AN URGENT WEDDING

CHAPTER THREE

Lisa

A low snore rouses me from sleep. I open my eyes and look around. Noah Cullen is sleeping on my couch wrapped in a comforter. I sit up and stare at him. I went to bed early last night, trying to avoid my parents, my mum especially. Dad might understand what happened in church, but Mum won't have it; she likes everything going her way. Nothing ever goes my way. Not even my own wedding because why else will Derrick abandon me and now I am sharing my room with Noah Cullen a day after my wedding.

I remember him coming in drunk last night, attempting to drag me off the bed because he claimed it was his turn to use the bed. I wonder what he thinks this is. I grab my purse, search for my lipstick then head over to him. He's the real joker, he has to look the part. After designing his face, I glance at him one last time and head over to the bathroom.

After showering, I walk down to the kitchen in a yellow sun dress. Noise from the kitchen greets me before I descend to the last stair. I wonder what they are up to.

"Where's your husband?" My mother asks, immediately she spots me entering the kitchen.

"Morning, Mum, Dad." I walk over and kiss my father. "Grab a stool," My father says, "join them over there."

I do as I'm told and settle close to the Island. Four of my cousins are here with Sophia. All have their hands dusty from kneading the dough. "Where's your husband?" My mother asks again.

Stupid plan. You don't get married to the "wrong" groom and remain in your parent's villa. I sigh and turn to her. "Mum, Noah is still in bed."

She crosses her arms beneath her breasts. "You didn't wake him?"

I slap my forehead and sigh. "He's tired, Mum."

"Everyone's tired and you don't get to give me an attitude." Her anger from yesterday sips into her tone and I know this tone is definitely not because Noah is still sleeping. It's because of what we pulled yesterday.

"Emily," my father calls, taking her hand. "Let's leave the kitchen for the girls."

I shut my eyes and sigh once my mother leaves without another word. One of my cousins laughs and another joins. "You are lucky your Dad is on your side," Felicia says.

"In my family. My parents are a team. They attack at the same time," another cousin chips in. Sophia nonverbally asks if I'm okay with just her eyes. I nod and snatch an apple off the table. "What are you guys ruining the kitchen for?" I ask, taking a bite of my apple.

"Apple pie," Sophia replies, slapping the dough on the Island. Miriam, the red head reads out instructions to them from a phone.

"You guys don't look like you know what you are doing," I say.

"We don't," Miriam says, laughing. "The cook can't come today so we decided to save breakfast."

"So are we going to eat that?" I ask, looking away. The next thing, a ball of dough lands on my head. "You better go stay with your husband," Sophia says, with a smile tugging her lips.

"The husband is here so we are at the right place." Noah walks into the kitchen in gray sweatpants and a white vest. Nobody says a word but I can see their amusement trying to burst out of their faces. Open mouthed, Sophia stares at me. I shrug and bite on my apple.

Noah walks straight to the fridge and opens a can of milk. He takes it in a straight gulp then looks at the ladies. "Good morning!" He walks to me and kisses me on the head. I clench my fist around my apple. Just then the ladies give in to fits of laughter.

"What!" Noah asks, clearly bedazzled. I do not turn to look at him, but I know he's supposed to have a deep red hue around both cheeks.

"You can't be here, Noah," Jessica says in a soft voice. "Lisa will call you when the table is set."

He picks an apple from the Island, throws it up and catches it then he leaves the kitchen. "Why did you do that to him?" Sophia asks, laughing along with the others.

"Your brother is not particularly a nice person," I reply nonchalantly.

"You guys are going to make an awesome couple," Sophia says.

"They already are," Miriam says, laughing. Nice. You all have a good laugh until you're marrying a man who tries to drag you out of the bed in the middle of the night.

When we are finally done and setting the table, I spot Noah in the garden with my parents. I am tempted to go to his rescue, knowing how intrusive my parents can be. It's not like I'm in a position to save anyone. If anything, Noah and I should not be caught together with my parents else they'll bomb us with too many questions.

Miriam's half sister, Emma goes to call them in once we are done. "Fingers crossed," she says, crossing her fingers as she walks to the door.

"Fingers crossed," we reply, looking at each other.

I stare straight ahead as Noah chooses to take the seat beside me. Dad says the grace and Miriam begins to slice out portions of the pie for everyone.

"It looks good," Noah says, taking a bite into his mouth. We all hold our breath and wait. When he makes the next cut, I begin to eat mine.

"Lisa, I don't want to forget to inform you that you are such a despicable woman," Noah says.

I narrow my eyes on him. "What was that?" I notice that his blush is off. Shame. He was such a pretty man with that blush.

"How can you make a ridicule of a grown man in the morning?" My father asks, reaching for the jug of orange juice.

"Should she do it at night then?" Someone asks, laughing. I can't help laughing too. My mother frowns at me and moves her eyes to Noah. "I hope you slept well, Noah?" She asks.

Noah takes a sip of his juice and nods. "Yes," he replies. "I slept on the couch."

I roll my eyes. "Nobody asked where you slept."

"It explains how well I slept."

My mother facepalms. "Why were lipstick stains on Noah's face this morning?" She asks, looking at me.

"He tried dragging me out of the bed in the middle of the night."

Dad drops his cutleries. "Who is this moron that drags his wife out of the bed on their wedding night instead of consummating their marriage?"

"Don't encourage them, Frederick," Mum says.

I grab my plate and stand. "You guys are all cute, but I need to enjoy this food alone."

I begin to walk out when another chair scrapes the tile then Noah's voice. "I'll join my wife. Thank you for the meal. See you guys later."

His wife. How long does this last before I drag my hair from its root?

Dad's loud laughter reaches me as I climb the stairs. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"