2

My alarm wakes me up abruptly and I groan, turning it off and throwing my phone across the room. I did not get an ounce of sleep last night and it felt like I just closed my eyes before the alarm went off. I flop back down onto my pillow and press my hands into my eyes, I think if I press hard enough it will wake me up from this nightmare. Maybe I can run away.

I stand and cross to the window, seeing that the room is very high up in the office building. I look up, trying to see if there is a window washer nearby. I could open the window and hitch a ride down if he was nice enough. To my dismay, there is not a window washer on shift right now. 

I sigh and pick up my phone, seeing that there wasn’t a scratch. I unlock it and see that everyone in my contacts has texted me, extending their congratulations. I even got some money from various corporations as a wedding gift. Of course, I wouldn’t give it back if they are congratulating me so generously. Maybe getting married isn’t too bad.

A knock on the door makes me look up from my phone, and I check the time, seeing that it is still early. No one should be here yet. I cross the room and open the door, revealing my brother with a plate of waffles in his hands.

“Waffles?” Carson asks, holding it up as if I can’t see them.

I roll my eyes and stand to the side, allowing him to come in.

“They’re blueberry, your favorite.” He says as he places them down at my vanity.

“You think that waffles are going to make me forgive you?” I ask, taking a seat at the vanity chair to inspect the fluffiness.

“Yes?” Carson asks, his eyes mixed with hope and caution in the mirror.

“Well,” I say as I take a bite of waffle, “You’re wrong. But I’ll enjoy them anyway.”

“Violet, I know that this isn’t ideal but it is something that I think you should be happy about. I mean,” Carson pauses as he finds a chair to pull up next to me, “Any man would be lucky to marry you. It just got…complicated.”

I turn my head slightly to give him a glare, “What do you mean complicated?”

Carson sighs, running a hand through his hair. I can tell that he said something he wasn’t supposed to and I consider revoking my earlier question but I want to see what he’s going to say.

“Well, it seems that dad and the Daniels Group made some sort of deal. It’s supposed to be good for the company.” Carson says quietly, looking away from me with a sad expression.

“So,” I turn back to my waffles, “A business deal gone wrong, huh? And you had no say in this at all?”

Carson shakes his head, “No, I wish that I did. It wouldn’t have resulted in a marriage. I don’t know what dad was thinking, agreeing to something like this.”

I chuckle but don’t respond as I finish the waffle on the plate, my smile slowly disappearing as I remember that it is my wedding day. I push the plate away and sigh, swallowing hard to get rid of the urge to cry.

“Violet, I’m so sorry.” Carson takes me in his arms, giving me a tight hug.

“Carson, I know you mean well but why did you come to see me?” I ask, wrapping my arms around him to return the hug.

“Because you’re my sister, my only other sibling. I want you to know that I’m here. Even when you’re married, you have my number. I will do anything for you. If you want to go for a drive, a walk, or if you want me to come over, I will drop everything to see you.” He says, brushing my hair with his fingers.

“But you can’t stop the wedding?” I ask, pulling back to give him my best puppy dog eyes.”

“Vi,” He chuckles, “You know I can’t. Just please, try. If not for yourself, then for me. You may not care about what happens to the company but I know you care for me. We’re family. I love you.”

“I love you too.” I say, giving him a sad smile.

Before he could say anything else, two women come into the room, not bothering to knock and start setting up their bags. I assume they are the ones for make up and hair.

Carson ruffles my hair before standing up, “You’re amazing, Vi. Don’t you forget that.”

I nod and watch as he leaves. The two women introduce themselves and Anya and Mia but I don’t pay attention as I am too focused on dreading the day’s events. I don’t care if Anthony chose to marry me, I didn’t choose to marry him. I should have had a say in this.

It didn’t take very long for the girls to do my hair and make up and I am turned to face the mirror. I am taken aback at the girl staring back at me, she looks stunning and her hair is curled in a way that makes it look soft. The more I look at her, however, the more I can see the resemblance to girls that squander their money to look like this. Though the work done is beautiful, I can’t bring myself to absolutely love it.

The two women come back to me with the gown in tow, helping me get into it. I wonder who would find me first if I run away right now. Maybe I can find someone on the street to marry instead of some rich prick, then I’ll be able to know if we would have chemistry. I honestly think that is a fantastic plan but, knowing my father, he’d have tighter security so there’d be no way of me even making it to the elevator much less to the street.

I sigh as the ladies speak among each other and to me, brushing their compliments with a nod or a simple hum. The ladies, satisfied with their work, guide me to the hallway and into the foyer, where an older gentleman is standing. He seems to perk up and looks at my body in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable.

He raises a hand, “Spin.”

I do as I am told and hear him hum in approval.

“My my, Harris,” The older man turns to my father, who is standing behind me, “Your daughter is a fine match for Anthony. Good hips for childbearing and great posture to match his height.”

My jaw drops slightly in disbelief that he has the audacity to say such a thing in front of me.

Before I could scold him, my father quickly takes a step forward to place a hand on my shoulder, “Thank you so much, Mr. Daniels. She is quite beautiful and I know that our grandchildren will be blessed with looks.”

I turn my attention to my father with wide, angry eyes but he pays me no mind as Mr. Daniels speaks once more.

“Ensure that this wedding goes without fail and I will ensure that your assets are in order.” I hear him say.

My father smiles and nods, seeming to act as though I am no longer in the room, “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

I scoff as the older man walks away and feel as though all my father cared about was the success of his company, not the welfare of his only daughter.

I shake off his hand on my shoulder, “I will never forgive you.”

I turn and follow the same ladies to another room where I assume the ceremony is being held. I think of Carson and I now know why he didn’t get to have a say in this. The two geezers are set in their ways, thinking an arranged marriage would solve everything within a company. Well, if that is how they want to play it, I’ll make sure that it backfires in their faces.

“Violet,” My father comes up to me, a silent plead in his eyes, “It’s for the good of the company.”

I scoff and don’t answer him. Good for the company? That’s all he cares about anymore, where did my dad go? Music starts to play and I shake in anger, forcing a smile on my face as the doors start to open. Bright light envelopes my vision and I blink a few times, looking at the crowd standing with smiles on their faces. I look toward the altar, dreading what I am about to see but as I lock eyes with the man waiting there, all of the eyes on me no longer matter.

Anthony Daniels smiles at me, seeming to only focus on me, and, without a doubt, he is the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on.