out of the dilemma she was in.
Calvin looked at her and she looked at him. Their eyes traveled towards their parents sitting at the nave, smiling at them. Bella heaves a sigh and looks forward to face the priest. Calvin, on the other hand, sucked in a sharp breathe and fought with his inner turmoil for a while and looked up straight at the priest.
"I have." They both responded simultaneously.
"Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?" the priest continued which made Bella gulp.
She was scared. She was genuinely scared of her future. What should she do?
Calvin looked at her softly, not knowing what to say next. Bella felt his gaze on her. She really didn't want to stretch it furthermore. She didn't want those ladies to gossip about her. She didn't want to tame her parents' name.
'For your parents...' she thought.
She looked at him for assurance and they both nodded.
"I am." they both replied simultaneously.
"Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church." the priest continued.
Calvin slowly took her veil off of her face and hung it back, while blushing. He then gently took her right hand and placed it just on top of his palm, while Bella blushed slightly at his gentle behavior.
'They're all like this at first, and then they all change! Don't trust him bella!' her mind scolded her.
"I, Calvin Arthur Richards, take you, Bella Evans, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life." Calvin spoke in a loud enough voice to everyone present there to hear it, while he looked at her with soft eyes, even though it still hid his stoic personality behind.
Bella's lips parted a bit hearing his addictive voice. She was getting addicted to his voice alone. She came out of her daze as she saw the Greek god in front of him raise his eyebrow signaling her to speak her vows.
She looked away embarrassed and gulped down a lump of saliva she had in her throat.
"I, Bella Evans, take you, Calvin Arthur Richards, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life." She spoke every word quite clearly and enough for people to hear.
"May the Lord in his kindness strengthen the consent you have declared before the Church and graciously bring to fulfillment his blessings within you. What God has joined, let no one put asunder. May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God who joined together our first parents in paradise, strength and bless in Christ the consent you have declared before the Church, so that what God joins together, no one may put asunder.
Let us bless the Lord." the priest spoke again while reading through his bible.
"Thanks be to God." The audience spoke.
While all this had happened, the couple were too lost in each other's eyes. Bella's chocolate orbs were something that were somehow making Calvin hypnotized. Her beautiful button nose, well-toned cheeks, red-hued cheeks which were complimenting her fair skin. Her chocolate orbs, plump lips, crimson cheeks with light freckles acting like a cherry on top for her beautiful fair skin. She had little acne scars, which went unnoticed by Calvin, who was just lost in her eyes and her beauty. He didn't even know why he felt like that. It was coming, again. He thought that all these feelings won't come again when he would see her again, but he was so wrong.
Bella, on the other hand, was too busy staring at his beautiful husband. His hazel eyes were putting a magic spell on her. A very deep one. He had a perfect straight nose, with perfect heart shaped lips. Long eyelashes which any girl could die for; clear skin with one or two acne scars. A slight stubble on his chin, complimenting fair toned skin. She found herself staring or gawking at him, while he did the same.
"Bless, O Lord, these rings which we bless in your name. so that those who wear them may remain entirely faithful to each other, abide in peace and in your will, and live always in mutual charity. Through Christ our Lord." The priest said, snapping them out of their bubble of staring at each other.
Two attendees came towards them with a cushion carrying both their rings, after the priest had sprinkled holy water on them. Calvin took the diamond ring with neat and elegant design and spoke, "Bella Evans, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit."
Calvin gently took her shivering hands in his and carefully slid in the diamond ring. Her eyes were stuck at it. It was just....splendid! She looked up at him and his lips formed a slight smile, which made her cheeks go a little pink. Her gaze shifted from his face to the cushion which carried a silver ring which had a little diamond in the middle and some small yet specific details around it.
She picked it up with her right hand, while Calvin forwarded his left hand for her to put in the ring. She looked at him and then gently held his hand as she slid the silver ring on his hand. Meanwhile, Calvin looked at the little lady in front of him, who was now sliding the wedding ring on his hand. He couldn't understand this feeling again, but he chose to ignore it.
"Calvin Richards, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit." Bella took her vow while staring right into his eyes.
"Now let us humbly invoke God's blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony." the priest read out from his bible, to which many guests looked at the couple adoring them.
"In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss!" the priest said those final words that everybody had been waiting for. Many smiles bloomed on the faces present there, while others enjoyed some snacks or desserts kept there. Here, the couples standing there gulped a lump of saliva. Beads of sweat made its way from the back of Bella's necks and got missing in the midst of her hair which were done in a half updo.
Calvin slowly leaned in and touched their foreheads with each other. His left hand snaked around her neck while his thumb was slowly caressing her outer cheek. Bella felt her cheeks getting heated up even more than it already had. Her eyes, which had automatically lowered when he had gotten close, fluttered open, only to see sadness in her husband's eyes. It made her question things. Her overthinking was taking a toll on her now.
'Maybe he thinks that I'm ugly, that's why I guess he doesn't wanna kiss me...so he's sad?' her mind flooded with questions.
Calvin sensed that she was having some tycoon in her brain as he saw quivering eyes. He knew that all this would make her uncomfortable. But, what can he do? If he had the power, he would've stopped his whole wedding if she were not comfortable. But. It was not under his control.
He heaved a sigh and continued caressing her cheeks and slowly muttered, "I'm sorry.." he slowly leaned in and pressed his thumb over lip and tilted his neck to the audience, while he pressed his lip against his thumb.
Bella's eyes shot up at his actions, but she decided to follow his lead and closed her eyes, pretending to kiss him. After a moment, he leaned back and they both looked at each other, but then the whole audience cheered for the new couple, clapping their hands. Upon hearing them, they both turned towards the guests and smiled brightly at them. It was over.....so easily.
Shivers traveled down her spine as she felt a hand snaking around her hand, engulfing her little hands into their big ones. She knew who it belonged to. It was none other than her husband who was smiling at the guests present there. She refrained herself from looking at him, so she looked in the front, waving at those guests who aww-ing the couple.
"Congratulations, Mrs Richards." she sucked in a sharp breathe hearing a deep hoarse voice near her ears. It belonged to her husband–who was fanning his hot breath over her ears. She squinted her lips to refrain herself from blushing but failed miserably.
----------------
A message pinged on Christiana's phone and her face went pale. She was currently sitting at a table, chatting with her friends. The wedding ceremony had just completed and they were all relaxing and waiting for the next ceremony to start.
Christiana read that message again—dread spread over her. She got up and excused herself.
'I'll have to inform her before leaving.....' Christiana thought in her mind and rushed to her best friend, Bella, who was busy with her family members—his family, to be precise.
Upon reaching, she excused herself and Bella for something important and the family happily agreed. She dragged her friend to a corner and showed her the message. Bella's eyes widened, and her head snapped at her friend's direction.
Christiana's lips persuaded and she looked at her friend regretfully. Bella's eyes softened knowing the inner turmoil her friend was going through. She patted her shoulder with an assuring smile creeping her face.
"You go, I'll manage." she smiled.
Christiana nodded and rushed out of the venue. She called up the nearest taxi and sat on the seat, while anxiously tapping her foot on the floor of the car.
"Not this time again, dad.." she muttered under her breathe with concern spreading upon her face.
-----------------------
"Argh!" Bella grunted as she struggled to get out of the car, while her husband was busy on his phone. She sent him silent glares because of the way he was treating her.
She did not like the way he was treating her. His personality took a complete 360° turn when they reached home. He ignored her the whole ride. Not even one word. He didn't even ask her if she had eaten or not. He had just ignored his wife!
She saw him squinted his eyes upon her condition, and then he directed an attendee to help her rather than putting some effort to move his legs and come to her and help her with her big ass gown. But no, he wouldn't.
And he had his reason which Bella wasn't aware of.
The maid helped her with the dress and helped her walk inside. Her annoyance faded quick as she saw the big ol' mansion in front of her! It was damn hugee! I mean she knew they were loaded, but these were her dreams! She was in complete awe as she looked at the mansion with sparkly eyes, unaware of the pair of eyes which were staring at her lovingly.
"Wow..." she muttered under her breath as she stepped in the mansion, with her husband behind her, engulfed in his mailbox. She slowly made her steps inside.
There was a big living area in the middle as she entered the house. Big couches and tables were settled there with some fresh fruits in a bowl which were kept in the middle of the table. There was a huge TV in front of the sofa, which was huge as well.
She further moved ahead and looked at the hall in the middle. It was, HUGE. Some books were placed on some shelves and family photos were hung on the walls. She smiled at all those and her eyes went to the staircase which was at the end of the hallway.
Even though she wanted to explore more, she couldn't because of her tiredness. She decided that she would discover more some other day and moved her towards the staircase with the maid helping her from behind.
"Where is our room?" Bella asked as they reached upstairs.
"Mam, sir and your room are separate." the attendee spoke with a lower gaze.
Her brows furrowed at that, "what?" Bella questioned.
"Sir said he wanted to give you some privacy...until you both get to know each other.." the maid who looked very young, stated.
"Okay..." Bella nodded. 'Well, I will agree that I liked his idea of giving each other space because we didn't know each other and we both needed some time.' she thought in her mind.
"Well, you can go now. Good night." Bella said and smiled at the attendee after she guided her to her room.
Once she got inside her room, she shut the door and locked it from inside. She threw herself on the bed and closed her eyes in frustration.
Write a comment ...