Loved and Hated by You

Where it all started

CHAPTER 3

Once we reached the venue I went inside a bride room. All my cousins were there they all looked pretty in their dresses, after all they were my Bridesmaid. They all started to tease me, that Richard won't be able to take his eyes from me, I looked so pretty that they all envied me, I will be lying if I said I did not look good on my big day. I do look beautiful and I was happy at least my pictures will come nicely.

Knock Knock!

"come in" said Jeena.

" Hi, so sorry sweetheart I am late" said my close friend Edna.

"no you are on time, moonlight," I said

"you look so beautiful Ahanna" said Edna.

" Thank you, sweetheart, you look beautiful too and thank you for coming," I said, Edna was one of my close friends even though we don't usually meet because he lives in Ohio and I live in Houston. 

we met in my first office and we hit it off right away we spent quite a quality time together and I knew she was my friend for life. After that my cousins wanted to have a photo shoot of themselves, So I and Edna got dragged by them in it.

we clicked many pictures together. Along with my cousins as well. once it was time for me to walk to the Aisle, they all left me and went ahead, so that I can do last minute touch up and walk down with my dad. when I heard a knock again, I knew it was my father and brother to walk me to the Aisle.

" come in" I said.

" you look lovely, darling" said my Dad Steve.

" yeah you look really beautiful in your dress" said John.

" Thank you both of you" I said. 

" shall we go," said Dad. Held his arm out for me to hook mine with, John did the same as well.

I held both of my dear man arms, Yes I was only supposed to hold my dad's arm while walking the aisle, that was the tradition but did I ever cared about traditions, NO, so why start now. I wanted to have both of them with me today and I did as I pleased, after all it was my wedding day, who were other to judge me and my family.

Music started playing in the background and my cousins walked out of the door in front of me.

"Nervous" John asked in my ear.

"Yeah" I gave him a tight smile. In return he squeezed my hand which was in his arm, to assure me that everything gonna be alright. I was very grateful that he was here for me, to support me, in every step I took, towards the unknown future.

"let go," said, dad.

all three of us started walking together. once we were out I saw all my family members, relatives cheering me. passing lots of comments and clapping, throwing flowers for me, my bridesmaid already made a way for me full of flowers to walk on. I Saw my Mom standing in the front, she had a handkerchief in her hand, she was crying again and looking at me with those beautiful eyes, same as me, I know she was really happy for me. 

she wanted a world for me. I know deep down, she wanted me to have a better marriage life. which she never had, all the torture, beating, shame, and pain. She never wanted me to feel all those things.

I smiled at her and she smiled back to me with that tears stained face, all I felt was warm inside and then my eyes went to my Husband Richard Christopher. Standing tall in his black three-piece suit, he looked good better than I thought he might. His green and yellow eyes were dancing with joy he was happy to see me. He was lusting over me, I don't know if I can handle him, but I have to get through this. Next to him stands his best friend Nick, I only had one impression of Nick that he was not, a bad guy. he looked good too in his dark grey suit.

Richard came down to get me from my father and brother. he stretched his hand, for me to take and I took his hand.

He pulled me up and smiled at me, I smiled back.

"you look ravishing, can't wait to get you under me hun" Richard said in my ear.

I made a face and he laughed.

Soon Priest started welcoming the congregations and read out the stuff but I was not hearing it, my whole focus was on Richard, how he was looking at me with those possessive eyes, which held many promises for me to come.

oh god, I would be lying if I said I was not scared, but I kept a pleasant smile plastered on my face, so no one detects anything.

The priest asked Richard to recite his Vows. Richard looked me in the eyes and started saying.

" I Richard Christopher, take you, Ahanna black, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part".

"Do you Ahanna Black take Richard Christopher as your husband?" the priest asked.

I look at Richard and with full determination recite the lines I was repeating, since I was a kid for my future love.

"yes, I do, I Ahanna Black, take you, Richard Christopher to be my husband, and I promise to be faithful to you and honest with you, I will respect you, trust, help, and care for you, I will share my life with you, I will forgive you as we have been forgiven, and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world and god, through the best and worst of what is to come, and as long as we live"

" Now exchange the Rings" said Priest.

Richard put a very beautiful leaf-like diamond ring in my ring finger. It was really beautiful with lots of small diamonds in it, all shining at me. Jeena gave me my ring to put in Richard's hand and I slipped a simple gold band with a big diamond on the top of it, in Richards Ring Finger.

" Now I pronounce you both Husband and Wife, you may kiss the bride" said Priest.

Richard doesn't need to be told twice. He held me by my waist and removed my Veil and smacked his lips on mine. Just like that we are now husband and wife. Everyone cheered and blessed us.

We had our cake cutting done. After which we were pushed to dance on the dance floor, by all our friends. I did not like public display of affection and Richard knew that, but I guess he did not care anymore because I could tell he had quite a few drinks. Even all his friends were drunk, just one look, and anyone could tell.

"Richard you promised you won't drink on our wedding day" I asked.

"well technically I did not drink on our wedding day but on our wedding night instead" Richard said and laughed.

" Are you trying to be smart now?" I asked in all seriousness.

" It's our wedding Ahanna, what did you expect for me to vow, never touch the alcohol again" Richard retorted.

" well at least I expected you to take my feeling in an account at least, I am your wife" 

" well, I did that's why I am still sober enough, so that I can please you all night" he whispered to me.

"Also I dying to get this damn gown off of you and see the beautiful naked you in my bed"

"Don't try to change the topic, you knew how much I hate alcohol and people who drink?" I said and I was getting angry by every minute that was passing by but still, I kept my smile on my face.

So that everyone will think we were enjoying our happy dance. Richard pinched my waist in a warning and whispered to me.

" You will do as I say, I am your bloody damn husband now, not your slave Do you get it," he asked.

"I am asking you something Ahanna, answer you don't want to disappoint your family today or do you" there were a warning and a challenge in his tone, he wanted me to say no and see what will happen after that.

" yes ...yes I got it" I stammered, this was the first time I saw him like this. It made me scared, I went back to being a little girl who was scared of drunk peoples.

"don't challenge me next time or I won't be this lenient with you" Said Richard angrily.

"Hi, may have a dance with the beautiful bride" said John from behind me. I was really thankful to him, for interrupted our dance and freeing me of my nightmare.

"Obviously you could brother-in-law, she is all yours now" said Richard before leaving and squeeze my waist in warning, not to say a word to others.

"Hi, all good" asked John.

"yeah why do you ask," I said, playing all innocent.

" well I thought you were having a heavy discussing going on, so I came to look" he said.

"Nah you know, when I get tired, how irritating I become" I said.

he laughed " yeah that I know for sure" he said while spinning me out.

I hit his chest when he pulled me back to him" you know, I will not hear going tomorrow. you gonna miss me" I said getting little emotional.

"aww don't do that, what will happen to my dude image, if I cry because of you," said John.

I started to laugh again. I know he sensed something was off, so he tried to cheer me up.

" You know Ahanna there will many ups and downs in your marriage, don't get scared, don't try to mend everything, because you can't you are too different people, it will take time for you to adjust with him, give him time your care and love, soon he will be all your," John said and kissed my forehead.

" Thank you John, but I don't know if I will be able to do all that" I said feeling sad and lonely all of sudden because after today there will be no one with me, I will be on my own in that house.

" You will be fine, you are my brave sister, and stop putting every man in the same league as our father" he said with little sadness. He knew I hated alcohol, he knew me too well to know why I was upset.

"Yeah I will try, you know I get scared of them, even though I try to put a brave front I am anything but brave at that time," I said feeling ashamed of myself.

"you don't have to be brave, you just need to be understanding and things will follow, ok" he tried to make me understand how life works between two married people.

" yes, I will do my best" I said with a smile on my face to assure him, that I will not mess up.

" ok let's go now, you must be tired," John said he lead me through all dance to seating place.

Soon everything died down and I went with Richard in his car to his place, my new home. when I left my mother cried while hugging me my brother, father all were with tears, I never thought John will cry. He was so cheerful a few mins ago and now he was sad to part from me but knew he has to let his baby sister go to her new home.

I tried to assure my mom and everyone that I will be fine and they should stop crying becasue it was making things hard for me. I did not want to go either but I have to go.

I was sitting between Richard and his sister Tia and I was still crying, he tried to hold my hand but I did not want that, he pressed my hand again and I let him, what choice do I have anyway. Soon we were in front of his bungalow. Mia was waiting for us at the front door to welcome me and Richard in the house.

Once in I saw many people I knew nothing about and was asked to greet all of them by Richards's mother Melissa and Richard was now nowhere to found I was left with only his sister, mother, and relatives. I did as I was told and soon I was sent to my room. but what happened next was shocking because instead of Richard, his sisters came into my room.

" Hi Ahanna, how are you doing, do you need anything," asked Tia.

" No thank you, Tia, I am good," I said even though I was having a headache.

" Why don't you get changed into comfortable clothes," said Mia. I had no idea what to think of that and where was Richard and why are they here instead of him. So, I asked instead of wondering what was wrong.

" where is Richard?"

"Well he won't be coming back soon, he is with his friends and cousins, all are giving him tips for your first night, so we thought to give you the company," Said Mia and I knew right at that instant that something was not right but still I did not listen to my conscience and ignored it, trusted Richard.

" Ok, so I will change and get a little comfortable then," I said.

"Your bags are in the walking closet" said Tia.

"Ok thank you" I said and walked in the closet to get changed. It was my first night here and I was spending it with my sister-in-law instead of my husband. Well great start Ahanna, I said to myself. At least I was not alone in a room, I was scared of unknown places and this was my first time here, so I was happy that they did not leave me alone in a room.

"Here you can have a coffee, I made some for me and Tia, thought you might want one too, after such a long day" said Mia once I got out of the closet.

"Thank you" I said and I was happy to get a coffee because my head was killing me.

" So, how do you like our house," said Tia.

" It's nice" I said honestly and what I did not notice at that time was that, she never said it was my house, she said our house.

" yeah, your house is not that big, so must be feeling overwhelmed here, feeling lucky to get married to such a household" Said Mia.

"No, it's not like that" I tried to be polite, even though I wanted to tell her that, my house was far better than yours at least, we did not have two bitches there. I thought, did my sister-in-law saw me as a b***h as well.

"Ok Mia lets not make her uncomfortable after all it's her first day in our house," Said Tia I thought she was on my side but again I never learned to judge the true character of people, so I made my biggest mistake and trusted her because soon she started to manipulate me and made my life living nightmare.

" Here are your Gifts, which we brought for you," said Tia

" You don't have to do that and thank you so much" I said but accepted the gifts otherwise it would have been rude.

" You can open them later though and rest now, Richard will be here soon". Said Tia and Mia after that they left me with my gift alone in that room.

I did not open those gifts because I was worried where Richard was and dreading over the s*x, which he will demand, once he was here. I was trying to figure out a way to get him not to do it, as I was really scared because as much as I knew it would hurt a lot on your first time.

I wanted to delay it as much as I can. As I was thinking of a way I did not realize that it's been hours and still I was alone, Richard was nowhere. So I thought to go get a shower as it was already morning and it was no use to sleep anymore because someone will come soon to wake me up. 

So I got ready in a beautiful Red and coffee color dress with halter neck, little Red flowers on it, and wore the necklace my maternal uncle gave me it was like a chocker of golden color and beautiful earrings with it. 

I also did some makeup to hide, bags under my eye. As I came out of the closet, I found Melissa my mother-In-law in my room. I had no idea when she came into the room, because I was pretty sure, she did not knock on the door. It might be my first day in this house but still, I could have been walking naked in this room. I still kept my mouth shut and smiled once she looked at my way.

"oh you look good, I thought you might embarrass me in front of my relatives, so I came to check what you will be wearing today, but not bad your parents spent some money on you," said Melissa and just like that she started insulting my family because we were not as rich as them.

"Mom, I have many pretty dresses, you don't have to worry, I won't embarrass you," I said, her eyes turned cold but still she smiled sweetly at me.

"Well let's go, all the relatives are leaving and you have to bid them farewell, as you are now our Daughter-in-law, you have to give them return gifts as well. Did your mother give you the gifts which we asked for" She said even though I told Richard about his mother's Greediness and the way she was pressuring my family for gifts and gold items? 

He did nothing about this and told me it was between his parents and mine and I should not get involved either in these kinds of things. I thought he would persuade his family not to ask for so many things but to my surprise he did nothing.

" yeah they are in the other bags which were sent with me" I told her.

" go get those bags and we will go down to bid our farewell to everyone," she said and I left to get inside the closet to get my bags, even though I did not like her attitude I tried to not show it and try to accept her as well as John told me but it was hard for me when she tried to insult me and my family at every single opportunity she got.

Melissa introduced me to everyone and I gave them all their gifts and made some coffee and snacks for them, On Melissa's order, Tia showed me all the things in the kitchen and left me to prepare the stuff, while they chatted in the living room. I was serving them coffee when Richard came from outside.

"So, finally your party is over" asked melissa in an irritating tone.

"Come on mom, it was my marriage yesterday, I was supposed to enjoy my day" said Richard in a baby voice while hugging his mom. 

" Ok I don't mind but your father does not like you going around in the night and coming back in the morning" said Melissa in a soft tone.

" He won't say anything don't worry, I know how to handle him" Said Richard, I was just leaving when Richard came after me into the Kitchen.

" where is my coffee wify" he whispered to me while hugging me from the behind and kissing my neck and nuzzling into my neck.

"I will bring it in the living room," I said, I tried to control my temper with him, I was angry with him because he left me alone on our wedding night, to have a party with his friends and cousins.

"Aww my baby is angry with me, for not satisfying her last night, don't be angry I will make it up to you tonight. Also, you look so beautiful in this dress, that I already can't keep my hands to myself". he said while holding me tightly in his embrace and licking, sucking my neck while his one hand went to my breast, he started fondling my breast and biting my ear. His breath still held some of the alcohol and I knew he was not completely sobber until now.

I tried to free myself from him but he kept me in place and I was no match for him in strength. My struggle was futile, he was so busy assaulting my body that he did not even notice his nephew Logan, was staring at us from the door. when I saw him. I said his name so that Richard would let me go.

"Logan, do you need anything," I asked anxiously, I had no idea since when he was standing here. But he has saved me from Richard for which I was thankful to him.

"No I was looking for Richard uncle, Mom was looking for him" he said and looked at Richard, who was now standing like a gentleman nothing like a molester, who was few mins ago trying to f**k me in this kitchen.

" ok my tiger lets go to your mom" he said and went out with Logan, but before he went out of the kitchen he turned around.

" Baby, we will continue once, I get back" and winked at me.

I sighed in relief at least he won't be back for now. So I went back into the living room where his mom and other relatives who haven't left were chatting happily. After some time I was told to go back to my room and I left them chatting.