4 ~ Aurora

"We are choosing a classic wedding theme." 

"That is too basic Lauren." Mother disagreed with a vigorous head shake.

Leo's mother scoffed, "Rose Gold is childish. We have people of caliber attending." 

My mother's face contorted into a deep frown, "So do we."

I sat still, eyes darting between both women as they argued. I wanted to melt into a puddle. They had been at this for the longest. One person always disagreeing with the other's opinion and I had to sit through it.

"Can we just let the planner get it done?" I squeaked and recoiled when they both turned to me with fierceness in their gazes.

"My husband is paying for the wedding. So I get to work with the planner." Mother said and I cringed because of how it sounded. It was not unusual for the bride's father to pay for the wedding but in this manner where it was part of their business deal, it was just embarrassing to mention.

"My husband can pay for two weddings at once so shush." Leo's mother was not having it.

Neither was my mother, "Did you just shush me?" 

"Oh boy," I swallowed, took my bag and somehow managed to slide out of the room as they bickered. The wedding planner looked just as frustrated as me but she was stuck. I felt sorry for her.

It took quite some time going back and forth. Luckily, they surprisingly came to a compromise, allowing me work with the planner with little suggestions. That was a faux because my mother did most of the decision making while I seemed to be at the forefront of the event planning - the perfect illusion just so Leo's mother could take a chill pill. 

It was a futile attempt somewhat because she always found a way to pick out faults with everything even down to the tiniest detail. It was so frustrating at some point but I did not want my mother who could match her energy arguing with her again.

~~~ 

The days rolled into weeks, and soon the wedding was just around the corner. I was nervous, fearful and the least bit excited.

Two days to the wedding, my mother came into my room, holding a gift bag and handed it over to me. Unexpectedly, she was here to give me the one talk I was not ready to hear. 

"Aurora, come sit." She tapped a spot on my bed and gestured for me to sit down. I went and sat there, ready to listen with rapt attention to whatever she had to say.

"I have a present for you." She said and I typically assumed it would be jewelry - a family heirloom or something like that. Mother handed me the shopping bag containing a lingerie and I held myself from screeching as I looked into the bag. It almost looked abominable because we had never really talked about sex. 

She chuckled at the shocked expression as my face turned red.

"You know Leo is the only son of his parents. You have to give him an heir, and fast too. That's the only way you can secure your place in his heart and his family as well." She said, whispering conspiratorially.

"Mother, I'm not ready." I said back in a whisper, feeling my palms go sweaty.

"Nonsense. No one is every ready. We just do what is right when it is time." She waved my words aside.

"But-"

"Shh. Mia cara, we cannot waste time. Do all you must for him to get you pregnant. I will pray so hard that you be blessed with a son. That would seal your fate!" She squealed at the end in excitement. I tried to catch on to it but there was a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.

This was a mess...

~~~

On the bright side, in the midst of all the drama and fear that came with getting married to a man I barely knew, I finally got to make my wedding dress, perfectly customized to suit me and cover up all my flaws. I went all out and got the finest of fabric and lace and intricately beaded it to my taste. The dress was the only thing I looked forward to at the wedding. Making it distracted me from the reality of everything going on around me. It tuned me out of the several arguments our mothers had about wedding planning even after my supposed solution. It kept me so busy I hardly slept for the few weeks that led to the D-Day.

The intricately beaded princess dress with long sleeves and an equally veil was a stunner. So stressful to make but it was absolutely worth it.

It was so worth it, even Leo was shocked when he saw me. I could tell with how his eyes widened though slightly when I walked the aisle with my arm intertwined with my father's. 

When we took the vows (halfheartedly for the most part), I stared up at his chiseled face, stoic as a rock as he recited them after the priest. I did same in a softer tone. My voice shook as the constant realization of the implication of those words dawned on me. It became even more real when he slid the cold metal on to my ring finger and we signed the marriage certificate. I had moved from Miss Aurora Lopez to Mrs Aurora Adams. Sealed.

We moved over to the reception that was going to hold in a part of my father's estate. The tent was decorated so well, I marveled at how much was put in the night before. The busyness of the house was something else. 

Leo and I made a not so grand entry after taking all the pictures after the vows with stiff smiles. The fact that we did not even share a kiss was enough reason for everyone to know we were not  the couple the media thought we were or rather what our parents tried to portray to them.

At the reception, I got a chance to dance with my brothers but the conversation with Antonio, my immediate elder one, stayed with me for the longest time.

"I hope he keeps you happy." He said, looking skeptical about everything that was going on.

"He will." I said with more hope than conviction. Leo did not want me but not a lot of people knew that. He could keep up the act so well, I felt ashamed for not being able to do same. I constantly had  to fight looking as sad as I felt about this marriage.

"If he tries anything stupid, if he ever hurts you, I will beat up his ass. And if his snobby family try to mess with you, I'll fuck them up." He gritted out as he spun me around gently.

I chuckled, cringing at his graphic use of language. Antonio was the hotheaded sibling. He meant every word he had just said but I would never let him make true those words. I knew I would never tell him whenever anything went wrong. I knew I would smile into the phone and tell him I have never been happier if he asked if I was being treated right. Somehow I knew that my life was about to take a turn into a rocky path. 

When I danced with Leo, I'm sure the people present believed it was the worst first dance they had ever seen, so stiff and awkward. He barely looked at me and my eyes were glued to his bowtie itching to adjust it. When it ended, I heaved a sigh of relief. There and then I knew I was never listening to Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' again. 

It wasn't until we got to my supposed matrimonial home that I realized things just got real. We were going to live with his parents.  Shit.