Forced Marriage

Chapter 6

Marcus

Cat seemed to realise my worry for her cause she put her right hand over my left one and gave it a squeeze. But instead of letting her hand go I interlocked our fingers and gave her hand a squeeze back. She looked at me in surprise, that after a few seconds was replaced with a smile. She took a deep breath and relaxed. Her tiny hand fit right into mine. Like it is meant to be. There was this part of me that was beating me up because she is engaged, but as she said it was not her choice, so from where I see it, we can still change that. Not because you should do that, and try to get with an engaged woman but because she didn't want it, and I still have to figure out why she is being forced into this.

Cat rubbed her finger against my hand pulling me out of my thoughts. I look at her to see that she is already looking at me with a concern face. This woman is amazing, her brown eyes are so expressive. I give her a tight smile. She sights.
"Money" she whispers. I look at her confused. "My parents are forcing me into this marriage because of money. They think I should be a house wife for him and live of his money that will secure my life. The irony is that I don't want it and I know it's also because they won't have to work anymore and have the status my mother always wanted. I know deep down my father doesn't agree but he is powerless against my mother."
I .. am.. shocked... To say the least.
"We will find a way." I say this looking into her eyes. Hope sparks in them. " I know it's still soon, but you have me as long as you will take me." She smiled at me and nods. Her beautiful smile. " My mother is here, and you can ask her, I have never been in a relationship. Yes I have had one night stands, I'm no saint, I'm honest, but my mother always told that if I get in a relationship that woman has to worth it, and until now I have never found someone.. like I said... Until now." I whisper to her, and smile. We both focus back on pastor Michael.

After a while Cat excuses herself to go to the bathroom. I let her hand go reluctantly. A few seconds later I see the bastard getting up to go the same way she went. And a bad feeling sets upon me. I look at my mother and she has the same look on her face. I know she heard our conversation earlier, I don't have a problem with that. What I am worried is if she will support me.
"Go after her" I look at her confused. " I'm worried that he went after her. That he might have realised your closeness to her. Go after her. Protect her. " The love and worry in my mom's face, makes me hurry off my seat and make my way to the ladies bathroom.

Catalina

I finished my business and exited the stall only to find Gabriel in the girls bathroom.
"Gabriel I think you are in the wrong bathroom." He smirks at me.
"No I'm not. I'm here to talk to you." He takes a step closer and I take one back.
"Well I will be having lunch with you and your family we can talk then." Fear was settling inside of me as he takes another step closer.
"Yes but there won't be any privacy." I take another step back.
"We don't need privacy, we are not married yet." I look into his eyes and anger is all I see. He takes three more steps closer and pushes me against the wall restraining my arms above my head with one hand. I try to get loose but I'm powerless against him. I can feel the tear threatening to fall.
"We are not, but we will so if we do it now or later won't make a difference" as he says this his right hand that is free starts moving from my hip and towards my breasts. Panicked, tears fall from my eyes as I try to set my arms free. "You will be mine, I don't care what you want, you will do as I say."
" Please stop. Please don't do this." I beg him as he starts to kiss my neck. I feel disgusted, I don't want him touching me. I keep begging but he doesn't stop. As he goes to try and kiss me in my mouth he is taken away from me. And I breathe again. I feel safe. I look to see Gabriel on the floor, shaking in anger. Marcus is looking at me in worry. I just nod at him. Trying to assure him that I'm alright. I'm not mentally but I'll survive. He takes his green eyes from me and looks at Gabriel.
"What the fuck do you think you are doing?" There is so much hate in his voice. I understand in that moment that if there is anything that he hates is a man mistreating a woman. And then I remember.. his father. He would never let the people he loves get hurt like that. In this moment I know he is the man I want.
" She is my fiancé I can do what ever I want!" Gabriel yell. Marcus starts shaking. Oh oh not good.
" You think because she was promised to you by her parents not even because she wanted it, you have the right to touch her against her will?? ARE YOU INSANE??" I move to hold Marcus arm, to try and calm him down. Gabriel stands up, and moves to be face to face with Marcus.
"She is my fiancé I can do what ever I want. And if you don't move I will beat your ass!" I chuckled. I didn't even realize how loud until two sets of eyes are on me. I hid behind Marcus. " You think this is funny huh??" He tries to grab my arm but Marcus moves me further behind him.
"She chuckled because it would be funny to see you try to take down an MMA champion. " His voice is serious, I peak to see what's going on, And oh my god, the terror in Gabriel's face gives me some satisfaction, not because I like to see people scared, I'm not like that, but because of what he did to me earlier.
"You are nothing!" Gabriel says but his voice falters. And. A smile makes his way into Marcus face.
"Wanna test it out?" It was like his aura changed completely, in one moment he was Marcus, the other he was Dragon, that's what they call him in the MMA world. And God if you can sense the change in him. And Gabriel noticed to cause he took a step back and left.
Immediately Marcus turned around and hugged me. I felt the weight of the situation on me and I couldn't help but cry again in his arms. I feel safe with him. I can still feel his anger, I know it's not towards me, so I don't feel any fear. I look up at him, I barely reach is shoulder. The moment I look into his eyes I see concern, fear that I know is not for him but for me. And I can't help but feel like he will always be here. We say nothing for a moment, just look at each other. And I don't know what comes over me, cause next moment I'm on my tiptoes and he leans the rest of the way and we kiss. It was a simple kiss, a fast one. But it meant so much to me. My first kiss.