The Bachelor's Desire

~ Meredith POV ~ “Do you, Meredith Anne Downing, take Richard Fitzgerald III to be your lawfully wedded husband? To protect, love, cherish and respect through good and bad times until death do you part?” the priest asked me in a church full of people. Do I take Richard to be my husband? My lawfully bound husband until death? I felt fear for the death part… as this is the only way he will let me be free of him. I want to say no but I can’t; too afraid of what would happen if I did in front of a room full of people. The repercussions for openly embarrassing or disrespecting him would be devastating... for me. So as a good obedient girl I said, “I do.” Although, it sounded more like a whisper than anything beyond the screams in my head . The screams and shouting instantly stopped once I made that verbal commitment. Once those two life-changing words were said. I do. I heard the crowd behind me cheer with joy as I agreed to the union. Then, without skipping a beat the priest turned to Richard, which is the only thing I am allowed to call him and nothing else , because he said he is worthy of his strong name and I am unworthy to shorten or nickname it. “Do you, Richard Fitzgerald III, take Meredith Anne Downing to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and hold. To protect, love, cherish and respect through good and bad times until death do you part?” Without hesitation and a small smirk, Richard said, “I do.” Knowing he only meant the ‘until death do you part’ part. “You may now kiss the bride.” the priest said shortly afterwards, causing the church to ring out in loud cheers and excitement as if the Colorado Rockies had won the World Series. He was smiling as he took my hand in his and turned me around to face the church full of people applauding our union. Little did any of them realize that this was not going to be a happy everafter... at least not for me. But then again, most of the people here are not here because they know me personally. Most of them are either business partners or soon to be business partners. I held my breath slightly, trying to keep a smile on my face as Richard pulled me gently down the aisle to the end of the church leading me outside and around the corner of the church. Once around the corner, I was terrified as to what would happen once we were alone. Then he spoke in a low deep voice that made every one of my hairs stand on end. “You are mine now Meredith. You will continue to be obedient to me for the rest of your life. If you defy me, it will not end well for you. Do you understand?” Richard sneered at me through a fake smile. I lowered my eyes and nodded gently in agreeance before he said, “good girl; now show me that pretty little smile.” as he gripped my chin between his thumb and forefinger lifting my eyes to him saying “It’s your wedding day afterall.” smiling at me as if he has tamed a great beast or won the best prize in a contest and kissed me. My breath hitched as he reached out and bent his right arm for me to place my hand into it. He smiled widely, nodded and led me back to the front of the church to greet our guests once more, but now as husband and wife. My heart wrenched knowing I was his forever with each step I took. I suddenly sat straight up panting heavily as if I had just ran a 5K race. My heart was thumping hard and loudly inside my chest while my eyes were open wide as saucers scanning the room for any sort of recollection as sweat poured out from me. After a few moments, I realized I was in my bedroom and in the safety of my bed. “It was only a dream.” I said trying to comfort myself. Feeling overwhelmed I started shaking and then placed my face in my hands and sobbed uncontrollably. Thank God it was only a dream… more like a soon to be real life nightmare. A nightmare... I will be living in forever.