02

Fabiola

I felt like I was standing in the center of a crowded room, screaming, but no one could hear me.

Today was my wedding day! I was the bride to a groom who didn't want me nor did I want him. 

Not how I imagined it to be. 

Tobias was good-looking; even the malicious gossip papers didn’t deny that. But there were sinister rumors attached to his name that most people including me, believed to be lies. Else they weren’t 

“Careful,” Aunt Cathy helped me down from the car parked on the court premises. Uncle Robert led the way in where the Hawkeyes waited. 

They were the wealthiest family in the city and if I’m being totally honest I had dreamt about marrying into this family countless times, guess my dream had become reality but something had gone awry with the groom.

“Good day,” Uncle Robert's voice was laced with forced bravado as we came face to face with the Hawkeyes in the courtroom. 

There were just three of them, three women. The woman in the middle was obviously older and the other two women by her left and right looked younger. It wasn’t difficult to spot Mrs Hawkeye. My mother-in-law. Christ! Tobias wasn’t in here, if he was I couldn’t see him. I knew a little about Tobias Hawkeye and that he was the only son and the heir to the Hawkeye empire, he was thirty-six and still hopelessly alone which was why this was happening.

“She’s here, beautiful and ready,” Aunty Cathy shoved me forward like I was a ripe fruit for sale. 

A smile was a luxury they couldn’t afford, they all watched me with poker faces. Pride and wealth were all I could smell in the air. The always bold and sassy Aunty Cathy appeared so timid, their presence was intimidating for sure but I held Mrs Hawkeye’s gaze, more like I belonged among them and was somehow prepared. 

“This is your child?” Her words were slow and cold, her disdainful gaze on me. 

“Yes, my only daughter,” Uncle Robert's response was a little too eager. 

Were they lying? Why? 

“What is your name, girl?” She didn’t look so happy that I was holding her gaze. 

Uncle Robert opened his mouth to speak on my behalf but she silenced him by holding up her hand, her palm facing him. 

“Fabiola,” I responded candidly.

They never prepared me to lie, so I didn’t do that. 

“Fabiola,” she repeated my name in a way that made me hate it. “You know what you’re up for don’t you?”

“Children!” The woman to her right spoke up when I stared blankly, utterly puzzled. “You’re here to make babies.”

I swallowed hard, thickly. Reminding myself to be calm and to recall that this was the only way I could pay my Aunt and Uncle back for taking care of me since my parents were murdered. 

“I think he is here,” the woman by right breathed, tipping her chin towards the entrance. 

My stomach churned at the woman’s words. 

The door to the courtroom opened and I noticed Pen curling beside her mother. 

He walked in, Tobias, that was him. I’m no fan of football but I could recognize him because he has a thing for making the morning news at least every month. His tall imposing figure claimed the court room like he owned it. He walked in, his steps not too fast or too slow. 

“Ten minutes,” he said, walking past without sparing any of us a glance.  

No one greeted or said a word to him. Like they were scared of speaking to him. 

“This way,” one of the women urged me. I turned back to glance at Uncle Robert who nodded in approval. 

My knees trembled with every step, I prayed that they wouldn't give way before I got to my destination before the Judge. I stopped beside Tobias as directed, looking like an ant standing next to an elephant, ridiculously small. I felt as though one wrong move from him would send me crumbling.

He didn’t look my way, his eyes were fixed ahead. 

I was nervous, fidgeting, but I still craned my neck, trying to get a glimpse of his face. I just realized that I wasn’t scared of these people, I was scared of my decision. 

Marriage, in the first year of college. Not something I saw coming. 

“Got the rings.” The familiar voice, familiar scent, familiar presence grasped my senses.

I felt my body stiffen as he stopped beside Tobias, waving briefly at Pen. He didn’t look at me, he didn’t recognize me, he didn’t know me. 

And now I’m getting married to his Uncle. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! My head pounded, and I feared I was going to faint.

We said our vows as directed and I did mine with a little stutter here and there. 

When we faced each other and his gaze rested on me, bored and uninterested. His jaw, sharp enough to slice an apple, clenched with irritation as I slipped the ring onto his finger, which I held with quivering hands. 

He did the same and it was finally over. He turned and left, with Lan following behind him. I stood on my spot, alone. 

“Mr and Mrs Cowper, thank you all for your peaceful cooperation,” Mrs Hawkeye said in a formal tone. “We will take it from here.”

“We are always here to help,” Aunty Cathy was smiling so much more than I have seen her smile since I met her. 

I watched Uncle Robert leave with his wife and daughter without a last word to me, reminding me that I wasn’t family. They left me with these people who appeared like they ate humans. 

I wanted to wail and run after them but my foot was too heavy to move.

“Fabiola.” God! I hated my name from her lips. “Dave will drive you to your new home, don’t touch anything, or speak to anyone if not necessary. I will come to you tomorrow with details on how you’ll make a baby.”

She didn’t wait for a response. She left, with her daughters and the man in a black tux who I guessed was Dave, ushered me. “This way.”

My numb legs moved slowly behind him. 

****

The house that belongs to my supposed husband looked like him. The building was looming over me, with creepy statues around. The austere Mrs Hawkeye required that I touch nothing. So I’ve been standing on a spot in the swanky sitting room, too sacred to take a seat. 

I didn’t have my phone or any of my stuff, I couldn’t tell the time but I knew I'd been standing for almost an hour. Sitting isn’t touching, it won’t hurt to sit. I concluded and sat my ass down, breathing in relief as my legs ached. 

The front door burst open five seconds after I sat. I was unfortunate, that fact wasn't news to me anymore. I sprang to my feet immediately but he already caught me sitting. I opened my mouth to greet him but it clamped shut, unable to generate words. His eyes were on me, I could tell even if I wasn’t looking, I couldn’t look back at him. He strolled towards me, hands buried in his trouser pockets. 

“You,” he stopped in front of me, his voice deep and authoritative. “What did she promise you?” He asked when my eyes met his, and they looked the same as before, bored and indifferent. 

He was as cold as ice. 

“Nothing,” I shook my head, looking away. 

“So why are you here?” His voice rumbled through the room.

“I don’t know,” I held his gaze and this time I didn't look away. 

Can he help me? Ask me to leave, free me from this 3am nightmare. 

“Mhmm,” he shifted on his spot, eyes piercing into mine. 

I mustered enough courage before continuing. “I’m ignorant and I don’t know……”

I was forced to swallow my words when he began to walk away. This man or my predicament I couldn’t tell which was more infuriating.

“I wasn’t done talking,” I muttered to myself, believing that he couldn’t hear but he did. 

“I was done listening,” he disappeared up the stairs, without offering me a room to pass the night. 

Now what? I plopped down on the couch, a tear escaping my eyes.