"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
The words that most girls have dreamt of hearing, even I. Standing at the altar at this very moment, I feel robbed. Don't get me wrong, the wedding is splendid. Everything about it from the venue to the dress speaks fairytale and it is completely everything I ever wanted but I've been robbed of the chance of standing before the love of my life and saying my vows to him.I brought it upon myself by agreeing to this crazy idea. I could picture the confusion and anger coming from my mother while sitting in one of the front seats looking at the bizarre scene before her. She must be disappointed in her only daughter. I feel disappointed in myself too.My father, however, probably has a large smile plastered on his face. The minute he heard that I was marrying one of the Parker brothers, he saw a business opportunity. He doesn't even know which one is the love of my life. He doesn't know that the man standing before me is not the one I was supposed to be standing with.Blake Parker. Twenty-four year old Co-CEO of The Parker Brothers. A billion dollar company that deals with selling buildings for profit and pressuring people to sell their land and companies to them. He is a lady's man and sure does love his booze. He has never liked me, probably thinks I'm after his brother's money which makes me think that he has a personality disorder considering that he is always against his brother.I'm supposed to be standing with Steven Parker before the pastor and on the altar. He is the one I was supposed to say my vows to. He is the one that was supposed to slip in the expensive well designed ring with the words 'My heart beats to your name.' onto my finger. But he is not, why? Because he is on a business trip on the day of our wedding!He called me while I was putting on my wedding gown and told me how he can't make it but has a solution - his brother. Blake only agreed to this just so he can get major shares in the company and other things I know nothing about. Though he is benefiting from this, I still think there is more to it… a more sinister motive.But a more sinister thing is how I left my dressing area - trashed. How can your fiancé ask you to stand on the altar with his brother while he is somewhere doing only God knows what! And stupid me agreed to it after thinking about the cost and the disappointment on people's faces when they realize there is no wedding. Or is that the full reason?Like my father, people don't actually know which Parker brother was supposed to get married, which is why the wedding is going smoothly. But my conscience won't let me rest. Since from the moment I walked down the aisle with my father by my side to when I read my vows to Blake, I couldn't help but feel stupid and embarrassed.Snapping back to reality, my eyes meet Blake's. He steps closer to me and cups my face.Just do as you and Steven planned and everything will be alright, I telepathically tell Blake. Hopefully he will listen.Steven and him made a deal that he will kiss my cheek instead of my lips, those are only reserved for Steven.But being the rebellious person he is, Blake presses his lips on mine. I was caught off guard and due to the act I have to keep up I close my eyes and unconsciously dwell into the kiss. The way his lips fit into mine was just perfect which made my stomach twist both in guilt and a feeling only Steven is able to make me feel.Blake pulls away after biting my lower lips and as people start clapping and making whistles. I try to not look at him but fail miserably and look at those brown eyes and devious smile. If only people knew what kind of a sick person lies behind that face.The pastor shakes our hands and blesses us once again - if only he knew."Aria, what in God's name is going on here?" My mother asks while pulling me away from the preying eyes."Mom, I will explain to you tomorrow. Just please try to-""Don't you dare finish your sentence. I did not raise you up just so you could throw your morals away!""Shhhhhh," I place my hand on her lips to keep her quiet. "People are starting to look at us, can we please talk about this tomorrow?""Fine! But you better have a good reason for all of this madness." She huffs and walks out on me, leaving her daughter frustrated not only in herself but with the entire day."How are you, wifey?" Blake comes from behind me with a glass of whisky in his hand."Not funny Blake. I'm Not Your Wife. I'm Steven's.""Well where is he?" He turns his head from one direction to the other pretending to look for him. "Oh that is right, he is not here and the one wearing the husband ring is me. So whether you like it," he moves closer to me, invading my space. "Or not, fact remains that I'm currently your husband." He takes a sip from his glass and winks at me."Why are you really doing this? Because I know it is not to help Steven. It’s clear as the moonlight how big of fat lie that is.""You're right. I would never help Steven, he is a dick. But you on the other hand," he looks at me from head to toe and up again. "You're way too beautiful to be left on the aisle so I can break a few rules for you here and there."In my head I’m envisioning Blake getting slapped, maybe with my hand but violence is absolutely wrong which is why it’s in my head and I held back. Don't let him ruin your day.Smiling at him, I take the glass from his hand and take a huge gulp of the bitter whiskey which burns my throat instantly but I try not to show it. "Let's just get done with this." I drop the glass into his hand, "and before I forget, never kiss me again Blake." I turn my heel and walk away from the laughing devil behind me.*I throw myself on the large empty bed. What was the point of booking at one of the best hotels only to spend the night alone?Sighing, I strip out of my wedding gown and into my nightgown. I take out my bible from my suitcase and kneel down."Father Lord, I thank you for today. I thank you that my family was able to spend this day with me and that things went smoothly. I would like to apologize for the madness I just brought upon myself. This day was not supposed to go the way it went which I'm ashamed of, for I defied how a wedding should be done. I came before you with a man that isn't the one I am in love with. I kissed another man on the altar and the worst part is I reacted to it. May you forgive me of my sins and help me to make things right. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen." I stand up from the ground and throw myself on the bed again.I still have one chance to make things right. The signing of the marriage license. And all of this will be a story I tell my grandchildren. Sighing, I switch off the lights and get into the sheets. One chance.Waking up to realize that there is no body occupying the space next to you can be heartbreaking, especially if it's supposed to be your honeymoon.Walking from the bathroom to the balcony after taking a shower, I take in the beautiful island we are in. From a distance, I could see the blue ocean waves and the numerous green tress surrounding the area. Taking a deep breath in, my nostrils are instantly hit with the fresh smell of non-polluted air. I might as well enjoy my time here, I think.Walking back to the room, I change into my spring floral dress that Steven loves so much. What changed between us exactly? The Steven that kept on bothering me for two weeks straight just so that I could go on a date with him five years ago isn't the Steven I know now. He is no longer the guy that made time for me no matter what came up and definitely not the guy that couldn't leave me alone in the same room as his brother. But now he is so comfortable with it that he even asked me to stand in the a
Don't you just love the sound of ocean waves? How they are able to create a violent but calm sound. I am a huge fan of nature because it makes feel much closer to God which gives me a lot of peace.I can remember the days I used to walk with Steven down the beach and had actual fun. Now, however, I'm strolling alone at the island's beach while the water tries to comfort me. Mother and I finished our breakfast hours ago and ever since, I have been visiting some known spots that are of good attraction! I came across this known restaurant that does not serve small fancy portions of food. Which is why I ate a very large pizza. It almost covered the whole of my table. I had to pay myself back for all those food I refused just so that I can fit into my wedding gown.With the sun setting, I walk back to the hotel with a very calm soul. The receptionist greets me warmly and hands me a a rectangular small box and roses that came while I was out. Reaching for the card, my heart dances at the si
Honeymoon - vacation taken by a newly married couple after their wedding. The definition clearly does not include me in the mix. It has been 7 whole days with me at my honeymoon alone. My family has left and so I'm all alone in this island, oh and also with Blake. I try to pretend he never existed to start with but it's so hard when all the hotel helpers talk about him. The old will talk about how nice and caring he is, while the young talk about how his the most handsome man ever. Pshh, if only they knew.Today in the early morning I had a conference call with the pastor that I regularly go to whom by the way was acting really out of the ordinary. He was the one that was supposed to lead the wedding but he had an emergency and thus assigned another one to us. It's like he knew something was up but still didn't say a thing. The one thing he said that still puts me at uneasiness was, God works in mysterious ways and I will see the plan he has for my life, not now but someday. And that I
03:30, my watch reads. Where and why am I up at this time? Well, I am in a private jet going back home and I am up because of the boy with a crazy mind. Blake banged on my door at around two am shortly after I had finished my small one-person party and told me that we had to leave as soon as possible. He told me how he had to go back home and the thought of leaving me alone in the island does not sit well with me…I'm five years older than him, I am capable of taking care of myself and if I was willing, him too! He didn’t take me seriously even after throwing a lot of threats around and tantrums. I felt drained as he was not changing his mind so, I finally took a bath and followed him. It's sad how I left all the free food at the hotel.Looking over to my right side, I see the spiraled work on Blake’s desk and his concentration unmoved from the laptop lying on his lap. My eyelids start getting heavier and heavier until I finally drift off to sleep.*24hours later and we were off the je
“You can hear it in the silence- silence The silence - silenceYouuuuuYou can feel it on the way home - way home - way home - way home YouuuuuYou can see it with the lights out - light outs - lights out - lights outYou are in love - true love - you are in love”Taylor Swift's ‘you are in love’ song plays in the background as I hold a comb while on my bed as I continue pretending to be the one performing the song at the biggest stage known to men. Happiness is plastered all over my face and nothing can ruin this moment, no matter how hard the forces of this world tried.When I woke up, I just felt good. Feelings of positivity were surrounding me like guards surrounding their princess. It felt like something great was about to happen and even though I got a bit discouraged when the silent house greeted me instead of humans, I got much (much much much!!!!!!!) better when I got greeted by a mailman who had the marriage license documents and after thanking him a thousand times, I final
I left work early, around 3pm because we didn't have much work and people kept on bugging me to reveal who I married. I kept my mouth shut and threw the key away. Now I'm at the park taking pictures of almost everything. Photography doesn't focus on one thing. It's broad and you can take a shot of something simple like a falling leaf and turn it into a majestic beauty. The new camera is perfection!Focusing my lens, I capture a moment of a bird feeding it's offsprings. Satisfied with the number of shots and looking at the setting sun, I walk up to my car and drive back to the house. After planning the wedding and everything thoroughly, Steven suggested I move some of my things to the house and I agreed. Which is why instead of going to my apartment, I go to the Parker's house.I reach the house and everyone has left. Mr Thompson probably went to drop Mrs Claire and pick up Blake. I go to my room and take a quick shower then head towards the kitchen when I'm all warm.I start to prep
"You cooked and didn't leave some for me?" Mrs Claire asks quite offended.Pouring warm milk into my coffee, I give her the most apologetic look ever, "I'm sorry. You should blame Blake though. I know that I left some food after I dished up for us.""Us?" Her face plays a look of confusion."Yes, us. I ate supper with Blake.""Ah, I thought you ate it with Steven.""Nope, I didn't see him yesterday. Must be at work I guess." Mrs Claire nods her head and goes upstairs probably to check up on Blake. My phone vibrates on the table and the caller ID reads Stevie❤️"Hey." I say monotonous."Why weren't you answering your phone? I called multiple times.""I must have been sleeping Stevie." The nickname falls out before I could stop myself and I bite my bottom lip with what is to come next."How many times should I tell you not to call me that? Steven is just fine." He says in a very irritated manner."I'm sorry, I forget that at times.""It's fine. We are having lunch today, I'll meet you
"Are you alright?" Blake asks still holding my hand. Don't lie. The words roam in my mind as I debate on whether to lie and say yes or tell him the truth."Maybe? I mean I was alright, I was happy when I got here then next thing I know, I was left at the beginning of a date by Steven because of work so I don't know anymore, am I alright?" I try to sound my usual self but with my tears threatening to fall out and my down spirit, my voice comes out broken than ever."No, you're not alright. Steven is a douche-""No he isn't!" My voice comes out louder than expected and embarrassment suddenly overcomes me. "He isn't a douche, he just had an important meeting to attend to I think. He is doing this for him and I. Someone who is a douche would not be doing that Blake.” Trying to avoid the pity in his eyes, I look behind Blake. The four men in suits who seem to be waiting on Blake look very irritated with him, or with the both of us? Okay, I do not want to be on any business men’s bad side b