CHAPTER 11
My eyes flickered at the sun peeking into my room from my window. Still dazed from sleep, I tried figuring out if it was morning or afternoon.
A glance at the clock informed me it was just ten in the morning. The wedding starts at noon.
Ideally, there shouldn't be a wedding ceremony, the plan was to get a wedding certificate and move on with our lives. But that wouldn't be convincing enough for close relations. Abigail and some other people. We needed photos of the occasion. That alone should suffice for the news outlet. They need something on the front page of papers and magazines.
I reached over to the bedside and clutched my phone. I saw two messages from the stylist who was supposed to help me get ready for the wedding. She said she would be here by eleven and I should be in a fit state when she arrives.
I rolled out of the comfortable bed, skipping the coffee I had let myself get accustomed to in the Berlette mansion and headed straight to the bathroom.
I stood under the water for a good half an hour, the hot water loosened my strained muscles. Some might judge me for using the shower that long, but it is much needed for me to prepare myself for what is to come. My thoughts run on and on while I'm in the shower.
I slipped on a fluffy bathrobe while my body was still damp and clinched the belt securely but comfortably around my waist. I applied lotion and did some other necessary things to while away time.
I was sitting encroached on the vanity chair when I heard a soft knock coming from the door. It had to be Lisa the stylist. I stood up to open the door for her but to my surprise, I was greeted with a glint of forest eye and an illuminating beam.
Returning the smile I opened the door wider for her to come in. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"Shouldn't you?" she retorted, giving me a once-over glance.
"I'm waiting for the stylist. She should be here any minute." Two figures darted into view at the doorway. "There she is." I gestured at Lisa, not recognizing the other lady with her. I assumed she was her assistant.
"Good morning. Sorry I'm late, there was a little bit of traffic on my way here. Let's get started, shall we?" Lisa gleamed, clutching two hulken bags in her hands as she walked into the room. The unfamiliar lady also trailed behind her.
"Let me help you with that," I said, motioning to one of the bags she was holding.
"Thank you but you shouldn't. You are my client." she turned to the lady she came with, " Set up the chair over there." she said pointing at the empty space in the middle of the room." "Let's start with your makeup and hair." Lisa glances at Abigail while placing the bags on the floor, a look of anticipation on her face. "Are you joining us?"
"Oh no! I'm just here to watch and give emotional support to the bride."
"Okay."
I was sitting in one of those chairs that looked like the ones TV stars and film directors usually sit, as Lisa did my makeup and her assistant worked on my hair.
I was almost blinded by the irritation of the mascara brush in my eyes, and I blinked involuntarily, making the mascara smear on my under-eye.
"Sorry," I mumbled. The other lady threw me a sympathetic look as Lisa tilted my head up and wiped the disaster I had caused on my face.
After my hair and makeup were done, Lisa and her assistant helped me with my wedding dress. Abigail had to put a hand in it because of how tight it was. It gave no room for me to breathe properly.
They all guided me to the full-length mirror in my room. I twirled a strand of my hair around my finger and fidgeted with my figure-hugging white dress. It had been selected by Abigail and I could argue on this one. She had offered to pick my wedding dress and I wanted to please her. Knowing that I was going to wear what she chose for me would liven her heart. It was a win-win situation for me.
The dress fitted at the bust, and the jewel neckline revealed only an appropriate amount of cleavage. The dress had a tightened grip on my waistline and the skirt of the dress skimmed my body, hugging the area around my hips.
I was still examining myself in front of the mirror when suddenly I heard another knock coming from the door. I turned to look and saw Mrs Crest Standing with Spencer, the butler.
I dashed to the door, not considering how stiff my body was because of the dress. I moved my legs as fast as they could take me and welcomed her with a hug. She wrapped her hands around me for a minute and pulled away. Her eyes traveled over my body, a warm glint in her eyes.
"Look at you. You look amazing."
"Thank you for coming."
"I wouldn't miss your wedding for anything in the world."
I glanced over her shoulder, to see Spencer still standing by the doorway. "Thank you, Spencer. You can leave now."
Even though it was a private wedding I was expected to bring a witness since Abigail was going to stand in as a witness for Richard I had no other option than to bring Mrs Crest as mine. She was the only one close enough that I could call my family.
Her presence would give me some sort of comfort that I needed. The motherly one. The one I couldn't get from my real mother. As much as this wasn't supposed to be a real wedding to me, I couldn't help but have a sentimental feeling toward it.
I pulled her into the room and everyone echoed a good morning to her. She returned their greeting with a good morning also.
"You are so beautiful." Mrs. Crest tried to blink away the tears brimming at the corners of her eyes, as Lisa adjusted the veil on my head.
"Indeed," Abigail added. "I knew that dress would look lovely on you. I always make the right choice."
I felt like Cinderella, just that unlike Cinderella I was greeting married to someone by a contract.
The bouquet of colorful flowers shook against my chest.
This is it.
This wedding wasn't about me, it was about Richard and the many spectators including his prospective business partners who needed to be persuaded that we were united in love.
I had once imagined what my wedding would be like when I walked down the aisle. Somewhere around the age of 15. I wanted a fairytale wedding, ethereal and splendorous. I wanted to wear a big puffy gown with numerous bridesmaids dressed in gowns with puff sleeves. Walking down the aisle to meet my Prince Charming.
I watched Richard, standing at the end of the aisle with the priest. He was wearing a textured navy blue suit jacket paired with a similar color of waistcoat and dress pants. And opposite them was Abigail in a simple tailored gown and Mrs Crest. A photographer stood at a corner clutching his camera to his chest. He was the only one who was sent an invite for the sole purpose of taking the pictures that would be given to the media outlets.
What a contrasting clash of imagination and reality.
Mrs Crest offered to walk me down the aisle but I respectfully declined. I wanted to walk alone.
The music started playing, signaling me to move. Four pairs of eyes were on me and I released a shaky breath.
You can do this Marah.
I smiled beneath my veil when the photographer started taking my picture. My eyes lifted toward my destination, my heart nearly jumped out of my ribcage as I found Richard's eye locked on mine.
I marched down the aisle like a lone wolf. Richard didn't take his eyes off me, something about his gaze made me have a fluttering sensation in my stomach.
Richard, like me, stood alone, I'm not sure why he didn't let Eric be his best man, I guess he was really big on the whole privacy thing but I'm somewhat pleased given my decision of not wanting a maid of honor. Abigail didn't offer to be and I didn't want to impose it on her so I didn't bother to ask.
I halted at the front of the aisle and turned to Richard with a full-hearted smile on my face. His jaw locked as his eyes traveled over my body, which made my skin flush.
His hand traced the edge of my veil and lifted it over my head. His mouth twisted and he blinked twice.
"Is something wrong?" I whispered loud enough for him to hear.
He shook his head slowly "No."
He grabbed the bouquet of flowers from my hand and held it out for Abigail to receive it.
The priest began his lecture, I could hardly hear him because the thudding of my heartbeat was loud enough to take my attention.
The vows were said, the lies concealed as I took Richard Berlette to be my husband, for better or for worse.
"Marah, I offer you this ring as a symbol of my commitment and devotion to you. I promise to love you and care for you as a husband would to his wife" Something about his words made me pause. He had repeated the same words I had written down in the paper that day.
He would really keep the end of his bargain? Any woman would be lucky to have him as a husband.
He silenced my thoughts as he slipped the thin white gold band covered in diamonds up my finger.
I grabbed Richard's ring from Abigail's waiting hand, I clutched onto Richard's left hand while holding onto his ring in the other. "Richard, with this ring, I promise you that you'll never have to face the world alone and I join my life with yours not only as your wife but as your friend and biggest supporter." I slid the ring up his knuckle.
Our eyes connected and he smiled. His smile was broad and cheerful, showcasing a row of sparkling white teeth.
I returned a shy and timid smile, like a timid animal peeking out from behind a tree.
The priest blessed us, our future children, and the little audience.
Then the moment I hadn't chanced my memory to envisage was about to come to light.
The priest took some steps back, giving himself distance away from us. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Richard, you may now kiss the bride."
I froze and stared at Richard with wide eyes. My peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the photographer bringing his camera to his eyes ready to capture the moment.
My whole body quivered as Richard wrapped his hand around the nape of my neck, his thumb tracing my pulsing point. My eyes slammed shut as he leaned in, the expensive scent of his cologne washing over me.
My knees turned to jelly, as Ruxhard wrapped his other arm around my waist, steadying me up. Our breath blended together as his soft lips grazed through the corners of my lips.
I didn't know how I was expecting that to go but this clearly took me unaware.
I opened my eyes slowly and watched him pull away, leaving only a small gap between us. His eyes were still closed and his brows furrowed against each other like he was in deep thoughts.
He opened his eyes and leaned forward again, thinking he was going in for another grazing. My eyes closed on their own accord but I only felt his forehead touch mine.
What was he doing?
"That was perfectly done," he whispered.
"Yeah," I said, opening my eyes with a tight smile.
My chest contracted, I didn't know the cause of it but I had a feeling I was going to find out soon.