𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒

𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

I stayed still as they covered my face with makeup. I rub my lipstick in with my lips as the make-up artists instruct me to do.

"All done Ma'am the hairdresser is on her way," Kelly tells me.

I give her a slight nod as she leaves the room. Three weeks had gone by faster than I thought it would. Through those weeks, I sat with Emilia and told her the truth.

She wasn't happy at first, upset for me even but she promised to make it fun for me. Which she had. We had pretended as if I was getting married to someone of my choice.

We picked out my wedding dress together, went to brunch with our other friends, went cake tasting, and had fun planning. But I seem to have forgotten that the actual wedding had to take place.

During that time, I also went out with Christian for the media to see. We went for breakfast like he'd asked and went to dinner a couple of times too.

In the process, we had gotten to know basic things about each other but we didn't discuss our personal lives. A couple of fake smiles and unnecessary had bought the media's attention and they now know "The successful Christian Fontana is getting married to someone he's been secretly dating for years." - it's not true, but it's a good cover for why I haven't been seen with him before.

"Ma'am, would you like your hair up or in a bun?"

"A bun, it's more classy that way." My grandmother gushed. I gave her a side glance.
"Lo siento cariño. Sé que esto no es lo que quieres para una boda, pero al menos puedes mostrar tu belleza e intentar divertirte hoy."
{Sorry sweetheart. I know this isn't what you want for a wedding but you can at least show off your beauty and try to have fun today.}

I smile at her. She laughs. "That's my girl. Hm? Your friends are in the other room waiting for when you put your dress on." She places a soft kiss on my cheek and exits the room.

This wedding is taking place at a gorgeous venue in Lakeside where my mother got married. All of this was decided by Father. He wanted all his friends to attend and be able to make it so he set it where he wanted it to be.

I stood by the mirror admiring my reflection. My white wedding dress hugged my body nicely. The thin straps went low revealing a slight bit of cleavage.

"You look so beautiful, darling." My mother smiled as she helped me with my veil.

"Thank you," I whisper softly.

My friends walked into the room complimenting my dress. Emilia stared teary-eyed. 'You look amazing' she mouthed.

Everyone quickly left the room after viewing the dress to make their way to the ceremony.
My mother cleared her throat holding in her tears. "Your Father is on his way." She tells me brushing invisible dust from my dress.

My mother narrows her eyes. "Tate Carmen Romero. Today you will have fun. Okay? I want you to forget this is a business arrangement and enjoy your time."

I sigh. "Why does everyone keep telling me that? It's hard. I don't know him well. I don't like him or Father for doing this to me!"

She hums. "I know sweetheart but you know you have two options. Either you act like this is what you want and try to make your marriage work with him, or you spend your life hating him and being sad."

"I learned to love your father despite his ways. And I know you'll be able to do the same for Christian too. Just give it a shot. If it doesn't work out at least you tried. Fair?"

My father walks into the room as I was about to respond to my mother. "Fair" I quickly whisper as she lets go of my arm.

"I'll see you in a minute." She tells me before leaving the room.

My father scans me from head to toe. "You look nice, Tate."

"Thanks." I quickly answer.

My father sighs. "Tate, don't be like that. I'm doing what's best for us. You know I love you and care for both you and your brother."

He places a kiss on my forehead. "Mm. Let's go. Come on." He loops his arm around mine.

The guards open the doors to the garden that's nicely decorated in beautiful pink and white flowers.

Everyone turned to my father and me as he slowly walked me down the aisle. Christian turned his attention to me just like everyone else had.

Christian held my eye contact as I reached him. His eyes never left mine once. My stomach fluttered at his tense eyes staring down at mine but I want to back down.

The priest told us to repeat what he said to our partner. We did.
He asked us to say our vows. Vows that didn't mean anything. We did.
He told us to slide our wedding rings on each other's fingers. We did.
He told Christian to remove my veil and kiss me. He did.

We did what we were asked. But not because we wanted to.

𖤐𖤐𖤐

"That kiss was so romantic." Adriana gushes along with the other girls.

I Give them faint smiles. Emilia changes the subject quickly. "The decorations are beautiful." She starts as everyone agrees with her. I thank her silently making my way to my seat next to my husband.

I couldn't stop thinking about what my mother had said to me before the ceremony. Because she's right.
I decided I'll try to make it work but if he isn't going to try and cooperate with me that's when I'll give up.

Today, he hasn't said much to me but he hasn't answered me rudely when I ask him questions.

The night was going slow. Aunties and uncles I haven't seen since I was like ten keep asking questions or saying the same things.

How have you been?
I missed you so much.
You're growing up too fast.
How do you feel about getting married?
Are you thinking of having children?

"I'm so sorry," Alex says as walks towards me.

"Stop saying you're sorry. It's okay. It is what it is."

"I feel bad. If I hadn't-" he continues, but I cut him off.

"Enough. Alex, I'm okay. The fact that you at least care about this enough to keep apologising is enough." I tell him. He wraps his arms around me.

"You look beautiful tonight." He whispers.

I pull away smiling at my little brother. "Thank you."

Christian and I had our first dance and cut our wedding cake. But there was one thing that I hadn't done at the moment. Have fun.

So I did. I danced with my friends, my cousins, and my mother. I pretended as if this was what I wanted and it worked. I went home today with a smile on my face.

But one thing that wasn't going to change is I'm no longer Romero.

I'm Tate Carmen Fontana.