CHAPTER TWO: Was I supposed to say yes?

“Hey, what are you doing here!” He said, looking into my eyes, really furious. I trust he already knows me because my father is always the one desperate for money, and he would have already given Collins everything he needed about me.

I wanted to explain myself, but the words caught in my throat and fleeing seemed like the only option.

Well, the next steps towards the wedding were carried out online as I couldn't dare to go back to his house, not after I had broken a bottle of perfume that seemed cosy.

“What were you thinking that much about?” She asked, her face filled with worry. “Earth to Aliya!” Sarah's voice chapped, snapping me back to reality. I decided that it was going to be the last deep thought back in the day. The cologne still hung in the air, now battling with the heavy perfume she sprayed on me.

She didn't even wait for me to give her my answer. She just came with the heart striking sentence, “it's time, let's steal the show to the alter”

My heart skipped a bit as it jumped to my throat, and I stopped breathing for a second.

“You don't mean it” were the only words I could utter from my lips as I looked around nervously, and I heard crunching footsteps that seemed to approach my dressing room.

“Of course, I've been telling you before you went into your…” Her words trailed off until she found the right word she had been looking for “hibernation mode… there's no time for advice right now, we'd do that after the ceremony”

I quickly concurred and got up, grabbed my beautifully arranged bouquet, and followed her out of the dressing room to meet my father, who already wanted to open the door.

“Why are you being so stupid,” he said, grabbing my hand and walking me back to the reception. “everyone's been waiting for you!”

I had to keep up with my father's pace which was as relentless as a horse race, but I got overwhelmed due to the heavy wedding gown plus anxiety that was written all over me and I almost fell, my hand unlocking from my dad's and he seemed to care less about what was coming. But then, I felt a hand touching my back firmly, steadying me, a pull work against the dizzying fall.

I quickly put myself to order, at the same time, wondering who my saviour might be, and it was so nice of the person to have considered me, so that I wouldn't fall and ruin my day.

My father's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise in their depths as he bowed slightly, his head deepened like a willow in the wind. I was taken aback, my breath catching in my throat.

What had caused his reaction, a divine vision, or was it the man whose hand had steadied me, saving me from a fall that would have shattered the day's fragile beauty.

A recall of whispers and stolen glances spread through the ladies around us, their eyes drawn to my saviour’ might own curiosity sharpened to a keen edge.

“He's so cute!” The word burst from one of the ladies, a recall of agreement echoed within the group. “How I wished I could have him to myself too”

“Be careful next time” This familiar baritone voice rumbled, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned to see the imposing figure who had saved me. His midnight blue eyes held mine captive for the first time, I noticed the sharp curt of his jawline, the gentle slope of his nose. And my nose caught that same scent of roses and lily that clung to him.

Well, lest I forget, since I met him, Orange has been my best fruit till date.

He looked away, and he somehow magically made his way to the reception before my dad and I.

It was Collins, that blunt beast! Those were my only thoughts as I followed his path with my gown hem on my left hand, dad following up and trying to catch up with my already filled hands.

Collins, you oaf! I fumed, my thoughts a whirlwind as I had trailed him. My gown’s hem plunched to my left hand, a desperate attempt to keep pace with my already overflowing arms.

When I finally got to the reception entrance, I braced myself up for the inevitable, then dropped my gown hem and stretched my arm into my dad's already folded arm.

The sight that welcomed me was breathtaking. Each corner had its own purple light, the walls had golden lights, and the decoration was beautifully at its peak.

The smell in the reception was very different from the one in my changing room. Here, it reeks of mixtures of cosy smells, from which I could clearly tell that all the guests are wealthy people.

Obviously, none of my family members were present.

There was sweet music playing in the background, too. All these added to my nervousness.

We walked slowly down the aisle, and I made sure I did that with my heads up, even when my stomach churned and I felt the urge to collapse. I couldn't lock eyes with Collins who was already at the altar, patiently waiting for my father to bring me, so I directed my gaze towards the floor as my father and I took our steps in synchronisation with the background love music that was playing.

I heard Sarah's whispering voice bracing me up as I walked “you've got this, baby! it's your day” I slightly turned my head to her direction as I saw her dropping both her hands from her mouth as she had formed an echoed whisper.

Sarah's whisper, a warm breath on my ear, boostered me as I walked. “you've got this baby!” She said “it's your day!”, a nervous laugh escaped me as I turned to see her. Her eyes sparkling with a mother's love, even as she brushed away a stray tear.

I won't lie to you. That lady remains my backbone forever, and I would never do anything to betray her, even if she doesn't have the same mindset towards me.

Finally, we were there. I felt my legs tremble as my dad placed my hand onto Collins's. His cold touch sent a cold shiver down my fragile spine, and my heartbeat increased its pace, making me sweat a little, even when the room clearly had functioning tons of air conditioning machines.

What if he isn't as bad as the rumours had said he is? What if he would turn out to be the best part of me as time goes on? Or maybe he was just trying to do this marriage with me just to save me from my father's harshness? Let me just be optimistic like this and focus on the day's ceremony. I told myself and did as I was told by the Pope.

Slowly, I freed myself from deep down and started moving in accordance with the order of the service, happily placing all negativity behind me.

I looked into his piercing blue eyes, this time, more calmly, and I made sure to study every detail of it. And I sighted not even a single spot on the platter. His brows and beards are nicely and smoothly shaved into the best style I've ever seen. I wonder how he has been living his life among his workers, who are mostly ladies. I wonder why he had chosen to stay single till this time.

Or was he so desperate to have a wife that his only option was to mention that contract that changed my life? “Nah, I told you to focus this time!” I said to myself with my teeth enclosed.

“Miss Aliya Clarks,” the pope's words brought me back to reality “do you accept Mr. Collins Norman as your lawfully wedded husband, in health or in sickness, in riches or in penury and in plenty or in scarcity…?”

Wait, what was my reply supposed to be? Was I supposed to say yes or just glance into Collins's serious face?. The reception had become silent now, and not even the background music was playing. Every eye locked on us and was waiting for my answer to the pope's word.

I've never had the chance to go to any wedding ceremony because I was busy trying to make ends meet, which was never successful for me, and this was just to my own detriment. I only did that while I was four, and sadly, I couldn't remember any detail about how that one went, so I just stood there, trying to control my breath.

The only smell I had was Collins's as It filled my senses, and my eyes travelled around the wide room.

Then, I looked at my father's face, and his facial expression was breathtaking…

*

*

*

To be continued!