by Jemma Grey
On the way to the table, which was at a sectioned off part of the restaurant, Mrs. Wilson asked him a series of questions about his family. I took the chair opposite Mrs. Wilson. The waiter immediately placed two glasses of water in front of us and then gave us our menus. I was surprised when I saw burgers on the menu. I didn't think that such a classy restaurant would serve burgers. I was even more amazed when Mrs. Wilson ordered it.
“It's the only thing I come here for,” she said when she saw my face. “Like you, Jenifer, I suffered from an arranged marriage and during the first year I would sneak out just to get a taste of home. Whenever I went missing Harper, my husband, found me here,” she laughed.
After that we talked until lunch came. Her questions were mostly easy to answer. They were mainly about me what I liked to do, what books I'd read and music I listened to? Then her questions started getting much harder and soon I found myself stumbling out answers. Like when she asked why I agreed to spend the day with her.
“Well...” I thought, “I think it was mostly because you gave me a choice. I was free to decide, and this,” I gestured to everything, “was bound to happen sometime. I might as well get it over with.”
“I must admit I thought you'd have turned me down. You're supposed to hate me.”
“About that,” I began remembering when we met. “I don't, I'm sorry for what I said. I was hurt and-”
“You don't have to apologize Jen,” she cut me off. This was the first time she'd called me Jen and not Jenifer. It made me feel warm and joyous.
“I just want you to know I don't hate you. I don't hate Eric either...”
“Speaking of Eric, as his mother I am ashamed. I didn't raise him to hit girls. What he did was awful... I am so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I breathed out. “We both got angry and I hit him too... twice,” I admitted.
“You did?” Her eyebrows went up. I nodded ashamed, expecting to be scolded. “I hope you got him good. It should teach him a lesson.” I frowned at this wondering how much Eric had told her. “But what of your relationship now?” she asked after a while. “For this marriage to work and serve its purpose you two need to work with each other. You both need to be there for one another.”
I was confused. She had made it seem like marrying Eric was just a small part in a master plan. I had always known Eric was keeping things from me, could this be it? But what was so special about me? Why was I so different? Why couldn't another poor, unfortunate soul be forced to marry Eric? Besides I was sure there were tons of girls that would willingly and gladly accept his offer.
“Jen?” Mrs. Wilson called, breaking me away from my thoughts.
“Oh sorry,” I said, filing away that new information for a later date. “Rig ht now it's easier. We're still getting to know each other. Eric is really... easy to be around, but I'm not in love with him.” Nor was I ever going to be, I added mentally.
“I understand,” she said letting the subject drop. She then paid for our meal and soon we were on our way back to the house.
For most of the drive, I looked out the window, staring at everything. England was beautiful. The buildings were gorgeous and I found myself marveling at them.
When the car pulled into the driveway of the house, I got out shocked by the beauty of the Wilsons home yet again. It was even more gorgeous in the day. Mrs. Wilson leaned to me, still sitting in the car. “Jen?” she called and I peeled my eyes away from the castle towering in front of me and looked to her. “It was great spending the day with you. I hope we can do it again.”
“Sure, but aren't you staying?”
“No I'm afraid not, there's some last minute changes and preparations for tonight that needs to be handled.”
“Right,” I frowned, “tonight.” I forced myself to smile. I didn't want to think about tonight. I wasn't going to think about that until it was absolutely necessary. It gave me comfort knowing Eric was going to be there with me though. At least I wasn't alone.
I stepped back and watched as the car circled around the fountain and then drove out the long stretch. When it was completely out of view I turned on my heels to face the front door and there too, staring at me like a silent, deadly protector was another black widow engraved into the door. What was it about the this spider that intrigued the Wilsons?
As soon as I was inside, small arms wrapped around my knees. “Jenifer!” Christy shrieked excitedly.
All through the house there were people dressed in black and white carrying flowers, moving furniture, laying out carpet, and shouting orders. Everything w as chaotic and exciting as they bustled about the house. I felt panic swell in my chest at once. Not thinking about tonight was going to be impossible.
Suddenly Christy latched onto my leg tightly, forcing me to look down at her. She was scared and on the verge of crying. All the excitement had drained out of her face as she looked up at me with eyes that mirrored what I felt.
“Oh my God,” I muttered horrified. Absentmindedly I clamped a hand over my mouth for just a second. Then acting on instinct, I bent down and picked her up, turned and bolted out of the house.
I needed to calm down because it was making Christy panic. We clutched onto each other as I went around the house. I didn't know where I was going, but I needed to get myself and Christy away from here.
7
Except for a few garden chairs and tables, a swing set and a tall hedge towering over us, there wasn’t much at this side of the house. Inches away from the hedge were a stone path wide enough to allow a couple to walk side by side. As far as I could see the stone path and the hedge went all around to the back and most likely to the other side of the house.
As I walked down the path Christy loosened her hands from around my neck and looked up to me with a blank face. I knew it was no good, yet I forced a smile. Her expression didn't change. Instead she let out a huff of air, nestling back into the crook of my neck. She was tired and sleepy, and from the day she probably had it was understandable. Even I felt tired. My lack of energy stemmed from something else though. How long could I keep on pretending that everything was fine? How long did I have left to pretend?
Before I could try to figure it out Christy stirred in my arms, her breathing uneven and I realized I was upsetting her again. Trying my best, I searched my head for happy things that didn't make me sad or flinch. I couldn't think of Daren because it only reminded me that he was dead and I was the cause. Kris was out too because she probably hated me now. Basically everyone in Trinidad was out, which left Eric.
Eric and I, we did have some happy times. I couldn't deny that if I wanted to, like when I splattered him with cheese and butter. That was the first time I laughed since that night. And then there was falling asleep wrapped in his arms on the sofa... I would never admit this to him but being in his arms felt nice - warm and protected.
I wondered why that was. Why didn't I flinch away from his touch like I did with everyone else? Why did I feel so comfortable around him? What was this thing - this unearthly attraction - between us? All Eric had to do was look at me and my heart raced off. I had never felt anything so intense and pure before, and I was fighting it as hard as I could.
Christy let out a small contented sigh at my neck then. I sneaked a sideway glance at her and saw that she was asleep. An involuntary smile played on my lips as I walked over to the swing, sitting down. Then gently and being careful not to wake her, I cradled her in my arms. Christy was four, but she w as small for her age. She could probably be passed off as a three year old and so she fit in my arms perfectly. She was like an angel, so easy to fall in love with. I was beginning to realize that all the Wilsons were like this.
Just then Eric rounded the corner, entering my line of vision. He walked over to me smiling, as if he was relieved. “I was looking for you,” he whispered, letting out a breath.
“Why?” I questioned as he sat down at my side on the other swing.
“No reason,” he said, but I could tell he was lyi
ng, or at least keeping something from me. He had that guarded look on his face and his eyes wouldn't meet mine.
“You sounded relieved,” I pointed out staring him down, giving him a chance to tell me whatever he was hiding.
“How was your day?” he asked instead and I turned away from him, staring directly in front me.
“Good. Your mom is great.”
“Good,” he muttered and something in his voice made me look up to face him. He was watching me intently, almost as if studying me, then his eyes shifted to C hristy and a small smile traced his lips. I followed his eyes and found her smiling in her sleep. My aunt used to say when children smiled or laughed in their sleep, it meant they were talking to angels. I wondered what she was saying.
“You know she adores you,” Eric said breaking me away from my thoughts. I looked up and saw him staring at me again. “At first I thought she was only feeling what I felt for you, but today I realized her feeling for you has nothing to do with me.”
I smiled at this. “You'd be surprised to learn Eric, everything is not always about you,” I teased.
He let out another one of his chuckles that made me want to melt away. “I was expecting that,” he pointed out and I found myself laughing with him.
We stayed there for a while, just ta lking and laughing then just as the sun was about to set Eric got up, standing in front me. “It's getting late, we should go in,” he suggested. “And you should get some sleep. You're going to need it.” I nodded and began to stand up, making sure to be careful with Christy.
“I can take her,” Eric said already holding out his hands.
“It’s fine, I got her,” I insisted.
Eric led me to the back of the house instead of returning the way we had both came from. There was a huge wooden deck and pool. This house just got more amazing with each passing moment. Pool chairs lined the sides and at the far back was a grill. It was the perfect place to spend on a Sunday.
Eric took us through the deck and into a door that opened to the back of the kitchen, where there was a hidden staircase. Then it was through corridors and finally Christy's room, which was only a few rooms away from ours.
I placed her on her bed and was about to straighten when she clamped on to my shirt. “No,” she moaned still asleep, clutching on to me tighter.
“Christy you're in your bedroom,” I said. Her eyes opened slowly and she sat up, staring at me innocent, wide eyes.
“Don't go,” she pleaded. “Stay with me.”
I looked to Eric frowning. He was standing at the door, eyebrows raised. “Speaking from experience, she won't let go.”
I looked from him to Christy, who still had a handful of my t-shirt, and then back to Eric, sighing. Christy smiled triumphantly knowing she already owned my heart.
“I saw this coming too,” Eric smiled walking up to me. He hugged me, kissing my forehead for a brief moment. “I'll wake you when it’s time,” he whispered into my hair and I nodded. The moment felt unreal, like a dream. It was brief, like a routine Eric and I had been doing for years. Like we could continue on this way forever.
He then released me and bent his head down to Christy. Holding her head in his hands, he gave her a slight brief kiss on her forehead and then left us. As soon as the door shut behind him, Christy yawned and laid back on her pillow still refusing to let my t-shirt go.
* * * I stood in front of the full-length mirror studying myself. The girl standing in front of me was beautiful. I had to give the witches credit, they were good. With only an hour to transform me into the person now staring back at me, they had done well, but this girl wasn't me. Somewhere during the process I had lost sight of myself.
I was in a short, fitted, lace, cream dress. I was four inches taller due to the black high heels/death trap attached to my feet, and my hair was in a neat assortment of curls on my head, leaving my neck bare and me feeling naked. My face though looked natural, as if I didn't have any make up on. This I loved.
I heard a knock on the door and I turned towards it, waiting expectantly. The door opened slightly and seconds later Eric's head poked into the room. I smiled at him feeling self-conscious and nervous. Seeing me he stepped out from behind the door and as he walked into the room I literally sucked in a breath.
Eric wearing a suit was easily the most breath-taking thing I had ever seen. He radiated confidence and strength, and was so gorgeous that I had to physically stop myself from jumping him.
He walked up to me smiling with eyes that held pure joy, and in an attempt to control the lust running through me I bowed my head and then turned back to the mirror, only this time I wasn't the only one there. Eric was standing behind me, partially hidden by my body.
“You look beautiful, Jen,” he smiled placing both hands on my shoulders. “But something is w rong.” I let out a sigh, disappointed. I was surprised at this; that I would want to be beautiful for him. His hand touched my hair for a brief second so lightly it was almost as if it didn't happen, but when he removed his hand my hair fell loosely to the sides of my face. I could recognize myself now. Eric then turned me to face him and once again I found him staring at me with those eyes that made me want to melt at his feet and run away from him at the same time.
“Why are you staring?” I asked feeling the urge to fill the silence.
“Remember that promise I made you?” I nodded. “It's getting very difficult to keep. Especially tonight.”
I thought about that for a minute. “I know exactly what you mean... don't keep it,” I whispered up at him and without giving him time to respond, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and tiptoeing I pressed my lips to his.
I hadn't realized how much I wanted to kiss him until I had actually done it. I craved him like I needed food. My body wanted this in the way a man in the desert wanted water. The urge was animalistic and pure desperation rolled into one. I just needed him. For so long I'd been fighting these feelings and now I couldn't anymore. It was like something else was in control.
My arms wrapped around his neck tighter as my fingers combed through his hair. I could feel his fingers on me, leaving a heated, teasing trail through the material of the dress, and there was nothing more I wanted than to rip the material away. His lips were hot on mine, and just as desperate as mine were on his.
I was barely aware of anything other than Eric so when my back pressed against something solid - the mirror I think - I let out a small gasp of surprise against his lips. I felt his hands snaking up my body all the way to the side of my neck, then seconds later his lips were on the opposite side leaving burning kisses. I threw my head back, not being able to think or breathe properly. I was just about ready to burst when a knock on the bedroom door interrupted the silence. Instantly the sound snapped me back to reality and I shoved him off me completely breathless.
“Who is it?” Eric called, annoyance deep in his voice. His eyes never left me. They showed the same hunger I felt clawing at my stomach.
“It's me. Dad.” I took a deep breath, automatically starting to panic.
“Just a second,” Eric called back, his eyes trained on me. “Okay?” he asked and I shook my head at him walking towards my suitcases. Before I could reach them, I turned on my heels going back to Eric.
My mind was buzzing and in chaos, and my entire body shook. I felt like an addict having withdrawal symptoms. I wanted to be close to him, but I knew that I had to get myself in order before his dad came into the room. Both were important, I just didn't know which was more important. Undecided, I spun on my heels again going to the suitcase, then circled around only to walk back to Eric.
He caught me by the shoulders, holding me still. “Just breathe, Jen; it'll be fine.” I listened, inhaling deeply as I took a step closer to him, pressing my head into his chest. Instantly his scent flooded me and it helped to ease the need circling me a little. It was still there, just not as intense as it had been moments ago.
When the trembling had stopped, I pulled away from him and
smoothed out his tux, making sure that I hadn't gotten any makeup on him. I then raised my fingers to his lips, gently wiping away what little lipstick had stained his lips. When I was done with him I went over to the mirror making sure I looked as I had before. Satisfied, I finally made it to my suitcases and got out the ring Eric had given me. I slipped it on my finger and turned to face him, nodding.
“You can come in,” Eric called and moments later Eric's father entered the room holding five, blue velvet cases in his arms and wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
He dropped the cases on the bed carelessly then looked up at me. “Hi Jen, it's nice to meet you. I'm not counting the first time you saw me, that was...” he trailed off awkwardly. “I'm sorry,” he smiled embarrassed “I'm nervous and-” he stopped suddenly as his eyes bugged out. “Oh my,” he turned to Eric now. “Mom is on her way up. She cannot see me not dressed yet. Please can you stall her a minute?”
Eric looked to me before answering. It was only when I squeezed his hand at my side that he nodded and made a move to the door. The minute he left the raw gut wrenching need to have him closer flooded me, this time stronger and harsher than before. I could barely see straight or form a coherent thought. What the Hell was this?
“So Jen, I can call you Jen right? Or do you prefer Jenifer?” Eric's dad said and I had to force myself to listen to him.
“Jen is fine.”
“Jen,” he leaned over the bed, straightening each case until it was in a perfect line. Then he began opening them . “These are some of the family jewels. They've been in the family for generations and it's an old tradition that we pass it on to the females in the family. Christy and Kate both have some already and now so do you.” He straightened and turned to face me.
“But I am not a part of your family, not yet anyway,” I pointed out.
He walked up to me and took my good hand in both of his. Instinctively I stiffened at his touch, but he pretended not to notice. “But you are,” he smiled. “You care about us, right?” I nodded instantly; of course I cared for them. “And we care for you. What more is there to family?” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze and then led me to the edge of the bed, gesturing for me to sit. I did without asking why.
