Golden Covenant

"Darling, are you ready?"

I stared at myself in the large mirror before me and smoothed my hand down the delicate silk gown that I wore. The veil stuck on my head felt heavier than ever before and I took in a shaky breath feeling the need to probably chuck down a few glasses of alcohol to be at ease. But I can't do that.

Am I ready? I asked myself the same question so many times that I've lost count. Am I ready to throw away the life that I had lived before this? Am I ready to go on with this charade and throw myself into a loveless relationship? Am I ready to let go of the little happiness I had in life?

"Yes" I gave the woman before a shaky smile and she gave me a soft one of her own, walking forward to grab my hand in her soft ones. Touching her palm was like touching silk and it made me realize she probably never had to do hard jobs and always used hand cream. Unlike me.

"Don't worry darling. Noah is a great man and I know he'll keep you happy" a mother speaking so fondly of her son was always so fascinating. The way her eyes sparkled as she spoke told me she loved him a lot.

"I know Mrs. Diaz" I told her squeezing her hand softly and her eyes flashed with slight annoyance before they went back to the warm brown.

"How many times have I told you to call me Mom or Diana, darling" she chided me and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Sorry mom" I muttered loving the taste of the word on my tongue.

Diana Diaz was probably the sweetest woman to walk on this earth and she made everyone around her feel so empowered and I loved that about her. She had a certain grace but when she wanted, she could stand her ground strong.

"Let's go. The wedding march will start soon" she said and my eyes flicked to the door in worry. I didn't have a father to walk me down the isle and it felt lonely having to walk alone to a man I have never loved.

Someone knocked on the door and a head poked in making a smile stretch on my lips.

"Would you look at that" Daniel whistled and a blush rose up my cheeks "I'm walking you down the isle" he said walking forward to stand before me and my eyes widened in shock.

"Dan, you don't have to" I said softly and he passed me a small smile giving me his arm to hold.

"I have to" he said and tears swam in my eyes at his words. Dan has always been there and I would always be thankful for him being beside me at my good and my bad.

"I'll see you outside" Mrs. Diaz said walking out with a smile and a tear slipped down my eyes making me sniff. Daniel looked down at me and frowned carefully wiping the tear.

"Hey" he said softly "it's going to be okay"

My eyes met his blue ones and they immediately reminded me of Austin making my heart squeeze. "I wish it was him outside" I confessed and Daniel's bright eyes turned sad for a second before he gave me a pained smile.

"I wish too" he mumbled before shaking his head "Noah's a great man, Harp" he added in and my eyes searched his for the truth.

"How do you know?" I asked him and Daniel bit his lower lip. When he didn't answer my question I looked down and sighed. "Let's just go".

We slowly walked towards the start of the isle and waited until the music played.

"Are you sure about it Harp?" He asked one last time and I gave him a soft smile.

"Yes" I lied smoothly just as the music played and my hand squeezed Daniel's bicep. He smiled softly before we both started walking down the isle.

My eyes looked around at all the people who smiled at me, happy in my supposed happiness and then rested on Noah's broad back that was facing towards one of his best man. He turned around feeling my eyes on him and his brown eyes met my blue ones making my breath hitch.

I could never lie, Noah was a handsome man. I would have never fathomed to ever marry someone as beautiful and successful as him. I always wondered, if it wasn't for the contract, if it wasn't for the fake bond we made, would Noah have ever layed his eyes on an average looking girl like me?

Probably not.

Noah was the first one to break our eye contact and I could breath. We never spoke to each other, other than the time when the lawyer had been with us while we signed the contract. Now that the marriage was really happening, I felt like running away.

But I can't.

Daniel squeezed my hand softly before placing them in Noah's hand and I looked away feeling awkward. I didn't want to face Noah because I knew all I would see in his eyes was coldness.

The priest started reciting the vows and I kept my mind and heart closed, my eyes staring down at my manicured baby pink fingernails.

"Do you, Noah William Diaz take Harper Rosie Hill as your lawfully wedded wife?" The question made me look up at the priest and dread settled in my chest.

What if Noah changes his mind and says no? I can't afford him saying no.

"I do" Noah's voice was a monotone that cut through me like a hot knife.

"Do you, Harper Rosie Hill take Noah William Diaz as your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest asked again and my fingers clenched into fists.

"I do" I replied back void of any emotions.

Just like this wedding was.

"Rings please" the priest said and I turned to my right to face Noah who's eyes were anywhere but at me. I looked down to avoid any awkward eye contact just as someone handed us rings. Taking the ring, I raised it before Noah's hand. My eyes flicked up to his face to see him already looking at me and awkwardly put the ring in his finger. He did the same with me, his skin making minimum contact with mine. I could feel the awkward tension between us and I prayed to god that we were good enough actors to not let others notice it.

"You may kiss the bride" the priest's words rang through the loud claps that echoed around us and I froze. My eyes stared at Noah in shock and his emotionless eyes looked at my own before he leaned forward to plan a quick kiss on the corner of my lips. It almost looked like he had kissed me but only we knew the truth.

My lips pursed and I turned towards the front to smile at all the happy faces that faced us.

This was it. There was no turning back now.