Chapter 16 Doubts and Fears

Kiaria

I was physically present, but mentally absent. I floated from one class to the other, not paying much attention to the lectures of my professors. Time went by with me daydreaming and doodling on a page of my notebook, writing my name as Kiaria Wright-Hemming. I was sitting in my last class for the day, impatiently glancing numerous times at the clock on the wall, when it hit me. I WAS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED!

I can't believe I had agreed to get married. What was I thinking?! I just turned eighteen yesterday and now I'm going to get married?!

I excused myself from class and rushed to the restroom to splash some cold water on my face. I haven't even known Io for a full twenty-four hours and now he's going to be my husband. I wasn't even sure if I loved him. I mean, I have never fallen in love before. How do I possibly know this is love I feel?

And how about Io? He was handsome, rich, and accomplished. He could have any woman he wanted. Come on, he had a different woman on his arm each time he was on the front page of every tabloid newspaper in the whole country! Would I be any different?

But THIS was different. This was marriage with vows and rings with the whole "'Til death do you part" litany. Would he remain faithful to me as we aged? Or would I just be the one to bear his heir while he goes gallivanting with the flavor of the month?

I heaved a sigh of relief when I entered the restroom and found it empty. I needed some peace and quiet. I had so many questions running through my mind which, obviously, were difficult to answer.

I started pacing up and down the ladies' restroom trying to think. I remembered this article in a magazine which said if you are able to picture your special someone with you in say five or ten years into the future, then he or she is the one. I turned to face the mirror and stared hard and long at my reflection, trying to picture Io in my future.

My eyes suddenly began to glow and I saw a vision of Io and I celebrating the birthday of a young girl and a young boy. We all looked incredibly happy.

"That is your future you see, Kiaria," Selene said. "Have faith in the Moon Goddess and lay your doubts and fears to rest, my dear. He is your fated mate. He and you together make a whole. Once you mate, there will only be you in his life and the same will go for you."

The door of the restroom burst open and a group of sorority girls came in, laughing and chatting about the upcoming campus party. I lowered my head and blinked my eyes rapidly, praying the glow would go away before they notice.

"Hi!" A girl in a khaki miniskirt and white body-hugging crop top tapped me on the shoulder. She was a girl in one of my morning classes and was one of the pledges for a known sorority. Actually, the sorority sisters tried to recruit me, knowing I was the daughter of the owner of the Wright Savings Banks, but I turned them down. Going Greek wasn't my thing. "Kiaria right? I'm Michelle. We're both in Mr. Hathaway's class. Anyway, the campus Freshmen party will be happening this weekend. Here's an invite. You can bring a friend or a date." She handed me a small card with a ribbon on it.

"Ah, thanks, Michelle," I said, taking the invitation from her. "But, I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend." Her dazzling smile turned into a frown.

"You have to go. Each person who turns in this invite at the entrance is basically a vote for me," she explained.

"So technically, the most people who attend on your behalf gives you an edge as a pledge..." I said, my voice trailing. I decided I should support her. "Sure, I'll go. Anything for a classmate." Her face brightened up instantly.

"So, don't forget your invite and here's an extra one just in case you want to bring more people with you. By the way, you need to wear something pink," she added.

"Pink? Not my favorite color, but I think I can buy something pink for the party," I replied. She reached up and brushed my hair aside.

"You're really pretty. I'm sure pink will look fantastic on you. I'll see you on Saturday then." She waved good-bye and rushed out with the girls she came in with.

I swear, I should start telling people no. I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see the time. It was almost two o'clock! I ran out of the restroom and hurriedly went back to class for the lecture, well, what was left of it. My professor frowned at me as I entered the room. I mouthed a sorry at him before heading to my seat, hoping he wouldn't call me after class to speak with him.

Will Io be at the parking lot like he promised? Well, if he isn't I'll just call for a Lyft driver or take the bus to my mom's bistro and hitch a ride home with her.

My mother! I groaned, slouching in my seat in defeat. I haven't even called to tell my mother. I knew she was going to give one of her world-class repetitive lectures on how marriage isn't just a cup of hot rice which you can spit out when you want to and how her and my father, who had gone through rough times, managed to stay married. How am I suppose to tell her?!

I was in the middle of contemplating running away from home when my professor said my name breaking me from my thoughts. Oh my gosh! Class had already been dismissed. I hurriedly put all my things in my bag and rushed down to my professor who was stacking papers so he could place them in his briefcase.

"Miss Wright, everything okay? Seems one of my best students isn't quite herself today. Something going on at home?" He asked while taking off his glasses.

"Uhm, yes, Dr. Johnson, I mean, no, Dr. Johnson," I answered. He peered at me amused.

"Is that a yes or a no, Miss Wright?"

"A yes and a no. Yes, everything is okay and no, there isn't anything going on at home. Well, maybe, just a little." I cringed inside from embarrassment. I sounded so confused. He chuckled and nodded his head like he knew what I was talking about.

"I see. Boyfriend issues. Love seems to make everyone confused. And here I thought something terrible was bothering you. Well, Miss Wright, here's a copy of the lecture. I want a short essay on that on Friday. That's for disappearing during my lecture," he said before he handed me the copy of his lecture.

"Sure, Dr. Johnson. I'll make sure to hand in my essay on Friday," I replied, grateful he wasn't mad. I took the sheets of paper and placed them in my bag. "I'll see you then." I was about to head to the door and leave, when he called out to me.

"Miss Wright...whoever he is, he's a lucky man. Never doubt your worth," Dr. Johnson said, smiling at me. I grinned at him. He made feel a whole lot better.

"Thanks, Dr. Johnson." I quickly walked to the door and opened it. In my haste, I bumped into someone as I tried to exit the room. A pair of muscular arms quickly wrapped themselves around me, preventing me from falling. I placed my hands on his muscular chest while I inhaled his intoxicating scent. Being in his arms was so exhilarating that my heart began to race. Every fiber of my being was aware of this man, yet when I was in his arms, my mind went to mush.

I didn't have to see his face to know who he was. But look I did and I was shocked to see Io's handsome face scowling at me.

"Oh my gosh, Kiaria. I was about to send out a search party for you!" Io said a bit loudly obviously ticked off for not meeting him at the parking lot on time. My professor heard him and walked to where we, uhm, stood.

"Hi! I'm Dr. Johnson. I assigned an essay for Miss Wright to do for missing my class. I apologize if it was an inconvenience," my professor said while extending his hand for a handshake. Io quickly let go of me but held one of my hands with one of his while he took my professor's hand in the other so they could shake hands.

"Io Hemming, Dr. Johnson. No need to apologize. I can be overprotective at times. Have a good day, Doctor." Io took my bag and placed my hand in the crook of his arm. "Shall we, Kiaria?" He led me out of the building and into the parking lot.

"Kiaria, why did you miss Dr. Johnson's class?" Io asked. Great. Now I have two fathers.

"I had to use the toilet," I answered.

"For an entire period?" He looked at me with one eyebrow raised.

"What can I say? I ate a bad burrito for lunch. Here, I can prove it to you." I saw Michelle in the parking lot talking with her soon-to-be sorority sisters beside a nice gray Mercedes-Benz. "Hi Michelle, remember me, in the restroom?" Michelle turned around and smiled at me. No, scratch that. She was actually smiling at Io. I dragged Io to where Michelle and her friends were. They were all blatantly staring at Io appreciatively.

"Kiaria! Yes. Who is this with you?" She batted her eyelashes at Io and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Michelle. I handed Kiaria an invite for Saturday's campus party which my sorority will be sponsoring. It would be fabulous if you would come to, Mister..."

"Io Hemming," Io answered without shaking her hand. "If Kiaria attends, then yes, I will be attending your party with her," Io said, rather gruffly. I nudged him in the ribs. Michelle was his type. Blonde, beautiful, with perfect sparkling teeth. Hell, everything about Michelle was perfect, even her voice.

"Great! So we'll see you on Saturday then. Don't forget to wear pink," she said as Io pulled me away from them towards his car. Gosh, he was in a foul mood.

He opened my door and waited for me to comfortably seat myself before he closed the door. Then he placed my bag in the backseat before seating himself in the driver's seat.

"If you're going to be late, at least send me a message so I don't go trying to sniff you out. Kiaria, you have to understand, you are my world. If something should happen to you, I will die. Well, metaphoricallly," Io said.

"You have a funny way of showing how important I am to you," I said sulkily.

"I'm sorry, Kiaria. I didn't mean to act so..." His voice trailed off, like he didn't know what to say. He took my hands and kissed me on the forehead. I felt myself melt. "This is my first time to feel afraid. When you didn't come out at 2PM like you promised, I became worried." He placed his thumb on my chin and lifted my face so my eyes could meet his. "Believe me when I say you are my world." In his eyes, I saw the sincerity of his words. I nodded my head, telling him I believed him. He smiled and kissed me on the tip of my nose. "Now, let's go see your mother and tell her the good news. Maybe she can cater for our reception. What do you think?" He asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah, sure," I mumbled.

I sighed and looked out through my window. I didn't have the heart to answer him. My mother was a brick wall. She wasn't going to be easy to convince.

I took out my phone and messaged my father to meet us at the bistro. Maybe he could soften up Mom for me, just enough to give us her blessing.

_____________

Dr. Johnson

After meeting Io Hemming with Kiaria Wright earlier, I rushed to my office to make a phone call.

"Linda, I am not to be disturbed for an hour. If there are any important calls, take a message and tell them I will get in touch with them as soon as I'm available," I told my secretary.

"Sure, Dr. Johnson," she answered. I oftentimes did this when I needed to take a nap in my office. Linda knew the drill.

I locked the door of my office, played some music loud enough so no one could eavesdrop and dialled the number. The person I was calling immediately answered.

"Any developments?" An elderly man's voice asked.

"Io Hemming is here. I believe he has found his fated mate," I answered.

"Her?"

"Yes. And by the way, she wears the locket of High Priestess Celeste."