Thrill

CHAPTER THIRTY

(Anna's Pov)

I was forced out of my bed three hours ago. My mother had finally pushed the hatred and disgust she felt for me, to aside and had stepped into my bedroom, facing me with a hard look.

"Get dressed. It's Herman's wedding today."

Those were the only words she had uttered and that too, flatly with no emotion present in her tone. My brows had raised in surprise, taken aback from her sudden announcement. Though it had been two months or so since Herman and Maria had engaged, I wasn't at all prepared to wake up on the 15th of April, being informed of his wedding.

It was all so sudden. A little warning of notice would have been nice.

Regardless of my shock, I had obeyed her words and forced myself to stand up from where I was laid out on my bed, hugging the large, soft, furry pillow I had found on my bed two days ago. I didn't have to guess twice, knowing whom it was from when his strong scent drifted into my nostrils. I savoured it greatly.

My mother hadn't hesitated to leave the room after that and was probably no longer able to look at me. I was a nothing but a shameful whore to her. I had swallowed down the lump which had formed in my throat and decided on taking a shower.

When I had returned to my bedroom, I was surprised to see a dress laid out on my bed. It was plain - so plain compared to what others would be wearing. It was chiffon fabric, colored black. The dress was long; reaching my ankles, with short-sleeves that stuck to my arms and a thin golden belt that went around the waist.

I hated it. It was ugly - so plain. And envy grew deep inside of me when I saw what Amy was wearing; a beautiful beige gown, with thin straps, lace top, a low-neck line and a flowy skirt. She looked stunning, especially with the light dusting of make-up on her face, along with the jewellery my mother had let her borrow.

She had sent me a look of sympathy, sighing and telling me my mother had not so shockingly picked it out for me. I knew why - she didn't want me to stand out. However, wearing such plain clothing to my elder brother's wedding, would ironically do the opposite.

Not having any other choice, I had dressed myself into it. It was a little tight around my chest and I sighed, realizing that was expected. My breast were beginning to grow heavier and more fuller. My body was beginning to naturally change. 

The dress wasn't all that bad when I realized just how loose the skirt was. It gave it a little more design, but I still didn't favour it. Amy had pulled me down to the dressing table and didn't hesitate to fix my dull face with a light layer of make-up, no lipstick on my lips, only gloss. I only complied because she promised to hand me a bar of chocolate when she would be finished.

She had taken pity and lent me her small, gold, hoop earrings to wear, the only jewellery I wore. Nothing compared to the real diamond earrings in her ears, with the matching choker and bracelets. 

Amy had decided leaving my curly hair out would be the best option, since we were supposedly running late to the event and if she were to start styling my hair then, she wouldn't let it go. So, I had slipped on my flat shoes, knowing wearing heels would bring me nothing but discomfort and forced myself to follow my sister's lead.

The car ride to the church might have been one of the most uncomfortable situations I had been in. It was spent in dead silence. My mother sat in the passenger seat, beside my father who drove us there. Amy, Andrea and I were at the back. I had to refrain from returning the curious gaze I could feel him giving me, knowing it would anger my parents to see us interact. Instead, I slyly managed to hold his hand, my heart melting when I felt him squeeze it in return.