Arranged

One

Chapter One - The wedding [edited]

"Everyone is waiting on the beautiful bride."

~

Flashback

"Today is the day, today is the day, today is the day." I whisper to myself as I fix a bowl of soup for my father. Pouring the liquid gold into a porcelain bowl, I take a deep breathe, collecting my thoughts.

I walk steadily to my father's care room, being sure not to spill a drop of soup onto the marble floors.

"I brought you some soup." I say, sweetness drenching my voice.

"Awe thanks babygirl, my favorite!" He coos, shifting in his bed to sit up. His hands reach out to grab the bowl and spoon and he takes in the smell with his eyes dramatically closed. It was only broccoli cheddar made with carrots, broccoli and onions, a few spices and a blend of imported cheeses, yet he swore something about my cooking made it exceptionally amazing. My mother, on the other hand, hates soup with a passion and refuses to eat it. In fact, she claims that if it were the only food left on Earth she'd starve herself rather than survive off of it. Something about the texture of it and the thought of vegetables swimming around in milky water got to her.

"So father, I want to talk to you about something very serious." I say sitting on the edge of his bed, playing nervously with my fingernails. He hums, gesturing for me to continue as he swallows a spoonful of soup.

"I was wondering when I- when are you going to make me CEO, officially." I spit out not once looking him in the eye.

'That did not go as planned Melanie. Way to go..'

I wanted to punch myself into a coma at the moment, how embarrassing.

"No sweetie, that's a job for someone else. I've thought about it and I want you stay at home... work at home. You know, things like cooking, tending for the kids, washing clothes. Just like your mom." He said bringing another spoonful of soup to his mouth not even sparing me a glance.

I was awestruck and my mouth fell ajar. The same man that once told me that nothing could limit my greatness, told me how I could achieve anything and everything, is now saying I'm no better capable to work than our maids?! I was lost for words and my blood was near boiling. Without needing to look, I knew my ears and face were flushed red because of my anger.

"Excuse me?" I said, my tone sharp.

His eyes finally met mine and while mine were undoubtedly filled with an ocean of emotion, his were cold and staid.  "Oh, and speaking of the company, I've been meaning to discuss something with you..."
~

Present Day

"Excuse me?" I say, hoping the mother of my soon to be husband would repeat what she had said for about the fifth time.

I wasn't in the right mental state for a day like this. It was only weeks ago that my father passed away, yet my mom insists that this wedding will cheer me up.

"Shine light on a dark time in our lives."

She really must not realize that this is the last thing on Earth that I want and especially with him...

"I said, why are you in here? Everyone is waiting for the beautiful bride to grace them with her presence." She chuckles softly. Elizabeth Chamberlain, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my entire life. She was utterly stunning despite her age. I've always looked up to her, she was more like an aunt or second mother to me because of her relationship with my mother. There was one point in time I believed she would be my mother-in-law but that was years ago, and I never expected it to happen like this. I don't think either of us did.