Temporary Fix | 18+

1

The words were on constant replay in my mind. They only pegged the question of 'why me?' and it seemed I would never get the answer.

"It's only fitting they get more acquainted the last six months leading up to the wedding. Moving in together seems like the perfect next step, no?" Mr. Chekov laughed lightly at his words while I tried my hardest not to cringe.

My eyes met Antony's across the table to see that he shared the same uncomfortable expression I did. His attempt at smiling to make me feel better only had me looking away.

Everyone at that table knew the underlying meaning of his words. How much more 'acquainted' could I get with someone I'd known my entire life? It was just his way of trying to speed up a process I'd somehow managed to prolong.

Valentin Chekov was not a man to be taken lightly. As someone who always seemed to get what he wanted, even I didn't go against him in most cases.

My eyes raised to the crescent moon shining amongst the stars. Was I really going to be married in the short space of a year? It seemed like nothing would change at the rate things were going.

I'd tried to figure out why I had to be the one to marry Antony. I loved him, I did, and maybe that's why the idea seemed enticing when I was younger. Growing up, he was my rock, my shield, the best protector anyone could ask for, but I realized my love stopped where the line of intimacy started.

When we were kids, I would be the one to help him out with a girl. Wonder Wings. The stupid name he'd given me since I insisted he not call me a wingman. It was always a mission, when he'd set eyes on someone and I made it my duty that it'd work out, even if the entire female population knew his horrible reputation.

Never did I think I'd be on the receiving end of his attraction. I don't think he did either. But that's the kind of man Valentin Chekov was. Almost overnight, he'd somehow convinced my parents that I'd be the perfect wife for Antony.

No better woman fit to be a Chekov. He'd said. So we all sat and my parents presented the idea in a way that made me eager to accept the offer. I wanted to make them happy.

My feet carried me farther away from my car as I aimlessly walked through the deserted park pushing the thoughts that led to my deep feelings of regret away. It wasn't much of a park, but with the scattered benches and wishing fountain in the middle, there seemed to be no better fitting name.

My eyes flew to my watch, seeing it was close to midnight before I stuffed my hands underneath my graphic tee to find warmth inside the pockets of my sweatpants.

I would be chastised no doubt for getting home so late, but I was a grown woman, so what would they do?

I should stop sleeping there so often.

The sound of water made my eyes find the source and I took in the old fountain with the tall pillar in the middle spouting water from the many little holes before it poured back into the bottom.

In the dark, I could hardly make out the bottom as I walked closer, but I knew the floor of the fountain was filled with coins from the thousands of people who'd been there before.

I reached behind me for the Fanny pack I'd thrown over my shoulder and smiled sadly hearing my coins jingle around.

If there were no other coins in the water, I knew my countless wishes were enough to supply the pond with enough quarters where it seemed like tourists were in abundance.

I never spent quarters, maybe a few now and then, but for the past two years - ever since that night - I'd saved them to throw them all into what seemed to be my last hope - the wishing fountain. I'd been wishing, hoping, praying for some miracle I was half convinced would never happen but as I pulled the silk coin pouch out my bag, I knew I'd never stop until I was bounded by the stupid contract.