Chapter 6: Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
1116 Words
Celine's POV
Tell them now, Celine!... No, don't! Say something before he does!
My brain is thrown into a ball of chaos.
Fanning myself with my hands even though the courtroom is fully airconditioned, I draw unwanted attention towards me.
Breathe in... And out.
'Anna, where are you?' I hold hot tears threatening to fall when I don't see her in the courtroom. She is the only one I can cry to when this whole arrangement crashes and mocks me publicly.
Cheap w***e. Cheat. Petty liar.
The horrible names I will probably be called replay in my head, crumbling my senses.
Unable to follow my instructions, I hold my breath instead and restlessly adjust my butt as Jayden's steps grow louder.
Kelvin shoots angry glances at me, noticing my sudden uneasiness.
"Behave yourself." He groans, his nose twitching like a beast.
How convenient. I refrain from yelling at him, as I'm already in a hot mess, and it would be stupid to add more to it. If he can walk a mile in my shoes, then he can preach to me. Ignoring Kelvin, I look at the face of the confused judge instead, finding a better distraction.
"My darling, relax, it's okay to get anxious. I was also scared when I married your father." My mother whispers in my ear like it would change anything.
"Jayden, be quick." Don Donovan's patient bank is getting lower by seconds.
"Kelvin," Jayden walks up to Kelvin and tilts downward. "Here you go, I figured you didn't get any since the whole thing is rushed."
He drops a small bright purple box in Kelvin's hand. Adjusting to get a better look, my racing heartbeat seems to be at ease for the moment.
It's just a jewelry box, holding a fanciful diamond ring. On a different occasion and to a different spouse, it will make a perfect ring, a symbol of true love and bond, but with the dumbass I'm tying the knot with, it's a symbol of bondage and hatred.
"Thanks, man, even though I don't need it." Kelvin sets the box aside.
Jayden forces an obviously fake smile and looks in my direction.
"I bet she does, they always do."
"I..."
"You don't want to reject it," the top of his lips goes up in a weird smirk, and I immediately swallow the rest of my protest.
He starts towards me. I pull back in my seat, and that's all there is to it. No more escaping from my troubles.
"I doubt I got your size," he sits on the vacant seat beside me and leans closer.
"You can try it on," He places a pink girlie jewelry box on my leg. My soft fabric is the only thing that separates us when his fingertips graze my thigh.
I stiffen, forgetting how to breathe for a minute.
Oh, no. I can feel the deadly stares from our relatives.
"And here is the cost," he says loud enough to distract them from what's going on. He pulls out a two-page paper from the pocket of his suit. "It doesn't cost a fortune..."
"Jayden, handle that s**t, and no more of your troubles!"
"It's her special day, we should do her the honor," he counters his father, indirectly pushing me to the wall.
He rests his hand on the back of my chair, his fingers slip through my hair and claims the zip of my dress as he plays with it. He sets the paper on the jewelry box and hands me a pen.
"It's a copy of our agreement," he whispers to my hearing. "Just your signature and you'll have a peaceful wedding."
"I can't just sign this, I haven't even read it," I whisper back.
The judge seemed to suspect something fishy from our whispering.
"Jayden!"
"One second, father," again, he leans further, "that's all you've got, one second." His warm breath oddly sends a shiver down my spine.
Uncorking the pen, I sign roughly, my sweaty palm unable to properly grip the pen.
"Good girl," he unclips the second page and hands me my copy.
"It's... quite affordable." My jaws are up in a frozen state.
Instantly, I slip the paper into my purse and clasp it between my knees, not sparing my mother a chance to snatch it and take a look.
"Happy married life, brother," Jayden's tone has a hint of mockery. He taps Kelvin's shoulder before walking out of the courtroom nonchalantly.
Focused, Kelvin signs against his name and moves the document over to the judge.
"Happy married life, Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin..."
"I'll be outside." Kelvin interrupts the judge and walks out of the courtroom.
I force a smile, trying not to break down. The emotional disregard and mental torment are getting unbearable.
"Celine, you shouldn't keep your husband waiting, I'm sure he has better plans for your honeymoon..."
"Mum, really?" I scoff.
There's no need to sit here and get more riled up by my own mother. Scooping the bulk of my gown, I hurry down the aisle.
In front of the entrance, Kelvin is standing beside a Maybach. I go over to get in from the other side but surprisingly, the door is locked.
"Not so fast, woman." He turns to face me. "Do you think that I'll ride with you?"
"I need to get out of this dress."
"He will take you home." He points in a different direction and I turn to see an old model SUV, just slightly better than my father's rickety car.
How low can a person go?
"Don't mess the place up."
"Mr. Kelvin, I'm not a child, yunno..."
"And you don't get to talk back at me." He scolds.
"Then you should learn to treat me with some respect." I hold his gaze. "I'm done. You know what, I don't want to go with you..."
He burst into laughter, clapping alongside.
"You're not my wife, you are my slave," he spells it out. "And you do not have a choice."
In a rollercoaster of rage, I walk away and sit in the back seat of the car he finds befitting for his beloved bride. My breathing is labored, and I take slow and long breaths.
"Can you move already?!" I vent on the driver who starts the ride almost immediately.
I blink back tears, hating my parents for this, and myself especially, for doing their bidding. Digging into my purse, I search for the face wipes, and instead, I pull out my part of the agreement with Jayden.
What the f**k?!
Hastily, I wipe tears from my eyes and glare at the clause on the white sheet.
You will work for me; ALL YOUR LIFE.
- Writer
