At first I heard voices, their words were low. Murmured whispers that seemed to be floating in and out of my ears, I could barely hear anything. For a while, it felt like swimming through thick air, my senses dull and slow to awaken. Then something instantly changed. The voices sharpened, becoming clearer and with them came a gentle melody drifting softly in the background. It wasn't the kind of music heard every day, this felt delicate, ethereal, so beautiful I wanted to drown in t.
A frown formed before my consciousness fully returned. Why the music? What was going on and what is with this unfamiliar fabric that is pressed on my skin, it felt smooth and heavy at the same time?
Eyes slowly fluttered open to meet dim filtered light pouring from the glassy windows above. Blinking, I allowed my eyes to become adjusted to the light before I took a good look at my surroundings. There was no stopping the gasp that escaped my lips as I took in the room I was in and another gasp also escaped when I looked down at myself.
I finally realized what the fabric that was pressed against me was. It was a wedding dress, a freaking wedding dress! What the fuck? I gazed down at myself wondering how that was even possible, I mean it shouldn't be! I shouldn't even be here!
Looking around me, everything felt too perfect. Pale roses lined the walls, delicate and fragrant. Gold-trimmed chairs were neatly arranged in rows, empty and the reason is because everyone seemed to be dancing and happy. Glasses clinked together, while loud laughter could be heard, some were even raising their glasses in a toast in my direction.
I stood there lost, wondering what was going on and how I got in here in the first place. Last thing I remembered was me running from a wedding then jumping to my death to avoid getting captured but here I was, standing in a wedding reception in a fucking wedding dress.
Did I imagine the whole thing or was it just a dream?
No, it couldn't be, it felt too real, way too real for it to be a dream. I could still feel the cold air blowing into my face and the icy water on my skin. It couldn't have been a dream! It couldn't have?
"Hey Andrea!"
Suddenly warmth surrounded me as I was yanked forward into a tight friendly hug. I pulled back only to see a girl staring down at me. Long dark hair framed her olive toned face, her eyes bright with a familiar warmth. She couldn't have been older than me but what got stuck on my mind was the name she called me.
Andrea? "I'm sorry, who is Andrea?"
Her expression froze, as her eyes widened in disbelief before it morphed into a mischievous look. "Ah right, its Mrs. Carter now!" She said raising an almost empty glass filled with champagne to me.
The only response I could offer was just to blink at her because neither name sounded familiar to me. She clearly must be drunk because of the way she swayed slightly on her feet which was another proof she had no idea what she was talking about or she must have gotten me confused with someone else.
"I'm so sorry but you must have gotten me confused with someone else, but I need to leave." The words tumbled out of my lips in a rush as the growing tension twisted knots in my stomach.
Not bothering to give her further explanation, I hiked up the wedding dress up preparing to leave. But just as I turned, a body suddenly yanked me in and before I could question it, I was lifted up and warm lips pressed against mine.
The kiss was deep and unrelenting. It tasted of alcohol but not the harsh bitter kind. There was a strange familiarity in the way it lingered, as though this person believed it was welcome. I didn't know who this person was but he was kissing me and I know I should push him away yet for the life of me, every muscle stood frozen! My mind yelled at me to push him away but nothing happened, not a flinch, not a protest.
The scent of him, a mix of something musky and sweet filled my nostrils, clouding everything and before I knew what was happening, instincts took over. Lips parted and I was kissing him back without any thought. A soft moan escaped my lips as I pressed my body closer to his. I didn't understand my body reaction to him but it felt as if some hidden part inside of me, had already accepted this moment before the rest could catch up.
Suddenly, the man suddenly released me as if stunned. Our breathing came out fast and shallow, both of us just standing there with our chests rising and falling in sync. I used this moment to get a proper look at him.
The man was tall, so tall I had to crane my head back up to get a look at him. His dark hair was slicked back, a rogue curl teasingly falling near his forehead. His jaw was sharp, well defined and his lips...lips that had been mine just moments ago drew attention, lingering on my mind. But what captured me entirely were his eyes, two piercing grey orbs that seemed to look through me, beyond me, unraveling whatever secrets I might have hidden away.
"What…" His voice came out raspy as he stared down at me, "What was that?"
"I should be the one asking you that." My own voice sounded breathy to my own ears.
Fuck, I needed to get out of here, I needed some air! Without any other thoughts, I brushed past the man and ran outside ignoring the whispers from the guests. Every step I took towards the hall felt urgent, like the walls themselves were closing in.
The moment, I stepped out of the doors, it only led to another space. A huge grand hall that was vast and echoing. It looked unfamiliar and I could feel panic threatening to rise.
A server carrying tray of empty glasses was about to move past me and without hesitation, I reached out to stop him. "Wait, where is the way out?"
The question hung in the air as his startled eyes met mine. I stared at him, hoping he would able to notice how desperate I was. Just when I was about to ask him again, I heard the door open.
"I'll take her!" A voice said, a voice I instantly recognized. The man from the kiss, the one I supposedly just got married to!
No, no, no, no! Alarm bells went off in my head but I was helpless. The server gave us a nod in acknowledgement and it was all I could do not to call him back. The man walked up to me, gently p'grabbing me by the elbow. Helpless, I decided to follow his lead.
Step by step he led me down the hall, smiling at guest who stopped to offer their congratulations to the 'happy couple.' The need to blend in took over, so I plastered a smile on my face. Just pretend, till I could get out of this nightmare! I told myself as I followed the man who walked me through another door.
This time around, I was so sure it was going to be the final exit but it turned out to just be the garden. Well at least I could breathe the air properly. As soon as the man released his grip on me, my body practically collapsed into a crouch, the dress sprawled on the ground, forming a cage, made of silk and lace. Now that I was outside, breathing became much easier in the open air.
I could feel the gaze of the man on my back, his presence lingered, a reminder that the nightmare was far from over. He was probably waiting for me to say something and I will, if I had anything to say.
"Who are you?" The man finally spoke when he realized I was probably not going to say anything.
"Who am I?" My voice sounded hoarse to my own ears.
The man muttered what felt like string of curses before he came to stand in front of me and yanked me to my feet, his grip far less gentle than he was earlier. "Do not play coy with me now Andrea, are you fucking getting cold feet? That wasn't the deal!"
Andrea! There was that name again and still didn't quite fit! My head was swimming with confusion at the whole thing. "Wha…" I gasped as I stared at him, "What are you talking about?"
He immediately yanked me closer to him, so close I could feel his hot breath on my face. "You were so happy to get married? This was what you wanted right? You finally won, even though I begged you to call it off!" He said his voice filled with unmistakable anger, "We are married Andrea, you did it and got us married, so welcome to your fucking happily ever after!" He said a menacing grin forming on his face which left me wondering what universe I just threw myself into?