Forced to Forever

CHAPTER 2

Ava walked down the aisle gracefully as her heels made a clicking sound on the marble floor.

Her wedding gown was beautifully made with a detailed lace. In the soft light her gown glimmered, drawing the attention of the guests.

Her heels clicked on the marble surface as she gracefully made her way down the aisle.

Ava found herself at the altar, anxiety had a grip on her.

She struggled to accept the fact that she was really getting married to someone she knew nothing about in the presence of the whole congregation.

Ethan stood directly facing her, he maintained his calm and peaceful attitude showing no trace of emotions.

“He seems to be enjoying himself, ” Ava bitterly thought to herself.

As the priest began to speak, Ava's mind wandered off.

She thought about her mother, who had talked her into continuing with this. She thought about her father, who had always hoped for the best for their family.

She also thought about Ethan, whose actions showed no signs of emotions.

When the priest asked Ava to repeat her vows, she hesitated. She doubted if she could go through with this.

But then again, there was something in Ethan's gaze that made her feel that she had no choice.

"I, Ava Morales, take you, Ethan Ryder, to be my lawfully wedded husband," she recited her voice slightly above a whisper.

Ethan fixed the ring on her finger feeling triumphant.

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest declared with a smile .

Ethan's lips gently brushed Ava's softly, sending chills through her. It was a cold and calculated kiss, but still yet made Ava breathless.

As they both turned to face the audience, she couldn't help but feel trapped in a nightmare. She's now married, to a stranger she had no feelings for. She felt uncertain about their future together.

The wedding reception was a blast, dignitaries of high status were in attendance. Well-wishers gave their congratulatory speeches, and small talks.

Guests had a champagne toast with the newly wed couple.

The Ryder's were overly excited seeing that their only son had a successful wedding.

Ava had smiled while struggling with the pretense of being happy.

Ethan's mom Rebecca was so pleased meeting Ava in person.

“Come on , darling ” Rebecca said while welcoming Ava with a warm hug.

“Isn't she beautiful, Nolan?." Rebecca asked, inviting Ethan's dad into the conversation.

“She looks stunningly beautiful," Nolan Ryder remarked beaming with smiles.

“Son you bagged yourself a gorgeous wife" Nolan added.

Ethan smiled, unsure of what to say.

“I'll show her to the guests”Ethan let out while leading Ava away to the crowd.

While at the party Ava excused herself from Ethan and the entire crowd.

She was uncertain about where she should go. She headed for the bathroom after deliberating.

“Mrs Ryder!!!" Ava's mom called out to her daughter joyously.

Ava jolted back to reality, of course she was now a Ryder , she was married!!!.

“Oh mom” Ava whispered tearfully, hugging her tightly as though she won't let go.

“Sweetie, I'm sure you can do this. ” Ava's mom whispered softly, sounding compassionate.

Ava's hug tightened, as her mum slightly rubbed her back hoping to make her feel better.

“Excuse me , ma'am Mr. Ryder is waiting …it's time to leave.” Ethan's bodyguard Nacho said, finally breaking the emotional silence between mother and daughter.

“Mom, I have to leave," Ava said in despair.

" See you soon, sweetie” Maria Morales said sadly, waving at Ava as she walked away with the guard.

The drive home was a quiet one.

Ethan said nothing to her either, he sat in the car looking all masculine, powerful and most of all uninterested.

Ava felt like she was trapped, she sat beside her husband, looking outside through the window while reflecting on her misery.

Ava felt like she was in a dream world as she stood in the opulent honeymoon suite.

The room had a decor of red roses, scented candles and soft music.

But Ava's heart wasn't in it. The only thing she felt was being trapped .

She only hoped the bitterness would go away soon.

Ethan walked into the room, his gaze fixed on her as though he was searching for her soul. His eyes locked with hers, he could see how unsettled she was.

Ava shivered, she didn't know how to react to the intensity of his gaze.

Ethan took long strides as he approached her, Ava instantly felt weak in the knees, her heart pounding in her chest.

She knew what was expected of her tonight, what was expected of her as Ethan's wife.

But she wasn't sure if she was ready

Ethan halted in front of her, his eyes searching hers, he slowly lowered his gaze to her lips, while suppressing the thought of wanting to taste her tender lips.

Ava felt uneasy, there was something about his stare that made her heart flutter.

"Ava, I want you to know that I respect your boundaries. I won't touch you without your permission." Ethan broke the silence with a low and husky voice, finally easing the building tension between them.

Ava was surprised, She hadn't expected Ethan to be so considerate.

"Thank you," she softly whispered.

Ethan nodded, his expression serious. with that he walked into the bathroom to take a shower before bed.

Ava felt a small sense of relief wash over her. Maybe this marriage wouldn't be as bad as she thought.

She couldn't help but notice, everytime she looked into Ethan’s eyes, she saw something that made her heart skip a beat, something that reawakened her passions and desires.

“Ohhhh, Ava” she let out in frustration.

She let herself sit down on the bed while struggling to take her shoes off.

Ava's mouth fell open, her gaze fixed on the figure emerging from the bathroom.

“Ethan was skillfully made, with a touch of everything good” Ava thought to herself

She slowly scanned from his messy wet hair, to his broad shoulders, solid chest and well placed abs.

She couldn't help but notice how radiant and healthy his skin looked.

" Ava!” Ethan called out the second time.

" Y..ess” she stuttered,flushed with embarrassment.

“You've been so lost staring" Ethan said with a smirk on his face.

Without saying a word Ava rushed into the bathroom feeling embarrassed.

She let the water through her hair down to her slim petite body hoping it would wash away the embarrassment she felt.

Ava walked back into the room, wearing a night robe.

She met Ethan working on his laptop at the end of the room,

without saying a word she quietly crawled under the sheets.

Her eyes shut she hoped sleep would take her sooner than she expected.