Unhappy guest
1292 Words
Archie's POV:
"Hi," Prim drank the water in front of her before continuing what she was supposed to say, "it's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
My father is Godric Rothschild, he is an icon. Many people have only seen him in business magazines and TV when he has the time to grace documentaries with his presence about the rich and the famous. Contrary to popular belief, he is the opposite of me. The man radiates approachability aside from commandeering presence. He is a darling of the crowd and people love him. Not knowing what he is capable of.
Prim stood glued to the floor, unable to say another word and I understand her. My father and my siblings have that effect on people. They are not to be blamed for that. I don't have that effect, but I have other skills that they don't have. Also, I chose to be in the shadows.
"These are my sons, Arthur Anthony, he prefers to be called Anthony though, and Alfred. Their wives couldn't make it, but here's our baby, Isabel. They want to meet you as soon as they return from their business trips."
"Hello, sister-in-law!" Isabel chirped. "Archie was right, you are very pretty."
I coughed so I could have their attention. Isabel can be very chatty and that's not good. She asked me before the wedding ceremony what I thought about Prim. She's the type who will not stop until she gets answers. So, I told her that she's pretty to shut her up, and she threw me under the bus.
Dad looks happy, and he's not like this with other people. He knows when to draw the line. Arthur and Anthony were giving me the unspoken bro code. They like her.
Arthur went in first,"Hi Prim. I have to warn you right now, you married the playboy. Hasn't there any crazy ex-girlfriend around yet?" He looks around and shrugs. "Bro, you did a good job at hiding them."
"Huh?" Prim's reaction is epic.
"Don't scare our newest family member, Arty." Anthony said with a smile reminiscent of our father's. I think we all have his smile. The kind that reaches the eye and gives the illusion that we are very easy to get along with. That's why I don't smile a lot. I don't want to send people the wrong message. It will take a lot for me to smile. "Archie is...a...how do I put it...he's a...something, you have to be patient with him."
This is getting out of hand. All four of them told me they couldn't make it. Which was a relief for me. This was something that I wanted to do alone. Besides, this is not a marriage of two people in love. It's a union of benefits. The Smiths clear their debt and I can have a shot at the whole 'heir' thing.
With my siblings, I am a very different person. I could be half of the real person that I really am. After all, they are my family, and they've seen me at my worst and my best. From the side of my peripheral vision, I saw Will and Nora coming.
"Oh, Godric!" Nora beamed. "Hello, there! I thought you could not make it."
"But here I am. I would not miss it for the world." Dad replied, replicating the same enthusiasm they had." Where's our table?"
Nora, who was aiming to be the perfect host, stepped in and ushered my family to an empty table. Prim was quiet, maybe she was overwhelmed by how fast-paced things were going. Then, I saw a woman. I can not be mistaken. There's no mistaking the icy blonde hair and bold outfit choices. I spotted a gatecrasher.
Georgina.
"What the f*ck are you doing here?" I said that aloud rather than to myself.
"Hmm? Who?" It was Prim. I forgot she was beside me.
"Nothing. I thought I had seen someone who was not supposed to be here."
She chuckled, "like who? Your ex-girlfriend and she's not happy you married?"
"Shut up."
"I have to pee."
"I trust you can read?" She's teasing me and, for someone I have known for over an hour, she's not allowed to do that. But didn't I just tell her she could ask anything now that she's legally my wife? That woman is smart. She chose her words wisely and did not make a statement. Prim asked a question. Technically, that's not a foul on our verbal agreement.
Prim's beautiful face turned red, she's feisty, and I love how she tries to hold her horses. "I can. I can even read minds."
This time, she got my attention. "Hmm, did I marry a psychic?"
She ignored me and closed the distance between us, and I am tempted to repeat that kiss we shared at the altar a while ago. Her lips are the softest that I've ever kissed and she smelled so good. I could feel a b***r. "Wanna know what I read in yours?"
"Sure."
"You think of running away from this place. Because this is not what you want."
"No, that's what you have in your mind, Prim."
"Maybe."
"You don't want to be here, tell me...why did you take your sister's place?"
She averted her eyes. A sign that I had successfully hit a nerve. With her, I could do this whole day. She's a challenge. A woman who guards her heart. I already like her, but that like can turn into something more. It would depend on how she'd react to my plans for her.
Prim left in haste. I turned to talk to my father's head of security. It pays to be sure and secure.
Five minutes later, Prim wasn't back. Nora and Will had my father and my siblings on lock, and I was starting to get worried. The head of security assured me that Georgina was nowhere to be found, but my gut feelings told me otherwise. I went to the ladies' room and found Georgina cornering Prim.
"...consider this a warning, Primrose. Archie is mine." Georgina said in her thick Russian accent.
"Well, if he's yours why didn't he marry you?" I heard Prim retaliate. I smile. Way to go, she sure knows how to use that smart mouth of hers! That's my girl. What?
Georgina does not like it when people talk back to her. She raised her hand to hit Prim, but I caught her hand midair. Her expression changed from a Russian murderess to a sweet one. " Moya lyubov, you're here!"
"How dare you raise your hand to my wife?" I seethed. She had no business here, and I thought I made it clear the last time we talked. She even called me 'my love' in her native language, but that no longer had any effect on me. I summoned my father's men, and they came to take Georgina away.
She screamed as she was dragged away, causing the other guests to look our way. I smiled and gestured that it was okay and taken care of. But Prim was glaring at me. "What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That woman told me that I'd die if I continued marrying you!" She blurted in a controlled voice. Avoiding any unnecessary attention. "I told her, the wedding is over and this is the reception! Please tell me, I am not going to die."
"Chill. That won't happen. Why are you making a big deal out of it?"
Prim faced me, her eyes filled with concern. "I don't want to die, Archie. Aspen needs me. Promise me."
For the first time in my life since my mother's death, I was happy that someone asked me to keep a promise.
- Writer
