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After Marcus pointed out how great she is that night at the club in Solvaria, my affection for her has intensified more than I could have ever imagined. I can’t believe it’s only been a month since that night. Just a few weeks since I proposed, a week since we got married.
“Caesar, be careful!”
I slam on the brakes, nearly missing a small squirrel that darts to the other side of the street as quickly as he shot out from underneath a car. I place a hand over hers while she tightly grips the side of the passenger door.
“I’m so sorry, Vivienne. Are you okay?”
“Geez. Are you lost in another world right now?” she jokes, before falling into one of her cute laughs that makes her close her eyes and hide half of her face.
If only she knew. Instead, I shrug it off and put the car back into drive. We’re not too far from the market now.
When we arrive, amid the tables selling all sorts of crafts, produce, and artisan products, there is a sea of kind faces that swarm us with smiles and heartfelt congratulations.
“I can’t believe Delano and Adela’s youngest finally got married!” A sweet old woman with a small hunch and large glasses comes over and shakes Vivienne’s hand with both of hers.
“Thank you, Miss Abigail!” Vivienne says.
“You’re most welcome. Congratulations.” Then Miss Abigail turns to me. “You take care of her now. Or else this town will be after you with a bunch of pitchforks.”
“Miss Abigail, I can assure you, no one takes care of me like Caesar does. I love him. I know he’ll treat me right.” Vivienne links her arm with mine.
I observe the gesture silently, feeling a knot starting to form in my throat.This is only a performance, Caesar. She doesn’t mean any of this. None of it is real.
There’s a part of me that hopes for it, though.
“Seems like the whole town knows that we’re married,” I whisper to Vivienne once we’re out of hearing range of Miss Abigail.
Vivienne smiles. “It’s a small town. News travels fast.”
“Faster than light, I suppose.”
She leans her head onto my shoulder, and I melt. We walk through the market hand-in-hand, waving and greeting all of the people who congratulate us. I’m losing track of all the names and faces we’ve seen in the past five minutes.
I’m starting to learn how things are done in a town like this, and it’s not much different from the small villages of Solvaria. For that matter, it’s not much different from international negotiations, just on a different scale.
I witness haggling across the tables. “Can I get two rolls of bread for a dollar instead of two? We’ve been neighbors for years!”
“Sure. Of course, Kevin,” the vendor says.
We go to get a smoothie, and I see my wife’s talent for haggling at work.
“Kellyanne, you know I love you with all my heart. But I can’t fathom paying ten dollars for a strawberry banana smoothie.”
“Baby, the prices are high right now!” Kellyanne says, wiping her hands on a rag with a big smile.
A green smoothie costs close to fifteen dollars, made with kale and broccoli. The strawberry and raspberry flavor is twelve.
Outrageous prices, but then again, I come from a kingdom where it’s not uncommon to spend a thousand dollars at every restaurant outing. I don’t bat an eyelash.
Just as I’m about to pull out my wallet and pay twenty dollars for two smoothies, Vivienne puts up her hand and tells me to step aside. In a town like this, connections get you far. It seems like she’s known this Kellyanne woman for years since they talk like lifelong friends.
“I’m willing to sell for seven each. I have to make a profit, honey.”
“Deal.”
“Make sure you tell your mom and your Aunt Denisha that I’m expecting an extra loaf of banana bread.” Kellyanne winks as she slides over the smoothies.
I go to pay, of course, and slide the woman thirty dollars. I hold a finger to my mouth to signal to her to keep quiet. She nods, pocketing the money and moving on to the next customer.
