Chapter4: The bitter funeral
Anneliese’s POV
“Look, you gotta stop this fucking stupid bratty attitude of yours and listen to what I've fucking got to say…” , I muttered a ’whatever’, “We both know we don't want this right? What if there's a way we can get our self out of this mess” he said and I raised a brow.
“At least we’ve got some brain…” I muttered to myself but I think I was too loud.
“Yes unlike you who think with the back of your skull…fucking keep quiet and listen to me!” He half yelled
“Don’t raise your voice on me dude” I warned. “Yes, we both know…what's next? * I asked.
“Let’s make a deal then …. we get married according to our parents wish, live a decent life for three months and we divorce quietly afterwards….at least no one can force me to stay in a marriage with an asshole bride”
“You think I would love to be fake-married to your smug jawline for three months?”
“Better than forever.”
“Barely.”
“No strings attached,” he says. “No silly drama. We smile for the cameras, pretend to be a perfect couple before everyone but once we are alone…each person mind his fucking business” he said with gritted teeth.
“Fine by me” I said, “No holding of hands, no calling me babe or any silly names and lastly no sex” I said and he burst into a laughter, what's funny?
“Wow you really think I would wanna do that? What a dreamer….I rather fuck an 89-year-old harlot than sleep on the same bed on with you” He sneered
“If only you know how much breathing the same air as you annoy me…. I will rather under a volcano than even kissing you, the thought alone makes me want to puke” I snapped.
“Confession time—she’s been even thinking of it…. wake up girl” he jeered.
God I want to punch his stupid face so bad. Before I could say anything, the lawyer clearly had enough, he walked up to us and slide the papers across the table. We signed in silence. I snatched the pen from the lawyer and wrote my name, stabbing each letter onto the paper, he took the pen from me and signed like he’s booking a hotel room.
“Done,” I said, standing up.
“Pleasure doing business with you sweetheart,” he smirked.
“Don’t call me that, I warned you and again it was no pleasure, you’re so lucky I didn’t stab you with this pen.”
I said and cat walked out before I commit a murder—ecen if I want to commit one ,no his ugly self.
Later that night, I was face-planted on my bed, mumbling curses into my pillow.
Belinda rushed in with a bowl of popcorn and a raised brow. “You look like roadkill.”
“I met him.”
“The Damien of Maddox? Oh my goshhhh” she gushed “Give me details, did you guys touch? Did he smile”
“None of the above and we are never doing that…..yes I saw his stupid face today” I rolled my eyes.
“Hot or not? “She squeaked jumping beside me.
“Ugly,” I said immediately.
“Liar.” she giggled, dumping few pieces of popcorn on my head
“He looks like he is a vampire witch hybrid with those weird eyebrows”
“So, hot.”
“I hate his suit. I hate his voice. I hate how he sits.”
“Still hot.” She sang making groan in frustration.
“He talks like I’m some kinda low class maid he owns and can talk to at any time.”
“And how did you respond?”
“I gave it to him back-to-back…” I boasted.
“That’s my girl. “She patted my head with a large grinned plastered on her face.”
“He wants to fake-marriage me for three months and then divorce.”
“Hmm…sounds like a smart idea…” she nodded
“Fake or real, I still don't want the marriage” I palmed my face.
“But you signed” She chuckled, “look, it’s temporary, before you know it, you will be free baby, you've got this”
“I miss the life I had two months ago…no stress, no worry…” Tears slowly build up in my eyes, “Now I feel like I've lost everything, my perfect lifestyle, my dad, my peace my freed…” A hard sob rose from my throat.
“Oh no don't cry Anne …I am here for you, even if you lose everything, you won't lose me, I’ve git you for life” she pulled me into a hug and God I'm so grateful for her, of not fir her how will I be dealing with all this?
We remained in that position as I cried my heart out, I agreed to the deal…. I feel like I signed an agreement to have my peace take away.
The next morning, the sound of my phone buzzing woke me from the peaceful sleep I was having
New Message: D. Maddox
~Wear something tolerable for the engagement shoot. 2PM. Don’t be late.
I stared at the screen for what seems like for ever before throwing my pillow across the room.
Oh my God, it is happening…. this real!
I jumped out of my bed to prepare myself for the next 3 months.
Anneliese's POV
It hasn’t rained yet, but the clouds hang low, like they understand how I am feeling today. My black dress clinged to me, not from tightness—but from how small I feel in it. I feel like I’m just a little helpless girl pretending to be strong while my world burns in silence.
The chapel smells like white lilies and old wood, there were so many flowers, a lot of perfume. My mother sat beside me, dressed in black satin. Her face is pale, her lips were pressed together tightly. I can’t tell if she’s about to cry or faint. Belinda held her hand. I should be the one holding it. I should be doing something, but she ruined me and I'm just here sitting, breathing, blinking, trying hard not to scream.
The priest’s voice echoed in the room, but I’m not listening.
“…loving father, faithful husband…”
My fingers curl around the edge of the pew. My chest feels so empty, as if someone scooped out everything warm inside me and left nothing but the dress, the pearls, the pretty, useless girl who never saw any of this coming.
My father’s casket is a deep mahogany, polished and expensive, like everything he owned. It was Closed. I couldn’t even say goodbye properly; I couldn’t even touch his hand. They said the accident was bad, too bad..
After the service, everything blurred, people hugged me, they said they’re sorry, telling me how proud he was of me. How loved I am. I nodded and even forced a smile sometimes. My face hurts from pretending.