Chapter 7

I was jarred out of my sleep by an alarm I am pretty certain I didn't set, must be the work of Jo or my aunt. I looked at the time, 4 am. Ok, I'm definitely going to kill Jo.

My suspicions were confirmed when she peeped sheepishly from my door before barreling in. How anyone could have so much energy at the ungodly hour is something I cannot comprehend.

"Is there any reason why I should be awake by this inhumane hour?" I asked, clearly annoyed. It's not like I was looking forward to this day, but getting woken up is adding to my long list of reasons to be grumpy for the rest of the day.

"First off, you're not human so this isn't inhumane" I made her say something when she stopped me, and before you say it's a metaphor or whatever, I know. Secondly, it's your wedding day, and you have to look perfect, so I'll start the prepping before Mom comes up. And thirdly, I don't know why you're grumpy, it's not like this isn't the time you go for a run normally. She sat down beside me, dropped, and opened a bag that looks like it contains tools enough to open a fully functional hair and makeup shop. 

"Don't you dare stare at me, child? Also, you're not coming near me with any of the contraptions I'm seeing in there. I'd like to go in one piece with all my parts complete, thank you very much" I inched away from her as she took out what I think is a curler. At least, it looks like one, but far more complicated.

"I'm not a child. I'm a young woman. And yes, I'll be using these so please keep quiet and get in the chair in front of your vanity. Don't worry, I'm very experienced with things like these".

"This meaning hair and makeup?" She nodded "I hope you know what you're doing, it's bad enough that they don't like me, it's going to be even worse when I show up bald and looking like the makeup artist with a Cruella inspiration, did my face"

"Oh, ye of little faith" She tuts as she sets me into position and starts plugging in stuff.

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Two and a half hours later, I look like a completely different person. I can hardly recognize myself while looking in the mirror. 

My hair was washed, now looks extremely shiny, and has been placed in one of those bridal hairstyles you only see in reality TV shows and magazines. It looks so complicated, I'm sure I'll be getting pins out for a week as well as the spray. The makeup is simple, yet elegant and makes me want to pull off my face and hang it up on a wall or something. It looks like me yet not like me.

I'm now in a gown that looks like it's been printed on my body as well as the accessories. The veil has been attached to a small tiara which is wedged in the hair and I look more like a princess character than someone who's getting married to the person she hates most in her life. I love the entire look.

I turned to hug Jo and Aunt Mel, misty-eyed.

"No, no, no. No crying, you're going to smudge the mascara before I get any pictures" Jo chided, bringing out her phone to take about a million pictures.

"The car is here," One of the boys bellowed from downstairs. 

”They can wait a little longer " Jo shouted back. She and Aunt Mel excused themselves to go get dressed and made me promise not to leave the room until one of them calls me. 

Once, I was alone in the room, I sat down. " Bessie?" I needed her reassurance because, in all honesty, I'm scared and extremely nervous.

"I'm here, Rose" She answered, almost immediately.

"I'm really doing this? We're doing this?" I can't have doubts now, but I needed to be sure.

"Yes, we are. And do not fret, I'm here with you and will be with you every step of the way.

”Rose" I heard Jo call from down. They must be done getting ready.

"Thank you, Bessie" I replied as I stood up and picked up my gown, and began my descent.

I paused at the top of the stairs and saw my family ohhh and ahhh and awww over me, before finally getting down, we took a couple of pictures before we started our journey to the location of the wedding, much to the annoyance of the now impatient driver that was sent, who muttered under his breath about timing and whatnot.

Only Jo and I are to ride in the sent car, which was designated for the bride and maid of honor. The rest of the family followed in a mini convoy of their own cars, alongside two other cars which must contain the bodyguards from the Joneses. They're really particular about their safety seeing that they have managed to make a lot of enemies and are well known.

It didn't take us very long to get to the venue and I was asked to wait just outside the door of the hall in which the wedding is taking place. Not long after, I heard the beginnings of a wedding match and I was ushered into the hall. Looking around, it's quite obvious that only family members are here. Other than the officiator, and my family, Kenneth, Mary, Nate, and their ever-present butler are here. It makes me feel like I've wasted all of my time for nothing and tears sprang to my eyes as I continued down the aisle where Nate was already waiting, impatient, as if he couldn't wait to be done with this and get back to whatever he would have preferred to be doing by this time. When he looked at me, however, there was a flash of surprise that quickly morphed back into his disgusted expression.

I reached the end of the aisle, in front of the officiator, and then gave my bouquet to Jo. I then turned to face Nate, following the instructions of the minister. We made our vows and exchanged rings. It has to be the most boring wedding I've been to and it's mine. When we were asked to kiss, he gave me a closelipped peck on the lips and we sprang apart instantly. I resisted the urge to clean my lips afterward but I wouldn't want to seem rude in front of everyone. I managed to fake smiles as the photographs were being taken and after we were done, we started on our journey. There was no after-party because it was obviously going to be a waste of time for both families so we skipped it.

I was already dozing from the exhaustion of faking all day when I was tapped on the shoulder.

"Get up, we're here already". I opened my eyes to see Nate looking at me like he'd rather be in the same space with a snake than with me. 

I didn't reply him before I got out of the car. The driver was instructed to put our things away. And I stood to properly look at the house. In the setting sun, it looks like something out of a fairy tale book, the kind that the rich CEO lives in with the secretary he found out he had fallen in love with, yeah, that one.

From where I was standing, I could see that the house was on a very large piece of land and has fencing on it too. There are no houses in the immediate vicinity. Walking inside, the first thing I saw was the outdoor pool. Sweet, I'll have something to occupy my time in here.

"Are you going to keep gaping at everything or you're going to come in? I'd rather you didn't, but I don't want to be held responsible when you die of hypothermia after it gets chilly at night" Nate spoke up from the door which I had no recollection of him getting to.

Ignoring him, I walked past him, making sure to brush his shoulders before going inside the house. The inside was even more lovely than the outside, such a shame that I wouldn't be staying for so long. Before I could say anything, a woman walked out. She was elderly and looked homely. I liked her immediately.

"Hello, welcome back, Nate" She gave him a brief hug which he returned and then turned to me. " And you must be Rose, his wife. Happy married life, dear" I stuck out my hand but she hugged me to her instead. She smelled like homemade cooking. I don't know how else to describe it, but the smell of being in the kitchen a lot.

"Thank you, ma'am," I say back, smiling, my first true one since the ceremony. 

"Nah. Call me Harriet. I'll be taking care of you here, the same way I took care of this one since he was a kid" She pointed her chin in the direction of Nate who was already on his phone.

"Ok, Harriet". I smiled at her again. Looks like I won't be having a boring stay.

"Come, let me take you to where you'll be sleeping in, your things are already in there" She led me up a flight of stairs to a huge bedroom.

It was painted in dark soft colors and has a massive bed in the middle. There was a closet attached as well as a private bathroom and toilet.

"I'm sure you must be tired so I'll just leave you now. I can take you on a tour of the house tomorrow when you're well-rested, if you want" Harriet explained.

"I'd love that, thank you so much, Harriet". I thanked her.

"It's no problem, dear. Have a good night" She said as she backed out of the door.

"And you too," I said to her retreating figure.

I stepped out of my wedding dress and got in the shower. The warm water felt so good against my skin. After what seemed like an hour, I got out and dried my hair, and clean any traces of makeup left. I was still in the process when the door opened.

"What are you doing here?" I heard a voice thunder. Ugh. Nate. It's really annoying how I've come to recognize his voice quite easily. Must be a mate thing. Speaking of that, there is a lot of sexual tension coming from Bessie, like she'd jump his bones right here and now.

"What are YOU doing here?" I countered.

"This is my room" He sounded really annoyed, but that's his default.

"Well, this is my room. Harriet brought me here" I stood my ground. He muttered something like "fucking Harriet" but I am not in the mood to ask about it so I waved it off.

"You can't be in here, go to one of the other spare bedrooms, but this one is for me. Harriet should have remembered that before she brought you here" The balls on this dude. This was my room first and I'm not leaving it for anyone.

"Why don't you take the spare bedroom? Because I'm not leaving this one". I stood with my hands on my hips.

"Fine, I'll throw you out" He took a step towards me, and I took two back.

"Take one more step and I'll scream bloody murder" I threatened with my arms crossed in front of me.

He looked at me and hesitated for a moment. He then shook his head and stepped back, having considered this conversation not worth his time. He left the room and I grinned in triumph. A win for me.

I jumped on the very soft bed and had the best sleep I've had in a while regardless of the fact that I'm in the enemy's territory, which is half mine, but you understand my point.