*Arrange Marriage (II)*
Life is unexpected.
Everything is just a possibility. Sometimes, there would be laughter, sadness, anger, doubt, loss and pain.
Never in Lilian's entire life did she imagine herself in an Arranged Marriage.
She neither was a male Child or had a brain for business to take over her Father's Company. She was the plain definition of useless in her Father's eyes. Today was Calm, different and no arguments. Not Like a few days ago where she'd listen in on her parents heated argument as they didn't bother lowering their voices. It must have been her mother standing up for her again.
Just like the time she told them her choice of studying Cosmetology in the University.
Gazing out the window, was Lilian who was sitting on the very Cozy ladder of the limousine, dressed in her wedding gown and a thin veil on her face. In just few days, her life had changed. Just a few hours more, and she would be officially married. The traditional Marriage had already taken place, in her homeland, Three days ago. With the extravagant seats and decor, she had to admit how wealthy, her husband really is but no, it was really more than that as, different guests came trooping in. Even Celebrities she hadn't even met in real life had attended her traditional Wedding.
'Martinez Adenuga,' was as wealthy as her father describe him to be. Though she knew not a thing about him, from the little information from the internet. The Adenuga's were into the Oil business, which was One of productive business in Nigeria and the had several businesses in the various states and out of the country.
The 28 year-Old Martinez, is the First son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews Adenuga, though he Lost his Father two years ago in a car crash. News about him succeeding his father's position as CEO in the Adenuga's company was all over the internet. Apart from that, there was nothing else. Even the rumors about his personal and love life was blank.
Descending from the Limousine, she was quickly guided into the Old Catholic church. As she reached the entrance, her father Cheerfully clasp her arm into his, walking her down the aisle and on his face was this proud smile he'd have achieving his goal. Lilian raised her head towards the Altar and there stood her husband, the man she would spend the rest of her life with.
She was Momentarily frozen as she paused in her steps. The anxiousness she felt was almost gushing out. Her hands were already getting sweaty from her nervousness, and she asked herself, 'was she really ready to commit her life to a man she did not love and that too, in the presence of God?' She had only met Martinez Once and that was on their Traditional Wedding and they didn't even get the chance to talk. He left briefly after the Wedding due to his work load in the Office.
A nudge at the side, snapped her out of her reverie. "Lilian, you shouldn't let the Groom wait."
Her father whispered to her, his tone giving no room for defiance.
"Yes." she replied under her veil, as they continued, coming to a stop before her husband."
. **
Lilian pursed her lips dreading this moment.
"I do." The Groom said in a slightly mellow voice, in which they were pronounced as Man and Wife.
"You may now kiss the bride." The Officiating Priest spoke a little too loudly to the cheers of the Guests.
Martinez chuckled reaching out to pull off the thin veil from Lilian's face. Revealing, the small exquisite looking face. Her cute button nose with her glossy full lips, reddening as she bit into her lower lip. There was tiny bits of sweat on her forehead, perhaps from staying under the veil for long.
Martinez tilted her lowered head upwards. Lilian lifted her head to look at her husband. Instead, her eyes connected to Cold ones. 'How can a man be this handsome?' His face was beautifully sculptured; Chiseled jaws, thin pink lips with a pair of arrogantly curved eyebrows, dress in a fitted Blue and Black tuxedo. Looking like a prince descending from a fairytale.
He stood just behind her husband looking at her with those intense Black orbs. For the first time in her life, she felt her heart skip a beat and the growing butterflies in her tummy.
The was something about him that made her heart tickle, a feeling she knows will stay for a long time.
Seeing Martinez's face draw closer to hers, her eyes widened in alarmingly as she embarrassingly turned her face causing his kiss to fall on her cheeks. The nosy hall quietened down, making her aware of her embarrassing move. She turned her head muttering a "sorry," that was only heard by the two of them. Before trying to cover it up with a cough.
Martinez glanced at her with a smirk, "Not a problem, Mrs. Martinez."
Ahh what an embarrassing situation, she wished the ground would just opened up an swallow her.
Glancing at the Charming Young Man in front of her that was just as handsome, she could not feel a thing.
The people Cleared congratulating the Bride and Groom as they made way to the awaiting Vehicle. Glancing back, Lilian couldn't find the Man anywhere.
The Vehicle pulled up in one of the Adenuga's hotels. The place was beautifully decorated for the Reception.
Lilian spent the evening glancing around the reception venue with no trace of the handsome stranger, like he'd disappeared into thin air.
A few hours later, she was whisk out of the reception into a luxurious suite by her Sister-in-law who was easy to warm up to, unlike her Mother-in-law whose personality was Cold and detached, yelling don't get close!
After removing the gown and heavy jewelries, she went in for a quick bath before coming out in a silk white nightwear.
She climbed into the Queen sized bed Holding onto the Marriage booklet, she calmly waited for what's to come. Her wedding night.
Her delicate fingers caressed the photo on the booklet. It was a picture of them, she traced the figures stopping at her husband's face. She was supposed to hate him for proposing this marriage but she could not.
Hate was a strong word and still nothing but a waste of energy.
"You are now somebody's wife. A different responsibility rest on your shoulders. I know the circumstances of this marriage, but don't let that affect your married life. Always Respect your husband and his family. learn to live with him, maybe you will fall in love with him. All I wish is that you have a blessed life Ahead." These were the only words her mother said to her few hours ago.
Since she is married, she would try to accept this life and that man, Martinez Adenuga.
These were the last thing on her mind before drifting off to sleep as her drowsy eyes closed with the day's tiredness catching up to her.