Chapter 1 : Marriage at First Sight
As she sat at the vanity and stared at herself in the mirror, she wondered where her life would go from here. Today is the day Anezmae will be marrying Adrian Walton. It will be in approximately 35 mins to be exact.
Anezmae looked at herself not sure why Adrian would agree to marry her. She was sure it was to satisfy his parents. Why else would he want to marry her? No one did. This was the only reason she even said yes to such a strange agreement. Her father had stressed to her that given her looks, it would be hard for her to ever marry. Anezmae agreed. Ever since her accident she was an outcast and stuck in the house to keep up her family’s image.
“Image is everything in this industry” her father would say
She knew he loved her but he definitely cared about his businesses more. It got worse as she got older. At least when she was younger he used to spend time with her. Now she is discarded and forgotten about, left to wallow in sorrow in her room.
Anezmae’s father walked in. He looked her over, seeming to look for imperfections
“I can see your scar through the makeup,” he said, tilting Anezmae’s head back slightly. “Maybe just keep the veil over your face? It’s a lot of my business partners here today.”
It had been better before her mother died. She was the only one Anezmae felt safe in her skin with. She always told her to stand tall for she was beautiful even with this humongous scar on her face. The scar went from the corner of her left brow to the bottom of her right cheek.
Her eyes didn’t make her look any better. One of her eyes was light hazel brown with little green specs, while the other was gray. Kids looked at her and freaked out. It was just so unnatural. People couldn’t stand looking at her for more than 5 seconds. Anezmae mostly kept her head down so no one would have to look at her eyes.
“It’s time,” Anezmae faintly heard as she was rushed out of the dressing room.
It was time for Anezmae to get married. She was pushed to the door, everyone around her had dispersed. A single tear dropped down Anezmae’s face as she remembered her mom isn’t here to see this moment. The veil covering her face should be enough to hide her tears. Her dress was simple but it accentuated her curves; her mother would have loved it. The veil followed down the train of her dress. Every inch of her body was covered in lace fabric.
The matrimony song had commenced and the double doors opened wide, revealing the hundreds of guests her father invited. Everyone stared as she started to slowly walk down the aisle. She put her head down a little, not daring to look at her husband-to-be. She wondered if he looked good. What was he wearing? What was his name? Honestly she was excited to be getting married. Would he get to know her and love her? The possibilities of what her life would become were endless. Anything was better than being stuck at her fathers home. She had just turned 18 not too long ago and was ready to see the world.
Her father would no doubt not want to be associated with her in public. He barely wants anyone to see her leaving his house. Maybe now she wouldn’t have to hide from the world. Maybe now she could actually be a part of the world.
As she neared the stairs she walked a little slower, not completely ready to see the man she would be marrying. But sooner than she thought, she was at the stairs and her husband-to-be was holding his hand out to help her up. She put her hand in his and was instantly engulfed in warmth that traveled from her hand all the way down her spine.
When she was finally up the stairs everyone took their seats ready for the ceremony to begin. Anezmae looked at his feet afraid to make eye contact. His hand made his way under her veil to her chin. He gently pulled her face up. His touch was so soft as it carrested her face.
“I’m Adrian Walton. And you?” he said as he reached for both of my hands.
As their eyes met, Anezmae’s breath hitched. He was breathtakingly gorgeous. His eyes were a light brown and his skin was a deep caramel almost like hers. Anezmae was a little lighter. She quickly put her head down before he would be able to see any more of her face.
“My name is Anezmae Carter” She said.
“Nice to meet you”.
The ceremony was tough and anezmae was staring into his eyes most of the time.
Before she knew it the pastor had repeated himself twice before she could answer.
”Umm… Anezmae…” Adrian said, gripping onto her hands tighter.
”Huh?… oh I do” Anezmae said sheepishly as a blush crept up her cheeks.
”By the power vested into me I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
She had been too busy staring at Adrian to hear the pastor or hide her face from her now husband.
Adrian let go of her hands and slid them around her waist, pulling her in close to his body. With one hand he lifted her veil revealing Anezmae’s blush filled face. When his lips touched hers she almost melted. Tingles went over every inch of her body. When he finally let her go she almost fell down but Anezmae caught herself. The crowd applauded loudly as they stood waiting for the happy couple to go down the aisle together.
Anezmae quickly put the veil back over her face and looked at the ground. She hoped no one in the crowd had seen her. Out of nowhere someone gripped her hand. Warmth traveled all the way down her body. He led her down the stairs and into the aisle. Adrian held her close as he navigated her out the door to the carriage that was awaiting them. On the carriage read just married. Anezmae smiled at the possibility of her actually having a future.
Adrian picked Anezmae up and sat her carefully into the carriage. Soon enough the carriage was off.…
