Lipstick on the Glass

Chapter 1

Three Years Later

Kingsley

"Honestly, it's your wedding day. You shouldn't be smoking this-this mess." My mother came up and snatched the blunt from between my fingers.

I sighed and turned back to mirror, she smiled as she fixed my tie and looked up to me. She had been planning this entire say since the first date. It was the wedding she always wanted.

"The honeymoon will be nice, make sure you get to the airport on time so that the paparazzi can catch some great pictures." She hummed walking away.

The door opened and closed, I looked back to see my father easing into the room. He looked to my mother and she scoffed walking up to him. They spoke quietly for a moment before she left the room.

"You're sure this is what you want?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, I love her, and she makes me happy." I told him.

"She does? Then that's good, as long as your happy." He muttered to himself.

"As long as it keeps me from slitting my wrist or swallowing a bottle of pills?"

"Kingsley, work with us here. We've been trying everything to help you out. Think about your mother and what you'd put her through." He frowned, causing the wrinkles in his face to deepen.

Turning away from him, I rolled my shoulders back and sighed.

"You're right, wouldn't want to cause her any shame." I mumbled.

"That's not what I meant--"

"I think that's exactly what you meant but hey, I'm getting married. Let's not make everything about you two when it should be about me." I chuckled walking past him.

I opened the door that led to the hall, across the way I seen Eden. She tucked a piece of her currant colored hair into her up-do. My mother spoke to her with tenderness while her own mother stood on the other side with a red cheek.

"You look angelic." I told her.

She looked up at me with her gingerbread eyes, "You look...tasty." Eden giggled.

I leaned down to her ear, "You got drunk without me?" I smirked.

"You weren't in the bridal room with me, it's the only way I could stay sane in there." She responded, pressing her lips to my cheek.

Eden and I had grew close over the years, it was to be expected but we're more-so friends, close friends. She was an ear and shoulder and I returned the favor. We've found a solace in one another while we showed the world a facade of a head over heels, love stricken couple.

"Alright you two, save that for the honeymoon. I'm expecting a grandchild within the next year. We have to stay on schedule." My mother chimed in.

"Alright, we're going to get to our places." Gregory, Eden's father cleared his throat.

My father came out of the room and my mother hooked onto his arm. They got into order while she gave out orders from her head piece. Eden grabbed my upper arm, I glanced down at her while she stared ahead.

"Nervous?" I asked.

"Not really, I never thought I'd make it down an isle but I guess I'm doing it." She sighed.

"You and me both."

"What are we going to do in a year?" Eden whispered.

I shrugged, "I know a guy, don't worry about it." I mumbled quietly.

The music began to play, and Eden tightened her grip on my arm. We marched down the isle, the church was filled with people. A few that I personally know and the rest were people my family does business with.

As we made it down to the raised platform, the priest stood in front of us. Looking out at the crowd, my eyes gravitated to one spot, it was empty. I didn't know what I was expecting.

While my mind wandered, my eyes roamed around the building until landing on my father. He motioned for me to turn around and obliged. I had no clue what the priest was saying.

"Now if we could have the rings."

My cousin held the ring over my shoulder, Eden retrieved mine from a woman I've never seen before. It was likely a friend for hire that her mother bought.

We exchanged rings and opted out of doing vows, we wanted the bare minimum.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Lifting the veil, Eden stared up at me. Her dainty hands cupped my cheeks a brought my lips to hers. It was soft and simple. Just as we planned.

There was confusion amongst the guest but nonetheless, they clapped and cheered. I chuckled as I wiped the corned of her mouth to rid her of the partially smeared lipstick.

"Hear comes the photographers, are we giving them a show or what?" I murmured quickly into her ear.

"Oh just wait until we get to the limousine." She grinned.

"Oh look at that smile, I haven't seen that in ages!" Her mother tearfully cried out.

Eden rolled her eyes, the doors of the church was opened and we beelined our way to the limousine. Eden hitched up her dress to above her waist and pulled me against her as she laid back against the car.

"Make it good." She said before the photographers and paparazzis fought for angles.

I couldn't help but to smile and follow her lead, I slid my hand up her thigh and placed my teeth against her neck. My mother was in the back barking orders just to get a handles of things. I know I'd hear more from her later.

Opening the limousine door, Eden fell in first and I followed. Laughing while we closed the door. It was our favorite past time, to give my mother heart attacks and the paparazzi a show.

"God, I didn't think that wouldn't end fast enough." She giggled leaning across the seat, her legs thrown across my lap.

The driver started the car and we were off, in route to the next venue.

"I truly don't want to walk into the afterparty." I sighed.

"Want to skip straight to the honeymoon?" Eden looked to me.

"You think he'll show up?"

"I don't know, King." She shrugged.

King.

I only allowed her to call me that.

Her and him.

"If he don't, you still have me." She added.

I nodded, rubbing her leg.

The last three years, we grew closer. I guess you could say we've become best friends. We knew each other better than our parents knew us.

"Take us to the airport." I looked tapped on the privacy glass.

"I have strict orders from your mother." The driver's voice came from an intercom.

"I don't give a damn, I'll pay you twice as much than she is." I offered.

The driver grunted as he missed the turn he was supposed to take. Leaning back against my seat, I smiled over to Eden.

"You do actually look beautiful today." I told her.

"And you look handsome as always." She smiled.

We had built our own world, where we could control just a bit of it. There wasn't much of a strain, she stayed home majority of the time or entertained with my mother. I'd come home and we'd spend the night drinking and having fun.

Navigating the new world that our parents forced us into, though it was our choice, we still didn't have it our way. She was understand and became a true friend, we talked about things, shared tears together. It was us, just us.

As the car slowed to a stop, there was no paparazzi in sight. They were all at the venue and it was a sweet escape from there on. Pausing as the ring of my phone chilled my blood.

Eden looked to me and shook her head. I'd love more than anything to just not answer but I've known my mother long enough to know that wasn't the right choice.

Eden wrapped herself around my arm as we strolled through the airport.

"Hello mother."

"Kingsley, you have ten minutes to get here. I don't know what you're thinking but--

"I'm thinking that I'm tired of being around people and want to be along with my wife. Is that too much to ask? Isn't this what you wanted for me?" I questioned, interrupting her.

There was silence on her end, silence is usually never good.

"Are you really happy, baby?" She asked.

Her tone had turned softer and the tension left my shoulders just a bit.

If I tell her that I miss him, it would all blow up at me.

"Yeah, ma. I really am and I want some time with my wife, no extra people and no cameras." I sighed finding a empty seat.

Eden detached from me and entered the gift shop.

"That's all I want. Okay, you can have the next two weeks for just yourself and your wife." She giggled.

"Thank you."

When the call ended, I stared at the most recent. I had called him before the wedding and he didn't answer. I thought that he was okay with it. That what he claimed but I guess he really wasn't.

I looked up to see Eden approaching me happily. There was no point to be upset. I was going on my honeymoon and enjoying it.