Chapter 3 - The wedding
891 Words
My stomach is in knots, knots of nervousness and excitement. This is the start of my forever, and from what my father just informed me before we entered the car a deal has been made stating and carefully agreed upon by both parties that this is to be a non-divorce wedding. This is a matter of factly until death due us part. Whom ever us is. My only distraction whilst my father and Penny are grinning like fools is to admire the beautiful leather interior of the glistening white Bently Flying Spur that I'm sat in, every stitch into the leather is as intricate and precise as the machine itself.
"Here we go,"
Penny gasps. I gaze out of the window and wonder when we entered the countryside. There's a castle top peaking out of trees nestled on a mountain, with faded blue spires. Anticipate kicks up a notch, and I start fiddling with my dress. The car slows just in front of a draw bridge over what is the remains of a moat. Penny steps out of the car, looking like she's just stepped off the runway in Paris fashion week. My dad exits next, holding his hand out to me, and we make our way over the draw bridge and up the castle stairs where I can hear the soft sound of violins playing.
"All arise for the bride."
A hear a soft but stern voice from inside two oak doors encased with wrought iron hinging.
The doors open, and I see about 12 people sitting inside a room looking as if it's nearing capacity. They were not kidding about it being a small affair.
I walk down the aisle,noticing the room is encased with red. Red carpets, red chairs, and red tapestries. Maybe this is fate's way of handing me a warning. My dad squeezes my arm to slow me down to match the pace of his death walk.
Is that ? No, it can't be. Can it ?
My groom is all man, tanned and blond hair that's been perfectly maintained and bleached by a foreign sun. But those eyes as he looked at me, I could easily mistake Penny's brother Wade, but I haven't seen him since I was 12 !
My father places my hand in my grooms and expresses to the priest that he's giving me away.
"Wade, is that you ?"
I whisper to my groom.
"I don't appreciate tardiness, Ava."
"Do you think I wanted this, Wade ? Really ?"
I snap at him, staring daggers into his soul.
"We'll talk later."
He shuts me down as the priest clears his throat.
We proceed with the nuptials, declared husband and wife, and the priest informs Wade. He may now kiss the bride.
He leans in and gives me the briefest peck.
Everyone stands and cheers for the new Mr & Mrs Slate. As we make our way down the aisle, this time, I now know who my husband is. We walk down through the castle in awkward silence that I try to break.
"You look nice, I like that shade of blue on you."
Wade just nods his head.
"Thank you, you look absolutely breathless too, Ava."
I mutter under my breath as I manoveur the steps in the dress with no offer of help.
We do the standard photos of the bride and groom, then of one with families.
We shake hands and receive well wishes for our "long and happy marriage" from the rest of our guests. Then Wade places his hand on my lower back and guides me to the gravel carpark around the side of the castle.
"Where are we going now ?"
I enquire.
"To my house."
He simply states.
Oh,this is going to be blast, I think, rolling my eyes.
"Wade."
I stop and turn to face him, having to peer up at him.
"What's going on ? Why are you being so cold to me? I didn't want this, I didn't even know who I was marrying."
Wade pulls his fingers through the front of his hair. I can't help but chuckle.
"What?"
Wade glares at me.
"Some things never change. You used to do that when we were kids, when you were getting frustrated."
I get gifted with a smile that makes his eyes glisten a beautiful shade of green.
"I see you've changed, though."
he mutters back.
"I'd hope to no longer look like a 12 year old Wade. It would make this rather awkward."
I smiled up at him.
"I just wanted to do this differently, Ava. I didn't want to get married like this."
"Then why did you ask for it ?"
I'm dumbfounded.
"I didn't ask for this! I've spent over half my life in different countries preparing to take over from my father when he sees fit to retire. I never knew this was part of it!"
Wade explains a tint of anger in his voice.
"Wade, I..."
"Just get in the car, Ava. we talk later. Let's get this day over and done with."
Charming, this is meant to be one of the best days of our lives, and he's acting like he's been given a troublesome, unwanted pet.
I get into Wade's orange Lamborghini Urus, belt myself in, and prepare for a long drive to his house.
- Writer
