The Wrong Bride

Chocking On A Steak

I came downstairs and entered the dining room. Damianos was sitting at the table looking at his phone. When he felt my arrival, he raised his eyes to look at me but his position did not change. I refrained from looking at him because I was very conscious.

He still didn't take his eyes off me. I can feel his eyes observing my every move. I sat down on the chair opposite him. My eyes were at the table. I didn't have the guts to look at him. So, I started noticing my finger nails as if instead of pink they have turned blue.

Just then my traitorous tummy selected the moment to growl. It was so loud, I turned red. I wondered if he heard me. Oh what was I thinking, of course he heard me.

I braced myself to look up to his face. I slowly raised my eyes and saw him.

He was looking at me but his face still expressionless. I didn't know whether to be happy that he did not laugh at me. Or sad that he considers me so gross that I'm not even worth his laugh.

I contented myself with choosing the former.

Martha came and served us our food. I started eating, aware of the man sitting opposite me. I gathered the guts to looked at him again but he was consumed in his eating.

He was a fast eater so he finished before me. I, on the other hand, have a great appreciation for food so I was taking my time eating. But then I noticed that he did not got up from his seat after finishing his dinner. He was waiting for me to finish. His elbows were now on the table, his fingers clasped and he was again staring me leisurely.

It was embarrassing to be observed while eating. I started thinking if my mouth is opening too much or am, I making too much sound. Ugh why doesn't he just get up and go? To hell with manners.

But realizing that he is not going to move his handsome ass or his eyes, I started shoving the food quickly into my mouth. My appreciation for the delicacies long gone.

In the process of shoving the food inside my mouth, I choked on a piece of steak. And started coughing loudly. My eyes were filled with tears and I was having a difficulty in breathing.

Damianos quickly got up from his chair and came behind me. He held my shoulder and started patting my back. My coughing subsided.

Then he took a jar of water and filled my empty glass. He took the glass and brought it to my lips. "Drink", he said. I started drinking the water. My discomfort was also decreasing and I was soon breathing normally. Meanwhile one of his hand was still patting my back gently.

"Do you have to catch a train? Eat slowly", he commented in his deep voice, went again to his chairs, took his phone and left.

#*#*#*

The next morning, I woke up at 5:30, I'm an early riser. But this was early even for me. It was a Sunday. I got up from the bed and went to the balcony.

The air was heavy and wind was blowing fast. The sun hasn't come out yet. I could see the dark clouds in the sky. The trees near the lake was flowing wildly. It was going to rain soon.

I loved rain. So, I decided to go out to the garden. I didn't bother to get changed or wash my face. I was wearing a white sleeveless top and pink short. My hair were untied so they were in a disarray. I twisted my hair and made it into a loose bun and went outside.

I went at the back of the house towards the lake. Instead of going to the front of the lake which was facing the house, I went towards the side. I walked on and reached the side.

This side was covered with a lot of trees and their protruding roots. The rest were covered with wild grass and mosses. The wind was making the trees shake and the small wild fruits were dropping on the ground.

While protecting my head from the fruits, I slipped on a root and made, "ah", sound. The ground beneath was damp that's why I had slipped. I had hurt my back. A few tendrils from my bun came loose.

Cursing the damn root, I got up, rubbing my back. I went on towards the bank of the lake and started looking at the clear water. I was fascinated by the clarity of the water from the first day itself. It would be so nice to swim in this water.

I got down on my knees and bent forward to touch the water. It was so cold and clean. I had a sudden urge to go inside the water.

"What are you doing?", came an alarming voice of Damianos. I retracted my hands from the water and looked to my side. I saw him coming towards me in long strides. His motion quick. He reached me and pulled me up from my sitting position. And dragged me a little further from the bank.

"Are you out of your mind?", he was angry, jaws clenched, "do you see the ground? It's damp and slippery, you could slip anytime. And to top that you were giving your hands in the water. Do you know how deep this side of the lake is? You could have fallen and no one would have noticed at this time of the morning".

"I was just enjoying the weather", I said taken aback with his sudden outburst.

"Enjoy it from a distance", he said reprovingly. He took my hand and pulled me out of the lake side and we were now at the front where greenery was lesser.

"Don't go to that side of the lake. There's a reason that part is covered with thick trees", he warned and then started to leave. Leaving me alone.

I was annoyed at him. He has left me in the middle of nowhere. And I have been living here from almost five days and all he could say was warn me not to do this, not to do that. I've had enough.

"I want to go to my friend's place", I declared from behind, not wanting to take his ignorance anymore.

He turned, his face an expressionless mask. "And why do you want to go there?"

"It's been long and I am getting bored here. I'm here day and night, not doing anything", I complained.

He scowled, "So you don't like living here, huh? What did you expect? That I'll be a nice husband and we'll play house? Always remember Eleanor, I don't forget anything. And I'm going to make sure you don't forget anything as well", he said in an ominous tone.

"You cannot keep me here forever. I'll go mad, I have my needs", I yelled.

He looked at me, his eyes red. He grabbed my shoulder and shook me his voice deep and menacing, "Needs? Needs? I have needs too Eleanor. Would you fulfill them for me?", he said in a suppressed rage, his nostrils flaring, jaws clenched.

I don't know why he suddenly got so angry. His hands were still on my shoulders. He was looking at me, eyebrows furrowed.

My loose bun was now fully down and my hair were on my shoulder. His eyes moved to my hair and with one hand he ran his fingers to its length. As if he has forgotten everything he was just saying.

Then he stopped and restrained himself, looked again to my eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something. But then he just turned and started walking away.

Halfway he stopped and turned. "Get ready by ten we are going outside".

"Where are we going?".

"Shopping".

#*#*#*

I got ready in a yellow floral dress which reached my knees and tied my hairs in a pony. I did not know why Damianos is suddenly taking me shopping. I asked Martha about it but even she did not know anything about it.

It has rained an hour ago and the weather was nice.

I got down at five minutes to ten. Damianos was outside near the car walking to and fro, talking on the phone. His eyebrows were furrowed. And he was giving instructions to someone.

As I reached nearer, he saw me. His eyebrows relaxed but his face still expressionless. I waited for him to finish his call.

Soon he finished his call and went to the passenger side and opened the door for me. I went inside the car. He came inside from the other side and turned on the engine.

While on our way I was wondering why are we suddenly going for shopping so I asked him, " is there an occasion for which we are going for shopping?"

"Nobody was able to see my bride because she fell ill", he gave me a look, "on the day of the wedding. So, people want to see her. My friends, business partners and other relatives. So there is a party at my parents’ house tomorrow. We need you to be dressed accordingly", he finished, looking towards the road as if he just gave me a to do list.

So, there is going to be a party. And I, the bride doesn't know about it. It makes me sad that I might never be part of this family. All the time I will be asked to do something that is already decided. And Damianos will always be remote, ignoring me.

I don't know if I'm ever going to be happy here. And who knows if Damianos's family will like me or not. It was one thing facing Damianos after the stunt I had pulled, but facing his family is going to be very different.

Pushing that thought aside I started thinking about today's shopping. I'm a little conscious about shopping with Damianos. Will I be trying different dresses? Parading in front of Damianos? It will be strange because we don't talk two words with each other and suddenly he'll be telling me which dress will look good on me and which not.

But I guess I was dreaming too far.

When we reached the store which I must point, a high class, glittering, high fashion store. It was at the ground floor of a five-star hotel.

He stopped his car and looked at me and said, "here take my card. Buy something appropriate for the event and some day and night dresses also. Buy anything you need. Ask for Lily she will help you with the shopping. She is already expecting you". I looked at him dumbstruck, not knowing what to make of this behavior.

He continued, "Oh I apologize for not opening the door. I'm in a hurry. I will pick you up after three hours. I hope you will be able to finish your shopping by then. If not, then we can come some other time again".

I got out of the door and stood at the same place waiting for him to leave. Three hours? What am I going to do for three hours? Sew the dress myself?

He then opened the passenger window and said, "don't keep standing here Eleanor, go inside", his voice told about his urgency. So, I started going inside the store. He kept watching me till I got inside the store. When I entered inside, he turned on his ignition and drove away.

I, on the other hand, was watching the black Mercedes driving away leaving me in this strange place. I turned around facing the store. Many dresses, shoes, bags were arranged there. I'm sure every single thing must cost more than my weekly earnings at aunt Melissa's. I have never been to such a*****e before.

Soon a smartly dressed lady came to me and said, "Welcome madam, I'm Hanna, what are you looking for today?", she said in a strict, business tone.

"Uh I'm Eleanor Green Costas. I'm looking for Lily", I said conscious of my money efficient floral dress, which until now I used to take pride in.

"Oh yes Mrs. Costas" her expression changed, "welcome again. We have been expecting you. I will call Lily just one second".

She called Lily. Lily was also a smartly dressed but less rigid than Hanna. She smiled at me and we went inside the store.

"So, we will look at dresses first then shoes and accessories, okay?", she said. I nodded already wanting to leave.

After an hour and a half, I was done with the shopping. I had bought a green off shoulder floor length dress. It had an inverted heart shaped neckline that clung perfectly to my shape and showed a little of my cleavage. It was simple and elegant. I loved it. Even Lily approved of the dress. She said, "I must say Mrs. Costas, not many can pull of that dress. But you are looking breathtaking".

I bought matching shoes and clutch with it. Along with that I bought one day dress and one-night dress. Nothing more since I was feeling guilty for spending so much of Damianos's money.

I left the store and went inside the hotel to eat something since I was feeling hungry. I had an hour and half left to waste so I went to the restaurant to eat. After eating I again went outside. I was getting bored, I wanted to call Eddy but it will take at least half an hour for him to reach here. So, I decided to go in the lounge to sit. I gave the valet my name and ordered a lemonade and went to sit there. I don't know when I fell asleep.

I woke up with gentle shaking and someone calling my name, "Eleanor wake up", Damianos called. I woke up realizing I was still in the lounge.

"Sorry I didn't realize when I fell asleep", I said guilty for falling asleep.

"Why were you not picking up your phone, I called you several times?"

"I must have kept it on silent".

"Don't keep your phone on silent when you are out alone. What is the point of having a phone when no one can reach you?", he admonished.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind. But how did you find me?"

"From the reception. You gave your name to the valet".

We walked towards the entrance. A man was standing there with Damianos's car keys. We went inside the car and started on our way.

While on the way he asked, " did you get everything you need?"

"I did".

"How long did you shop when you managed to eat and grab a nap also?", he inquired, slightly amused.

"Well, I'm a quick shopper".

He didn't say anything. After sometime he said.

"How many dresses did you buy?"

"Three", I answered.

"Three?", his eyebrows furrowed, "only three? Did you not like the dresses?".

"I did but I already have so many clothes, I did not need anymore".

I did not have that many clothes but I didn't want Damianos to know that.

"You should have bought more clothes Eleanor", he pointed but didn't pressed the matter further.

#*#*#*

Next morning, we got ready early as we had to leave early for Damianos's parents house. I was very apprehensive about the meeting. Much as I tried to remove it from my mind, I just couldn't help but feel nervous.

Soon we reached the surrounding where Damianos's parents lived. I remembered the building from where I had so hastily departed last time. We entered the gates and got out of the car.

We went through the front door and entered the living room.

There, the whole Costas family was waiting for us.

#*#*#*