1 Year Later
After Penny's death, Shawn and I slowly grew apart. We decided to go our separate ways because we both desperately needed the space. I reluctantly moved back with my parents and things went back to normal. My mother never acknowledged Penny. The only person from my family who showed up at the funeral was my Grandmother. She and I had gotten even closer after I lost Penny and Shawn.
She was hopeful that Shawn and I would get back together because she knew we were 'soulmates'. Shawn and I had hooked up a few times in the last year but it ended with one of us leaving before the other was awake.
If I would try and bring Penny or Shawn up, the rest of the family would shut me up right away.
"It's in the past dear." my mother would say.
Oh did I forget to mention that I was engaged to Waylon? Oh I did I also forget to mention that we were getting married tomorrow?
It wasn't my choice. The day I moved back in, a month after Penny's death, I was engaged to him. I had given up on fighting with my parents about it. I had given up completely. Shawn was on every front page. I guess he and kendall had gotten back together and they eloped on some tropical island. To keep up my father's image, my mother had planned the entire wedding. She wanted it big but quick. The engagement was staged along with all the other parties 'celebrating our newly found love'.
"Remember to smile when they take picture." mother demanded, zipping my up. "This is your rehearsal dinner! You're supposed to be happy!"
Right. I was so happy I was engaged to a man I hardly knew. That's something to be really happy about.
The dinner was huge, like everything else. We posed for pictures and shook what seemed like a million hands. Waylon wasn't that bad actually, just wasn't my type. He was predictable, never took risks and had to be the alpha male. He liked to try and tell me what to do.
"I'd like to make a toast." mother said, tapping her champagne glass and standing up.
Everyone quieted down and turned to her.
"To the soon to be husband and wife. To your forever lasting love and happiness. Cheers!"
Classes clinked and everyone drank. I refused to pick up my glass, upsetting Waylon, mother and father. After everyone finished dinner, service came around and cleared the table. My father got up and invited everyone to join him and mother on the dance floor. I sat quietly, watching everyone sway around the room. The music was boring and was making me extremely tired.
"Why are you always so angry?" Waylon asked, sitting next to me.
I looked over at him in disgust.
"I lost my baby, the love of my life and now I'm getting married to you. That's why I'm unhappy." I replied.
"Just get over it." he shot back, taking a sip of his drink. "You and I can just have a bunch of kids so you can stay home and take care of them."
I grabbed his tie and pulled him close to my face, making him spill his drink on his lap.
"If you think that I'm ever going to fuck you, you're delusional."
I let him go. He slowly backed away, completely in awe. I had never been aggressive with him.
"Oh by the way, I've been fucking Shawn on and off over the last year. I plan to keep seeing him and there is nothing you can do about it."
I smiled and stood up. Waylons face was a red with anger. He had tried to kiss me and I refused. I wouldn't hold his hand, hug him or anything.
"I'm leaving." I announced.
My mother laughed it off and explained to everyone that I was just nervous about the big day tomorrow and all this other bull. I had my driver take me back to the hotel where the wedding was happening. I wasn't allowed to have a bachelorette party but Waylon was having his 3rd one tonight after the party ended. I honestly didn't even know my bridesmaids. Nat wasn't allowed to attend the wedding because she openly hated Waylon.
I had wandered down to the lobby of the nearly vacant hotel. My family had rented a majority of it for the guest. The garden was brightly lit and very peaceful. The cold damp grass tickled the bottoms of my feet. There were a few people scattered around the large open yard. Towards the back of the yard was a secret bar that was for guests only.
I sat down next to an awfully strange hooded stranger and ordered a drink. "Are you here for that official wedding tomorrow?" he asked, not making eye contact.
"Unfortunately." I replied. "What about you?"
"Nah. I'm here on business."
"Oh, what do you do?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.
He slightly turned to me and smirked.
"I trade, sell and acquire."
My mouth nearly hit the floor. My body went stiff. I looked forward, trying not to alarm him.
"What brings you here?" I hesitantly asked.
"I'm in the process of acquiring my next item."
"I better get going. I have a busy day tomorrow." I replied, quickly standing up.
I turned and started to walk away.
"Get some rest, we don't want you missing your wedding." he called after me.
I turned to look back at his smirking face.
Zac.
This wasn't happening. I picked up my pace, constantly looking behind to make sure I wasn't being followed. Stupidly, I bumped into someone, causing us both to stumble back.
"I'm so sor..." I trailed off.
"Don't worry about it." he smirked, looking me dead in the eyes.
Nick.
No, no, no. Not now. I was moving on. I had chosen this life and he had to let me go. I rushed to the elevator and slammed on the up button. The doors opened.
"Going up?"
Noah.
I stepped back. I looked to my right to where the stairs where. I could climb 3 flights or just wait until he left, which wasn't looking like that was going to happen soon.
I'll just go to the front desk and call Waylon. He'll come back and then everything will go back to how my mother planned it.
I looked towards the desk, sitting in a chair, no more than 5 feet from the manager, there was another.
Andrew.
He nodded at me and slightly waved.
I turned back to Noah.
"No." I demanded. "This isn't happening."
I took off running down a back hallway. I could hear their footsteps close behind. I had left my shoes in my room but made the mistake of not changing out of my gown. I reached another hallway leading to the ballroom where my wedding was being held. I quickly rushed inside and shut the door behind me.
"Don't scream."
He placed his hands on my shoulders. I jumped at his touch. He bent down and softly kissed my bear skin. I closed my eyes lead my body against his. This was so wrong on so many levels...
... but it felt so good.
