Serendipity

~ Kyomi ~

Most twenty-seven year old women dream that their wedding day will be quite the lavish event.

A beautiful venue adorned with elaborate tapestry with a custom made multi-tier wedding cake with a whimsical cake topper. Bright, fresh flowers scenting the air with happiness as she walks down the aisle while friends and family witness her joining the love of her life in holy matrimony.

Most twenty-seven year old women.. except me.

I've flirted with the idea of marriage and a family for years, but after multiple rejections from men for one reason or another, I have given up hope. I always imagined being the one true love of my husband's life, but as I stand here in this gorgeous wedding gown I'd be okay if my soon-to-be husband even likes me.

My size tends to put men off. I am plus sized but most guys have always acted like I was a behemoth. I dress nicely; my clothes fit properly and nothing is too revealing. I don't want to give off the wrong idea.

I want love not one night of disappointment. As a teen, comments hurt more until I grew a thick skin and learned to love myself. Even still, there are comments that continue to haunt my mind to this day .

"What is the deal with that bird's nest on your head, Kyomi?" - Amber Rosen, age eleven.

I remember twisting my curls nervously around my index finger. I always liked my curls. If anything I figured they were the least of my issues. I began straightening my hair after that.

I started puberty earlier than the other girls, and I developed curves that apparently curved more than they should at such an age. My chest grew at an exponential rate drawing the wrong kind of attention from male classmates and hateful words from the girls in my classes.

I did manage to make one friend named Amari. She and I were inseparable from the time we were ten years old until our sophomore year of high school.

Of course I was shy and there was a boy named Micah that I wanted to ask out on a date. Amari gave me the world's best pep talk reiterating how I should never be ashamed of the way I look and to take the bull by the horns and on and on and whatnot.

I decided to do it but chickened out once Micah was in my line of vision. I was too scared so Amari did what best friends do and she asked him for me.

I thought she was doing me a favor.

"Who would ever want to be with somebody THAT fat?" - Micah Path, age fifteen.

I was fourteen then and Micah was my first real boy crush. My heart silently shattered when I heard his words.

I remember hiding around the corner from his locker where I could see the interaction between Amari and him. His friends erupted in laughter and high-fived Micah. I wrapped my arms around myself and fought back tears as I waited for Amari to come back to me and break the news.

Amari and Micah exchanged a few more words and he pulled out a pen to write something on the inside of Amari's math notebook. She smiled shyly and walked back to me.

"What did he write in your notebook?" I asked even though I felt I already knew the answer.

"Nothing. He's not right for you, Kyomi. Forget him."

Micah and Amari are married now with three children and a dog.

I stand now in front of a full length mirror in the dressing room of the cottage house my husband-to-be's parents own examining my wedding gown. I am beyond nervous.

Judging from the photos I've seen, Dantae King is a gorgeous Asian man, tall and lean with smooth sun-kissed skin. His jaw-dropping facial features caught my eye first; he has big, deep brown eyes, a sharp jawline, and the most perfect nose I have ever laid eyes on.

In every photo I have seen, Dantae's full lips have not once curved into a smile. His intimidating gaze is always locked on the camera no matter the angle.

Dantae also has a head full of luscious dark curls that I wouldn't mind to touch but never actually would because I would be too worried that I would mess up his hair. Every inch of his nearly six-foot height screams model material.

He could have his pick of any woman he wanted any hour of any day of the week but here I am about to marry him. I'm positive had our marriage not been part of a 'business deal' I would never be on Dantae King's radar.

My family is what they refer to as 'old money'. We have money for anything we desire and as far back as I know we always have thanks to some wise choices by my great-great-great way far back grandparents.

My father Burke inherited and runs a company that allows him to only physically show his face once a year but he says that's not how a business is run. He shows up five days a week, eight hours a day to interact with his employees. He's friendly and handsome even with his salt and pepper hair and slightly aging face.

Dad is a happy and loving man. He and my mom Kaede met when they were twelve and at eighteen they got married.

Dad has always been there for my mom, me, and my younger adopted brother Hollis. Dad stayed involved in our lives every step of the way which couldn't have been easy in retrospect.

My parents tried for four years to give me a sibling, but fate had other plans for them. After many failed attempts and a miscarriage, they visited an adoption agency on the exact day Hollis was born.

Hollis has always been energetic and sociable. He played soccer in elementary and middle school but switched to tennis when he started high school. Dad, Mom, and I attended every game no matter the distance. We were always there for each other.

That's what a family does. They support each other.

With an athletic physique, a dashing personality, and smile comparable to pure sunshine, Hollis became quite the ladies man by age seventeen. His dark hair was always kept neatly coiffed so as not to take attention away from what he called his 'smolder'. Seeing the way he was always surrounded by girls made it no surprise to any one when he announced he was to be a father two days before his twentieth birthday.

Dad didn't yell. He considered Hollis quietly and told him this wasn't an excuse to drop out of college. Hollis graduated 6 months early with his son Mateo (who he lovingly calls Mickie) in attendance.

A soft knock startles me and I look up to see Hollis peep in through a crack in the door.

"May I come in?"

I nod and he enters walking to me to hold up my right arm and give me a twirl. His smile shows even in his eyes when he sees me in my gown.

"You look amazing, Oba!"

I chuckle at his affectionate nickname. "Thank you, Hoba. I hope Dantae thinks so, too." I smooth the front of my dress once more.

"He'd be crazy not to. Are you ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be I guess." I look at the floor trying to concentrate on my breathing and calm my heart. "I never dreamed I'd be marrying a man I don't even know."

"But you do know Dad and he wouldn't let you go away with just anyone. I'm sure he's done his research thoroughly before agreeing to such an arrangement. I will admit I don't like the circumstances but I trust Dad. He'd never hurt us. This is strictly for business."

"I know. I just wish I knew something about the man I'm marrying."

¤¤

My heart pounding in my ears, I walk down the aisle arm in arm with my father. He is so handsome in his black suit and tie.

He glances to me and smiles with tears of happiness in the corners of his eyes. He mouths a soft "beautiful" before looking back at the altar.

There aren't many guests to witness, only those absolutely necessary. It is all very business like and nothing like I'd dreamed of my wedding to be as a little girl.

I recognize Dantae waiting at the altar for me dressed flawlessly in a solid white tux with black lapels and a black tie. He's wearing white? I've never seen a man wear a white tux and look as ethereal as he does.

I've actually never seen a man as ethereal as Dantae King period.

Oh wow. His photo does him absolutely no justice. He is stunning.

This magnificent specimen is going to be my husband.

Oh my gosh... Ooohhh my gosh.

OH. MY. FREAKING. GOSH.

Dad and I get closer to the altar and I realize I am staring directly in Dantae's face. I just can't stop looking at him. He is exquisite.

He was looking back at me when I started down the aisle, but now I notice his eyes are everywhere except on me. He looked confused at first but upon closer inspection he looks upset. He bites his bottom lip still averting his gaze from me.

Dad and I reach the altar and I am handed off to Dantae. He doesn't look at me still but takes my hand giving my father a quick fake smile.

The ceremony passes quickly and simply and still with not one glance from Dantae. "You may now kiss the bride" is the first time he looks into my face.

His expression changes but not for the better. His eyes look uninterested and he struggles to keep them on me. He fights the muscles in his face from sneering his nose.

It reminds me of the first time I changed Mickie's poopy diaper. He looks disgusted.

Tears well in my eyes making me thankful crying at weddings is appropriate. Dantae snorts with a sneer and turns to face our family and friends.

I follow his lead.

"It is my honor to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Dantae King!"

Applause. I plaster a half smile on my face. Tears stream over my cheeks. I can't look back at Dantae. I can't bear to see that look of utter distaste again.

After the wedding reception is the first time I am alone with Dantae. Until now, I have been able to talk to Hoba or my parents but now it is only Dantae and I being chauffeured to the airport in one of my father's town cars.

I anxiously fiddle with my wedding ring watching the diamonds sparkle in what remains of the sunset. Dantae sits to my left, his body twisted so he's mostly facing the window. He watches the scenery we pass.

I only glance at him when I know he's not looking. One dismayed look today, of all days, was enough for me and especially from my now husband.

When we arrive at the airport, our chauffeur opens my door first earning another scoff from Dantae. I'm beginning to wonder if he knows any words at all or if he only communicates in scoffs and disappointed looks.

We board our private plane with our destination unknown. As a wedding gift, my parents decided it would be a good idea for us to have some time alone away from any "distractions".

I believe it is code for "give us grandbabies". My mother packed my luggage for me so everything is already loaded once we arrive.

Dantae finds a seat near a window and props his long legs up on the seat across from him. He pulls out his phone and pops in his earbuds. He glances my direction and I quickly set my eyes to the floor.

"Are you going to sit or will you stand the whole way?"

I gasp. He speaks. He has a rich baritone voice I could listen to all of the time.

I start to imagine if he said sweet things to me. My face heats and I fiddle with my ring.

I quickly take the seat closest to me without a word keeping my head down. I smooth my dress and twist my ring over and over again for the next twenty minutes and when I look up I see Dantae is asleep.

His beauty still amazes me. Even if he isn't pleased with my appearance, I couldn't have asked for a more attractive husband.

But then it hits me. I'm on a private plane headed towards who knows where and I'm married to a man who is disgusted by my appearance.