Fred was shocked after he received the slap but regained his composure. He walked out on her, he was free.
'Why is he called the boss?'
'His mom insists. She has a weird way of living. Or should I say that her principles are different from everyone else's? She thinks it makes him superior to everyone but herself. Always has been in charge, always. He once joked about her ghost still leading from the other world when she died. It makes him sad that he never had a normal childhood. Money does not afford everything and happiness is one of them.'
'That is too sad; I have never heard you call his name, what is it?'
'No one ever mentions his name or asks for it; you should not think about it, you shouldn't.'
'But I am to be his wife.'
'You are not getting married to his name, are you?'
'But…'
'No buts, not another word about him. Do not strain your mind, my child. You need to be in full spirits for the wedding.' He dropped two pats on her back, rubbing on the spot before he took his leave.
She felt doomed; a comfortable kind of doom awaited her. Knowing that her job was primarily carrying healthy babies in her fragile and frail body was overwhelming
Suddenly, the air felt chilly and the woolen cloak she had on could not stop that awful feeling of cold and loneliness which was surrounding her. Fingering the cloak, she thought of the price for the vanity, selling it off could keep a roof over her head and her brother's for years. She thought of her brother and let out a shrilly cry. She missed him and wanted so much to watch him smile while wearing comfortable clothes and eating the best meals. All she did was for his comfort, but now it was futile. She could not even see him, what was the use of all these now?
For the first time in a long time, she wished to see her parents, she missed them so much.
It was the day of her wedding and she had been brushed and scrapped, hair trimmed, and walked on, the best beauticians saw to it that she was restored to normalcy. Even the boss was in awe of her beauty when the process was over. She could turn a thousand heads by her mere presence. Her skin was soft and smooth, one appeal to the senses of anyone, to touch, hold, kiss, and ravish.
Although she had stayed there for two days, she barely saw the boss and was kept company by his trusted driver who had been suspended from duty by the queen mother because of the incident. She got letters from her brother who was just in one of the rooms in the mansion, he was fine and eating to his death, He drew her flowers and spoke of his room and beautiful clothes, he was happy.
The door creaked to announce a new guest. She had an hourglass figure and a beautiful face; her skin's smoothness could be felt from a distance. On her was a body con gown which accentuated her shape to give off a skin feeling. Her blonde hair was bobbed short and it dangled as she walked like a mannequin, each step was calculated and slow, like pure torture.
'You are the gutter bred that appeared without cause, or was it pre-planned?'
She inched her face closer to Eliz's till her eyes were paralleled to hers. She could smell the fear, it was oozing all around from her features, eyes unsteady with a ragged breath, her chest heaving as though she had a panic attack.
'How did you plan this? How could you get under his skin so much that he had to notice your lowly self?' she held her chin roughly and Eliz began to wince in pain.
Eliz decided to not give in to anyone; all she was getting was ill treatment from people she did not know for accusations that were funny. It was not her fault that he chose her; she never even thought that he could look at her twice.
'Tell him that you no longer agree to whatever agreements you had, you witch! Leave him alone!'
'Enough!'
The command left them shocked, slowly she let go of Eliz.
'I bet my mother let you in, but I'll forgive you both if you get out this instance.'
The woman did not move instead she stood arms akimbo. Her eyes challenged him to do the worst he could.
'Get her out of here.'
Two guards walked in immediately, as though they were already prepared for it. She refused to budge but started yelling the instant they had a fierce grab on the two sides of her arm.
'You cannot do this to me because of that miserly skin, you love me. Fred, you love me! Get your miserable hands off me! I can walk on my own, get off me!' he did not care that she was almost screaming the rooftop off, closing the door behind them.
He walked towards Eliz; keeping his eyes on her while she shied away, shaking from the experience. She was weak, and unable to withstand bullying or pressure.
His finger on her skin sent a sweet sensation down her spine, she wanted him to hold her and never let go.
'To be my wife, you should have thick skin. This house is crawling with people who do not like you and do not want you here for any reason. You need to keep your head up, for the rest of your life.'
'Why me, do you even know me?'
'I could have died if you did not stop me from falling, I would not have survived the impact, giving me a second chance to live for me is enough reason; at least I can trust you for a little while. I will get to know you better, he whispered into her ears while caressing the skin at the back of her ear.
His lips were a few seconds from descending on her lopes, and she wanted more, she wanted his hug and kisses. Her body arched towards his, the hunger for warmth and safety was intense.
'If you no longer wish to see me after the wedding, you could stay away forever. I will not force you. I just want you safe and I need children too. I need you to stand against the woman that birth me, I need you.'
'I am only doing this for my brother's sake, I hope you keep to your end of the bargain'.
'I am ready to be your wife'.
They were separated by shuffling feet near the door. It was time for her to be transformed into the bride. He slipped out through a door only he knew about and they found her unsettled. Quickly, they rushed to work.
The moment he set his eyes on her at the altar, he almost gave away. There stood the most beautiful woman in his life, brought to his life by chance. Jaws were left agape at her grace, her hair was held up like a traditional bride, the pins and pearls glistened, and her face was perfect. Her eyes were highlighted, lashes extended, lips full, and calling out in red gloss. Her skin was milk, the dress holding on to her waist, molding her hips and setting sparks. She was wickedly beautiful, dressing up in that skin-toned net and lace was turning up the heat in the cold hall.
'I do'
Rings were exchanged but the kiss was brief. He held on to her like a precious toy that had been found. He looked back to see the small crowd, his mom was glaring but he did not care, he had made his decision and he was happy with it.
Eliz was livid with joy that she could not explain. She had thought that she would feel nothing, but after being walked to the aisle by her brother who was in a wheel, she felt that her world would get better. Emile stood by her side with the happiest smile, chirping in compliments and nonsense talk.
'He was dazed by your appearances. You left him staring and drinking, I'm sure you both will make two babies today.'
They both giggled and she was blushing, she was certain this was the happiest day of her entire existence, everything seemed to have fallen into place
Eliz lifted her eyes and they met the cold expression of her now mother-in-law, she was frowning as though the world was about to end, she thought of a way, she hatched a plan to end the marriage before it started and she let out a wicked smile. Eliz smiled back at her, unaware of the struggles that lie ahead.