Chapter 6

• "This marriage will be toxic for both of us."
• I said and got out of the car. I feel so broken, how low he wants me to fall low in my own eyes? Not that I have sold myself to him but also made this whole ordeal a damn contract. I felt like I was being pricked by the shards of glass that are present in my path, they dug into my skin by each step I take further in my life. First Eugene accident, then the burden of responsibilities over my shoulder and now I want to liberate myself from this burden by receiving the pain of my inferior act. What's wrong if I want to fulfil my wishes?
• Filled with those undesirable thoughts, I went home. Mother came and asked, "How was it?" her tone lingers with interest, basically it was my first drive and was my first dinner with a man, I can understand her. I have always avoided relationships and I feel like this loveless marriage falls flat on my face just because I never involved myself in love; So fate decided to give me an unloved life.
• I looked at her and forcefully curved my lips upward but not in a smile. "Fine. He said he wants to marry me as soon as possible." I said. "So, have you decided?" Mother asked.
• "Next Week," I said. "That's too early." Mother complained just like I did. "We can't do anything," I replied and went to my room.
• The emptiness filled me as I thought of myself nothing more than a doll- who can't feel anything. Well, That's what I am now. A plaything to be toyed with, that's what my life will become. I'll be used over and over again...
• The next day, I readied up and went to work. I entered the hotel and the senior staff looked at me as if they had seen a ghost. I narrowed my eyes on them and walked to the reception.
• "Ma'am Melissa, what happened? Why are they looking at me like that?" I asked.
• "Why are you here, Ma'am?" She said and stood up. Being perplexed, why did she call me 'Ma'am'? The Manager came and smiled at me. He took me to his office and said,
• "Well, Ma'am, If you told us before, we will never treat you as a waitress." He said with a glint of greed. I raised my eyebrow to show that I am unable to understand this demeanour, I then asked,
• "What are you talking about?" He smiled widely. Becoming uncomfortable by his over-friendly reflexes, I asked again,
• "I am sorry sir, but could you please tell me what is going on?" I asked in my usual gracious manner.
• "You didn't tell us, but your soon-to-be husband did." He said and my heart skipped a beat as I avert my gaze, not wanting to think even for a second about him before marriage. My thoughts were interrupted when the manager said again, "Congratulations on your wedding." My eyes widened as my mouth gaped, "How do you?.." My bewildered form asked. "You don't know about this morning's press conference?" He asked. Before I could answer, the door opened and the Director entered. I abruptly stood up in his presence. He looked at me and passed me a smile and offered his hand to shake,
• "Well, Hello, Future Mrs Elvis." I shook his hand and passed him a smile. A revolting feeling of being called by his name filled me but at the same time, the astonishment that the Director of the hotel is shaking his hand with a lower-ranked waitress like me filled me too.
• After a few seconds, I spoke up, "Sir, Can I go back to my work?" They both looked at me as my lips formed a thin line.
• "You can't." The manager said.
• "Why?" I asked.
• "Mr Christian will be furious to know that you are still working as a waitress here." Director Sir said. I nodded and excused myself and left.
• I went home and told Mother everything and turned on the TV to know about this 'conference upheaval’.
• My eyes widened in disbelief when I saw the conference,
• "Sir, How long have you and Miss Sophie been dating?"
• "Almost 4 years."
• "Meaning you and her are dating before your divorce?"
• "Yes."
• "Is that why you left your wife?"
• "This has nothing to do with our divorce."
• "Sir, When will be your wedding?"
• "Next Week."
• "Can you tell us more about your future wife?"
• "I can't. She is a private person."
• "What if she wants to marry you for money?"
• "Watch what you say about her. I approached her first, so this is out of the question."
• I couldn't take it anymore. I turned off the TV. Mother rubbed my back as I looked away and took out my phone. I searched for the number; he used to call me yesterday.
• I called him. He picked the phone. I heard his deep commanding tone, "Hello," His voice tells me that he knows that it's me, even if I haven't said a thing.
• "W-What is this all a-about?" I stutter.
• "What? Didn't you say that you don't want to be known as a Gold-Digger?" His voice was filled with mock that dismayed me.
• "I did.. but I don't want you to be known as a cheater.." I manage to produce a faint sound.
• There was a pause and none of us said another word. It feels like he is lost; deep in thoughts. But after a few seconds, He said,
• "You don't have to think about it. Tomorrow you'll go with my assistant, Henley, for the shopping for marriage." He said sternly and cut the call. I closed my eyes and let the darkness consume me...
• Here I am in the mall trying all those expensive wedding gowns I never thought I'll wear with his moody assistant, seems like all people who work for him are like him. Cold.
• I kept trying on the gown as she kept using her phone and whenever I asked her how's the gown, she just scoffed. Finally my tranquil broke as I spoke up, "Are you gonna help me or not?"
• "You see, The problem is not in the gowns. It's in the one who's gonna wear it." She said, ridiculing me. I smiled sarcastically and replied, "We are not talking about you. Now, tell me." She grits her teeth and says, "Wear whatever you want." I shrugged my shoulders and began to search for a gown. My eyes fell upon a silver gown. It was a backless princess wedding gown. It's borders, front and sleeves were adorned with silver beads and it's so graceful. Feeling like this gown is worth more, I avert my gaze from it but they picked it up and tried it on me. I looked extremely beautiful in that.
• Still, I don't want it. I don't before I could protest Henley said without looking up.
• "We will buy this."
• "But-" I tried to say.
• "You are taking a lot of time. Buy this, we have other things to buy as well." She said with her gaze fixed on the phone. I looked away and went to buy the matching heels with it.
• After shopping for an insanely long time, I finally went home. I fell on my bed and fell asleep the moment I made contact with the soft mattress.
• Two Days Left for our marriage and my anxiety is on its peak. Just the thought of becoming his toy forever made me shudder in fear. I shivered in dread just by thinking about how he'll toy with me.
• My mother and I just came back after meeting with Eugene and telling him that his sister is getting married. I know if he was awake he'll never let this happen. If he was awake this would never happen in the first place... If he wakes up…