"Dammit woman, talk to me," Zach pulls at his hair in frustration; his eyes never leave my face. There is a hint of sadness in his voice but other than that, he sounds cynically mad.
I shake my head no, with my gaze still on the floor. Suddenly, he...
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Chapter Thirteen
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This feels so wrong. And weird.
I patiently close my eyes and let the make-up artists paint my face. Tapping my foot in the floor in an unknown rhythm, I almost shiver when I feel the cool liquid over my eyelid.
"Pauline darling, how long is it going to take? My daughter-in-law looks distressed."
My heart warms at Natalie's genuine concern. Despite breaking her son's heart harshly, she didn't think twice before embracing me. 'I knew you weren't like that', she had whispered in my ear. Then, she had hit Zach numerous times for not telling her we were together and for 'hiding me'.
She's the sweetest woman I've met, the only motherly figure I've had in my whole life.
"Not long, ma'am. It's almost finished," Pauline answers politely before I feel the liquid on my other eyelid.
Once they're done, with the make-up, I open my eyes and smile at my reflection. The make-up has enhanced my features well and I like how I look. Actually, I don't even look like myself. The make-up makes me feel bold. And, confident.
I stand up and face Natalie, giving her a warm smile. The fact that I couldn't speak didn't sit well with her and she blamed Zach for that, again, weird. She always showed more affection to me than Zach. Don't get me wrong, she loved him.
Maybe she just pitied me, because I didn't have a loving mother like herself.
I felt guilty, even though I know I have no reason to. It wasn't my idea to get sold and married. But still, Natalie looked so happy. Only if she knew the nature of our marriage.
My hair was next. The designer was impressed not only by the length of my hair but the quality too. They should have seen it when I was on the streets. My hair resembled a bird nest then.
They took a whole two hours to do my hair and I was starting to run out of patience. Huffing every now and then, I thought if I were to marry ever again, I would do it with minimal make-up and hairstyle that didn't take five whole hours.
However, I find myself gasping once I take a look at the mirror. Dear God, I looked like a princess from a Disney movie!
The room empties for me to dress and I get out of my normal clothes and look at the white gown I am to wear. With a very heavy heart, I take it off the hanger. The deep V ball gown had full sleeves, and I felt my heart warm at that.
Zach had designed it and he had made sure my scars wouldn't be visible, provided that I wasn't comfortable showing them. It was thoughtful of him but maybe he did that so he wouldn't embarrass himself.
I take a look at myself in the mirror and sigh at the sight of myself in white lingerie that one of the bridesmaids had subtly gifted me, along with many others, with a wink.
