Forced Marriage

4

— Can we go to your house now? — asks Kenna.

— Our house. — says Adrian. — marriage with property divisions, darling.

— Shut up and let’s go already. — says Kenna, angrily walking ahead.

— What an angry woman. — he says, following her to the car, Joseph would take them away.

— You haven’t seen me angry yet. — says Kenna, getting into the car with Adrian right behind her.

— I love angry women; I love being able to dominate them. — says Adrian in a mischievous tone.

— You won't lay a finger on me. — she says, crossing her arms.

— As if I wanted to touch you, I only married because I was forced to. — says Adrian, signaling for Joseph to leave.

— At least we have something in common; we didn’t want this marriage. — says Kenna. — damn it, if only I hadn’t gotten pregnant by you. You could have gone limp.

Adrian looked at her, astonished.

— I’ve never gone limp in my life. — says Adrian.

Joseph watched the two of them with amusement; Kenna and Adrian argued the entire way.

[...]

— Finally, we’ve arrived. — says Kenna. — looking at Adrian's face the whole trip was making me nauseous.

— You liked it; I know. — says Adrian. — now keep pretending you didn’t.

They start walking towards the building while arguing.

— Where’s the bathroom? — Kenna asks quickly, bringing her hand to her mouth to cover it.

— You don’t have to pretend to vomit. — says Adrian.

— Adrian... I really want to puke... — Kenna couldn’t hold it anymore and ended up vomiting right in front of the building. Adrian ran to her and held her hair back. — Pregnancy nausea.

— Come on, let’s get you some water. — says Adrian, guiding Kenna into the building, where they quickly headed for the elevator. Soon they reached the apartment, and Adrian led her to the kitchen.

Kenna sat down on one of the bar stools and ran her hand across her face, breathing deeply. Adrian went to the fridge and grabbed a glass of water.

— Here, drink it all. — he says, handing it to Kenna, who quickly takes it and starts drinking it all. — Are you okay?

— Yes, I’m fine. — says Kenna. — you’ll see me like this for months, so you better get used to it.

— I don’t know anything about pregnancy and babies; I don’t even know how to take care of myself properly. — says Adrian.

— As if I knew either. — says Kenna. — I don’t know anything, all I know is just the basics. We’ll have to learn as we go.

— Are you sure you’re okay? — he asks again.

— Yes, I’m fine. — says Kenna, yawning. — I’m going to go upstairs and sleep; I’m tired.

— Come on, I’ll walk you to your room. — says Adrian. — your things arrived yesterday and have all been put away in their places.

Kenna just nodded as she followed Adrian up the stairs, then down the hallway, stopping in front of a door; there were several doors in that hallway.

— This is your room. — says Adrian. — mine is at the end of the hallway; if there’s any problem, just call me.

Kenna nodded as she wished Adrian goodnight and entered the room. She sighed and quickly began to remove her dress; that day had finally come to an end, but now she had to endure the rest of her life married to a man with whom she had only been involved once.

When Kenna got involved with Adrian, they were at a nightclub and had s*x in the bathroom. Adrian even used a condom, but it broke. Kenna had said she was on birth control, so they didn’t think too much of it. When she found out she was pregnant and told Adrian, he demanded a pregnancy test, which came back positive. They kept everything a secret, just the two of them, but Kenna’s father found out and demanded a marriage.

Now, Kenna was doomed to live the rest of her life with a man she didn’t love and who she now had to live with because her father would never accept a divorce. Her father was benefiting greatly from this marriage; Jack Petrov already had quite a bit of influence, but being a partner with the Millers and having a daughter married to one of the heirs would give him even more influence. The more fame and money, the better; that’s what Jack thought.

After taking off her dress, Kenna threw herself onto the bed and sighed tiredly. All she wanted was to sleep and put an end to that day. This would be her life from now on, hoping that each day would end as quickly as possible.

[...]

The next morning...

Kenna woke up feeling a bit nauseous, went to the bathroom, vomited, and did her hygiene before heading downstairs for breakfast.

— Good morning. — she says, sitting at the table next to Adrian.

— Good morning. — he says. — Are you okay?

— I am, yes. — says Kenna. — just a little nauseous.

— Sorry. — says one of the maids. — If you’d like, I can ask them to make you some tea.

— I would like that, thank you. — says Kenna, smiling.

— Okay, excuse me. — says the woman, leaving.

— Are you going to work? — Kenna asks.

— No, we’re on our honeymoon. — says Adrian, laughing. — I’ve been suspended from the company for two weeks.

— And what are you going to do during these days? — Kenna asks, cutting a piece of the chocolate cake in front of her.

— I’m going to enjoy it with my wife. — says Adrian, grinning mischievously at Kenna.

— If you get close to me, I’ll vomit on you. — says Kenna.

— Here, ma’am, your tea. — says the woman, approaching with a cup.

— Thank you! — says Kenna, taking the cup. — what’s your name?

— Andrea, ma’am. — says the woman.

— Please, call me Kenna. — she says, smiling.

— Alright, Kenna. — says Andrea, smiling. — Excuse me.

— Are you feeling very nauseous? — Adrian asks.

— Just a little bit. — says Kenna, sipping her tea. — this is really good.

— Can I have a sip? — asks Adrian.

— You’re not pregnant. — says Kenna.

— I am. — Adrian replies. — You got me pregnant, Kenna.

— Very funny. — she says. — Can I ask for something?

— Depends. — says Adrian. — What do you want?

— Canvases and paints. — says Kenna. — I don’t have money to buy them; my father said that after the wedding, you would support me.

— Your father is a piece of s**t. — Adrian grumbles.

— I can work... at least until my belly grows. — says Kenna.

— No! I don’t want you working. — says Adrian. — I’ll have your paints and canvases bought, and clothes too, so you don’t get paint on yourself.

— Thank you! — says Kenna, smiling happily.

Adrian gazes at the brunette’s smile and is enchanted; she was so beautiful. Adrian quickly shakes his head and focuses on finishing his food so he can leave there quickly and get away from her.

Kenna was leaving Adrian confused; he knew he felt attraction for her, for her beauty. It couldn’t be anything more than attraction, nothing more than that.