"No." Mom's voice breaks down, "Don't say this."
"Mrs. Howard, I need to go back to Church for a daily prayer session. Besides, we have to accept that this beautiful bride has to return home." Priest argues.I slide down the veil from my head and ruffle my hair. The crowd continues to shrink. People now would have gotten the hint that there is no wedding here anymore."My daughter's life will be destroyed." Mom begins sobbing, turning to Dad, "Mason, why are you not doing anything. People will gossip about our daughter. That's not how I wanted her first public appearance.""I'm out of ideas, Amanda." Dad says out of frustration.Sighing, I lower my head on the floor. They still have hope, but I don't.I don't know how I should be behaving right now. I want to cry too like Mom, but I'm too astounded to do that."Amanda, you need to calm down." It's Rafe's mother."Calm down? Are you Eastmonds out of your minds?" Mom raises her voice, "You should have told us if Rafe had problems with this marriage instead of toying with my daughter's image."This family drama increases my exasperation. I want to shout at them to just shut up and dismiss. The show is over now. I know how much our families care about us. Mom's crying is only about the disgrace of our family name. Once we'll be alone she will put all the blame on me."I'm seeing him." Rafe's father says."You ladies need to shush for a minute."After a while, I hear Mia saying aloud, "Rafe is here. Freya, Rafe is here."A confusion crosses my face. I look up straight. A man in a crispy, charcoal grey suit is taking quick, long steps towards the stage, towards us. My eyes widen in full circles when I recognize him.He stops in front of his parents, "I'm here, Mom." Says in a calm tone then stands with his both hands on his torso. "I apologize for being late, Father." He apologetically bends his head a little, "My flight...de-layed."He is lying. I know he's lying.Astonishingly I rise on my feet, examine his appearance. He is perfectly dressed from head to toe, only his hairs are being a mess. They are going in every direction as if he forgot to comb them or he messed them up out of anger. His face is however devoid of any emotion."You could've informed us. Do you have any idea how long we all waiti--""Let it go." His mother interrupts, "Aren't you happy he's here? You don't have to be angry at him every single time. Come here, my darling." She steps forward and hugs him, "I was so worried sick for you. You were about to kill your mother.""It’s okay, Mom." He hugs her back, "I'm alright and I'm sorry for making you wait."My gaze remains on him, unmoved, but he doesn't give a single glance in my direction. The guilt is swirling around me.He puts his chin on his mother's shoulder and keeps on gazing at something ahead. His jaws tighten. I realize I haven't seen him after that mishap took place at Fete.Countless questions are prowling in my head that I want to ask from him, but I'm too scared about what type of reaction I'll get."I don't think we should further delay the ceremony. Our guests are waiting. Let's begin." Rafe's father announces.My heart skips a beat out of fear. His mother releases him from the hug and looks at him. He gives a silent, slow nod. Another wave of surprise trickles through me.Why is he doing that? Why is he not stopping the wedding?My bridesmaids come to me and re-arrange my veil along with my hair. I keep staring at Rafe to get his attention, but he deliberately avoids looking at me.I notice his face turns pale and the veins on the stem of his neck vibrate, explaining that he is trying to hide what he is actually feeling which is perhaps reluctance, fury and helplessness.I know him. I know he is not ready for this marriage. He will never be ready, but why did he come here? I made up my mind to endure the consequences if this ceremony would have been cancelled. He got his chance to escape. He could have escaped this forced marriage.Once everything settles down, Rafe and I are left alone on the stage with the priest. We face each other.My anxiety triples when the priest begins reciting the verses of the Bible. His voice echoes in the hall, silencing every other voice.I dare to look straight into Rafe's eyes. Finally I earn a look from him. He gazes at me with clenched jaws. I catch the hint of moisture in them. Guilt increases in me. I try to reflect my powerlessness through my eyes to communicate with him. His face flushes with anger. I'm about to break down into tears."Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your rights hands and declare your consent before God and his Church."Rafe steps forward and takes my hand roughly into his. His eyes don't leave mine. He states his vow with gritted teeth, "I, Rafael Eastmond take you, Freya Howard to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad..." His grip on my hand becomes stronger. I suppress my moan, "in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all days of my life."People in the hall applaud aloud as he completes his declaration. I hear whistles and cheers, but our staring game continues. My body has turned cold and he is probably feeling it."Congratulations to both of your families. Now it's your turn." The priest faces me.I gulp the painful lump in my mouth, break the eye contact with Rafe and look around. I see every single pair of eyes on me, waiting for my declaration.This emotional turmoil is killing me. My dreams about my marriage are about to crush and shatter. I don't want to do this.Rafe gives a pull to my hand to make me look at him again, quirking his brow, "Say it." He mutters so lowly, only I can hear him.I shake my head a little. His grip on my hand tightens. "I'm sorry, Rafe." I say in a low voice, wriggling my hand under his grip."Just say it, Freya." This time it sounds like a warning, "You were the eager one."My lips tremble. I press them together to hold back my tears, still a few tears roll down my cheeks."Is there any problem, kid?" The priest looks at me in suspicion.I slowly shake my head and compose myself. "Say your pledge. People are waiting." He asks.I look back at Rafe, "I, Freya Howard take you, Rafael Eastmond to be my Hus-sband..."Rafe stares back at me, his eyes are devoid of emotions. I'm losing him. I'm losing my best friend. We will never be like we used to be. He will despise me for the rest of our lives."I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."As soon as my vow ends, Rafe leaves my hand with a jerk and steps back. Some more tears spill down my face. I quickly dry them.I don't know what future holds for us, but one thing is certain. This has ruined our strong friendship. Things will never be the same between us. Rafe will never forgive me. I lost my boyfriend and now a friend too.The ceremony continues and we both repeat other wedding vows after the priest. Those vows are so holy and sacred, I can't believe either of us do not mean them.I wouldn't be surprised if I receive a bad luck afterwards. It is a big sin."Now exchange rings." The priest says. I enlarge my pupils.Mom brings the ring forward to Rafe first. Rafe stares at the ring and I stare at him.That damn ring. Everything started because of this ring. It was supposed to be thrown into a bin.Rafe takes the ring and holds it for some seconds. His nostrils flare. I literally feel the urge to go on my knees right now in front of him to beg for his forgiveness. He would have been in anguish to hold another man's ring.He takes my hand in his and without looking at me he puts the ring into my finger."Rafe..." I breathe his name. It's barely audible.Rafe's mother comes to me and offers the groom's ring to me. I hold Rafe's hand. It is cold. He is tensed too. My whole self drenches in utter guilt.I slip the ring into his finger. People clap and whistle again."Because they have exchanged their vows before God and these witnesses, have pledged their commitment to each other and have declared the same by joining hands and by exchanging rings, I now pronounce them husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The priest gives his declarative statement.I notice Rafe clenches his fists as he steps towards me. I hold my breath. The guests in the hall continue making happy sounds. Rafe's face remains unreadable. He leans forward, tilts his head. I stiffen and squeeze my eyes shut.I feel his lips on mine only for a second. The kiss ends before even my mind can register it. When I open my eyes I see Rafe is standing at some distance, not even looking at me. I exhale out a breath I was holding.Even though everything has already been devastated, I whisper thank you's to God for ending these punishing moments, for ending this ceremony. At least I and Rafe now do not have to do awkward things.Rafe and I can never feel anything romantic to each other. It's far, far more impossible than our families can imagine. It's awkward and difficult. We took each other as siblings, for heaven's sake.When the ceremony concludes, Rafe quickly steps down from the stage and gets lost into the crowd, while I receive hugs from random people. They draw circles around me and say things I don't bother listening to. My ears and mind are numb. They also click pictures with me.The session continues for I guess half an hour and then I see Mia coming to me, sidelining the crowd and making a way for herself."Sis, your reception and dance has been cancelled. Rafe said he is tired and wants rest so he requested to go home. Mom and Dad are asking about you."I nod and start walking with her. I feel relieved. I don't have to pretend as a bride anymore. I already had enough of a day....After seeing off my family, Rafe and I get settled at the back seat of a car. Driver on a front seat, driving the vehicle, taking us God knows where. I'm now alone with Rafe.The agonizing silence between us is hurting me. It's unusual. We normally talk nonstop on random topics especially bad mouth our families and their harsh customs. We never stay quiet in each other's company.I do want to talk to him, beg for his forgiveness, and ask why he came today, but my mouth is unable to form any word. I turn my head and hesitantly look at him. Wetness appears in my eyes as I recall the grim situation we are in. We are sitting here as husband and wife and not as best friends.His face is cold. It's hard to figure out what is going on in his head. After a while he looks outside from his side of the window and then demands from the driver, "Stop the car."The driver listens to him and presses the brakes. Car stops. He opens his side door."Where are you going?" I ask.He stops, but doesn't look at me. He turns his face towards the driver, "Take her home. You'll get keys from the security guards.""Okay, sir." Driver responds.Afterwards, he leaves the car in an instant and closes the door behind. I call his name once, but he ignores. He walks towards the roadside and the car drives forward.I understood his hint. He has done playing my husband's role. And what else can I expect that we would now live as happily newly-weds in our new home? I don't even know where my new home is or what it looks like.I rest my head on the headrest behind and ponder that it is just the beginning of another round of miseries.*3 Weeks ago*• Freya •Legs straight out on a convertible sofa-bed. N*****x on my tablet with black pepper potato chips.Perfect setting to kill my time and to avoid my Mom's high-pitched ever complaining voice.I laugh my ass off on the stupid, funny punch lines of comedies. Life seemed great like this as if I had no care in the world."You started again."The same voice. Argh."At least for once act like an adult." Her voice became clearer and louder as she came closer to me.I shifted my eyes from my tab's screen on her, pushing my snacks away and groaning. "Mom, please not right now. I'm not in the mood."If there would be competition about who is the most derisive among all. My mother would have won first place, I swear."When you're in the mood to listen to me? Tell me the time and date, Freya." She appeared in front of me in her fancy outfits, crossing her arms on her chest. She was for sure coming from one of her social gatherings.I bit the inside of my cheeks, controlling my
• Rafe • "I have talked with nearby localities and collected general information about the area and my analysis says that it would be profitable for both of us. . ." I crossed my legs, leaned back on my leather chair, causing it to stretch back further. The person who was addressing us right now was the representative of a construction company, interested in working with us. He was explaining his proposal with the help of power point slides.I was sitting in a large conference room at my office. It had a large oval-shaped glass table, surrounded by chairs. Father was here too with his few board members. In his presence I couldn't even crane my neck because he would think I was not giving my full attention. I needed to at least pretend through occasionally nodding my head at the presenter (whatever his name was). He was also stopping his gaze on me after every few minutes. Obviously he knew who I was. I was an important person in this construction company. I was the son of my father
• Rafe • It had been a year now since I was trying to learn and understand each and everything about my family business. Recently I had just one definite goal and that was I had to prove myself responsible and eligible for a CEO position of Eastmond Builders. This would sort out some of my problems for instance Father and Mom would stop dictating my life. Even I would be fully independent to run the company according to my ways. I would be a free man and even powerful.From a young age I was told by my family that I was the only heir of Eastmond, that I had a responsibility to keep our family name alive. My parents made sure this thing should literally run in my blood and they tried every method like reminding me about my responsibilities on and off, sending me to a renowned business school. After years of struggles now it felt like I was at my final stage. Once I would take over the CEO position, I would be there where I should be. I stopped my Miata sports car right in front of H
It is an apartment.My new home is a spacious, ornate and impressively expensive apartment.The walls are painted with soothing colors, windows are floor-length, flicker sunlight all day. It has a separate swimming pool area, decorated with greenery and fully grown trees.And then comes the terrace which is of lounge size and fully furnished. It shows the sea of high-rise buildings and the skyline of the city at night. I wonder whose choice is this or who's idea was that to get us this beautiful apartment. I at least got something good in the swamp of misfortunes. Though I'm isolated with shame and guilt. I unlock my phone and read Benjamin's last text for the millionth time, the text I received after my so-called wedding ceremony."Happy Marriage. Hope you will live well."This explains that he has planned to forget about me and move on. My stubborn heart still doesn't want to accept this. Throwing away the phone, I rise from my bed. It's twelve o'clock in the afternoon. I have ke
I take a quick hot bath, wear my clothes and come out of the bathroom. Rubbing the towel against my wet hair, I grab my phone and go through the recent alerts. "I've heard some rumours about you and that woman who is your family friend. What was her name?...Fay-Freya Howard, yes. That you both are into each other." Mona speaks. My jaws harden as I fume at the mention of Freya's name. I tighten the grip on my phone and throw away the towel somewhere on the bed. "What's going on, Rafe?" Mona continues.I restrain myself though, "You yourself called it rumours so you should ignore rumours." I flatly answer while still focused on my phone's screen. She's clueless about the direful wedding event that took place more than a week ago. Mona doesn't have any link with the business or construction industry that turned out to my advantage."Rumours can't be baseless." She comes in front of me, "Why are they attaching your name with Freya Howard when you said she's only your friend? If there
Her bizarre appearance confounds me for a second. I lift up my brows. Hairs are covered with a small scarf, tied on the top of her head. Her lips are dry and eyes have dark circles. The plain tee shirt and crop pants are clinging to her body as a second skin, that makes me think that she's skinnier than I thought. "You're here." She says with a remorseful smile. A feeling of worry trickles up in me for a second after witnessing her disoriented self. Then I remember what Matteo said about her so I dispel that feeling. Her appearance is explaining that Matteo was right.She's tiring out herself with household chores, that's a reason behind her disorientation. I don't want to get involved in it. I ignore her as my rage takes over me. There is a strong odour of detergent coming from her. I again turn towards the closet to find my office file. This time I turn aggressive in my search. I want to do it quickly and get out of here."Talk to me, Rafe." Her voice sounds pleading, "You can't a
• Freya • Dad suddenly entered our television room where I was sitting, switching channels of the LCD, too zoned out to focus on the screen. I had celebrated my moment in every way possible, but one problem kept bugging me and that was how I would convince Mom and Dad for Ben. Let alone tell them about me dating him. I had been hiding about him because I knew they would create a fuss if they found out he was nobody like he didn't own any business nor he was the inheritor of some massive patrimony. I knew they would never make it easy for me. Ben didn't know about all this crap. He had no idea that my parents expectations about my husband were beyond his imagination. He would get hurt and I didn't want this. I couldn't let him feel low about himself. "I've come to tell you something." Dad sat in front of me, giving me a brief smile. I muted the TV and put down the remote. "Yeah?" "I and Eastmond have signed a new, big joint venture today. The project is based in Seattle." "That's
• Rafe •Fay had asked me to see her at the Le Bain club in an hour so I thought to come home and reply to some pending emails -- home means; Eastmond's private residence. My small family lived in this big bungalow. Father and Mom didn't let me have a separate house because I was their only child. They said we had a big house and our family was very small so we didn't have to live separately. That's exasperating. They didn't ask for my opinion. They didn't see it my way that I needed my own space and privacy. That's why I was desperate to be a CEO as soon as possible so I could live my life like I wanted to. Mom and Dad won't be able to dictate me after that. I had already bought an apartment where I planned to shift. I spent some nights there in a month or two when I wanted to escape from my family, when I wanted to have some time alone. Anyways, I continued replying to my emails. I was sitting in the living room with my laptop on the center glass table and pile of files I brought