Chapter Five

I turned sharply to the back of the hall, trying to put a face to the voice that had just objected to my wedding ceremony. Scanning the room, my eyes locked on a particular target. Monica. Of course. I had a feeling she would make an appearance. Dramatic as always, she was dressed in a skin-tight black floor length number, with an accompanying black shawl draped over her head.

“I object!” she screamed again, rushing to the front of the hall and drawing astonished glances from the attendees. I was surprised that she could even move that fast in her absurd outfit. She was dressed as if in attendance for a funeral, symbolism that wasn’t lost on me. I wasn’t sure how she had gotten past the security specifically hired to keep her out of the venue, but I knew that somebody was definitely going to get fired for this. Or several people.

“Levi!” she called, finally   and holding on to my arm. “I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you marry her,” she cast a hateful glare at Athena who flinched as if she had been physically hit.

“Who are you, miss?” the minister asked, tugging at his collar.

Still holding on to my arm, Monica turned to him, charm on full blast. “Levi is my husband. We’re meant to be together, okay? Me and him. He can’t marry her.”

Furious whispering burst out among the congregation; their attention fully focused on the bizarre scene playing out before them.

“Your husband?” the minister asked, looking scandalised. “You mean that you and this gentleman here have been joined together in Holy Matrimony? Just like we are gathered here today?”

“Well, no,” Monica reached out to playfully swat at the minister’s arm. “But we’re going to be. It’s like, written in the stars, you know?”

Twisting her arm and pulling her closer to me, I whispered out my question from behind gritted teeth, “What do you think you’re doing here Monica? How did you get in?”

Tugging at my tie, her face mere inches from my face, Monica put on that syrupy-sweet smile I had come to detest. “You know I have my ways, babe. And besides, a red head?” she scoffed, turning to glare at Athena again. “I thought blondes were more your speed.”

“Monica,” I growled.

She turned around, wrapping her arms firmly around my neck.

“You know it’s me and you for life, babe. Till death do us part,” this last part was whispered into my ear.

Over her shoulder, I could see the security agents finally making their way down the aisle to where we stood. I see someone’s decided to do their job. Too bad, you’re still getting fired.

I hugged Monica, my arms encircling her waist, making sure she was pinned in place to let the security men accost her. Letting her go, I let one of the agents reach out and grab Monica’s arms. The other one twisted them behind her back, slapping a pair of handcuffs on her wrists.

“What the hell, Levi? What do you think you’re doing?” I could see that she was attempting to squirm out of their grip, but they were far too strong for her to overpower.

“Get out of here, Monica. And get some help while you’re at it. You clearly need it.” Turning my back on her, I gesture to the minister to step back into position and continue the ceremony.

“You’re going to regret this Levi Strauss-Jackson! You’re going to regret treating me this way!” Monica screamed as she was dragged out of the hall quite unceremoniously.

“Are you okay?” I asked, turning to Athena and cupping her face in my hands. The gesture was less out of concern and more for show. The officiating minister and congregation were silent now, looking at me, waiting for me to say or do something. I had to play the role of concerned husband perfectly. No one was to ever know the truth of the situation.

I could see confusion and suspicion reflected in her bright green eyes. I continued to stare at her, willing her to cooperate. We were both actors in a theatre, and everything that happened next depended on her nailing her role perfectly. Understanding flashed in her eyes as she leaned into my touch.

“Yes… I’m okay. I was so scared earlier babe, thank you for taking care of that.” I raised my eyebrows at this. She’s clearly a better actress than I thought.

Clearing his throat, the minister said, “Well, now that the disturbance has been taken care of, I think we can move on to the business of the day.” I could hear the congregation behind me murmuring in low tones. I had no doubt that this story would make its way to the front pages of every seedy tabloid in the state. I would have to get Carmen to handle it.

The rest of the marriage ceremony till the I do’s passed by hitch-free. The kiss, brief and formal, served its purpose, leaving no room for misinterpretation under the watchful eyes of our guests. As we made our way down the aisle, I spied a glance at Athena. Her smile, while perfect in its presentation, held a hint of detachment, failing to reach her eyes fully. Her hands, gripped the bouquet tightly and trembled slightly, betraying an inner turmoil.  A wave of pity surged through me, but I quickly tamped it down. Both of us held our own private motivations that drove this marriage, a silent agreement that was formed in the absence of voiced truths. She could have chosen to walk away, but she didn’t. This wasn’t a case of victim and villain. She was using me just as much as I was using her.

When we got into the limousine waiting to take us to the reception venue, Athena’s composure finally cracked. She whirled on me, green eyes blazing. “What the hell was that back there? Who was that woman?”

I studied her carefully, deciding how much to reveal. “That was…. Monica.”

“And….?” 

I sighed, running my hands through my hair. “It’s complicated. In any case, it doesn’t matter now. The situation has been dealt with.”

Athena searched my face, as if weighing her options between probing further and dropping the issue altogether. Finally, she gave a curt nod. 

“Fine then,” she said, turning her back to me and staring out the window. “Don’t tell me about it.” 

I stared sightlessly at the driver’s head as he inched away from the curb, Monica’s parting screams echoing in my head. 

You’re going to regret this…

A shiver ran down my spine. Because for the first time, I wondered if Monica was right. If I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.