Feigned Marriage

Chapter - 2

Sky's POV

"Everything has to be perfect," Mom mutters. "James has waited so long for this day."

I just about keep from rolling my eyes. "he's postponed the wedding three times, Mom. I don't think he's all that impatient."

Mom looks up sharply, anger flashing through her eyes. "That's because his work is demanding, Sky. You would never understand what it's like to be an actor. All you need to do is stand still and look pretty all day. It isn't the same for James. he doesn't get to go home after one measly photoshoot. he's away from home for weeks on end, working on sets that aren't even remotely comfortable. Do you really think he wanted to postpone the wedding? he did that because he had no choice. You might not get it, but the least you can do is keep silent if you have nothing good to say."

I bite down on my lip harshly to keep from talking back to her. She knows how demanding photographers can be, and how hard I work. Just a few weeks ago, I suffered from hypothermia because I'd been forced to shoot a commercial in the snow. I know better than to compare myself to James, but I wish she wouldn't dismiss my work as merely standing still and looking pretty.

I suppose it doesn't matter what I do. All she cares about is that I didn't follow in her footsteps like James did. My mother was a famous actress when she was my age, and she despises that I never had an interest in acting. No matter how hard I work, nothing else will ever be good enough.

My hands tremble as I go through our list of vendors. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I keep coming home to help with a wedding I want no part of, just so I can spend time with a mother that'll always consider me second-best to her golden child? I'm not even asking her to treat me the way she treats James. All I've ever wanted was an ounce of her love. Is that too much to ask?

"I'm sorry," Mom says, her voice strained. "The wedding has put so much pressure on me, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry, sky. You understand, don't you? This wedding means a lot to both of our families. This merger has been years in the making, and once this wedding is behind us, we can finalize the remaining paperwork and leave the merged company in james and prapai's hands. The patheera's refuse to proceed any further until the wedding is over, and your father and I need their funding."

I nod, my head bowed. "I get it, Mom."

She smiles at me then. "You've always been such a sweet boy, sky.
James and I are both lucky to have you. I definitely couldn't have done any of this without you."

I smile back at her, glad the endless hours of work I've put into this haven't gone unnoticed.

James has barely been involved with the wedding preparations, and though it hurts to be constantly reminded of his upcoming wedding, I'm glad I get to spend some time with Mom. It's rare for us to spend any quality time together.

"I can't believe my boy is going to be someone's  soon," Mom murmurs as she rearranges the flowers in the replica of the vineyard prapai and james will be getting married in.

"When your brother was little, I wasn't sure he'd even live long enough to fall in love. There were so many things I never thought he'd experience, yet here he is, an international superstar, about to marry one of the most eligible billionaires in the world. In the process, he's taking care of both Dad and me too, allowing us to retire at last, knowing our company is in safe hands."

Guilt and unease settle in my stomach. I shouldn't envy my brother, and I shouldn't begrudge him the pride in Mom's eyes. I just wish that sometimes, those same affections were directed at me.

Mom looks up, a hint of worry in her expression. "How is the wedding dress coming along? Were you able to make the alterations James requested?"

I nod. Each time he's postponed the wedding, he's changed almost everything about the wedding itself and his wedding suit, resulting in countless extra weeks of working on his suit. "Of course."