The Contract Wife of Two Kings

I staggered through the short stairs that led to the bar, but it didn't look like the bar. There were too many people. Just way too many. They weren't putting on white; that was the dress code, or were my eyes playing tricks on me? It was my bachelorette party organised by my sister. I had stepped out to use the restroom. I started feeling unwell after I had the first two sips of my drink. “Please, which section is this?” I said with a shaky voice to the fine gentleman in front of me. I could have sworn he looked familiar. “Are you sure you are okay?” he asked, his voice sounding very concerned. There was this fake smile that was written all over my face saying ‘f**k off’. “I - - I - - I, I am okay, I think,” I replied. I could hear myself. I sounded way off. “I am not sure where I am right now; it was supposed to be my party, and I am a little dazed.” “How many drinks did you have?” the man asked. “Trust me, only two sips,” I replied. “Here you are!” The voice sounded so familiar. It was Paula, my sister. I was so glad she found me. “How did you get here?” Paula asked; she sounded a bit angry. “I am so sorry, my love.” I apologised. With Paula, I was always on the defensive. I never wanted her to feel less. I control the empire, and I know how less involved she feels. “Come on sis, let's get you back to the party,” she commanded. “I — I don't think I am well,” I replied. I leaned more of my weight onto Paula than I intended. "I — I really don't feel right," I whispered. Paula tightened her grip around my arm, though there was something strangely impatient about the way she held me. "You've just had too much excitement," she said with a laugh that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's your bachelorette party, Dess. You're allowed to let loose for one night." "No..." I shook my head slowly. "I barely drank." "You probably drank on an empty stomach," Paula replied. "I didn't," I said. She didn't answer. Instead, she steered me back toward the private lounge where my party was being held. The music hit me before we reached the doors. Laughter and champagne glasses clinking. Someone screamed my name. "THE BRIDE IS BACK!" A chorus of cheers erupted. I forced a smile. Everyone looked so happy except me. My body didn't belong to me anymore. The room seemed brighter than before. Every light felt like a spotlight burning straight into my eyes. Someone placed another champagne flute into my hand. "Speech!" "No speeches!" I tried replying. "One last night of freedom!" I laughed weakly. "I don't think..." My voice disappeared beneath another round of cheering. Paula leaned close enough for only me to hear. "Smile." It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order. So I smiled. Or at least I tried to. The room blurred again. I looked around at the decorations I'd spent weeks approving. White roses. Gold balloons. A banner that read DESTINY'S LAST FLING BEFORE THE RING. Everything was exactly how I had imagined. So why did I feel like I was standing inside someone else's dream? "Dess!" One of my cousins wrapped her arms around me. "You look pale." I smiled, trying to wave her off. "I'm fine." She was not letting go. You sure?" "I'm..." I searched for the right word. "...tired." "You've been working too hard," she said, making the right excuse for me. If only that were true. This wasn't tiredness. This was… wrong. Something inside me felt disconnected. As though my mind and body had decided to stop talking to each other. I sat down before my legs gave up entirely. . Paula appeared almost instantly. "You need water." "Yes..." I said. She handed me a bottle. I drank greedily. The water helped for exactly five seconds. Then the dizziness returned. This time it was worse. Far worse. My vision doubled. I blinked, and three Paulas stared back at me. I frowned. "Why are there..." I stopped myself. This is ridiculous. My mind was playing games on me. “There weren't three Paulas.” “There was only one.” “Right?” She crouched beside me. "Dess?" "Hmm?" I replied. "You need your room," Paula instructed. "No..." I said. "You should rest." She insisted. "My guests..." I replied. "They'll understand." She told me. "I don't want to leave my own party," I said, almost crying. "You do tonight," was her reply. Sharp and apt. She smiled. It looked kind. Something about it unsettled me. "Come on." She slipped a key card into my hand. "Suite 409." I stared at the tiny plastic card. The numbers swam before my eyes. "Four..." My tongue felt thick. "...zero..." Everything blurred again. "...nine." "Exactly." She squeezed my shoulder. "Go upstairs." She ordered. "What about you?" I asked. "I'll handle everything," she said. That sounded reasonable, very reasonable. She had always been good with people. Better than me. I stood. Or rather, I attempted to. The chair scraped loudly against the floor before I nearly stumbled into a table. Laughter erupted nearby. Someone assumed I was drunk. Maybe I was. But… No. Something wasn't right. I'd had barely two sips. I knew my limits. This wasn't alcohol. I caught myself against the wall. "Are you okay?" asked a gentleman. "I'm fine," I replied. “My name is Amaro. How can I help you?” he asked. “I am fine,” I replied again. It had become my favourite lie. He nodded but followed me still. I was glad he was following me. He was like a godsent angel. Every few steps someone congratulated me. "Happiest bride ever!" "You'll make the perfect Mrs. DeLuca!" "Lorenzo is lucky." I smiled mechanically. The marriage wasn't about love. It never had been. It was business, duty and sacrifice. I had accepted that months ago. Love was a luxury people like me couldn't afford. The elevator doors opened. I stepped inside alone. Amaro stepped in immediately after me. I was sure he was following me. Or was he going somewhere else? The mirrored walls reflected someone I barely recognised. Why were my pupils so large? The elevator dinged. Wrong floor. Or maybe the right one. I couldn't remember. The hallway stretched endlessly before me. Suite numbers floated across the walls. I walked slowly. Each step required concentration. Someone passed me. They smiled. I smiled back. Then realized I had smiled at complete strangers for far too long. Embarrassed, I hurried away. Except "hurried" wasn't the right word. I wandered. Like someone lost inside a maze. I was too ashamed to ask Amaro, who I noticed was a safe distance from me. Halfway down the corridor, my stomach cramped violently. "Oh..." I pressed one hand against my abdomen. Another wave hit. Then suddenly— I needed the bathroom immediately. I looked around frantically. No signs. No restroom. No idea where I was. No Amaro. Where was he when I needed him? Another sharp pain. I panicked. I reached the nearest decorative plant, thinking maybe— No. That was insane. I looked around again. The corridor was empty. My body stopped listening to me. Warmth spread down my legs. For one horrifying second I couldn't comprehend what had happened. Then I looked down. Liquid spread slowly across the polished marble floor. My heart stopped. "No..."I whispered. "No... no... no..." Tears instantly filled my eyes. What had I just done? I saw Amaro down the hall making a video of me. “Please don't,” I cried. My head ached at the sound of my voice. I backed away in horror. My expensive heels slipped. I caught myself against the wall. Someone else laughed in the distance. Did they see? Humiliation crashed over me harder than the dizziness. I turned and fled. Or tried to. My vision is completely blurred now. Hallways became identical. Doors multiplied. Numbers refused to stay still. 409... Where was 409? 408... 410... No... That’s not right. I doubled back. Or thought I did. The corridor seemed unfamiliar now. My breathing became shallow. I pulled the key card from my clutch. The tiny gold numbers refused to stay in focus. I reached the door. Swiped the card. Red light. I frowned—wrong door. Another one. Red light again. "What..." I giggled unexpectedly. Why was I giggling? Nothing was funny. Another door. Still red. I frowned harder. "This hotel is broken..." My own voice sounded distant. I wandered farther down the hallway. Everything felt dreamlike. Then finally— A red light turned into a green light. The lock clicked. Relief washed over me. "There you are..." I pushed the door open. Darkness greeted me. Much darker than I expected. The suite smelled different too. Something richer. Expensive cologne. I didn't notice. Or maybe I noticed and simply didn't care. All I wanted was to sleep. I kicked off my heels. One landed somewhere behind me. The other disappeared under a chair. I laughed again. Why was everything so difficult? I reached for the bedside lamp. Missed. Tried again. Still missed. "Stupid lamp..." My words slurred together. I closed my eyes. I had not slept much. Then— A low masculine voice broke the silence. "...I don't remember inviting anyone into my room." My eyes snapped open. The darkness shifted.