To A New Life

The Beginning of a New Life

Grace King was the picture of a perfect bride every girl dreamed to be on their wedding day - except they got to choose who they get to marry. The wedding planner, Chelsea, admired the too white dress as Grace stood on the small platform in front of the mirror. "You look like a princess out of a fairy tale, Grace." Grace realized after meeting Chelsea that she was a hopeless romantic, taking her job to make every girl's wedding into a fairy tale very seriously- much to Grace's dismay. Grace turned to look into the mirror at her reflection. Her long black hair was braided into a bun and secured by what feels like a thousand pins, some of which were decorated, shining in the clear afternoon sunlight. The corset of the dress held the dress up, making up for the lack of the straps before the dress fanned out loosely around her hips. With each step, she took she would have to kick so that she doesn't trip while walking down the aisle.

A knock at the door caught both of their attention. "Miss King, your father is waiting." Jordan, Grace's father's bodyguard, informed the two woman.

"We'll be right there," Chelsea answered excitedly for them before turning her attention to Grace. "Are you ready for your life to change forever?"

Grace smiled at the woman and picked up the front of the dress to move easier in. "Of course." Grace obediently followed Jordan to meet her father, Marcus King.

As planned, her Father waited at the entrance of the marriage hall in an expensive tux that was custom-made for this special occasion. Grace looped her arm around her Father's elbow as she was escorted in front of the a large set of doors before he spoke to her. "Remember, you are making us proud today." Grace reined in her temper and an eye roll as her Father emphasized 'us' when she really knew that this marriage to Jacob Stone was about Marcus King, for Marcus King. As the music began, the double doors opened, revealing the crowd of people standing expectantly, most of whom Grace didn't know and certainly wasn't close with. As they moved down the aisle, Grace recalled how she ended up in this suffocating position.

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It started a month before graduation, Grace just arrived from school when she was escorted by Jordan to her Father's study. Mr. Kyle Stone sat with her father, both holding a glass of liquor.

"You wanted to see me, Father." Grace never referred to Marcus King as "Dad", not since her Mom's sudden death ten years ago that turned her Father into a heartless workaholic.

"Yes, I did," Marcus placed his glass down, "Grace, this is Kyle Stone, I'm sure that you have met him in passing."

"I have, but I've never met him formally." Grace held back an eye roll. Of course, Grace met Mr. Kyle Stone, because her Father made sure she knew everyone that had power in their business world.

"Then allow me," Kyle spoke as he stood and extended his hand, "My name is Kyle Stone, it a pleasure meeting such a successful and motivated girl like your self, Miss Grace King."

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Stone." Grace shook his hand politely.

"Have you ever met my son Jacob?"

Grace turned to see the infamous playboy's attention on her. He flashed a smile at her that probably would charm any ordinary, naive girl off of her feet, but Grace was not ordinary nor naive.

"No, I haven't had the pleasure," Grace plastered on the fake smile that she had practiced to perfection before extending her hand to Jacob whom came to her in a few strides, "It's nice to meet you, Jacob."

"I do believe the pleasure is mine, Miss King." he raised her hand to his lips. Grace tried not to wipe her hand on her jeans and grimace when it was finally released.

"Marcus, if you don't mind, I think Jacob would like to see the famous gardens on your estate. Maybe Grace would show him around?" Mr. Stone inquired as he and Marcus shared a look that Grace disliked, and even more so when her Father agreed, stating that it was a marvelous idea.

Grace tried to keep her distance as she guided Jacob to the gardens. "Would you like to see the lake view or the Chinese rock gardens?"

"Whichever has the most privacy for us to get-," Jacob paused, searching for the right word. Grace was ready to tell him not to think too hard, otherwise he'll overuse what little brain cells he has left, when he found the right word, "-acquainted."

"Mr. Stone and my Father have plans on making business deals and you want to get to know me more. Why?" Jacob was notorious for his arrogance and showing off, which Grace planned to fully expose to figure out what the two CEOs were planning. Plain brown eyes lit up for the chance to gossip and to be seen as someone that was knowledgeable.

"That information is going to cost you," he replied smugly.

"And what will it cost me?" Grace asked, playing the innocent, naive girl card.

"One kiss." Jacob leaned in, leveling their faces a bit.

"Just one kiss?" Grace put a finger up between them.

"Don't want to overwhelm you," Jacob moved closer, "yet."

Grace smiled like a cat that just got a bowl of milk as she leaned in, but at the last moment, moved to kiss his cheek. "One kiss as agreed on."

Jacob was so dumbstruck that she couldn't hold back the laughter from escaping her, snapping him back to reality.

"Fair enough, little fox," his arrogant smile returned. "Or should I say my little fox? Because after their meeting, the companies will merge on the agreement of our marriage."

With just a few words, Grace's world shattered.

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Grace snapped back to reality when they reached the altar where Jacob stood. His sandy blonde hair was combed to perfection, just like the rest of him- nothing was too much for the prince. She played her part as the happy bride and walked up the stairs towards her husband-to-be as if everything was as it should be. The crowd took their seats as the Priest began the ceremony.

I cast my eyes towards the back of the ceremony hall. My best friend Melissa was dressed for a funeral - black suit pants, a black button-down shirt and most importantly her black and white Converse - fitting the mood.

Everyone was silent throughout the ceremony until it came to Jacob's part.

"I do."

The words hang in the air as the Priest recited the oath once more for her. In two simple words, she ended the wedding with a gasping audience.

"I don't."

"What do you think you are doing?!" my Father's voice was recognizable over the others as I handed Jacob the engagement ring. "Are you trying to ruin us?!"

"No, Father just you," Grace though as much emphasis into 'you' to prove her point. "I am done being your perfect puppet, Father. This wedding and everything else you have put me through was never about me. It was always about you. Until today. Good-bye, Father." Grace picked up her skirts and walked out of the wedding hall leaving in her wake a hurricane of confusion and anger.

Melissa had the car packed and ready for Grace just as she exited the building, their month-long plan coming to fruition as they climbed into the car.

"You're sure about this?" Melissa's worried blue eyes locked on to mine as I turned my green eyes to her.

"I've never been this sure about anything." They smiled as Melissa drove them away, leaving Grace to her thoughts.

Weddings were said to mark the start of a new life, and the eighteen-year-old Grace King had- just on her own terms.