The Eighteen Year Old Bride

"You look like a lamb led to slaughter, girl!" Aunt Clara snapped, seeming irritated with her trembling Niece.

" I... I don't know what to do." Naomi replied, her hands shaking slightly.

"You have nothing to do. Just stand there, smile, and say "I do."

"But... but I don't even know him." Naomi swallowed hard, a knot forming in her stomach. How is she supposed to smile and pretend she wants to get married to a stranger?

Aunt Clara leans closer narrowing her eyes on her.

"You will learn to know him! Your father made this decision for you and you must live with it."

Aunt Clara scanned Naomi in disdain. "I wonder why you get to marry into that family and what the rush is all about!”

She wipes her hand with a napkin, wiping in between her fingers with vigor.

"I'm out of here. You clearly don't need my help getting ready. And you better do as your father says or you can kiss your college dreams goodbye!”

Aunt Clara clears her throat, straightens up, and walks away. Naomi’s grip on the rather scanty boutique of flowers tightened as she stared at the double doors in front of her.

“I don't want to do this.” She muttered, glancing from the doors that would spell the rest of her life and the gate behind her, promising freedom.

Her lips quivered, her hands shook with fear of the unknown, and her vision blurred. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she glanced at the gate behind her once more.

She could just leave. Run.

Her gaze returned to the wooden double doors in front of her where she could hear the wedding hymns from the organ in the hall on the other side, hinting at her walk down the aisle.

“There's no one here. Run.”

Naomi shut her eyes, and her grip on the bouquet tightened. What about her dreams of college? How is she going to afford the expensive tuition?

Her father said he would let her go to college if she married this man. All she has to do is marry him and she would be on her way to college the very next day.

Naomi took a deep breath, she had to do this. Or she'll never get a chance to become an architect.

The doors swing open making her jolt in shock. Aaron Pearl stood by the entrance, a subtle smile on his face as he stretched his hands towards her.

Naomi approached slowly, taking her father's hand as soon as she was close enough.

“You look beautiful my dear. I am glad that I get to see you like this.” Aaron said.

Naomi remained silent, refusing to acknowledge his words. She had nothing to say to him.

She couldn't believe that her own father had held her college dreams ransom in exchange for this bloody marriage!

She had absolutely nothing to say to him.

They both walked down the aisle, watched by a handful of guests in the hall. A lot of the guests were her father's business partners and the rest were unknown people. Maybe they were her ‘husband's’ relatives.

She didn't get the chance to meet the man she was supposed to marry either. She would be meeting him for the first time.

At the altar.

Everything had been in a rush. Her father told her about her wedding two days before, and it had been an ugly back and forth until she gave in to him.

Naomi’s eyes roamed the room until she caught something…someone that made her breath seize.

He was at the altar, a striking figure that got every woman in the hall staring. Even Aunt Clara couldn't keep her eyes off him!

Is that him? The man she was to marry? In a tailored black suit?

Tall, slightly built, with a presence that seems to make her world pause for a minute to admire.

Her eyes followed every feature that made up his face: his chiseled chin that looked sharp enough to cut through paper, a strong masculine s2xy jawline, his long eyelashes and thin eyebrows, those captivating eyes that glanced at his wristwatch-like he'd rather be anywhere else but here.

Naomi swallowed. He is definitely the man she's to marry.

She could tell he was fit; the suit didn't hide that either, and goodness, those red luscious lips. Seductive. Perfection.

A man straight out of her fantasies. Naomi's chin colored, but she couldn't look away; he was worth admiring a million times over.

His amber eyes settled on her fixated, almost as though studying a prey. There seemed to be a look of irritation that faded with time as he watched her. His dark brown curls seem to hide his brows which would have given away his thoughts right there and then.

Naomi looked away, her grip on the bouquet seemed to waver.

That's him. Her husband-to-be! And goodness he is so…breathtaking!

But why? She wondered. Why would he agree to this?

Hell, she was no different from a lanky teenager experiencing a very late puberty! No boobs, no ass, nothing! He must know that right?

Naomi swallowed, glancing down at her wedding dress and wondering if it hid her lack of assets well enough.

Goodness, it's all happening at once!

Aaron hands Naomi over to her husband, who holds her small, soft hand in his firm and broad palm. The feel of his skin on hers felt electrifying, making her weak in the knees.

What is this? One minute she was planning to run, and the next, she found this man attractive.

“Take care of my daughter,” Aaron said, his voice filled with emotion.

“I'll do my best.”

Naomi felt his voice wash over her like a cool breeze on a quiet evening. Deep and yet reassuring. This man isn't making it any easier to hate him.

Aaron heads back to his seat and the couple to be stood by the altar as the priest proceeds with the ceremony.

Naomi could barely hear a word the priest said! Her eyes stared down at the bouquet of flowers in her hands, refusing to stare at him in the face.

How could she when she could barely stand up straight!

His cologne filled her nostrils, reminding her of his presence every second.

There was something about him…something she couldn't explain. But it made no sense! She had cursed this man the night before for agreeing to marry her! Hell, she cursed her father, too.

Behind closed doors.

Here she was, barely able to hold the damned boutique of flowers straight without trembling.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Naomi's head snapped up in shock. They had exchanged rings and this was bound to happen next. Why didn't she think of that?

“There will be no need for that.” He said. His voice calmed every anxious nerve in her body.

But then it dawned on her.

Naomi stared at him, her brows creased at his request. Does he find her unattractive?

His eyes met hers briefly but Naomi looked away immediately. She bit her lower lip in annoyance.

Now he knows she has a thing for him! Damn it!

The preacher nodded and went on without question. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Their guests applauded them, standing on their feet. The ceremony was over and they could all go home. The point of this all was for witnesses to see the union happen, and they could all call it a day after.

Aaron approached them both, holding his daughter's hand in gratitude.

“Thank you, Mr Damon. For agreeing to do this.” Aaron said in gratitude.

Damon? That's his name?

Damon nodded. “I'm glad I could be of help. I should be on my way.” He said simply.

Naomi glanced at Damon and then her father. What is going on here?

“Sure. Have a safe trip back to Manchester.” Aaron said.

Damon stepped down from the podium and was soon on his way out of the hall with a few people right behind him.

That was it.

Even the priest was gone and she was all alone in the hall with her father.

“I did what you asked. Can I leave now?” Naomi asked, her eyes staring at the entrance.

“Yes. You’ll go to college like we discussed. A deal is a deal.” He replied.

Naomi yanked the veil off her head and stormed off to the exit.

“Naomi.”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder.

“ You might not realize it now, but he's doing us a great favor, my dear. A huge one.”

Naomi scoffed. “You mean he's doing you a favor, right? You thanked him for helping you out. Did you beg him to marry me like I was some charity case?”

“Naomi..”

“I did what you asked. I'm going to college and I hope I never get to see you or him during my time there!”

Naomi stormed out of the hall, tossing the bouquet of flowers in the trash on her way out.

She's so done with her father, her aunt, and every fucking person in this bloody family!

Aaron watches his daughter leave as Reed approaches him quietly.

“You should have told her what this is about, sir,” Reed said.

Aaron smiled and shook his head. “She's just a child, she wouldn't understand. The only thing that's of value to her is her freedom, nothing else matters.”

Reed sighs, Aaron had a point.

“The car is ready sir.”

The old man nodded and they headed towards the exit. Aaron staggered as his mouth opened to release a nasty cough.

“Sir?” Reed called as Aaron leaned on his hands on his knees, coughing.

Reed wrapped his arms around the old man to steady him before offering him a white handkerchief to cover his mouth.

“Should I get the doctor, sir?” Reed asked, eyes filled with concern.

Aaron stared at the handkerchief, which was now soaked in blood, and sighed.

“What is the use of that now? It's already too late.”

“But sir..”

Aaron stands on his feet, taking in unsteady breaths.

“They successfully poisoned me. There's no way out of this and you know it.”

Reed’s fist clenched, brows furrowed with a dark look in his eyes.

“All you have to do is say the word, sir. I'll do what needs to be done.”

Aaron shook his head, a faint smile on his face. “We're better than that.”

“Sir..”

“All I need you to do is keep Naomi safe. She's all I've got. And when the time is right. You tell her what she needs to know.”

Reed exhaled. “Do you trust Mr Damon? He is your rival’s son and the history between you and his father is nothing to write home about.”

Aaron folds up the bloody handkerchief, a proud smile on his face.

“I don't trust his father but I do trust Damon. He wouldn't hurt my daughter even if he had a gun to his head.”

“How do you know that for certain sir?” Reed asked.

“I saw it in his eyes,” Aaron said, leaving Reed more confused than ever.