CHAPTER 5 - GLIMMER
1026 Words
The grand ballroom was abuzz with the who's who of high society all gathered to witness the union of Aaron and Ivy.The air was thick with tension as the two stood at the altar, their faces fixed in stoic expressions.
"Repeat after me," the minister intoned, his voice dripping with solemnity. "I, Aaron, take thee, Ivy, to be my wedded wife..."
Aaron's voice was robotic as he repeated the vows, his eyes never leaving Ivy's face. Her own voice was barely audible, her eyes flashing with boredom.
“I do” Ivy said finally
As they exchanged rings, the guests erupted into applause, but the newlyweds' smiles were strained. They knew the truth - this marriage was a sham, a union forced upon them by circumstances.
The reception was a lavish affair, with champagne and canapés flowing like water. But beneath the surface, tensions simmered.
Immediately after the white wedding,they moved to the reception swarming with so many invited, influential people.
The hall was practically filled to the brim as soft classical music rented the air, chattering,laughter and glasses clicking drifted from one end to another.
The press were sure to find their way into an event, especially of this sort as their camera clicked, taking pictures and videos to upload in their blogs and tabloids.
“I don't think I can do this. I can't spend the rest of my life in a loveless marriage." Ivy whispered
Aaron's eyes hardened. "You'll do as you're told, Ivy. You've already agreed to this,just put on a show for the remaining minutes"
Ivy's eyes were dull and sad,Aaron's grip on her hand was tight, his smile fixed and fake.
“ Everyone's staring at us” Ivy muttered, feeling uneasy in the crowd and eyes that were directed towards them.
“Should they stare at their shoes instead?” Aaron snapped, trying not to get angry
“ Are we just going to stand ?My legs are tired,” She complained, forcing a strained smile.
“It's just for a few hours” He said, sipping his champagne
“Hours?” Ivy almost shouted.
A trio of ladies passed by just then, smiling and waving at them.Aaron recognized one of them,he looked away.
“Just smile,you wouldn't want the press to get a picture of you looking like you ate dirt” He said.
The reception was a blur of champagne and canapés, Ivy's smile plastered on her face like a mask. But beneath the surface, she was dying inside.
"Congratulations, Aaron! You've landed yourself a real beauty!" a guest boomed, clapping him on the back.
They shook hands,Aaron replied, dryly”Thanks”
"You two are meant to be!" another guest gushed. "You complement each other so well!"
“Just like suit and tie,huh?” Another completed and they laughed_ Aaron didn't find it funny.
“Look at you,bro.Now leaving us bachelor's to our fate” A lanky guest said, giving him a wink.
“ There's really peace of mind in finally deciding to settle down” Aaron said,his voice gloomy and ironic.
“Yeah,yeah” The lanky man said,” Wonder why we haven't found beautiful ladies like your bride”
Ivy was flattered,she smiled and she felt Aaron's grip on her waist tighten.She needed not to look up to know he was starting to get really irritated.
He wondered why they wouldn't go away .It was obvious they knew him but he didn't know any of them,he just pretended to anyway.
“ You both remind me of myself and my husband when we were much younger” An older lady, dressed in an expensive gown said, smiling sweetly.
“No one would have ever believed you had finally decided to settle down and be a real beauty at that” A man with a heavy falling mustache remarked, sipping his champagne.
A ripple of laughter went round the small gathering.
“Oh,son” Alvira came out of somewhere in the gathering of influential women.
She gave him a tight hug,he stiffened like a stick as she pulled him in and then pecked Ivy in both cheeks.
“I'm so happy this is happening, finally I can now brag to my friends that my son's married” She gushed.
“Mum,not now” Aaron said
“ Come on son,soon I won't be seeing you as often as I used to.” She clasped her hands dreamily together,” You both look good together”
Ivy lowered her head, allowing the loose tendrils of her hair to fall in a silky curtain around her face.
“I told you I needed a small, quiet wedding,why all these people for heaven's sake mum?”
“You need people to be aware of your wedding son,you need people of class and affluence to be present on your big day” Alvira said, moving her body now as the music changed.
“I'm being serious mum” Aaron scrowled
“Relax,it will be over soon.Just think of your inheritance and all you'd be getting from it” She said and waltzed off before he would complain any further.
“You're hurting me,” Ivy said after some time.
“ Are you going to stop bugging me or send out a negative signal to them?”He blurted
“I need some fresh air,I don't feel really comfortable” She told him.
He sipped his champagne,his smile vanishing into the brims of his glass.
“I'm not comfortable holding you so close either” He said
Ivy sighed,that wasn't what she had meant.She said nothing.Her heart just kept pounding against the walls of her chest.
As the night wore on,Ivy couldn't wait to get out of the stuffed atmosphere. They both stood stiffly, their smiles plastered on their faces like masks.
"You did well tonight," Aaron said, his voice cold. "You played the part perfectly."
They watched the guest crawl out slowly,the noise increasing even more.Aaron was glad all the gathering was over,he needed some time to himself.
“Thanks,” She muttered.
“You're now mine, remember that."He said,his voice low and husky
It made a shiver run down her spine...oh God!
- Writer
