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It’s not just a binding of families and personal effects. It’s a highly intimate amalgamation of hopes and dreams. Jay has all that and more. Can I trust him to truly give me mine?
He leans in and cups my face.
“Fly with me, Birdie.”
I flick nervous eyes at the piercing gazes of the old men.
“Okay.”
He nods, breathing out a long stream of air.
“Okay. Let me introduce you to my mother.”
“She will blame me,” I croak, grateful to be moving away from the suspicious eyes of their fathers, yet equally terrified to come face to face with a woman who has just lost her husband. “Jay, maybe now isn’t a good time.” I pull back on his arm as a slender woman approaches us. Her face is dry and the worry she wore earlier is long gone. She looks relieved. I frown, sceptical of her.
“I’ll never forgive that it was you who killed him,” she says, leaning to air kiss Jamieson’s cheek.
“It could never have been anyone else, Mother.” Jay steps back, putting me in front of him. “Avery, this is my mother.”
I lift my hand to introduce myself, perplexed by her lack of emotion to her husband being murdered down the hall. I’m more distressed than she is.
She purses her lips.
“And Avery is?” She barely acknowledges me.
“My fiancée. We’re heading down to the chapel. I’d like you to be there.” But he couldn't care less if she wasn't. I blush at his indifferent tone.
If she is surprised, she doesn’t show that. She’s far too good at hiding her emotions. I’m not sure I like her. His mother views me with as much suspicion as the men back in the other room, and when Jamieson’s attention is pulled back to one of his brothers, she looks over at me, her lip curled in disdain before offering me an insincere smile.
“Of course,” his mother murmurs, leading the way.
* * *
One Month Later…
“It’s great to see your face. We miss you!” My mother smiles through the phone at me.
My father bustles onto the screen and winks lovingly at me.
“Hello, pet.”
“I miss you both, too. I’m hoping to visit soon.” I spend ages chatting to them and make plans before I blow a kiss, and my parents wave goodbye. They have no idea I’m married, and until I’m ready, Jay is holding off on officially announcing it. It feels as though we have known each other for a lifetime, and yet we have forever to learn from one another. We’ve stayed out of the limelight, and other than The Panel and my parents, no one knows we’re together.
He appears in the mirror behind me, suited up with his shirt open at the neck, and he drops to grip the edge of the chair I’m perched on as I apply a light gloss to my lips.
“You look stunning, Birdie.”
“I’m a little nervous.” I smile, pecking his jaw. We’re going out on our first date.
“Why?”
He’s a highly successful businessman with the world at his fingertips, and I’m just me.
“I think people will find it odd you’re dating me.” I laugh lightly.
“We’re not dating. You're my wife.” His hand cups my throat and twists my face to capture my mouth. His tongue is as punishing as his grip. “I think it’s odd they believe they get an opinion,” he muses, nibbling at my lips.
“Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?”
