Harieth

The reception arrangement was just as I had anticipated and watching the guests from where I sat, they seemed to be loving it. There was more than enough food to go around and the music echoed well throughout the hall. As I sight my friends happily chatting at a table, I wished more than anything that I could join them. Sitting at the front table with Christian felt the same as sitting alone. Would you believe he hasn't said a word to me all day? We're married and yet nothing. I had endeavoured to smile through it all but he... I don't believe I ever saw him smile. Gosh, this was frustrating. I can't believe that we're going to live in the same house. This day should just end already.

"And now, I believe it's time for the couple to own the dance floor."

What?

My eyes fall on the mc that just brought up the worst idea there is. Dance? I'm very sure Christian wants to do none of that with me.

"Let's go." Instantly, I shift my eyes to the direction of the voice and there he stood, a hand stretched out for me to accept. My eyes barely widen at the unbelievable. He was ready to dance with me. After having ignored me for half the day, the first words he finally says to me are 'let's go' and I'm supposed to do as he says, right?

The cheering of the guests pushes me back to reality and as I take one look at them, I portray a beautiful smile that everything was alright before I turn back to Christian and accept his offer. As we walk up to the now emptied dance floor, I couldn't help but take one more look at my hand held in his. A light and very brief chuckle elude my lips. One would think we were the perfect couple very much in love. A slow song begins playing and I had no idea what the lyrics were or who the musician was. We just stand in front of each other and I watch as he takes hold of my other hand and brings both up to rest on his shoulder. I stared at him a bit frozen, speechless and surprised at how real he was making this seem. I only flinched a little when I felt his hands rest on my lower back, a little close to my buttocks. As discomfort settled in, I found myself blinking several times to control what now seems to be a messed up emotions and by this time, I had lowered my eyes away from his to assert will over my own body.

People are watching. I remind myself and so with that thought, I manage to draw up a simple smile, one that says everything was all rosy for me and with that, I look up to him. Instantly, our eyes met and as we danced to the slow song, each moment seemed long and excruciating for me. Staring into his eyes, I could barely see anything. No emotion, no explanation. It was almost as if I was dancing with a robot. Surely, he couldn't have spent all his life being this way. There has to be more to Christian Hendrix. There has to be some sort of explanation for this. There just has to be.

"Are you happy?" His sudden question jolted me out of my thoughts. For a moment, I try to understand what he just said.

"Yes." I lied.

"Good. Because this is the last you'll be beside me. Enjoy it while it lasts." His words come out sharp and hurtful. For a moment, I just stare at him a little intensely, wondering why he felt the need to say those words. Was he trying to threaten me or something of that sort? Was his plan to scare me to the extent that I stay away from him? Suddenly, I feel a little amused by his attempt. This guy right here really knows nothing about me. This is why people need to be careful about who they associate with. You really never who that person might be.

In the end, I put up a broader smile as I took a step closer and wrap my arms firmer around his neck. I could read the surprise in his eyes for a moment. Now, we were so close that I could hear his own breath. I would be lying if I said this closeness wasn't taking the least bit toll on me but regardless of that, I was determined to assert my ground in this matter. It was now or never.

"My dear, dear husband... Truly, you try too hard." I started still having the warmest smile possible on my face. I tilt my head a little to the right.

"You don't like me and I, without a doubt don't like you as well but this I promise..." I lean a little closer to my lips were closer to his ear.

"... In no less than three months, you're going to stick to me like glue... You'll be mine forever." I challenged before leaning a little backwards so our eyes meet once more. As usual, there was no expression on his face and I could barely tell what he was thinking.

I took one more step backwards, lowering my arms away from his neck. A wider smile surfacing on my face as if I had been laughing.

"You'll have to excuse me for a minute dear... Don't miss me much." I stated before letting go of his hands and walking away, casually at first and when out of the hall, my pace hastened towards the washroom.

As soon as I rushed in, I felt this huge weight off my chest and a loud sigh escapes my lips. Turns out, I had held in a lot than I had perceived. Thankfully, I was the only one in here.

"Geez!" I exclaimed as I placed both hands on my chest as if that would control the recent and unusual pace my heart was racing at the moment. Then, for a moment, I felt like I wouldn't be able to pull the whole Madonna thing off. I looked up to the mirror, staring at my own reflection which stared back at me, I realised I was doing more than I anticipated for.

I swallowed down hard as I shut my eyes for a moment then open them once more. My face felt a little frozen and sore from having smiled so much so I massage it a bit with my hands and yet careful not to mess up my makeup. A few more hours to go and today would be over and with that thought, I nodded in accordance.

"I can do this." I encourage myself once more before taking in a deep breath, standing straight once more and immediately making my way out.

While walking towards the entrance back into the hall, I began ironing out with my hands, the few folds on my dress before looking back up. Slowly, I came to a stop. In front of me, at the end of the passageway stood my husband and his sister-in-law, Emerson. As I watched them for a moment talk, I notice a different side to Christian that I had never seen. Both my brows raised in surprise as I sight what seems to be a light and cornered smile appear on his face at something she says. Oh, so he can smile in front of his brother's wife but he can't do so in front of his wife? Lightly, I bit my lower lip in confusion. There's something definitely fishy going on and I have to find out what that is. I look around as I realised they haven't sighted me yet. I'll need to draw closer in order to hear what they're talking about.

Finally, I spot but seems to be a corner a little close to them. Carefully, I thread my way up to that spot and lean closer to try and eavesdrop on their conversation.

"...I'll be fine." Christian's voice follows through and after that, a strange silence fills their presence.

"Okay. Just remember, I'm always here if you want to talk... as friends." Emerson adds before displaying a warm smile. I watch as Christian nods in understanding. My brows slightly furrowed at that act alone.

As he turns away from her to leave, I quickly turn away, hiding as good as I can and only when I was sure he was gone did I turn back to the normal position. I stare at him for a moment walk away before taking a look at Emerson who still held her position. Lightly, I bit my lip for a moment thinking of what next to do and then I recall my school days. I recalled having done a lot of talking then. Well, my way of talking always got people saying exactly what I wanted. Perhaps, I might get Emerson to speak up.

"Hello!" I greeted enthusiastically with a warm smile as I approached her and she instantly looks up to me.

"Hi." She managed to reply although I could read the little worry in her eyes. First glance and it seems I can read her already. This should be easy and fun.

"You're not enjoying the party?" I question as I finally stand in front of her. She shook her head right away.

"Oh no. It's fun. Very fun." She adds in a desperate attempt to impress me. I stared at her for a moment before nodding in accordance.

"So... what are you doing out here? Perhaps, are you waiting for someone or... were you speaking to a certain someone?" My last sentence causes her to instantly raise her eyes up to me. For what seemed like a while, we stared at each other, a strange silence engulfing our presence.

Suddenly, a light chuckle eluded my lips.

"I'm joking," I told her as I place a hand on her arm. It takes her a moment but she eventually laughs along with me.

"How well do you know my husband?" I suddenly question causing her laughter to slowly cease.

"We're very good friends." She replied after a while of hesitation.

"Really?" I ask with an obviously faked surprise look on my face and she nods regardless.

"I, without a doubt had no idea. I'm sure you know the circumstances surrounding our marriage so it's no surprise that I do not know who the man I married is." I started before watching her for a moment realising she was the type who found it hard to look people in the eyes.

"Perhaps, we should be friends as well. What do you think?" She looks back up to me and eventually nods before wearing a simple smile.

"Sure."

"We can hang out someday."

"Okay...Let's do that." Her reply sounds real but somehow, I felt she didn't mean that one bit.

"I... I'll have to go back inside. Lucas might be looking for me."

"Oh sure. I'll hang back here a little while, it's not as if my husband would miss me if I'm gone." I stated with a light chuckle and I could see the discomfort on her face. Regardless of that, she gives me a brief smile before walking away.

I fold my arms below my chest as I watch her walk away. There's definitely something they're hiding.