Eleven
1521 Words
Elliot stood nervously at the Altar, waiting for his Bride. His heart thrumming loudly might be heard over the still silence of the church.
Today was the day he gets married to her.
A milestone he never thought he could achieve, but it's happening. He crossed the final stumbling block on his path in his journey to make Audrey his.
He was supposed to be happy but he can't deny he feels like a nervous wreck since she is not yet present.
His blood was simmering in impatience, he wanted to see her and wed her immediately.
The final crossing at ensuring she's his forever.
He tried to distract his mind by shifting his vision to the seated guests present in the church unlike him they looked calm.
His mother passed an encouraging smile in his direction, it seems like she was the only one who knew of his internal troubles, while his father dozed off occasionally.
Just then the music signifying the bride was present began, he raised his gaze to meet Audrey, who had one of the brightest smiles on her face their gaze locked as they sighted each other.
She looked beautiful in her lengthy flare white gown, her lush dark hair tied in a big bun.
She walked gracefully on the Aisle of the church by her side was Lexton, their arm clocked together as they advanced further.
His stomach churned slightly in jealousy.
Audrey had no parents or close relatives to walk her down the Aisle except Lexton who she likened to her brother.
He might as well see him as that, except he can't help but get slightly jealous whenever any male was near his wife to be.
They progressed gently, his arm latched to Audrey's, when he reached the altar Lexton handed Audrey to him.
She looked so beautiful up close, her made-up face, flawless, complimenting her olive complexion. He stared deep into her eyes unable to peel his eyes away from the beautiful woman standing in front of him.
A little smile on her lips lightening the green glow her eyes carried.
The priest progressed in the wedding rites almost immediately.
He cleared his throat as he read out the vows, "Do you, Elliot, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to live together in matrimony, to love her, soothe her when discomforted, uphold her dignity and be with her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
He took her hands in his, looking intently at her as his affirmation flowed through his lips.
"Yes, I do."
Audrey's smile widened, lighting up his world.
"And do you Audrey, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband to live together in matrimony, to love and cherish him, provide support and be by his side in sickness and health, in sorrow and joy from this day forward as long as you both live?" He asked.
A serious look etched on Audrey's face, she appeared a little nervous biting her lip in hesitation.
Raising her gaze to meet Elliot, he squeezed her hands to ease some of her anxious feelings.
He had no idea why she was suddenly anxious but he knew this sort of thing can happen to anyone.
He was a wreck moments ago.
Lexton stood from his seat as her silence ensued making the environment dense with tension, whispers and murmurs floating around the guests. He walked towards the Altar leaning to Audrey's side, he held her by her shoulders whispering some words in her ear.
She looked at him briefly, her tensed face easing up a bit.
"Do you?" The priest repeated, his patience was slightly exhausting.
Lexton gave a little nod to her urging her.
She lid her eyes shut, taking a deep breath before flickering them open.
A bright confident look shone in her eyes, "I do."
She voiced out, Elliot finding relief.
Lexton left for his seat after she completed her vows, the rest of the ceremony went smoothly.
They exchanged their rings, Audrey at ease and eager just as Elliot.
"With the power vested on me, I pronounced Elliot Clement and Audrey Andrian as husband and wife."
Abigail was sat on the couch in Elliot's study room.
Today was the day, the day of their legal marriage and she feels all tense. Her mind goes back and forth about the implications of a marriage, with Mr Elliot.
Despite how impossible and at unease it was and made her, what complimented all this is she is going to be a mother.
A mother to Ivan.
That was the only good thing about this marriage.
The best thing that will happen to her life.
Earlier when she came here, she was directed by the Housekeeper to wait in Mr Elliot's study, getting there she met no soul but she did as she was asked.
Wait.
She has been waiting for more than twenty minutes, using a good part of her time to get familiar with the study room.
It distracted her from her running thoughts.
The whole room was a combination of her living room and kitchen, she had been to Mr Elliot's home consecutively to see Mrs Vivian and Ivan and she knows his house was enormous.
In comparison with her home, her home might be a speckle.
The study room had dark earthy colours contrasting with the natural light coming through the large lean windows, they were located on the top floor of the house, giving enough light and an airy feeling.
To the centre on the west wall was his desk and loitered in an organized manner was his well, office thing-y.
An office computer, lots and lots of files.
A little bit to the left was a stocked shelf filled with books.
Business books perhaps. She should have a look, she thought to herself as her curiosity was piqued.
Besides, each moment on this couch alone in the study room was driving her slowly to insanity.
She stood on her feet and trudged towards the shelf, her eyes bulging slightly at the number of books he had.
She ran her fingers on their covers, most of them having a thick papery feeling due to their exaggerated thick covers.
She slid one off the shelf observing it, contrary to get presumption his shelf was stocked with business books, she was stunned to see some historical fiction, she placed it back.
Moving to shelf board on a little vertical space by the left, with significantly lighter books, she took one off shocked by the scandalous erotic pictures on the cover.
Does Mr Elliot read e*****a Romance books?
she breathed out loud in disbelief.
She shelved it back, her mind washed with all sorts of wrong thoughts about the erotic book.
Maybe, it's his preference. Who is she to judge to anyway, she shrugged it off.
A reflected light bouncing off a surface caught her attention, she directed her to look in the direction and saw a little glass photo frame at the other side of the desk.
She took little strides to the side where the frame stood, to make herself more comfortable she sat on the office chair.
Loving the smooth leather and its plush cushion, her back was well-rested.
She could get used to sitting here, or better still replace her crooked woody work chair with this.
Remembering why she was here she caught sight of the glassy frame that caught her attention.
Now she is closer the picture looked clearer and she knew whose picture was in the frame.
Her slender neck was thrown back in laughter as her dark lush hair flew in the wind.
Audrey Andrian, Mr Elliot's late wife.
She was star-struck at the picture, trying to ignore the stabbing feeling that nagged at her mind.
Making her feel temporarily guilty.
She was replacing this woman as her son's mother and her husband's wife.
She felt like it wasn't her place to do so.
She reached out for the picture, latching the exterior frame with her fingers and staring at the smiling woman in front of her.
"I am not here to replace you, I promise." She said in a little voice, hoping she understands wherever she was.
She stared for a few still moments, but it didn't last so long. Startling her from her solitude was a firm wrap of fingers around her wrist snatching the picture from her hold.
She gasped and raised her eyes to meet the person who was responsible.
Grey orbs containing anger stared back at her. Mr Elliot looks like he was ready to rip her apart.
She stood from his seat, wondering how he got into the office with any noise or sounds signifying his presence.
He was clearly pissed at her, "I am sorry I-"
He cut her off.
"If you would be living here, you should know they are boundaries and touching my late wife's picture is off-limits." He warned, his voice an icy cold tone, low but the gravity of his words dropped hard on her.
- Writer
