CHAPTER 7: MISERABLE BRIDE

CHAPTER 7

NAYA'S P.O.V

I sat in front of the mirror, stiff and motionless. I stare at my reflection in the mirror and despite the beautiful white gown I’m dressed in or the jewelries I’m adorned in or the wonderful make-up on my face, my eyes still look dead and broken.

I was getting married to Talon. This was hours after I agreed to sign the contract. He wanted to rush the marriage and I wasn’t shocked, considering the motive behind it. I wondered how he explained this to his parents. Did he tell them we were in love? What possible explanation would he have given them for rushing the marriage like this?

I shook my head.

Shopping for this wedding was a nightmare.

Talon hired a wedding planner who was basically a pain in my ass. She dragged me to the worst places for dress fittings, shoes shopping. They forced me to sit down and pick a theme even after I told them I didn’t care and that they could pick whatever theme they wanted. The stress of the wedding was really not something I would have chosen willingly but I obviously had no choice.

Sitting in front of the mirror now, I could feel my hands shaking nervously and tears at the back of my eyes. This was all my life was actually reduced to – I had to marry a stranger to secure a future for myself.

The door opened and Manuel poked his head in.

“Hey.”

I glanced up at him and a weak smile appeared on my face. “Manuel.” Talon's assistant, has been the only supportive person through all this. He tried to make sure I was comfortable. He was always looking out for my welfare even with his involvement. Somehow, within just hours, we’ve developed some sort of camaraderie and a kind of relationship. I even felt like I could call him a friend.

He stepped into the room, closing the door gently behind him. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

“Yeah, I guess so,” I answered. I tried to force out another smile but I don’t think he bought it because he had a doubtful look on his face.

He reached out to hold my hand. “Look, I know you are frightened. This is all so fast and scary but I promise you, you won’t regret this. Just think of this as a business deal. At the end, you are benefiting something, right?” he asked and I nodded, swallowing thickly. “Besides, Mr. Thwaites may look and act very mean or wicked, but he is a really nice man.”

I nearly barked out a laugh at that. Nice man? What a joke. Talon Thwaites gave orders and instructions and expected everyone complied. To be fair, it seemed like he was that way with anyone, even Manuel.

“I promise, he is not going to make your life miserable or anything. You are going to be comfortable. Mr. Thwaites has everything needed to make you comfortable,” Manuel continued to try and reassure me. His words were starting to make me uncomfortable. I didn’t care about any of that. I just wanted to have all this done and over with.

“Manuel, I get it. I’m fine, I promise.”

“Good. Now, come on. Let’s go.”

“Hmm?” I stared at him.

“It’s time. I’m walking you down the aisle.”

“Oh… okay.” Well, wasn’t that just great? The day that every girl dreamt about, that every girl believed will be the most wonderful day of their lives as their fathers walked them down the aisle has just been reduced to the most random day of my life. Sighing, I let Manuel pull me up.

He adjusted my veil properly and tucked his arm into mine and guided me out of the room to the main hall. As we approached the door, I gripped his arm tightly, a wave of nervousness hitting me. He noticed this and whispered, “Relax, Naya. You are going to do great and it will be over in few minutes.”

I nod my head, trying to calm my heart that was beating wildly.

We walked slowly through the door, everyone rising as we walked down the aisle. My eyes darted around the guests that were on their feet, bewildered. I had no idea who these people were.

They all looked wealthy and sophisticated.

As we approached the pulpit, Manuel whispered, “For what’s it worth, I think you look beautiful.” A small smile touched my lips at his words. The moment we got to the front, he released me and I turned to face Talon Thwaites.

The moment I saw his face clearly, I felt my breath get knocked out of me.

Talon was devilishly handsome. His hair was slicked back with gel, framing his face beautifully. His eyes were enthralling and his lips were so plump and enticing. He was dressed in a tuxedo and words couldn’t express how attractive he looked in that tux. Talon Thwaites might be a bossy, demanding jerk but for what it was worth, he was one of the most handsome men I had ever came across in my entire life.

As soon as I stepped in front of the pulpit, the bald-headed, middle-aged priest began to speak. He went on a long rant about the importance and benefits of marriage. I couldn’t pay attention to his words, my eyes kept darting to the elderly couple in the front row who looked displeased. I immediately and instinctively knew that those were Talon's parents. I quickly averted my gaze.

“Do you, Talon Thwaites take Naya Davis to be your lawfully wedded wife in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth?”

“I do.” Talon's gruff voice startled me and when I stared at his eyes, he narrowed them at me.

“Do you, Naya Davis, take Talon Thwaites to be your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth?”

“I… do,” my voice trembled as I spoke.

“By the power vested in me, I know declare you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride-”

“No,” Talon's blank, flat voice interrupted the priest.

“Sir?” the priest fumbled.

Talon turned his glare in the direction of the priest.

“I said no. We are skipping that part.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as murmurs rippled through the crowd. I could feel tears prickling at the back of my eyes but I refused to let it out. I won’t cry. Not today, not now.

It would be over soon.

By the time I made it through the wedding service, I was mentally and physically exhausted. But there was still the reception which was even more tiring than the main wedding because it involved me meeting Talon's parents and guests.

During the reception, Talon guided me over to where his parents were seated, his hands on the small of my back. As we approached them, their gaze burned into my skin, forcing me to look away.

“Dad, mum,” Talon said, “I’d like you to meet my wife, Naya Thwaites.”

My face flushed when he called me “Thwaites.” I guess I was now one if them. “Good evening, Mr. Thwaites, Mrs. Thwaites,” I greeted as respectfully as I could. The glare Mrs. Thwaites threw my way had me reeling. Mr. Thwaites was more subtle about his disapproval, although, it was still obvious.

“Congratulations on your wedding, Naya, even though we’ve heard absolutely nothing about you until now,” his father said.

I squirm, shuffling my feet from side to side, unsure about what to say to that. There was an awkward and tense silence, until I said, “Mrs. Thwaites, you look very beautiful.”

She glanced down at me, her lips turning up in a scowl. “I’m aware,” she answered, “but unfortunately, I can’t say the same for you.”

I flushed at her comment. From my side eye, I could see Talon glaring hard at her.

“Mum,” he snapped in a warning tone.

His father was still looking at me with a stern look in his eyes. They probably thought I was a gold digger who wanted to use their son for money. In some ways, I guess I kind of was a gold digger but their son was also using me, so we were equal.

“You both should come over for dinner sometime this week,” Mr. Thwaites suddenly said, interrupting my thoughts. “I’d like to know you better, Naya.”

I smile. “Of course, Mr. Thwaites.”

Beside me, Talon glanced at his wristwatch, a frown in his face. He quickly turned to his parents.

“Dad, Mum. We have to leave now. Thanks for coming. I’ll talk to you later, Dad.” Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed me and pulled me away. “I have a very important issue to attend to at the office,” he said to me as we walked away from his parents. “You can stay here and enjoy the party.

Manuel will drive you home when you are ready.”

Without asking me if that idea was okay with me, he let go of me, spun on his heels and started walking away.

As I watched him leave, my insides sank in disappointment and fear.

I was starting to think I had just made the worst decision of my life