Celeste:
Tamara stood across from me, her arms folded across her chest. Novi was away on a two week business trip, both of us saying nothing. Dimmed down hatred simmered in her eyes, the two of us trying not to shoot daggers at each other. Clearing my throat, his office key spun in my palm.
"You will observe your eighty hours for the next two weeks, and you will help me plan a surprise wedding." I explained calmly, hoping it would be enough of a mental punishment. "You are now officially divorced. Follow me!" Her footfall echoed behind me, the key sliding into the keyhole. Terror widened my eyes, his office was a disaster. Random papers sat in a pile on the desk, rolling my eyes. The chair creaked as sat down at his desk, Tamara chuckling to herself.
"I see he hasn't changed a bit." She joked lightly, my eyebrows raising. "He was always so messy. Do you want to be friends?" Shock widened my eyes, her last statement nearly making me choke on my spit. Staring at her, my eyebrows twitched. Patiently, her hands sat on the hips of her pink sweat suit. Glancing around the emerald green walls, dark wood accented the rich color. A lump formed in my throat, a nervous smile danced across my lips.
"How about acquaintances to begin with?" I offered kindly, her gentle smile turning into a pout. "You can play on your phone or whatever as I organize his office and check the budget for this town." Hurt dimmed her eyes, my nimble fingers flipping paper over paper. Forming three different piles, the first was requests while the second was taxes and things. The final pile was miscellaneous bills, white folders piled next to me. A couple of hours passed, my black summer dress clinging to my clammy skin. Relaxing back into his chair, it was all organized. The papers were just waiting for him to deny or sign them for the most part, Tamara slamming her hands down on the clean desk. Her purse hung over her shoulder. Confusion twisted my face, her keys shimmered in her hand.
"Permission please to make your dress." She blurted out excitedly, pulling out swatches of fabrics. "I am a designer, you know. And I know the perfect silhouette for your body. Pick your top three colors, and I will work nonstop in front of you while still hiding the final product." Picking out only one color, the soft sweet color of lilac catching my eyes. Swinging her keys around, she pulled along with her. Locking the office behind me, I was sitting in her car before I knew it. Trees flashed by my window, her tires were peeling onto the highway. Taking the next exit, she ran into the fabric store by herself. A small smile lit up my face, her arms full of black bags. Driving back, she was buzzing with excitement. Her charm and allure were what attracted Novi in the first place, her heart was truthfully golden. Clearing my throat, she glanced over at me. Something was chewing at the thoughts in my mind, curious of his past.
"What made you cheat?" I queried cautiously, praying that she wouldn't bite my head off. "He is the perfect guy." Shaking her head, laughter erupted from her lips. Staring back out onto the road, guilt darkened her eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes, the day just as traumatic for her. My natural empathy could see the situation from both sides, my hand wrapping around hers. Tears streamed down her cheek, flashing me a sad smile.
"We became roommates, no longer attracted to each other. Truth be told, he married to get me out of my abusive father's home." She admitted through a wall of tears, my thumb rubbing the top of her hand. "I don't think he ever loved me. His friend caught my eye, and I began seeing him. Our love was real, not the marriage I had with Genovi. We grew careless, and got caught. Genovi lost it which is fair, I believe he was all in while I wasn't. I don't blame him, but I still have nightmares from that night. I made my bed, so I have to sleep in it." Her tires squealed to a stop in front of the gate, the people letting us in. Ignoring the sharp whispers, we entered my home with Novi. Embracing her tightly, she dropped all of the bags. Her arms swung lifelessly by her side, a numb look on her face. Tears flooded from her eyes, her body melting into my arms.
"How about some ice cream and chick flicks tonight?" I offered sweetly, noticing that she was just as broken as me. "Also, stop beating yourself up. You have my forgiveness, friend." Emphasizing the word friend, she only cried harder. Looking up at me, my fingers wiped away her tears. Looking closer at the skin, old scars covered her skin.
"Why are you being so kind to me?" She sobbed softly, holding me tighter. "No one has ever treated me so nicely since Genovi and his friend. I don't de-" Smacking the back of her head, a stunned gaze met mine.
"This isn't the loud mouth chick that stood up to me, I want her back but as my friend." I chided her gently, watching her stand straight up. "That is better. Your past may have beat you, but if I have learned anything it is that you can't choose your family. Do you know that you can choose your friends, our real families for people like us? Would you like to become my first family member?" Grinning widely, she nodded her head. Sprinting into a spare room, her boyfriend came in carrying an adjustable body form. Nodding his head at me, his lips kissed hers sweetly.
"I am Jarod, her boyfriend." He introduced himself shyly, running his hand through his hair. "I am sorry for any tr-" Waving my hands around, my eyes fell on the scars on his face. Biting my lip, he was much taller than Novi. Gazing up at him, I shoved a list into his palms. A confused look dawned on his face, my lips pressing into a thin line.
"You shouldn't feel bad for true love." I chirped cheerfully, pointing to the list. "Can you find some things for me? I am trying to pull off a surprise wedding for Novi, please help me out?" Nodding silently, he walked out with a stunned look on his face. Excitement bubbled inside of me, this was going to happen. Days dragged by slowly, Thomas and I running the daily operations as we planned a surprise wedding. It was the day before Novi came home, Tamara dragging me into the spare bedroom. My breath hitched at the dress, a sweetheart neckline would emphasize my cleavage, lilac taffeta pinned and pulled in beautiful waves. Placing a lilac crown of flowers over my hair, she pointed to a white suit with a lilac dress shirt. Embracing her tightly, I spun her around.
"Hello!" His mother called up the stairs, her muscles tensing at the sight of Tamara. "What is she doing here?" Sensing the tension, I sent her on her way. Novi's mother fussed over me, her painted lips pressing into a line. Chuckling to myself, she shot me a curious look.
"She wanted a second chance, so I gave her one. She was abused growing up, too." I explained calmly, shifting through the bags of groceries covering the counter. "I am sorry if I triggered something. Can I help you cook? I have a couple of ideas." Cupping my face, her white blouse brushed against my skin, a bold choice for today's tasks. Her perfect clothing made my black t-shirt dress feel underwhelming.
"You look fine." She comforted me sweetly, pulling out a bunch of food. "You are much kinder than me. I would have ripped out her throat. Sure, you can help. Thank you for marrying my son, and call me mom." Nodding, she put a fifties CD into the large stereo on the counter. Offering me her hands, she spun me around. A crooked grin matching Novi's flashed in my face as we danced around. Was this what happiness was? Tears welled up in my eyes, the day passing by too fast. Novi was lucky to have her, her strong arms shoving me out of the kitchen.
"I am going to make your cake, so get out for me." She promised warmly, peeking through the crack. "No peeking, my daughter." Kissing the top of my head, the tears I held in all day threatening to stream down my cheek. Sprinting off to our bedroom, my body collapsed to the floor. Pulling my knees to my chest, this felt so wrong. I didn't deserve any of this! Teardrops crashed to the floor, my body rocking back and forth. His mother couldn't see me crying, such a sight would be a disgrace.
"What is wrong, my child?" The Forest Guardian asked calmly, climbing into my window. "I am here to listen." A white owl sat on his shoulder, the moonlight causing his golden skin to blind me temporarily. His skin felt warm as he lifted up my chin, our eyes meeting. Shame dimmed my eyes, my lip just healing properly. Tracing my cheeks, all of my wounds disappeared. Only scars remained, a wry smile dimming my face.
"I feel like I don't deserve this at all." I blurted out, my fists banging on the floor. "I am a freak that killed her immediate family." His arms wrapped around my shoulders, his hug warming my soul up. Patting the top of my head, he whispered the word sleep. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my eyelids, sweet slumber winning me over.
Tamara stood over me, shaking me awake. Panic gripped her face, her lips were pressed into a thin line. Rubbing my eyes groggily, Novi's voice snapped me awake. Leaping to my feet, my bare feet crashed down the stairs. Skidding to a stop, Novi ran to me and spun me around.
"Are we having a party or something?" He asked happily, kissing my lips sensually. "It looks like a wedding." Shaking my head, Tamara popped up behind me as Thomas dragged a protesting Novi away from me. A mixture of rage and confusion flashed in his eyes, my loving smile calming him down. Tamara and mom dragged me in the opposite direction, taking off my current outfit. Sliding my wedding dress over my head, both of them gasped in wonder. The lilac taffeta hugged my hourglass figure, flaring out in a puffy trumpet skirt. Mom worked on my hair, curling it into electric rollers, Tamara wiping down my face. Painting my face, the rollers dinged as mom's nimble fingers unrolled them. Turning my chair around, soft curls tumbled around my face. The two women chatted happily, pulling my hair into a braided half up and half down hair do. A cheery voice made my blood run cold, Sabrina running in with a black jewelry box, showing the women behind me. They all gasped, a heavy necklace resting on my cleavage. Humming to herself, she placed heavy earrings on my ears. Avalanche rushed in, my eyes rolling. He placed the Lilac floral crown on my head, wrapping his arms around me.
"Only you could pull off a surprise wedding." He chuckled jovially, spinning my chair around. "You look beautiful." My breath hitched, soft curls danced around my face. A dark purple eye shadow highlighting my golden eyes, a lilac shaped necklace dripping into my cleavage. Lilac earrings sparkled in the bright sunlight, my hands tracing the tight fitting dress to the trumpet flare at the bottom. Mom sobbed softly, her arms wrapping around me. Sabrina pulled out her phone, a flash blinding us all. Tears welled up in my eyes, Sabrina looking beautiful in her black velvet floor length cocktail dress, a black choker matching the theme. Avalanche looked happy in his black velvet tuxedo, his golden eyes twinkling with joy. Mom wore a white fifties style dress with a lilac sash at her small waist, her lips kissing my cheek. Tears flooded from my eyes, everyone asking if I was okay. Nodding silently, Tamara fixed up my makeup.
"Would you like me to give you away?" His father asked politely, offering me his arm. "I would be honored to welcome you into the family." Nodding, my arms wrapped the crook of his expensive black suit. Walking quietly up to the town center, panic poisoned my mind. Novi was nowhere to be seen, all of the guests waiting patiently. Thomas ran up to me, a red mark on his face.
"You need to talk to him." He pleaded desperately, him dragging me away from my future father-in-law. "Come on." My dress brushed against the floor, the bedroom door was shut and locked. My fists hovered over the worn door, the door opening slightly. Novi popped his head out, a snarl on his lips.
"How could you spring this on me?" He demanded hotly, tears welling up in his eyes. "I d-" My hand grabbed his hand through the door, his muscles relaxing. Resting my forehead against his, his breathing slowed down. Sighing deeply, a lump formed in my throat.
"I just wanted to become your wife. I will never cheat on you, I promise." I pleaded sadly, fighting back tears. "I am so sor-" His lips kissed the top of my head, his hands stopped shaking. Closing our eyes, he clutched me close to his chest. Taking a long sniff, his inner wolf yipped with joy.
"I will marry you today, but why did you surprise me like this?" He inquired nervously, turning around. Spinning him around, my arms wrapped around his neck. A soft blush rose to his cheeks with what I whispered in his ear. Sliding back, an excited grin brightened his face. Rushing off, my boots smashed down the hall and back to his dad.