NINETEEN THIRTY-NINE
A cloud lightly covered parts of the beaming summer, casting a golden glow over the rolling hills and quaint country roads as a sleek black 1930s Cadillac Imperial drove through the picturesque landscape.
The soon-to-be-married couple sat in the backseat, Michael eagerly glancing out the window, while Belladonna sat in uneasy silence, her eyes wrapped
in a soft silk scarf to keep the surprise hidden.
Michael, dapper in his tailored three-piece
suit, was brimming with anticipation.
He had meticulously planned this moment, hoping that such a grand gesture would swoon her heart. He knew Belladonna wanted no part of this soon-to-be marriage but he hoped that this house, a symbol of his commitment and unwavering feelings he had for
her, since they were teenagers, would change how
she felt for him, even if it was just a little.
Belladonna was growing impatient as
she sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap,
the silk scarf around her eyes heightening her sense
of uncertainty. "How far are we?" She questioned.
"Almost there." He spoke. Heaving a breath, Belladonna folded her arms across her chest.
"You said that the last time." Suddenly, she felt Michael scoot closer to her to where their thighs touched. One of his slender arms draped around her shoulder, "I mean it this time we're almost here."
He felt her body stiff at his affection and harshly
rolled his mahogany brown irises. She still hadn't warmed up to him yet, affecting his ego greatly.
Michael has made it his mission to spend
more time with Belladonna before the wedding
so she can get used to his presence but she always seemed so uncomfortable around him.
Whenever he tried to hold her hand, she would
ball up her first or whenever he hugged her, he felt
like he was embracing a tree. Belladonna displayed zero signs of affection and Michael hated it.
"Must you always display such disgust when
I get close to you?" Michael spoke bitterly.
Belladonna's visage grew mystified before
questioning him, "What do you mean?'
"Every time I try to show physical affection
it's like your body automatically shuts down and I feel...rejected," Michael revealed how he truly felt instead of masquerading his usually stoic expression. Belladonna almost said something mean but decided to be nice as she remembered what her sister said.
"I also want you to be nice to Michael. It won't
be easy for you, I know. But he is your soon-to-be husband, and why our parents won't have to file
for bankruptcy. Just try your best to get along with him. You get more flies with honey than vinger."
Belladonna's heart pounded so ferociously in her
chest, that she wondered if it could be heard outside
of herself. What she did next was so opposite to her instinct that Michael was nearly startled.
She relaxed her once timid physique and rested
her head against his shoulder. "I'm not used to being this close to a man...I have to get used to your need
for closeness and connection." A whiff of her floral fragrance wafted in his nostrils, "You haven't rested onto me in such a manner since we were teenagers."
