Found You

Episode Five

Episode Five

Charlotte's POV

What a wonderful day it was for an outdoor wedding: warm, but not terribly so. The early May sun peeked out occasionally. A pleasant breeze from the north rustled in the surrounding shrubs, cooling the guests and family members as they took their seats on either side of the walk leading to the gazebo. Sweet strains of classical music drifted through the crowd. I couldn't believe it, few days ago I thought I had found my Brandon and here I am getting sold off

The playground off to my right was empty, although a few children standing around the rows of chairs eyed it with a desire to play. Obviously, they would much rather be jumping and climbing, instead of being fussed over by their mothers and aunts, having their ties and hair bows adjusted. Balloons and streamers fluttered around the railing and banisters, a festive mixture of pink, light blue, and white.

To the left were rows of cars glittering in the sun. A stretched Lincoln stood alone, decked out in ribbons and twisted coils of streamers, ready to whisk the groom and bride away. 'Just Married' was painted across the dark rear window. As I sat there, inside the car, waiting for the ceremony to start I thought to myself how perfect and lovely everything would be if it was with Brandon. The heavenly smell of fresh cut flowers filled the air.

The music stopped, and all heads turned to face the far end of the walk. The opening to the bridal chorus started to play. Down the aisle I came, It was a happy and beautiful bride who came down the supposed aisle but deep inside it was a sad and reluctant bride that came down the carpeted walkway that led to the gazebo that noon

I wore a strapless wedding gown with embroidery on my bodice. Rhinestones and pearl beads were sewn on my gown. I also wore a two-tier veil, with a matching crystal head-piece. I held a French rose silk bouquet. My dad held my left arm and smiled at me as we reached the bottom step, my dad wasn't all to blame for what's happening, I just had to make sure things go right. There awaiting me was the pastor and my husband-to-be. Dirk was stunning, it was the first time I'll see him. He wore a black, single-breasted, satin tuxedo with a white-wing collar shirt.

He had a Teutonic gold hair and crescent of the moon eyebrows. His imperious nose and half-dome cheekbones sat above a flinty jaw. His wrestler’s shoulders were part of his burly physique. He walked with a tiger like tread and his nomad-blue eyes twinkled. They were Saturn round and darted constantly, a gleam with delight and the vigour of youth. They were soft, Irish eyes and swam with joy. They shown brightly like two sapphires dipped in milky pools.

Dirk looked up with adoring eyes. I was surprised with that reaction.

“Does he likes me?”, I asked myself,

“Hell no”, I replied

Then, as I held out my hand, our eyes met and all doubt was swept away in a glad certainty. He was only pretending, and I couldn’t feel any warmth in his hands, the scent of loamy cologne swirled around him.

The music faded, and the clergyman stepped up to the microphone, Bible in hand. He smiled at the assembly.

"Cherished family members and honored guests, I would like to thank each of you for coming out this morning," he said.

The sound carried well from the small speakers to either side of the podium. The pastor placed the Bible down before him.

"Let us begin by offering thanks to the Lord on this wonderful day." We all bowed our heads and he prayed.

After the prayer was over, the preacher led us through our vows, he held out a note to us each and asked us to read it out.

Dirk cleared his throat, “I, Dirk Benette, take you, Charlotte Harper to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health”, Dirk said, his deep voice echoed in the gazebo.

The the priest turned to me, "I Charlotte Harper, take you, Douglas Benette, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health”, my voice shook as I said.

It was now time for the exchange of rings. An adorable little boy dressed in a blue tuxedo walked up and handed Dirk a ring.

He slipped it on my finger, it hurts as he did, I felt like I was on a leash, I knew he did that purposely.

The pastor smiled and turned to me, he repeated the question and received the same reply.

I took his ring from a small girl dressed in pink and place it on his finger.

"By the power vested unto me I now proclaim you husband and wife", the pastor said and smiled, "You may now kiss your bride", he added

I was hoping someone would stand up and go against this wedding but no one would, my thoughts were disturbed when Dirk drew me to himself with his right hand on my cheek and the other on my waist, my eyes were wide open in surprise, I looked at the priest hoping to get and answer.

“You May now kiss the groom”, he said and everyone laughed again, I knew he had said that once. I maintained the right position since it was going be my first kiss.

He bent towards me with his mouth hovering right above mine, I closed my eyes, waiting for an intense kiss. Seconds later, I still couldn’t feel anything, I opened my eyes one after the other and saw him moving his mouth, pretending like we were really kissing and the ignorant people kept shouting and screaming. I was really expecting him to kiss me.

I smiled as I saw what he was doing, I guess it was stupid of me to think about a kiss with someone close to a stranger.

He stopped when the pastor held up his hands, bringing the crowd to their feet.

We left the gazebo, arms linked, with identical smiles on their faces, we both know deep down that we weren't happy about this.

The best man, maid of honor, and the groomsmen and bridesmaids followed suit, falling in behind them. We stopped near the end of the walk, forming the start of the receiving line. The family and guests filed down, pausing for hugs and kisses and congratulating us which they referred to as the young couple.

I then turned around and threw my bouquet of rose silk flowers behind me. The women collided with each other as they tried to catch it.

Then Dirk and I walked to the Lincoln that waited for us, he didn't say a word and I wasn't bothered.

“Hey pretty”, that was Paxton Bennett, Dirk's dad, “Welcome to the family”, he added and gave me a warm hug.

“He wasn't bad like I imagined”, I thought “Thank you sir”, I replied

"You look beautiful darling", Dirk's mum, Daisy said

"Thank you ma", I replied

"Dirk take good care of her", Paxton said to Dirk and tapped his shoulder, "I don't want to hear any complains okay?", he said and he only nodded.

I guessed our Union would be fine since it seems like Dirk was the quiet type and I also loved to mine my business.

“The plane is ready, I hope you’ve packed all you need?”, Paxton asked

“Plane?, need?”, my confused self asked

“I told your father. You’re moving to the United States after the wedding, New York City”, he answered

“What!”, I exclaimed, “United states?”, I asked again, I've always wanted to go to New York and explore but not suddenly, I looked up to my dad then to my mum before I caught up with my sis, she gave me a sign language which I clearly understood but I wasn't satisfied, I pulled Kim and we went to the other side

"Kim, what's New York City all about?", I asked, "Do you know about this?", I added

"Uhmm... I ... we .. I'm sorry Charlie", she said

"So you were aware", I said and sigh, "Why didn't you tell me Kim, why?", I asked

"I'm sorry Charlie, I couldn't tell you, I didn't want to make you feel bad", she apologized

I sigh heavily and folded my arms, "I just can't take this", I said

Kim dropped down my folded arms and then my hand, "Charlie, just some months and you'll be back, trust me it's going to be easy than you think", she said

"You think so?", I asked

"Trust me Charlie, you've always wanted to go to New York too, a great chance", she said and smiled

I smiled back, "I guess", I replied and we walked back to everyone, "Uhmm.., I... I .. I’ve packed all”, I replied as soon as we got to them

“Cool, Mr. Hampton will drive you to the airport”, He added and I replied with a nod.