Chapter 5.
1580 Words
Emma's POV.
The next few days are so busy that I barely have any time to think about all of the things that bother me about Joseph.
I go from one arranged meeting to the next.
Looking at flower arrangements, picking out a color scheme for the tables, deciding which plate and which fork and which knife I like best, eventhough they all pretty much look the same.
Tasting so many cakes that I feel sick to my stomach. Trying on one hideous wedding dress after the other.
Joseph picked out a few dresses that reminded me of something that my mother would choose. Frills and Lace, covered from my chin to my hands and ankles. Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt like an old lady. I could see the shop assistants laughing at me in the backround. The probably think that I should look like an lady, seeing that I'm marrying such an old man.
When I complained to my mother, she only shook her head and told me that I should be grateful that Joseph is going through so much trouble for me and that I look beautiful in whatever I wear.
Joseph showed up at the boutique, just as I was trying on the last dress. It was another pure white dress, that came up right under my chin with a frilly little turtle neck. The sleeves hung over my wrists and I couldn't see my feet beneath the mountain of lace.
The dress reminded me of a doiley.
I felt hideous.
Joseph, of course, loved it.
"Emma, my love, you look like a dream."
He strode over and kissed my hand.
The two shop assistants were sniggering behind their hands.
Joseph either did not notice, or he was ignoring them, because he just smiled at me and carried on admiring my reflections in the mirror.
"Joseph? Do you think I could try on a dress of my choosing?"
Joseph immediately seemed annoyed with my question. I couldn't understand why.
He sighed heavily before answering me.
"I suppose Emma, if the dresses that I put out for you aren't good enough."
He looked like a child who's favorite toy just got taken away
My mother looked at me with irritation in her eyes.
"They are wonderful Joseph. Emma appreciates all the trouble you went through to pick them for her. Don't you Emma?"
I felt a little shocked and annoyed that my mother would throw me under the bus like that. Then I felt bad for throwing the dresses back in his face, but they really were very ugly and I really did not want to look like that on my wedding day.
Joseph walked over to my mother and took both her hands in his.
"Thank you, you are too kind, but if Emma want's to try on a dress of her choosing, there is nothing we can do about it."
He smiled at her and stared into her eyes a little too long for my liking. I could practically see my mother swoon in front of him.
The two assistants were now watching all of us with gaping mouths. They probably couldn't wait for us to leave the shop so that they could discuss us at lenght.
I rolled my eyes at the entire situation and Joseph saw. Rage flashed across his face and the look in his eye scared me. A lot.
"Emma, please tell these two women what you would like to try on so we can all get on with our lives."
The assistant's face fell at Joseph's words. His tone was harsh and cold. I looked over at my mother and she had a confused look on her face.
Oh, good, she looked the way I felt.
I was almost too scared to pick out a dress, but I also did not want to miss the oppertunity to pick a dress that I might actually want to wear on my wedding day.
I walked through the botique with the two assistants untill I found the perfect dress. An off white, A-line, Bohemian style dress. It had a beautiful plunging neck-line and delicate straps over the shoulders.
When I stepped out of the changing room, my mother had tears in her eyes. I loved what I saw in the mirror. This was the dress for me.
When I looked over at Joseph however, the smile vanished from my face. He was actually looking at me with disgust on his face.
What the hell?
"You don't honestly expect me to allow you to wear that?"
"Allow me?" I frowned at him.
He stepped dangerously close to my face. His voice was almost a whisper. His tone, ice cold.
"You are becoming MY wife, I will not put you on display for other men, so that they can lust over you. Besides, you shouldn't want to be put on display for others either Emma, it's unbecoming of a lady."
I felt my face burning. I felt so embarrased. I looked over at my mother for help, but she was looking at the floor and so were the two shop assitants.
"I'm sorry Joseph, you're right. I'll wear one of the dresses you put out for me."
His expression instantly softened and he smiled at me.
"There's my girl."
He kissed me on the forehead.
"I have to go now. I'll see you at our rehersal dinner."
He turned and left the boutique.
I was speechless. So was everyone else in the botique.
Maybe I was just being ungrateful.
I still wondered how it's possible that our taste in everything is so different? What I love, he hates. What he wants, I can't stand.
I know that they say that opposites attract, but we are such different people.
Are we too different for this to work?
I never really was one of those girls that dreamt about my wedding day, but never in all my years did I ever imagine my future husband planning everything for me.
I miss Amanda and I really, really wish that she was here. It would have made this whole thing so much better.
I still haven't heard a single word from her, no text message, no phone call, nothing.
I don't know if her silence is because of Joseph and whatever assignment she's on for the pack, or if it's because she's angry at me.
I know she doesn't like the idea of the whole arranged marriage or the fact that Joseph's so much older than I am. I also know that she doesn't like or trusts him at all, but she doesn't even know him.
Neither of us do. Maybe we both need to give him a fair chance.
Besides, I really thought that our frienship was stronger than this. She can't possibly be so angry with me that she doesn't even want to talk to me?
My head hurts from all the thinking I've been doing lately. At least I have tonight and the rest of the weekend off.
I insisted on not having a bachelorette party and Joseph didn't seem to mind at all.
He has his bachelor party tonight, at the gentleman's club.
I'm looking forward to an entire weekend lounging around the house, eating junk food and watching old movies.
I head over to the pizzaria, where I have to wait in line to place my order.
The place is always packed on a Friday.
"Hi Emma."
A deep voice speaks behind me. He is standing so close to me that I can feel his warm breath on my neck and it sends shivers down my spine.
I turn around and see Shaun standing there. He's smiling at me
"Hi Shaun. How are you?"
I smile back at him and he doesn't move back. He stays close to me. I can smell his deliscious scent and I can feel the heat radiating from him.
My head feels a little dizzy.
"Better than you Em. I'm not the one getting married."
I'm completely taken back by his remark, but before I can respond, I'm called to the front of the line. I place my order and take a seat at one of the tiny tables. When Shaun is done placing his order, he joins me.
"You looked beautiful at your birthday party Em."
My face flushes and it takes me a few seconds to formulate words so that I can respond.
"Thanks. I wanted to talk to you, but you left in a hurry."
Shaun seems agitated. "Yea, I had no desire to watch my father propose to someone younger than me."
Now I feel agitaded and embarrased. I really don't need this from Shaun.
"I know it's weird Shaun, but it is our pack's tradition. It's an honor."
Shaun runs a hand through his long, blonde hair. He sighs heavily before looking at me again.
He has sadness in his eyes.
"That doesn't make it right Em."
I don't know what to say. I had no idea he felt so strongly about this.
I just stare at him.
"I need to go Em. You take care of yourself, okay."
He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and then he leaves.
I sit there, touching the place on my face where he kissed me, having no idea what's going on.
My order is up. I really can't wait to get home and be alone. People confuse the hell out of me.
- Writer
