"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you, husband and wife..You may kiss the Bride", the Bishop said with a little hand gesture, a small smile made it's way to my lips as I felt Aiden's gaze shift from the Bishop to me, he leaned in and I closed my eyes, my heart bursting with excitement, I felt Aiden's warm breath on my face..
"Isla Monroe.. he pauses, you disgust me"
My eyes fluttered open, I looked up at Aiden in surprise, his once loving gaze had morphed into hatred..
****
"Isla", Aiden's voice thundered through the Mansion, I picked up a kitchen towel and used it to wipe my hands dry, then scurried off to meet him.
"What is this? He yelled, Why's there cinnamon in my coffee? I noticed the sweat and angry lines on his forehead.
I wanted to explain but knowing fully well that Aiden would not let me speak, I remained silent, he picked up the cup of coffee and hauled the cup's content on my face.
My eyes stung from the tears I didn't want to shed and my face burned from the coffee..whispers also came from the maids
"I knew she was nothing but bad luck"
"A country bumpkin could never be the Madame of the Blackwood's house hold"
"Such a shameless woman"
Aiden not satisfied with my silence moves on to grip my hair.. "You promiscuous woman", he spat, "Trying to have me killed? You know fully well that I'm allergic to cinnamon"
"Promiscuous", I smiled bitterly, how ironic? His grip tightens and then he forcefully let's go, he goes on to fix his tie, walks out and slams the door close.
I ran upstairs, turned on the cold shower and just stood there, letting the cold water do justice to my face. I heard the loud blaring of my phone, turned off the shower, took a towel and went on to see who it was..
"Hey, Bree", there was a shuffling sound at the background, then came Bree's voice, "Islaaa", she shrieked, I smiled, "Girl, I have something for you, but I won't mention it on the phone so, you have to come, we'll meet at our favorite spot, okay", I nodded like Bree could see me and whispered "okay", "okay then, I'll be off now, byeee"..
It's been a year since Aiden and I have been married, but we never shared a room.. growing up, I've hard to tolerate my parents incessant criticism, I looked nothing like the both of them, I was blonde and they both had this brown hair.. it makes me wonder why they never kicked me out, it was obvious enough I was not their daughter. I had spent years trying to please them, but everything I ever did was never enough.
My phone dings, swiftly interrupting my train of thoughts, I picked up a few items, stuffed them into a little purse, layed out my dress and went on to take a real shower.
I knew the cinnamon was all Aiden's skimming little sister, Mia, I wondered why anyone would risk the life of someone they claimed to love, just to humiliate someone else.. well, the Blackwoods were all shitty, that probably explains why everyone acted like I was their long lost daughter until I got married to Aiden, but why? What would they gain from someone like me? My curiosity wouldn't let me leave.
After fixing my hair, I applied a nude lip gloss and stared deeply at my reflection in the mirror, I would give anything to trade places with the beautiful young girls who had passed envious glances at me during the wedding.
I got to our favorite spot, it was a mini restaurant and of course someone was hitting on Bree, I mean she was beautiful.. on my arrival, the guy who was talking to her scowled at me and walked away, weird.
Bree takes my hand and sighs, "I got you a job Isla, it should take your mind off Aiden and you could earn a few more bucks".. I bit my lips, staring at Bree, she's wanted me to leave but I stayed trying to please a family that for some unknown reason hated my guts, I also needed to know why they wanted Aiden to marry me.."Thank you Bree", she pulls me into a hug, I sighed, clutching my dress, I didn't want to cry in front of Bree, but it hurts so much"..
Aiden used to be a very sweet guy, "i thought ",he was really humble, when we first met. He was one of the most eligible Bachelors in the city, being the CEO and soul heir to the Blackwoods Business Empire, he was every girls dream, people from reputable families wanted to form constructive business alliances with the Blackwoods. The circumstances at which we first met was not the most romantic, I went to a club with Bree and when she went off for a while, someone tried to have his way with me.. Aiden had saved me from the douche bag.
And next we were at the bar I worked part time, he walked in and flashed me a smile and ordered two tequilas, I went off to quickly take his order and placed the drinks on the table, "thanks" he said.. back at the counter I watched him.
Strangely, the bar was empty, just me and a co worker, who would not stop drooling at the handsome Aiden and with a wave of his hand he called me over, I listed out the prices for his drinks, he slid his card over the mini pay machine and the word successful flashes on the screen.. After he left the bar, she nudged my arm, "Islaa, how come you're so calm", "Calm? Over what?" came my reply. Her eyes widened in shock, "how don't you know Aiden Blackwoods?" She screamed, I guess my little life of confinement at home was foremost one of the many reasons, then school and work..made me wonder what would've been her reaction if I had ever mentioned our little encounter at the club.
"Isla, Isla", Bree shook my hands, "are you even listening to me?" She sighed, "I'm sorry Bree", I checked the time, it was already late.