Bound to You

one

I gasped as my mother pulled the strings on the corset she was making we wear.

"That's too tight, mom." I touch my stomach and frown.

"If you wanted to fit in this wedding dress, you woulda lost ten pounds like I said you should, honey."

"Ten pounds in one week is unhealthy, most likely impossible." The corset seems to cut at my hips, looking as if it was pouring out.

"You look very curvey, very sexy." My mother gleamed at me. "You know you and Adriel might not even have to pretend 'cus once he sees you, he's gonna fall in love."

"Ma..." I sighed again, this time because it was hard to breathe in that thing. One of the girls took the white dress off the rack by the corner and brought it to me. Slowly, I put it on, not very excited about the whole thing.

Wesley, my brother, stepped into the large dressing room, where all the girls turned to look at him. He was exceptionally good looking, but too bad for them because he was also exceptionally taken - his wife is probably the most beautiful being that ever walked the earth

He grinned and a small smile streched accross my face.

"You look like a princess." He said. I laughed.

"Doesn't seem to be a happy ending after this little fairy tale, though." I could see the pity in his eyes for me, and I smiled because I knew full well that my life really was to be pitied. I was marrying a stranger after all.

"Sweetheart, could you please get the veil over there, by the rack?" My mom pointed at the table next to where the rack was and Wes obeyed, coming back with the vail. My mother neatly placed it on my head and I threw it over my face lazily. I stared at the mirror, wondering if this day would ever be for real. Would anyone marry a young divorcee? I was only 24... we were supposed to seperate in 3 years time.

Maybe I wouldn't need to tell anyone I was divorced... no one needs to know. I heard the piano playing in the main room and I looked at my mother hoping she'd change her mind and sneak me out to her car and we'd drive off to safety.

But all she did was smile, put her hand on my cheek and said a soft, "go." Wes had already left the room, and the bridesmaids and the flower girl were probably in the main room already. My dad appeared out of no where, not saying a word, almost hunched over like he was disappointed - I wouldn't blame him. He took my arm and securely locked it with his, and we walked down the aisle, my palms getting sweaty as people stared at me, smiling and happy. But, only very few knew the truth, and it scared me to have to lie to so many people.

I saw the groom in an expensive looking suit, his hair neatly styled, his skin tanned and his nose pointed away from me. He seemed like he didn't want a part of this either, because he refused to look my way.

Until he took a glance, and then all he did was stare.

My father slowly let go of my arm once we reached the the raised floor of the church and I gulped as the pastor nodded at me. Lying to the pastor - that was just great. It felt like hours, but when the pastor had finally finished reciting his words I breathed out my vows, made for me by my best friend, who stood in her lavender bridesmaid dress next to me.

Adriek exhaled softly before reciting his, his voice deep and smooth, almost comforting at a time like this.

"You may now kiss the bride." I blinked a couple of times forgetting this was a part of the gig as we both awkwardly leaned in for a quick peck. The guests clapped and cheered.

All I wanted at that moment was to disapear.

***

I sat in the back seat of the limousine with Adriel and instead of his suit and my dress, he was in a blue button down shirt with black pants and I was in flowy, long black skirt and loose shirt. It was quiet and awkward as the driver drove us to our new home. Adriel was on his phone, texting non stop and I just sat there staring at the door hinge. I was actually contemplating wether or not it would be safe if I were to open this door and jump out of the car with no scratches. I grabbed at the bottle of wine and opened it easily. I could sense the surprised look on Adriel's face as I chugged half of it down, when I offered him some, he ignored me and kept texting. We reached the loft apartments at 2 AM. All planned out so that no one saw how weirdly stranger-like the new married couple was. The only person there was the security guard who smiled at us as we entered the elevator. The elevator ride was just as silent as it awkward, and that was in the moment when I wished for annoying elevator music.