Chapter 9 Fail - Lily
I'm a married woman.
I have a big, oval diamond set into a platinum band with another band that surrounds the oval with even more diamonds on my ring finger.
Fuck, I'm married. I signed the QA register and everything.
And now my hand is clutched into my husband's, who is talking to men I don't even know.
I'm fact, I don't fucking know anybody here aside from Papa, Nana, and poor Fiona who is staring at all the Italian mafia people with big eyes.
This is what I never wanted.
Being the dutiful fucking wife who is just standing by her husband's side and smiling.
I should've fucked that boy in my sophomore year when we were allowed to go into town and he asked me for my number.
I should've done something to say that I had control over my own life, if even just for once.
Nana walks over to us, and I stiffen.
I failed today.
I wonder if she saw.
I almost had a full-blown panic attack in front of the altar.
If it wasn't for my now-husband who somehow managed to ground me, it might have ended up in a catastrophe.
I want to pull my hand from his to hug Nana, but he just tightens his hand around mine, and stop talking to the man.
Nana looks as strict as always, and I bend down to kiss her on her cheek.
"I'm proud of you, child. You did well." She whispers in my ear.
If only she knew.
"Mrs. Sullivan." Vincent's rich voice sounds charming when he addresses Nana. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Well." Nana's eyebrows raise. "I did always wanted to have a grandson."
That stings a little. Or a lot. My worth to her is only to get married off to someone powerful to strengthen the family ties.
If I were a boy, I wouldn't have been stuck in this predicament right now.
"And I always wanted a grandmother." Vincent's brown eyes turn to me. "Maybe after Lily gets settled into Chicago, we can come visit you."
"Wouldn't that be lovely." Nana actually smiles, a rare occasion.
Looks like my husband is already winning over my damn family. If he has Nana in his pockets the rest would be putty.
"We have to go, the photographer wants some pictures in the park before the reception." Vincent tells me. "We will see you at the reception Mrs. Sullivan."
Nana nods at me, approval in her eyes.
As long as she's buying it, what else should I be worried about? I did as they asked, not that I was given much of a choice in the first place.
A profound sadness settles over me when people clap and cheer, throwing confetti at us when we make our way to the car.
These people are all strangers to me. What are they even celebrating? A teenage bride?
I might be of legal age, but that's what I am, a fucking teenager.
Vincent opens the back door for me, and helps my dress into the back before going around the car and getting in next to me.
He immediately takes my hand in his again. I'm not going to lie, I don't not like it. His hand is the only thing keeping me somewhat centred right now.
We don't talk, because what is there to say even? Do we even have something remotely in common?
"Boston is beautiful." He says suddenly, looking out the window before he turns to me with an intense expression on his face. "Chicago is beautiful, too."
"I wouldn't know, I've never been." I didn't mean for it to come out snarky, but it does.
I should keep the sarcasm and snarkiness limited, I don't know how this man would react. Worst scenario, I might get hurt.
I'm going to have to learn how to protect myself.
Vincent surprises me by smirking. "Good thing that I have a lot of places to show you then."
I don't understand this guy. We were both forced into this marriage, but he certainly doesn't look unhappy.
"Have you never wanted to get married before?" I want to know in earnest. "Have you never been in love?"
He raises a dark eyebrow. "Scared my one true love is waiting in the shadows, ready for you to die?"
"That sounds very graphic." I lean back, trying once again to pull my hand from his. "So there is an ex just waiting for me?"
He chuckles. "No ex."
"So this doesn't bother you at all?" I point between the two of us. "Marrying a stranger?"
He shrugs like it's no big deal when it feels like my life is over.
"I always knew my marriage would be for business. I'm the heir, and I was raised to take over, it only makes sense I secure my people's future."
He makes it sound like this is fucking normal.
"I know you're young, and scared and that..."
"I'm not scared!" I interrupt fervently, my cheeks burning. "Sullivans don't get scared and we certainly don't back away from a challenge."
All lies of course. I'm shaking in my designer heels just thinking of what the night would entail.
A genuine smile breaks out on his dangerously handsome face. "Good thing I married a Sullivan then."
The arranged marriage doesn't seem to faze him one bit.
The car stops at the public park, and when Vincent comes to open my door, the photographer is already snapping away.
"Only one hour." He tells the photographer, his voice authorative and serious, none of the playfulness evident from the car.
"Okay, let's be quick then. Just try to be very natural, and pretend I'm not even here." The photographer winks at me, earning him a death glare from Vincent.
Does Vincent really..... Want me?
Again, he quickly grabs my hand and start to run on the grass, making me squeal.
"What are you doing!" I can't help but laugh, clutching my dress so I don't trip and fall.
Vincent suddenly turns around and bend down to pick me up on his shoulder like I weigh nothing, making me laugh even harder.
When he finally let me slide down his body, his eyes are on my laughing mouth.
"I'm getting the best wedding pictures."