Thorns of Roses

The Calmness before the Storm

Song for this Chapter:

Collide-Justine Skye featuring Tyga

CHAPTER 54

CORINNE

As soon as we land back in New York, I gathered up my things and decides to leave.

I didn’t see Blaze anywhere the mansion, not that I would still want to see him after the insults he threw at me Diesel and Carina’s wedding.

I had saved enough money to pay for the rent on an apartment complex near the school and at Grandma’s. so, I won’t have to spend so much in transportation.

It’s better to be here, then to be at the place where you are not wanted. That your presence alone can sends them pain.

I bid my formal goodbyes to Havoc and told him that I wouldn’t go anywhere. That I am still here in New York and he would know where to find me when the wedding pursues.

Not that I am expecting to, I thought I would give Blaze the time and the space he needs to man up to tell his own father that I am not the one he wants to marry.

Days, turns to weeks and weeks turns to a month.

I didn’t hear any cancelation of wedding from them.

I barely even see Blaze on school and as much as possible I am trying to avoid him at all cost.

From time to time, I would catch him looking at me. but I will always be the first one to withdrew.

I am trying my best to survive and moved on from this world offered me.

I love him. But every time I am looking at him, I am hurting.

He’s just another Diesel for me. another love that wasn’t meant to be.

I continued working for Grandma. Working with her is very easy and truth be told, I really need the money to pay the rent, bills and also food on my table.

Thankfully, I wouldn’t have to worry about my school dues because Marcus Lewis already paid for it full when we enrolled. I wouldn’t be surprised that he didn’t even tried to request a refund for my tuition, that would raise the suspicion of the board of directors of the campus, and he hates the unwanted attention on his name. But I know how much he’s dying to just that. Just to make me suffer.

Hannah was still missing.

I don’t know if the word missing is the correct word for it, maybe hiding?

I didn’t hear anything from her either.

While Diesel and Carina looking so cozy and comfortable with each other. Sometimes, I would still see Die looking at me just like before. But I just smiled at him letting him know that he didn’t lose me, I am still he’s best friend.

And, for a month I still didn’t visit Anne at the hospital. I am calling her thrice a week if that would count. I know she noticed how cold and maybe disappointed I am in my voice every time we speak, but I told her that I am just so busy doing the sculpture for the annual exhibition then schoolwork’s all at once.

I trust that Marcus wouldn’t do anything to her, he knows that she’s the only key to make me play my part in his games. And loosing Anne is like a suicide to him. I wished he was smart enough to think like that.

For a month, since I haven't heard anything or heard that Blaze and I's wedding scheduled for the first week of next month has been canceled, I am also busy preparing for the wedding. The only time Blaze and I can see each other is when we prepared our marriage. The first week is our wedding coordinators helped us choose a wedding theme, cakes, flower arrangement, guest list, food to serve and the place where the wedding will be held and where the reception will be held. Blaze didn't speak much to give his opinion on our marriage, not that I expected him to be excited, just like me. But I hope I don't make it too much obvious that I'm excited about the wedding and that I'm the only one who's happy. But he suggested one thing, he chose St. Patrick's Cathedral just here in New York to perform the wedding ceremony. I don't know if that place has any meaning to him, but I am glad at least he has a say in the plan.

For the theme, I chose a rust color and earth colors. I love the color of it.

For the cake, I would always choose Red Velvet.

For the guest list, I told the coordinators just ask Havoc and Marcus about it, since it was, they’re event after all. We’re just a tool for the event. A puppet.

The flower, I chose Roses. That earned me a look from Blaze, and out of mind I look at his tattoo and his arm. The roses and thorns on his arms.

The reception, it was Martha’s choice. She chooses The Cipriani at 42nd street. It’s luxurious and sophisticated. At the place screams money and power. She wants the place to boast in her circle of fake friends.

For the second week of that month, the coordinators ask us about our entourage. I wanted Carina to be my maid of honor. Savannah, Amelie and Barb are the bridesmaids and Blaze got Die to be his best man, and alongside Die is his football teammates, Alec, Marv and Carlo.

They ask us about our certain wedding playlist that we would play during the wedding and the reception, I told them that it was up to them. I have one in mind, but I don’t want Blaze sees how I am being in love with the wedding.

I know the coordinators used to this kind of marriage, a fixed marriage. Never in my dreams did I still thought that this kind of marriage still exist in 21st century, but it did.

For the third week, they ask meet us separately for our gown and entourage dress fitting. I am with my bridesmaid and his with his friends.

That would be the first time, Anne and I see each other again. As much as I am still disappointed at her, for not telling me the truth up until now, I want her to be the one to choose my wedding dress, she’s my mother for eighteen years and I still love her and grateful to her to bear the weight of someone else’s child responsibility.

When she saw the long ball gown with thousands of diamonds with a heart shaped top paired with a meter long of veil, she said she know that this gown would be it for me.

And when I am done dressing up and let Anne and my bridesmaid see the fit of the gown to me, they gasped and almost see the tears of happiness in their eyes.

I know right there, that this wedding gown was it for me.

Today was the last week of this month before I become a Mayhem.

Honestly, until now, I am still waiting for Blaze to backed out. I know one of this days or hours even, he would back out of this wedding.

And that’s painful to me.

Can I marry someone who doesn't love me? Can I spend my whole life with someone who loves someone else? Those are the questions I keep asking myself, but I can't get any answers. Because the truth is, with my love for Blaze now I'm ready to do everything impossible. And that's the scary part of me being in love with him, because I know at the end, he will just hurt me but I'm ready to accept all the pain just to be with him.

Tonight, is our party before the wedding.

Let’s just say that this is the calmness before the storm.

We are bound to get a party at Loopy Doopy, despite the name of it, this is a 16th floor bar atop at the classy Conrad New York, sleek and stylish.

We’re supposed to invite our closet circle, so I decide to invite some of my classmates at my art class.

And I heard, Blaze invited his whole squad.

I wear a black bodycon that has a high slit on my left leg, with a slight of a show of my breast but my back is bare, I just let my hair down and curl it wavy a little, I paired it with a black stiletto and decides to go along with a very red lipstick that everyone will see even in the dark.

Let’s just say, this is me wanted to get laid with that one specific person. b***h move, right?

When Savannah and Carina and I arrived at the rooftop bar, we had a few friends there as well as Blaze's friends, Die is there too. They greeted me warmly and even complimented my looks. For years of my existence, no one in the football team of our campus talked to me, so I was surprised that they knew my name. I am invisible until now, now that I can marry the next powerful person in America.

An hour later, Blaze wasn’t still here and I am started to get worried. Die assured me that Blaze will be here.

So, instead of waiting for him, sulking and pouting and not enjoy the busy city lights beneath us, I decide to have some fun and have some drinks.

I didn’t know how much I drank, I remember we’re passing some joint to smoke with and we’re dancing and drinking. And for a second, I am glad I got rid of Blaze in my mind.

Some of us we’re dancing with the song of Call out my Name by the Weeknd, a hand circled on my waist and I lean my head on his broad chest. I didn’t even know who he is.

My vision is nothing but burst of concerted colors but I feel happy and light. “You’re drunk.”

Guess the Devil finally decides to show up.

I grind my body on him, feeling his now hard c**k behind me. “Uhm-hmm.”

“We should go.”

This time, I turn around and look at him, he’s so fine wearing a black long sleeve that hangs open from the first three buttons. I put my hands on his chest “But you just got here.”

“It doesn’t matter, your stoned?” he asked.

I don’t know but I laughed, I will blame this on the joint “Hell, yeah. I am.”

“Who f*****g gave her a joint?!” He asked everyone and all of his friend’s chuckle at him.

“Dude, we’re all stone and f*****g drunk! This is the best party ever!”

“Yeah!” I chimed in along with the others who had a great time. I even saw Die and Carina’s kissing. Some of my friends from art class and Blaze’s friends making out too. and I figured, none of us will care what’s happening tonight.

Heat surges all over my body and when I looked at Blaze, he’s looking at me.

“You’re having a good time?” His voice is much calmer right now. I nod.

“Yeah.”

He turns me around, facing my friends like they are doing some orgy in front of everyone. But we are the only ones here.

Blaze let me lean on his broad chest again while whispering on my ears “Watch them. Look at them.” He’s like lucifer whose demanding you to say out loud what you truly desire.

His hands were all over my body, his right hand on my waist while the other is inside my dress, playing with my hard on n****e.

I am so turn on, so f*****g wet. “What do you want, Corinne?” He asked and bit my ear.

“I want you.” I breath, like my life depends on it.

“What? I didn’t hear you, Darling.”

“I want you, Blaze.”

In just one swoop, I am being held up on the bar counter. I am sitting on the counter and he kissed me savagely. “I am hungry, Darling.” He growls in between kisses.

“Then eat me, Honey.”

He smirks and he didn’t need to be told twice as he bent on his knee, making my legs open in front of him. I am starting to undress when he stopped me. “No. I don’t want anyone see how f*****g ethereal you are.” He just shoves my undies while keeping the dress as our barrier for some eyes that may look or watch us. They will definitely see me being eaten by Blaze, but they wouldn’t see my private part.

Then I feel his long slick tongue flicked on my folds and I moan loudly, I held on to his hair pushing him even deeper. Oh god, this is beyond perfect.

I took a time to look at our friends and saw them doing their own business, my head were fuzzy as I come so hard on his mouth. He stood up and smirk and showed me that he swallowed my orgasm. “Sweet, Darling.”

“Wanted me to return the favor, honey? I am craving you.” I told him seductively as I kissed him on his neck I am still sitting on the counter, he’s standing between my open legs.

“Since when?”

“Since you didn’t give me enough attention.” The joint and the alcohol, I’ll blame this tomorrow.

He chuckles, he bit my lip “My little Darling is needy, isn’t she?”

“I am.”

“Then why did you leave the mansion?”

My head snap to his “What?”

“You heard me.”

“I—I thought you want me to leave.” I am so confused right now.

“Suck me.”

I didn’t need to be told twice as I hop off the counter and Blaze leans on it, spreading his ams wide.

I open his zipper and his c**k springs to life, I put my lips all around his shaft and start moving up and down till I enjoyed what I am doing to him, giving him pleasure.

When I look up, his eyes were closed, his hands on my head and the sounds coming out of him is guttural. Then he explodes inside my mouth, he looks down at me “Swallow.”

And I did. He wipe the residue on the corner of my lips and when I stood up, my vision circles and hazy then everything turns dark.