The wedding
Elera stood in front of the full length mirror,her eyes puffy, even the makeup could barely conceal the puffiness.She looked at her self in the mirror,her body wrapped in the expensive silk of a custom made wedding dress,her dark brown hair was swept up into an elegant twist, pinned so tightly it made her scalp ache. A few curls were left to fall and frame her face.
"'Romantic".The stylist called it,but it only made her feel exposed and added to her feeling of being on display..
Her fingers trembled as she reached up and fingered one of diamond hairpins holding the elegant twist on her head.She folded her fingers into a fist, resisting the urge to pull the hairpin out and tear the dress off.
The silence of the bridal suite was suffocating. It smelled of roses and rich perfume, but there was nothing sweet about today. Nothing beautiful.
She was sure she was the only bride in history wanting to tear her own wedding dress off.She wished she had her best friend Lila with her.But everything happened so fast she hadn't even had the time to tell her.Though she knew her friend wouldn't be able to stop the marriage but her support would have been nice.Her mind drifted to thoughts of her mother
'She isn't even here to wish me well' Elera thought to herself grimacing.though she wasn't close to her mother but still her mother's support wasn't too much to ask for was it?
"Dont slouch,"came her mother's voice, as if summoned by Elara's thoughts. Katherine entered the room with a phone pressed to her ear, giving Elera a once-over and a dismissive nod. You're decent. At least you won't embarrass us.
Elera said nothing but gave a slight roll of her eyes. 'So much for motherly support'.She thought.
She allowed herself the thought of running away again.Though she knew it was too late.Her last attempt at running had failed pathetically.
She had tried to run,the day before .She had packed a small bag the night before and waited till nightfall and that's when she made her move,she made it as far Gerald's vast garage hoping to steal her car out .But she hadn't even made it into the car before Gerald's caught her. Or apprehended her she thought. They hadn't been very gentle.
She hadn't stood a chance.How they found her she had no clue .
Her step father had laughed scornfully when his men brought her to him.
"You could have given me a little more credit Elara.Do you think I wouldn't have thought that you would cowardly try to run away?".His face had suddenly turned to one of menace. "You are marrying Adrian Wolfe and that's the end of it .So it would be better if you resign to your fate"
With that he had dismissed her and his men left her to her room ,standing guard just outside her door.
"Come now Elara." Katherine's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Today is your wedding day not a funeral . Certainly it would warrant a smile ". Katherine told her in a dry tone.She had hung up her phone to find her daughter scowl as forecious as that of a person going into battle.
Both mother and daughter turned as they heard the sounds of a footsteps.
The wedding planner gave a soft knock before peeking her head into the room "It's time Miss Williams" She announced
Elera swallowed down bile as she nodded and turned towards the direction of the door. Her legs felt numb as she allowed her mother to take hold of one of her arms.Though she knew it wasn't to offer comfort.Merely an act to show amicability.But she still felt comforted by her mother's presence.It helped her feel better a little as her mother's face was familiar.
The walk down the aisle made her feel like she was walking to her own execution and she gulped and grasped Gerald's arm tightly.If he felt any discomfort he didn't show it.
The long ivory carpet stretched ahead of her like a path. Cameras flashed and she pasted a fake smile on her face hoping it didn't look like a grimace.
And there he was Adrian Wolfe.He stood at the alter wearing a black tuxedo.His face was blank with no emotion whatsoever .If he was nervous nothing gave it away .
In less than an hour Elara was no longer a Williams but a Wolfe.Elara Wolfe.
The next hour passed in a blur of white flashes ,sincere congratulations,fake congratulations, and fake smiles.at least from her part.Adrian didn't so much as smile at anyone.His face maintained it's stoic expression.
They couldn't even attend their own wedding feast as her new husband was eager to leave .She didn't mind though.she was as eager as he.Maybe even more so.And besides she doubted her stomach could hold anything at the moment.it was knotted in a bundle of nerves.
The ride back home was silent .It seems her husband wasn't one for talking .She sighed knowing her marriage wasn't starting really well.She sighed again.She supposed she had to follow Gerald's advice and resign to her fate.She had to make the best out of her situation.She would try to be a good wife if he would also try.They had to talk if they were to work and when was the best time if not now in a silent vehicle.
She cleared her throat sneaking a peek at him as he sat beside her.His eyes were closed and his head rested back on the head rest of his seat.He looked totally gorgeous even from his side view with his Roman nose and full lips.
She sighed again attempting to start a conversation."we…"
" Are you done?"His deep voice resounded in the silent vehicle and she gasped.
His eyes were still closed and he didn't even move . Elera realized this was the first time he had spoken to her directly.He really had a nice voice.His voice was timbre like.
" W..what?" She stammered hating her self for it.She didn't want him thinking she was some weak woman that was easy to scare.Not that she was scared of him she thought.Somehow she wasn't scared of him ,She realized with a frown.She supposed she should be as he was practically a stranger .
"Are you done?" He asked again and this time when Elara looked at him he was looking at her .
She nodded not trusting herself to speak as it might come out as gibberish.His eyes were beautiful.From her angle in the limo his eyes looked emerald green and they glistened.
His eyes narrowed at her open scrutinization and she blushed regaining herself hoping she hadn't dropped her jaw.
She needed firmly this time and cleared her throat. "What do you mean?" She was quite pleased at her tone of voice.
Instead of answering he turned the full force of his attention on her.He reached out and grasped her right hand.Lifting it closer to his face as he inspected it.
She jolted but that didn't seem to stop him.
"You have nice hands" He mummered.
"Wh..what?.She asked her mouth hanging open.
Again instead of answering,he raised his eyes to hers. " Are you scared"
Elaras befundled mind seemes to register his words somehow because she was able to answer truthfully without her entering into a nervous chatter. " No"
He grunted,seeming satisfied with her answer before leaning back and resuming his position still holding her hand.
Elaras managed to keep herself quiet during the ride to his penthouse even though her head was swarming with confusion and a lot of things at his behavior.Her new husband was really a confusing man.She concluded as she leaned back and rested her head suddenly weary.
The feel of his hands were warm against hers and as much as she hates to admit It,she found she liked the feeling of it.Warm. Steady. Unexpected.
—---
The silence in the car should've comforted him, it usually did. Silence meant control. Stillness. Peace.
But tonight it buzzed with awareness
Adrian still kept his hand wrapped around hers.Her fingers were slim,warm and graceful fingers,like those of a pianist .A hand that trembled slightly when he first touched it but stayed there, unmoving. That surprised him.
He half expected her to pull her hand away but she didn't.
And for that alone it stirred awareness in him.Her fingers were so still in his. Almost as if she was afraid of moving. He'd asked her if she was scared of him and he'd seen it in her eyes that she wasn't. He didn't want a scurrying wife. If she was to carry the Wolfe's name then being timid wasn't going to benefit her.
He should've stopped there. Should've let the silence drown them both. But something tugged at the edge of his control.
"You were crying," he said, not a question. Just a fact. "Before the ceremony."
Elera looked at him then startled, maybe even embarrassed. "How would you know?"
"I know a lot of things."
He didn't say it to scare her. He said it because it was true.
A beat passed. She dropped her gaze,looking down at their hands but chose to not respond and she didn't snatch her hand away either.That was… unexpected.
He opened his eyes slightly and watched her. Her eyes were closed but he knew she wasn't sleeping.Far from it.He slowly grazed his eyes over her features.She was lovely.Though she wasn't a compelling beauty and he had certainly seen far more beauty women than her .But still she wasn't plain.
His eyes settled on her lips and he found them kissable.they reminded him of strawberries.Ripe and plump.the lower lip fuller than the upper.And they were glossy.
For a bride he expected far much makeup on her face but he was glad nonetheless as her lack of extravagant makeup allowed him to see every inch of her face.She really was lovely with her heart shaped face , plump lips and grey eyes. Grey eyes that were decidedly closed off from him.
He wasn't sure why he had agreed to marry her. He knew himself well enough that none of a father's rambling on about his plight had coerced him to take his daughter as his bride.
Coincidentally he was in need of a bride but he didn't tell her father that. The man didn't need to know that. He remembered her father coming to his office and requesting an audience which Adrian had granted for old times sake.
He wouldn't deny that he had been shocked about what the man wanted to discuss about . The man had practically begged him for an investment in his almost down the drain company.
The man had left without so much as a promise from him. Adrian had considered the man's proposal and having made his findings he had seen the cause of his company's drowning.But he wasn't one to give and not take.He was in need of a bride and the man had a daughter.One he had made a finding about and figuring she was a good candidate.It would also save him from having to waste precious time looking for a bride.
He didn't care if his bride was not a raviing beauty ,as long as she could.stand beside him as the wife of Adrian Wolfe and hold her own.
And looking at her now he was sure she could.He knew she didn't want to be married to him.But she had put on a brave face and even now when she could be crying and whimpering about the fact that she had married a complete stranger she was taking it in good stride.
He lips quirked as he watched her lips part a soft snore escaping her lip.His wife and slept off even with him in the car and her hand still in his.
He wasn't sure if he should find her trust or him endearing or stupid.The chick barely knew him.
He allowed his gaze to travel further down her body.
The dress she wore clung to her like satin fog, hugging the soft curves of her body. Even in her position he could see the outline of her breast, waist and hips.
The first time he had seen her was when he had had people research about her. She was decent and he knew almost everything about her. He even knew who her ex was. No one could blame him though. He wouldn't enter a marriage with someone he couldn't trust. And he didn't want a marriage with someone who attracted scandal.
He knew he should offer her reassurance but pretty words didn't become him.Theirs was a marriage of necessity only.Though he knew she was forced by her father.But the comfort he could provide her were endless.He didn't care what she did as long as he wasn't involved and she didn't do anything to attract scandal and soil his family name.
" On that he knew they would have to talk".
He leaned back and his eyes fell on her lips again. He resisted the urge to lean forward and kiss her plump lips. He wanted to know if they felt as soft as they looked.
The car pulled to a stop ,signalling their arrival.He looked at Elara and decided not waking her would be best.
The limo door opened and scooping his sleeping wife into his arms he alighted the car.'She was as light as a feather' . He thought.