10. Married
1466 Words
CHAPTER TEN
Had I been so obvious? Truthfully speaking the fact that somebody else seemed to have noticed this was not really a voluntarily wedding, made me a little bit less worried about my own safety. But what if this was a trap by Dominic to see what I could do? The latter thought put me on caution mode, my body muscles growing tensed all over again.
"What are you talking about Reed?" I question trying to suppress the sense of dread in me.
"I’m not a fool Nicole. Just tell me what the f**k is going on and I'll get you out of this bloody mess. I know my brother so well and I really do not believe you are in this marriage willingly. Just trust me this once Nicole, okay?"
Can I trust him? He clearly wanted to help me but still something stopped me. Maybe it was the fact that that I had realized Dominic had my whole family twirling around his finger. One wrong move and they were done for. Instead I smiled at Reed reassuringly.
"Trust me he is not. I love him so much and I wanted this marriage as much as he did," really smooth Nicole.
"But-"he began but was cut off by the entrance of a smiling Dominic.
"You are awake darling," he grinned while walking towards me but not before benefitting his younger brother with a glare.
Reed excused himself barely acknowledging his older brother's presence. Was there some kind of rift between them?
"Oh, by the way I had to tell everyone that the reason you fainted was because you are carrying my baby," I gasped in surprise. He did what? Was he retarded or was his brain just in the wrong place?
"Seriously? Are you crazy? "I sat up on the bed, this feeling angry. Was it not enough that he to blackmail me into this marriage that he had to go ahead and lie that I was pregnant?
"Your make up stylist is here already," he stated instead, his stone face leaving no room for argument.
"Wait, can I at least ask you some questions?" he nodded in affirmative.
"Yesterday, I left my car at my workplace, are you the one who delivered it to my place? Second, can you please explain to me all that house thing you were telling me? And third, can we please set some terms of this marriage?" I breathed out the moment the last word slipped off my lips.
"First off yeah I did deliver your car to your house. Second, your parents didn't want to tell you but they couldn't pay the mortgage, so when I learnt about it, I stepped in to help them out. Third, it's an absolute no. We are not placing any terms to this marriage and you better take my word for it," Why did I even bother suggesting that?
It was around seven forty five when the wedding stylist helped me into my gown. It was beautiful and it must have clearly caused a huge dent in Dominic's bank balance. That was it. I was going to seal my fate tonight in just a couple of minutes and the worst part was that I felt helpless.
"You look so beautiful," My mum chirped behind me, a warm smile on her face.
"Every girl looks beautiful in her wedding gown mum," I snapped. In truth, I was so mad at her and dad for not confiding into me about their mortgage and choosing instead to trust a total stranger. How could a stranger know about a family affair than I had no single clue about?
"Hey, what is wrong? You don't look too happy," so she did notice?
"Ever since I was a kid, I did everything to make sure I get your approval. I put all my efforts to be the daughter you have always wanted. From working hard in school to being at my top best behavior, I did it for you. While people were out partying and getting drunk, I spent my nights studying my ass off. But now I’m questioning myself whether I’m really your daughter," I snapped bitterly.
"Honey, what are you talking about?" She questioned, looking a little confused.
"You know damn well what I’m talking about. I thought you trusted me but it looks like you will always choose an outsider over me. But you know what? Thanks for everything," I stated sarcastically.
Her lips opened up as though she wanted to say something but she stopped. Wow! So she was not going to at least apologize for that? It hurt pretty bad and it was taking all the energy in my bones not to cry. I wouldn't want to ruin the high class make up that the stylist had done a pretty good job of.
"By the way Julian is walking me down the aisle," I dropped my final bomb. I expected her to object but she nodded before walking out.
A couple of minutes later Julian walked in, immaculate in a white Armani suit. He looked pretty handsome and for the first time, his hair was actually styled, giving him a mature look.
"Who thought I'd ever wear something this expensive in my life?" he grinned sliding into the couch beside me.
"Did you know about the mortgage Julian?" I asked point blank straight.
"Nicks..."So he knew too? God! I had never felt so betrayed my entire life. He was my twin brother and he was supposed to tell me everything. Ugh! To hell with him too then.
"How could you keep this from me? That house is where I grew up Julian and those are my parents too," Was I not that important to them anymore? It was so much easier for them to let a stranger buy me off instead of telling me about the mortgage.
"I wanted to tell you but you were pretty suffocated with the work pressure. So when Dominic stepped in, we thought there was no need to tell you,”
"But I still had the right to know. I could have paid for the mortgage myself from my savings,"
"This is exactly what mum didn't want. You have been saving over the years and it's your money. Your career had been down the road for a while now, so you obviously need the money Nicks."
"You know what? It's time for the wedding. So just walk me down the f*****g aisle and you'll never have to deal with me again like you all wanted," I stood up clutching the sides of my gown to avoid tripping over.
"Nicole," I stopped him with a raise of my hand.
I never spared any of my family members a glance as the priest conducted the ceremony. The ballroom was packed to capacity with high class business personnel that I had no idea of. All my life I have wanted a wedding among the people I knew, not some rich people who didn't know of my existence until now. I had dreamed of being married to a man of my choosing, a man I loved with all my heart just like heroines in my novels but instead a blackmail marriage was all I got. The part that scared me the most arrived.
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest announced.
When his lips touched mine, a fiery tingle hypnotized me. I don't know what made me kiss him back and it scared the hell out of me that I found his lips rather delicious. Looping my arms around his neck, I felt a sudden urge to pull him even closer. It felt like a first kiss, so raw but one that would take your breath away. When we pulled apart a victorious smile drew on the edge of his lips while I looked away. At the after party he introduced me to a couple of business men but I couldn't remember any of them.
"How is my favorite enemy doing?" Dominic turned around, his jaws clenching a bit before he broke into an enigmatic smirk.
"Lawrence Stewart and I’m surprised that you showed up at my wedding," I could tell there was more than just business rivalry between them. The older man was smiling unaffectedly.
"Who invited him?" Mrs. Valiente asked joining us, the sharp edge in her voice resonating.
Her face was pale and it bothered me a little bit but it confirmed my earlier suspicions. There was more than just business rivalry between them.
"I did. Is there a problem?" Dominic was watching his mother's expression keenly.
"No. Not at all,"
"Hello to you too Nancy. It's been long," Lawrence smirked pocketing while looking at Mrs. Valiente.
- Writer
