6 ~ Leo

"There's the newest husband in town."

Rick was at my office the moment I walked in. I grunted at his tease. He was my best man and he never missed out on the opportunity to tease me about my unexpected union. 

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on your honeymoon."

"What honeymoon? We both know that's not happening." I let out a disgruntled sigh as I took off my jacket and placed it over my swivel chair.

"Come on man, I saw her, she's not that bad." He shrugged.

I scowled, wondering what he meant by that. "How do you mean?" 

He shrugged again, "I mean you exaggerated how unattractive she looks. She's actually pretty, she just needs to shed all that weight."

"I did not exaggerate anything. She's not my type and that's all there is to it. Don't you have work to get to?" I needed him to get out of my space. I had seen and heard enough of Aurora at home, there was no need for it to continue in the office.

Thankfully he got the message and backed off, "I didn't mean to get you all riled up. I'll see you later." He said and walked out of the office.

"Yeah."

I was still fuming over the previous day. More than anything, I wanted something to just stop the wedding. Something along the lines of the bride not showing up or a chaotic crash like it happened in the movies. But no, I had to take those vows, fake those smiles. Now everyone knew I was married because my dad had gone all out to make it a highly publicized wedding. On the good side, I did not have to kiss her. I had specifically told the priest that I wanted that part of the ceremony to be skipped.  

My phone rang just then. I glanced at the caller ID and smiled. I had been expecting this call.

"Hey mom."

"You're at work already?" She asked me.

"Yes I am."

"You didn't have anything for breakfast?" She sounded concerned and furious at the same time. 

"I'm good."

"No, I'll make something and bring it to you." She said and I could already imagine her sending our cook back into the kitchen. I did not want that.

"Mom, I'll have lunch later don't worry about it." 

"You're sure?"

"Yes I am." 

"Alright then. You take care, I love you."

"Love you two mom."

It was typical of my mother to worry about every little that| happened to me. I was her only child after all. 

~~~

I got back home later that evening and was met with dinner served and my mother doting on me about what I had eaten all day. She was always like this but this time around I just wanted to be allowed to eat and sleep in peace. 

Aurora joined us in the middle of the meal and sat there quietly. I said nothing to her. There was nothing to be said anyways. 

"I hope you did not cook this time around." Mom faced her with a frown as soon as she took her seat. 

"No I didn't." She answered somewhat quietly. I wondered if she was still upset about what transpired in the morning. I shrugged inwardly. It was not my business and no one asked her to cook anyways.

My mother may have slightly overreacted but that is mostly because she is a very dramatic woman. I easily believed that Aurora would get use to it with time. Everyone did. Even though my father found work and several trips as a means to escape it.

~~~

The next day...                                         

She had prepared my clothes for work. I did not ask her to do it but she went ahead to do so anyway. 

"Thanks." I said with a straight face.

"Do you need anything?" She asked.

"No I don't."

"Are you sure?" She still hovered over me. It reminded me of my mother whenever she doted on me.

"Yes Aurora, I am sure." I emphasized.

"Okay."

I looked up from my laptop to see her still staring at me.

"Is there a problem?" I asked disinterestedly, hoping my tone would make her back off. It worked.

"No. I just um," 

"Out with it." I urged her.

She shook her head like she had a rethink "Never mind."

"Okay then."

I had made an unknown resolution to not engage her in anything. She could do whatever she wanted and so could I. The only reason why we were not in separate rooms was because my father would not hear of it. 

I was still mad at him and he knew it. How could he force me to marry someone I did just for the sake of his business and reputation? Did I not matter to him? Were my feelings not valid enough?

When this whole thing started off, it seemed like a bad joke. He just came home one day and said he had found a wife for me? I laughed because how crazy is that? It was not until I spotted the frown marring my mother's face that I realized that this was indeed serious. 

I remember asking him why he was doing this and he mentioned something about business and his political ambitions that would be aided by Aurora's father who is just as influential. I was too stunned to speak. They had literally just turned us into pawn on their chessboards and were expecting us to be grateful for it.

It was not Aurora's fault but I could not help but transfer the sense of resentment I felt to her. 

I had a girl I was interested in before all this but now I could not even make my move anymore because I was now a married man. What a mess. 

If for any reason she thought I was going to be a typical husband then I actually felt sorry for her because she had another thing coming.