Be a Doll(17)

“It would reflect badly on the Manor, don’t you think?’’ I balled my dress in my hands and kept my eyes on hers through the mirror as the warmth of her body seeped through me from behind, but it didn’t warm me, it chilled me to my bones from the ill intent I could feel pouring out of her.

“Considering the client had been notified of your shortcomings and your file had two red marks along with several comments detailing your… hm, temper, the Manor won’t have to suffer from your failure. But it’d greatly please me, you can be sure of that.’’

I turned around abruptly, searing heat in my eyes as my hand prickled with the need to slap that despicable woman, but the door opened with Megan and it stopped me.

She walked in slowly, her eyes going to and from me and Mrs. Stein as a strained smile appeared on her face. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the wedding planner said it’s time.’’

Mrs. Stein nodded and glared at me one last time before she left the room and took with her the toxic air that made me ready to get away with murder. As soon as the white door closed after her, I let out a deep breath and shook my head.

“I guess I was right on time, huh?’’

I chuckled and stared at my future sister-in-law. “Is it that obvious?’’

“If looks could kill, I don’t know who of you two would have been dead first. Who’s that woman, by the way?’’

Megan went to the two bouquets and grabbed them. She sniffed them and sighed happily before she walked to me and gave me mine, significantly bigger than hers. The stems wrapped in silk the same shade of white as mine barely registered in my mind as the weight of the bouquet felt heavy, not because it truly was, but because I knew I’d have to say my vows in just a few short minutes now. Everything was too real, too definite.

“Mrs. Stein is the one in charge of Carter Manor. The Carter family hired her roughly ten years ago. I can’t stand that woman and it’s mutual.’’ I glanced at the beautiful bouquet with fresh flowers that smelled wonderful without being too overwhelming. “I guess it’s time to go through with this.’’

“It’s going to be fine,’’ Megan said with a comforting smile as she gently patted my arm before she led the way out of the room.

I didn’t know if it would be fine, but it didn’t really matter anyway. The wedding ceremony wasn’t the thing that had me ready to bolt, it was what would happen after.

***





LILA


Canon in D invaded my ears and my heart started hammering in my chest, the mindless beat of the rhythm of the music that was always linked to wedding ceremonies. The wedding planner, a woman who seemed way too straight laced and mean for such a job, made a wild gesture with her hand for me to walk. With a last big intake of breath, I followed her cue and took two steps to face the aisle leading to my fiancé.

Everybody in attendance was standing up, all clad in expensive suits and dresses. Jewels shone under the light of the room rented at the palace. With my head held high, my back straight and a small smile I hoped seemed genuine for the unsuspecting souls here, I took my first step.

I couldn’t see Mr. Grimes from here with all the people standing, but I didn’t mind. Actually, I was rather thankful. It gave me a few more seconds to get ready to launch myself into this new life I didn’t want.

The death grip on my bouquet made my fingers ache, but I couldn’t help it at this point.

With my feet clad in expensive shoes with heels so high I thanked all the hours spent at the Manor walking in high heels, I took measured steps. I only focused on walking straight and keeping my good posture. I didn’t see the people who were looking at me, whispering and probably gossiping. I didn’t worry if I’d fall on my face and make a spectacle of myself. I went through the motions as it had been drilled into me.

And then, I finally saw Mr. Grimes.

His dark eyes were the first thing that registered in my mind. They seemed so alive, so intense as he stared at me walking toward him. I didn’t know the man so I couldn’t read what was in his eyes, but at that precise moment, I wasn’t as worried. The intensity I caught didn’t feel as worrisome as when we had dinner at the Manor.

After another two steps, my eyes finally left his to take him in as a whole. His suit, a three piece, was perfectly tailored and accentuated his stature wonderfully, so much so that he seemed even bigger than the last time I had seen him. Or maybe the importance of that day only put things out of proportion in my head.

The fact remained; Mr. Grimes looked dashing in this suit and under any other circumstances I’d gladly call him handsome and incredibly sexy.

There were three steps to climb to get to the hotel where Mr. Grimes, his best man, a tall and leanly muscled fair-haired man, and Megan waited. I went to grab a hold of my dress so as to not stumble on it and saw Mr. Grimes’ hand extended toward me. His frown was deeply etched on his face and his mouth was a straight line as if this process was as painful for him as it was for me. Slowly, with a reluctance I hoped nobody caught, I brought my hand to his and let him help me climb the short stairs to reach the hotel and the priest waiting to start the ceremony.

Mr. Grimes’ hand in mine was foreign and hot, grounding me here when all I wanted was to drift away. As soon as I righted myself I pulled away and faced the priest as my fiancé’s eyes burned me to my core.