One

The venue was decorated elegantly with dark, glowing colors that complemented the flashy dresses worn by the guests. Ann Sinclair sat still where her mother had placed her, twirling a glass of wine between her fingers while her eyes stayed fixed on the man, Lucas Montgomery standing at the other end of the hall. She huffed as Lucas conversed with the women that surrounded him while he paid no attention to the woman he just married.

In frustration, she drowned the wine in her cup as she took her time to study her new husband; Lucas Montgomery. He stood out perfectly amongst the guests, dressed impeccably in a black fitted three-piece suit that clung to his muscular build. His short black hair slicked back, and his black piercing eyes were bright with mischief as he interacted with the people around him. 

Ann wasn't angry, she just expected he would pay her some extra attention, especially on their wedding day.

“Ann, what are you doing here?” 

The sound of her mother's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, tilting her head she looked at her mother with a bored expression, “Why do you keep asking that question, Mother?” 

Mrs. Sinclair's smile wavered a bit but she was quick to gather her composure as she closed the distance to reach her daughter, her eyes narrowed in warning. “Don't start with the attitude, young lady. And smile, the press are everywhere.”

Ann gave a low growl before doing just as her mother ordered, fixing a forced smile on her face. 

“Much better,” Mrs. Sinclair said with a sharp nod. “You should be mingling with your husband, why are you sulking here?” She snatched the glass of wine from Ann, “No drinking.”

“Common mom,” Ann whined. 

“Get up and go to your husband.”

Ann made no move to stand up and instead sank further into her seat, “As you can see Mother, he's very busy.”

Mrs. Sinclair glanced briefly over her shoulder then back at Ann with a disapproving look, “He's doing what he should, and instead of whining you should be there meeting new people and mingling, most of your father's potential clients are all here.”

Ann gave her mother an incredulous look but said nothing in return. Her parents could be overbearing most times, for example right now. How could her mother expect her to go around and mingle with a bunch of strangers? All the people are either invited by her parents or her beloved husband and they are all here to witness the biggest business wedding of the century and not to actually pay attention to the sulking bride. 

“This is your chance, Ann. You are supposed to be out there showing Lucas just how great of a wife you can be.”

Ann scowled, “He's busy mum. I can't just throw myself at him, he won't even glance in my direction. He didn't even pay me that much attention when we were picking out wedding dresses and tasting desserts.”

Mrs. Sinclair's lips quivered, “Are you jealous?”

Ann's nose scrunched, “Of course not Mother, don't be ridiculous and_,” the rest she had to say died down as her mother grabbed her arm and began pulling her off the seat. “What are you doing?”

“Taking you to your husband,” Mrs. Sinclair said sassily, “Walk with me.”

Ann swallowed back her protests fully aware there was nothing that could change her mother's mind. 

“Smile,” Mrs. Sinclair reminded and flashed a smile of her own when Ann obeyed instructions. “This is a new stage, honey. You can't keep acting childish, you have a husband now.”

“I doubt he would care,” Ann mumbled under her breath. “I don't understand why you want me to try so hard, we are already married and it's not like Lucas can back out of the business deal anymore.”

Mrs. Sinclair glared at her daughter with a disappointed sigh, “Just because the marriage is not out of love doesn't mean you can't be happy with him even if it’s just a business expansion strategy. You could learn to care for him as time passes by_,”

Ann's face scrunched up into a frown and she shook her head quickly, “Not happening and especially not with that proud ass, he's too self centered for my liking.”

Mrs. Sinclair chuckled, “You sound just like I did when I met your father but you see how it went.”

Ann hummed, unsure if she should go on arguing with her mother. “Whatever you say, mother. Let's just get this wedding over with, I'm exhausted.”

“All in good time, my dear. Have I told you how pretty you look today?” Mrs Sinclair said, patting her daughter's hand.

Ann's cheeks flushed, “Don't tease me Mother but I know I'm sexy even though I had to choose my least favorite dress because of my back.”

Mrs. Sinclair opened her mouth to say something but the sound of someone clearing the throat drew both their attention away. Ann felt her good mood slip away as her eyes met with Lucas, she let her eyes longer to her father standing beside him and forced a smile. 

“You're done mingling?” Mrs Sinclair asked, breaking the awkward silence. 

Mr. Sinclair nodded and just on cue Lucas flashed a megawatt smile that could get any woman swooning as he extended his hand to her,

Ann blinked, staring at the hand in confusion. “What?”

Mrs Sinclair nudged her daughter's side and shoved her forward with a giggle, “Don't be silly, go to your husband.”

Lucas chuckled, grabbing her hand. “I believe you should be ready to leave now?”

She nodded, eyeing their joined hands. 

“If you will be excusing us, I shall be taking my wife,” Lucas said politely.

“Of course, Lucas. She's all yours.” 

And just like that, Ann said goodbye to her old life and hello to her new life. The man standing beside her leading her away was a solid reminder that nothing was going back to how it was.