For the past hour, my "fiancé" has been on his phone throughout, whether it was a call or he was just typing non-stop. After some time, when it looked like everyone was already tired of the mini-get-together, Trina nudged her son's hand, and he looked at her irritated. She signaled in my direction, and he looked at me in pure anger before sighing.
"Why don't you and Mateo talk on the patio, and we'll wrap up here?" Trina said to me, and I looked at her in alarm, but she smiled.
"Is it necessary?" Yvonne quipped, and I'm pretty sure she didn't want me to mess anything up.
"Yes," Trina said, narrowing her eyes at Yvonne. "They are getting married in two days; I don't see why they shouldn't. Am I right, Elora?" She suddenly asked, and I almost spat the water in my mouth.
"Yes, of course." I replied hurriedly.
"Elora?" Yvonne asked, laughing nervously.
"Yes, she told me she preferred going by her grandma's pet name for her. Didn't you know that?" Trina asked, and Yvonne nodded hesitantly. Mateo stood up and walked towards the glass double door, and Trina signaled for me to follow him, so I excused myself and went after him.
As soon as I entered, a cloud of cigarette smoke hit me square on the face. Mateo took a long drag of the cigarette before throwing it on the floor and stepping on it.
"You know." His deep voice spoke up. I almost shivered at his icy tone. His accent would have sounded soothing if I wasn't shaking in the heels I could barely walk in. "You seem happy; I actually thought this was supposed to be an arranged marriage, but..." he said, looking back at the room where we ate through the glass before leaning towards my ear. Trina and Yvonne's eyes were fixed on us; one looked like she was a fan girl, and the other was like she would have a stroke.
His lips brushed my ears, and a shiver ran down my spine as his warm breath fanned my ear. "But..." he continued, and I sucked my breath in as his accent became thicker. "This is not a fucking Cinderella story. It'll be hell, I promise," he said before giving me a sweet smile that made me want to rip his head out. If this was a game, I'd press the quit button without thinking twice.
***
The Wedding.
As I looked in the mirror, the reflection I saw was that of a stranger. A stranger whose hair was perfect, who was putting on a million-dollar wedding gown (literally), who had the devil himself waiting for her at the end of the aisle.
"Are you ready?" I heard Trina ask, and I sighed as I looked at her through the mirror.
"I'm scared," I replied truthfully, and she smiled. She looked gorgeous in her sea green strapless chiffon gown. She had her hair up in a bun with a white rose tucked on the side.
"It's normal. It gets exciting once you enter the church. You'll forget you were even scared," she said, and how sad it is. It only gets worse after I enter the church. The door to the dressing room opened, and a lady came in.
"Everything is set, madam," she said, and Trina nodded. I saw Mr. Gates outside; he was probably there to walk his "daughter" down the aisle.
The church doors opened, and the pianist began the classic "here comes the bride." I had to keep myself from putting on a canvas under the huge wedding dress because Trina wouldn't let me hear the end of it. I walked slowly with my hand in Mr. Gates', and as I looked at the altar, I was met with a glare that almost knocked me off my feet. Mateo stood there with his jaw locked as he stared at me. This is definitely not any girl's dream wedding.
As I reached the altar, Mr. Gates took my hand and gave it to Mateo, but the man just looked away. He tapped his foot impatiently, and the priest cleared his throat. It didn't take a magician to tell me to walk quickly to my side. Tears formed in my eyes, but thankfully the veil covered my pathetic face. The media wasn't allowed inside the church; only a photographer was there to snap our side view so that my full face wouldn't be captured.
The vows were the fastest I have ever heard in the history of marriage. While the few invited guests clapped, Mateo kept looking at his wrist watch. We even skipped the "kiss the bride" part, thankfully. Trina looked like her entire life plans were already fulfilled as she clapped happily and her husband just clapped emotionlessly. Yvonne tried her best to put a smile on her face, but it was close to impossible; she was probably wishing it was her daughter instead.
The reception soon rolled in, and outside the hall was bursting with paparazzi. The car ride was so silent, and the only noise heard was that of Mateo typing on his phone. I was even surprised that he agreed to enter the same car with me.
"We are here," one of his personal guards, who was in the front seat, said, and Mateo sighed.
"Let's go," he said, and the guard alighted and opened Mateo's side. Mateo came down and stretched his hand out to me. I was a little confused as to why the guy who was the first to leave the church was actually stretching his hand toward me. I must have taken time because Mateo just grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the car. I remembered Yvonne's words telling me to always look down and not at any of the cameras because we couldn't afford to have my identity revealed.
I tried to keep up in my tightly fitted teal dress and heels, but Mateo's fast strides made it almost impossible.
"Mr. Mendez, where did you meet your wife?"
"How long have you two known each other?"
"Is it true that the marriage was arranged?"
The noise of the reporters was blocked out as soon as we entered the hall. Mateo dropped my hand immediately and ventured into the main hall while I just stood there.
"This way," his personal guard said, ushering me into the hall. I smiled gratefully before following him. Trina rushed to my side as soon as I entered and started introducing me to a bunch of people. I didn't even recognize any of them, so I just smiled and greeted them. I heard the sound of a spoon against a glass, and I looked up to see Mr. Mendez, Jr., holding up a glass.
"Let's toast to the newlyweds and their new business plans," he said shortly, not even hiding the fact that the marriage was for business. Everyone toasted, and I looked around at the happy, unfamiliar faces. I couldn't help but feel like a weed in the midst of flowers.
"Mum, I'm leaving," Mateo said to Trina, who looked at him in alarm.
"What?" She whisper-yelled before nodding. "Fine, take El with you," she said, and he looked at her in anger.
"Why?!" He asked, and Trina glared at him.
"Because she is your fucking wife, and don't you dare raise your voice at me," she said, and Mateo got the message. Remind me not to get on Trina's bad side because she looked so scary at that point. "I'll see you later, sweetie," she said, trying to give me a genuine smile, but she was clearly annoyed by her son's behavior.
"Bye, Trina," I said, following Mateo, who was already leaving the hall. As soon as we entered the car, it sped off, and I rested my head against the glass with a heavy heart. As quickly as it started, my wedding was over.
We arrived at a huge hotel. The type you only see in magazines and TVs. The car parked, and I came down from the car, trying not to bend down and remove the heels that were killing my feet. Mateo's personal guard, who I noticed was almost everywhere, handed me a black card, and I looked at him in confusion.
"It's the key to the penthouse," he simply said before entering the car again. I stared at Mateo in disbelief as he kept his face stone cold as the car drove off, and that was the last time I saw my so-called husband in two months.