Chapter 6: After The Wedding.

I froze. The words echoed in my ears.

If it weren't for my fear of returning to Brian, I wouldn't run.

I turned slowly to look at the audience. I held my shaky breath.

Damon squeezed my hand, a subtle yet kind reminder that he was still there.

We waited for the person to come forward. For a minute the gathering was silent.

The priest repeated the question. I hated him for that—father forgive me.

Still, no response.

Suddenly, a woman slowly got up. 

All eyes were on her.

"I, I'm sorry. My son. He's just a child. He didn't mean to interrupt. We're so sorry aren't we?" she motioned to the small child who nodded in response.

Damon nodded.

I smiled faintly.

He was lucky I loved children.

The next parts flowed perfectly until it was time for our vows.

"May the couple please share their vows"

I gulped. A sweat trickled down my forehead.

Damon brought out a piece of paper.

"What?. You've got to be kidding"

I didn't dare say it out loud.

I turned to face Liliana, she smiled.

I raised my eyebrow.

The look on her face seemed to assure me. She had a plan.

"Aurora I promise to love you, cherish you, hold you as long as I live"

"For five years" I said in my head.

"I'll protect you in this lifetime and the next. I'm yours, and yours alone till eternity."

The crowd "awwwwed"

I didn't know how to react. I smiled through the corner of my lips.

The priest turned to me, ready to hear mine.

I cleared my throat.

Liliana whispered, loud enough for me to hear and low enough to be missed by everyone else.

"I promise to love you..." she said.

Without thinking, I repeated. "I promise to love you..."

"Cherish you, respect you and be a good wife, friend, mother to our babies."

I froze. "Babies?"

"Cherish you, respect you and be a good wife, friend, mother to our— our babies."

Damon chuckled.

I scrunched my nose. 

"You may kiss the bride"

Was everything and everyone against me? Why would I kiss a man I wasn't supposed to love?

I hesitated.

Liliana pushed me closer to him.

I kissed him on his cheek and slowly retreated.

"Surely, we could see something better than that right?" the priest said, and adjusted his glasses.

I shot him a stern look.

Damon pulled me in and whispered in my ear, "Don't think too much of it"

He kissed me—slow, certain—like this wasn’t a contract, but a promise.

                    ...

After the celebration had been completed, I retreated to the room I found the wedding gown. I was alone with Lily.

"That was awesome Chica" she took of her earrings.

"Hmmm, yeah, that was great."

"Cheer up sweets, you're safe now"

"Any news from Brian?"

"No." 

"Strange"

She scooted closer, inches away from my face. "Let's worry less about that and talk more about what happened at the event."

I could feel her breath on my face.

She searched my face for a reaction and through the corner of my eye, I could tell she held in laughter.

"Lily..." I grumbled.

We burst into laughter. 

We went on and on about various parts of the ceremony, especially the ones that stood out to us. I smacked her when I remembered what she made me say during my vow. 

We giggled and said Damon's vow in unison.

She adjusted my hair and took off the tiara and veil.

"You made a really pretty bride Arie. I wish you happiness and lots and lots of..."

"That's enough Lily"

She chuckled.

"What? I wasn't going to say anything unholy"

She winked.

We both knew that was a lie.

She got up and headed towards the bathroom and ranted about how much she needed a shower.

A text from Damon came in.

"Hi Mrs Grey, I'm attending to something urgent right now, see you soon"

I smiled.

"Mrs Grey"

I held the phone to my chest and slammed backwards on the bed daydreaming about how wonderful the next five years would be.

During the next hour, I took a shower and slipped into my silk nightie.

Lily was snuggled up in the blanket, fast asleep.

Even though I tried, I couldn't sleep.

I decided to take a stroll round the building.

I stepped out and was greeted by an old Butler, not too different looking to ours.

"Good evening madam, may I be of assistance to you?"

"Uh, no, thank you..." I tried to pronounce his name on his tag but had some difficulty.

He kindly told me the pronunciation but soon after I forgot. So, I smiled and walked away.

In the distance I saw many female staff some of which included the ones that helped me dress up. 

To avoid small talk, I took another direction.

I walked briskly and turned to check if they were following me.

I collided with a strong force.

Before I could fall, the arm grabbed mine and pulled me up by my waist.

When I looked up, it was him.

"Watch where you're going Mrs Grey, in a haste to see me?"

I collected myself quickly, adjusted my nightie and dragged the strap that slid off my shoulders back on.

"Thank you Damon"

He nodded.

"I was just about to come find you. To show you our room"

I shivered.

"Oh God!. Please!" I said inwardly.

"Come"

I followed him.

As soon as we entered the room, he shut the door.

I gulped.

"Sit"

He handed me a brown envelope as soon as I did.

I opened it slowly, "what's this?"

"The contract. I won't touch you unless you want me to. I'll protect you and I'll keep watch over you"

I relaxed.

"Why are you doing this for me?"

He paused. "Because I should've done that years ago"

I smiled weakly.

He turned and pointed to the bed on the other side of the room.

"That's yours"

"If you choose to stay for the duration of the contract. Good. If you become uncomfortable at any time and choose to leave, I won't stop you"

"Your decision is final. No one can change it"

"Now, the rules. You are not allowed to walk alone, anywhere. I've made arrangements for bodyguards. You'll meet them tomorrow. Cut all communication with Brian. I must know about all the friends you wish to keep. Whenever you want to go shopping only use my card, I'll make it available tomorrow. In public, we're in love, here though, we can be anything. Lastly, always call me whenever you're in danger."

His tone wasn't harsh but it left no room for negotiation.

I sighed. "so much for freedom"

"Do you agree with all these?"

I took a pen on the desk nearby. I signed.

"I agree"

"Good. You should get some rest. There's a lot to attend to tomorrow"

He turned and walked towards the door.

"Hey, Damon..."

He paused.

"What should I call you?. Would you prefer your name or something else?"

He smiled through his side view.

"Anything you want, Mrs Grey"

He walked out of the room.

I adjusted my hair and made my way to my bed.

I stared at my phone screen and sent a text to Liliana.

I placed the phone on the desk and slid under the duvet.

I looked around and took in the environment. It was a very beautiful room. Spacious and clean. 

I got up, tip-toed to the dresser and stared at the various kinds of makeup.

There was a note attached at the end of it.

"You don't need any of these, still, I thought you'd like them"

I giggled.

So much for don't fall in love with me, Mr Grey.

I was lost in the moment. I examined every inch of the room.

Suddenly, my phone lit up.

A text. 

From an unknown number.

I knew I should

've ignored it, deleted it or blocked the number.

Curiosity got the better of me.

I opened it slowly.

My heart raced as I stared at it.

It was a picture of Damon and I the moment we kissed with a text attached to it.

"You just made a huge mistake"