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“I would like to thank you for celebrating with us. Even though this isn’t the official engagement party, I wanted to show off my future wife.” My stomach twists when he grabs my hand in his before he turns my way.
“Isn’t she gorgeous?” He laughs, but I can't fathom ever smiling at him like that.
“I do have to thank Frederic and Susan Clairwater for introducing me to their sister and daughter. Thanks to you, I’ll have a picture-perfect wife.”
My mouth falls open when his words reverberate in my mind, racing through different thoughts and memories, until I have my answer.
Why did he thank my mum? It was Frederic who procured the deal and introduced me to Thomas. My mum had nothing to do with it. Or did she?
A waiter walks in with a tray filled with sparkling champagne. I grab a glass before taking a big gulp, and I hope it’ll make my insides warm up. I’m stunned and overwhelmed; nothing seems to make any sense.
The guests congratulate Thomas. Frederic and Mum get a few as well.
A pair of young women stop in front of me before they grab my hand.
“Welcome to the family,” one says, but I catch a look of injustice and despair in her eyes. A lack of fight.
“Thank you,” I whisper when I realise she too felt herself stuck in an arranged marriage when my eyes fall on her large rings.
What a messed-up family, and I’ll soon be part of it. Oh Lordy.
“Look at my beautiful daughter-in-law.” Thomas’s mother, Janey, walks my way. She grabs my shoulder and kisses my cheek softly. “I cannot wait for you two to have gorgeous babies.”
Babies?
Good lord.
Janey is a tiny lady with stylish grey hair that reaches her shoulder. She wears a pair of brown silk trousers with a white blouse and brown short heels. Her makeup looks effortless, but it’s the jewellery that sets her apart from the rest of the people walking on the streets, carrying on with their day.
Her earrings are large diamond studs that shimmer with the weird stylish lights hanging in Thomas’s apartment. Two diamond necklaces are around her neck and match her bracelets as well. Her outfit is worth thousands of pounds. But at least Janey is friendly, and she doesn’t give off those weird vibes like her son and husband do.
When my eyes travel back to my family one last time, dread covers me entirely.
It’s like they don’t care, and I would give anything to have my knight in shining armour step in and throw me over his horse. But Chester is not going to turn up, considering he all but disappeared.
The lights in his house at night tell me differently though. He’s alive, but he’s pulling an impressive disappearing act. As much as I want a little note to be pushed into my hands, it’s not going to happen.
I sigh before polishing off my glass in one go. There’s not one person staring at me. So, no one can chastise me for it, and I’m certain they all would, if they saw me downing it in one go, like I haven’t had a drink in ages.
I walk towards Thomas. I desperately need a moment to myself, or I’ll burst out in tears. The pressure on my chest is almost unbearable. The realisation of what this event means makes my head spin, and one by one, my hopes and dreams disappear in front of my eyes. It hurts.
I touch Thomas’s shoulder. He turns around, smiling my way before dropping his hand around my waist and pulling me close to him. I lean away because there’s nothing but alcohol and cigarettes on his breath. Both scents I can’t stand.
“Boys, take a look at the beauty I’m marrying,” he brags, but it only makes me shiver and turns my stomach into knots. Disgusting bastard. His hand forcefully tightens on my hip before he tugs me even closer. His eyes fall to my breasts and an uncomfortable feeling travels over my body.
My breathing stops and it only adds to the pressure I’m already feeling. There’s not one part of me that feels comfortable around him. Thomas is hiding things; it’s clear from the wickedness in his eyes, and they are things I will not like.
I pull his hand from my hip and move away from him quickly.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to step out for a moment.” I smile, not waiting for his permission. I quickly walk to the corridor, closing the door to the open space living room behind me. A dark hallway greets me and I can finally catch my breath.
I drop my hand on my chest, feeling it move up and down the way it’s supposed to be, and a wave of relief rushes over me. Here, my thoughts are safe; here, I can be myself without swallowing every feeling I’m experiencing.
My ears pick up the laughter and conversations before a slight pressure grows again. I quickly make my way to the bathroom because I don’t want to hear anyone talking. For just a few minutes, I want to pretend I’m not playing the perfect fiancée.
I push open the door of the bathroom, and with a loud bang, I close it. I drop my head against it while focusing on my breathing, hoping I can no longer hear the guests.
I don’t know any of them, and if I were to ever host a real engagement party, it would be only my friends and family, not a guest list full of strangers.
