A promise

She peeks through the curtains from the window. Outside set an unrest chaos and as much her eyes wander she senses her every nerve getting tensed. Biting her manicured nails, a foul habit of her when she gets nervous, she finally finds the person she has been looking for.

There stands a twenty-seven-year-old man with a body like a greek god. His honey-brown hair perfectly combed, his pale skin matching with his expensive tuxedo. There he stands, Noah Anderson with his best man standing beside him. The person, she, Clara Wilson will going to be named after very soon.

It had been three months when the news broke about their marriage. But in these three months Clara always thought she is no fit in this extra lavish life. Though her in-laws were far from those Richie people with tantrums, she still can never imagine her life with theirs. Except her soon to be husband, who has still not accepted her with respect and eyeing her like if she is an enemy to him.

She will surely miss her present life which is about to change. Cara never wants anything more but to have one person. She wants her father with her, knowing its impossible. She craves to yell at her father as he is the only one responsible for this yet at the same time she would hug him if he was here.

It all happened when her father died last year, after her mother who had died while giving birth to her. She often thought about her mother. She did has a photograph of her but imagining how her voice could be and if she would be here with her, will she cry like every mother cries on her daughter’s wedding.

A knock came, disturbing her thoughts. With a soft come in, she saw Peter entering the room. He was her cousin and the heir to her dad’s company. Due to lack of interest in running a big company, her dad decided to pass on his company to his bigger brother’s son, to Peter. But after two years later, the relation between his brother and him started getting down the slope. She saw her uncle’s true colours when her father died last year. He took all the wealth their father had given when her dad and uncle were younger.

All she has left with was her father’s will, the house and her mother’s bakery. After that, she was so determined to make her mother’s bakery a success. With renovating it, and filling the new staff was a competition but all was done with the huge support of Peter. He was also the one who disliked his own father’s doing and separated his life from his own family.

“You ready, Clara?” Peter asked softly.

“I have no choice than getting ready for this.” She said, sarcastically. Peter embraced her tightly like they used to did when they were kids where he got punishment from the school and after his parents several scolds, Clara was always the one who used to soothe her, just like this, hugging him.

“I am going to miss you, Cara Bear.” He whispered comforting her. His eyebrows furrowed when he notices wetness on his shoulder. He suddenly broke apart only to be seen her sister’s glossy eyes.

He wiped her tears with his fingers softly, dabbed it with the tissue, cautiously not to smudge her already done makeup.

“Shh.., Don’t cry. I know this marriage is not your choice but what I heard from, Noah is a good man. I have seen his media report and all is nice. One day I am sure you both will love each other.” He chuckled softly, imaging the last line he had said. Just by imagining his sister loving someone else would be so impossible to watch.

“What if, he isn’t the man he truly is? What if he is lying around the world?” She took the tissue from Peter and started wiping the unleashed tears carefully.

“Well, in that case, I will give him some of my own treatment.”

“You know we aren’t in the school now, Peter.” She sighed but laughed sadly, remembering the back days.

“Anyways,” He began. “I have all your luggage in the car for the farewell later and I have updated the bakery for a gift from me.”

“That was not necessary, Peter. You know the bakery is just furnished last year.” She said while checking her wedding gown and then looked over his brother.

“Well, I have updated the equipments, not the whole area. And moreover, it is the least I could do for you.” He stood up. “Now we should get going before your in-laws come barging in, especially your soon-to-be dear husband.” He smirked and held out a hand for her.

With a heavy intake of air she took his hand, engulfing his brother’s warmth, she would be missing soon. They started walking downstairs carefully because of Clara’s gown which was trailing behind with a perfect swift.

Within two minutes they were downstairs, near the entrance of the church, behind the curtains. They exchanged final smiles when the music started, indication for the bride to give her entrance.

When Clara came out from the curtains and started walking down the aisle, which was decorated with red carpet, was only she heard several surprised gasps. With every step, the mutters were hearable by the people, whispering about the beauty that has entered.

First her eyes went from so many people who must be some long lost relatives straight to a man with blond hair. He was standing, on the seating area near the stage, a bright smug on his face. His eyes flickered when he saw Peter and Clara walking towards the stage. He flashed a smile and started clapping with the rest of the guests.

Clara somewhat felt safe when she saw her best friend, the blonde guy, Kevin. But her eyes lost all the colours when she saw the man who she would be going to marry. What she saw from upstairs earlier looked like a trailer of some movie now. Her mind was yet to take in the beauty of a person. His jawline was sharp, with light stubble beard. His aura was so high that it was giving a chill throughout her spine.

At last, she reached on the stage with his brother's support. With a quick conversation between Peter and Noah and a handshake, Peter moved Clara ahead, in front of Noah.

She didn't couraged herself to look up from her veil. But when she managed to do, she was only met with his sharp deathly glare.

"We are gathered here on this very auspicious day to celebrate the bonding of Noah Anderson and Clara Wilson." The priest's voice boomed through the speakers.

Noah who had been gawking at Clara under his harsh glare couldn't believe himself when he first saw her walking down the aisle. When he first met her, three months ago, she was an innocent girl according to him. Despite his yelling at his mother for choosing such a girl for him, his mother couldn't care less. All she said was how unique and sweet, Clara was and just like that she said a whole load of things, praising and defending her.

But today, she was looking like an angel has arrived down to Earth. With veil on her head, he could still see the elegance inside. Her brown hair was done in a proper bun. Her stunning but plain white gown was sprinkled like a glitter all over, fitting her perfect curves.

The priest halted his thought. "Do you, Noah Anderson, take Clara Wilson as you lawful wedded wife?"

"I do." His voice was tough and forced but without any hesitance.

All area roared into applause. But when the priest turned his head to Clara she was already sweating inwardly.

"Do you, Clara Wilson, take Noah Anderson as your lawful wedded husband?"

Clara knew there was no going back so after taking some seconds she replied, "I do."

Within a minute, the rings were exchanged and the priest finalised the wedding.

"With this ring on your fingers, you both are thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I declared you both wife and husband. Amen."

There was a chaos of claps, blasting through the chapel. And finally, Clara was no longer a Wilson.

"You may kiss the bride."

Clara's eyes went wide under the veil as she forgot about this part of the wedding. She mentally curse herself. Cold wind splashed her face and then she noticed that Noah had already uplifted the fabric, leaning forward for the kiss. Without a single thought, she too leaned for the kiss. And next thing they both knew was their lips smashed together.

Noah hold her waist tightly, pulling her into the kiss deeper. As much she wanted to devour the taste she also realised that the kiss was getting somewhere more hungry which should not be in a wedding. He nibbled her lower lips but not with passion, with more agonisingly. For him, he was just taking a bit of revenge, because as from now he was not the famous bachelor for the world.

Clara's hand came on his chest, she protested to push him away. He was hurting her and it could be embarrassing as well as they had tons of audience. Finally, what seemed forever, he broke the kiss followed by many joyful howls and claps by the guests.

Clara almost was taken back by the kiss they shared. It was not a romantic, not for her but more like bringing out all the anger on her. She glimpsed to her brother who had a smiling face like the rest of the people. No wonder they had thought this as a proper kiss.

Just then a teary-eyed women, Noah's mother, Lisa Anderson came and hugged her new daughter in law.

"Congratulations dear! I can't believe my son has finally settled down with such a gorgeous girl. Oh my!" She smiled at her and then released her embrace.

"Everyone is waiting for you both. Come on." And with that Lisa walked back to the ceremony where feast would be held.

As told by Lisa, Clara walked forward from the stage when a tight grip on her wrist stopped her. She turned around immediately and gasped at Noah who was releasing draggers to her. He waited as his best friend who was the best man in his marriage, went down from the stage.

And with a harsh and rough voice, he spoke up, "Don't think for one second, you will have a happy life with me. As from now, I welcome you to hell, Mrs Anderson."

He left, leaving poor Clara thinking whether she did the right thing or not but it was no more valuable, as from now she was bonded to a person just for the mere sake of a promise.