Chapter 3

Lauren

"What?" I exclaimed, disbelief and shock evident on my face.

An arranged marriage? No way.

"Lauren. Listen to me. I know it's a lot for you to-" my mother started but I cut her off.

"I can't do this mom." I sighed.

I can't marry a complete stranger. I might not have a boyfriend right now but I definitely am not ready to marry some guy just like that. Ever.

"Lauren. Calm down and let me explain." I heard my mother's high-toned voice which finally shut me up. That voice is something I could never talk back to, since my young age.

Oh, wow... Now she is angry when it is supposed to be me who should be mad in this whole situation.

"Lauren. You know that we will not force you into anything. Right?" I heard my father speak for the first time since the bomb was dropped earlier.

I wanted to avoid looking at him because I knew that I'd feel guilty if I said no to my father. I love them both and saying no to them is the hardest thing for me. But marriage is an even tougher subject that I can't give up on easily.

"I know, Dad." I finally turned to my dad, exhausted.

"Then don't worry, honey. If you are against this marriage, I will think of any other alternative." He spoke with a small smile and I sighed looking at my father's sad expression.

"But Mike-" my father's voice cut my mother off.

"Jane. Don't."

My mother exhaled loudly giving us both a final stare before stomping out of the room. My father turned towards me and gave me a weak smile which I returned. He walked away after bidding me good night.

I stood there for a second trying to digest all the information I got in just an hour. But still, I couldn't think straight.

***

A few minutes had passed or had it been hours, I didn't know for how long I sat in my bed thinking about the scene from earlier.

My mood turned down after seeing my dad's expression.

Am I the worst daughter in the world?

But I can't marry someone just like that.

Did I disappoint my dad?

He was always there for me and I can't even make him happy.

I groaned and hit my head on the pillow. I sat up straight when I heard a knock on the door. It was my mother.

When she saw me on the bed she smiled at me and walked into the room sitting in front of me.

Did she just smile at me? It's not like she doesn't ever smile, it's just that she never smiled at me.

"I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry if I disappointed you..." I uttered the bitter words out.

My mother smiled at me and stayed silent looking at me which made me even more nervous than I already am.

"No Lauren. You never disappointed us. You were always the daughter we wanted." My mother's words surprised me.

"But I still hurt you by not agreeing to this marriage. Didn't I?" I asked her still not looking at her in the eyes.

She exhaled thinking for a second before looking up at me again.

"Do you remember William, Lauren?" my mother asked.

"Dad's best friend?" I asked lifting my eyes to her usual emotionless face. A blank expression is her resting face.

She nodded at me.

"He is James Kingston's son."

James Kingston?

That old man from earlier?

Oh...

"Your father and Willian have been friends since their college. But later, your father and William had a few disturbances between them and they parted on bad terms."

Okay...

"After a few years, One day we received the news of William's sudden death. We got to know that the causes of his death were because of a few family problems and depression." I widened my eyes at the news.

"But your father still thinks and regrets that he wasn't there when his friend needed him the most. He still thinks that he could've saved his friend from depression. From death. He promised James that he would always be there to help whenever Kingstons need him." my mother finished taking my hand in hers.

I glanced at our intertwined hands, cherishing the physical touch, before lifting my eyes to her.

"You know your father, Lauren. He will not force you into this marriage but will blame himself if he can't help them." My mother stressed the words.

"Don't worry. In the end, it's your opinion that matters, honey," she added.

She squeezed my hand before releasing them.

"Can I have some time to think about it?" I asked her after a moment of silence. It's been so long since my mother talked this openly with me about something.

"Sure. But I want you to make the right decision. Think about your father before you decide."

My mother spoke and I nodded my head at her words.

A couple of minutes later, she stood up to leave and opened the door to walk out but stopped when I asked her a question.

"What is this guy's name?" I asked her slightly curious.

"Ethan Kingston."

***

This is it.

This is the day my life is going to change.

This is the day I'm going to marry someone.

I looked up in front of the mirror and saw a beautiful girl staring straight at me.

Everything is perfect except the smile. The smile looked forced. The long white dress hugged my curves perfectly. I looked beautiful.

"Seriously Lauren?" I heard Alice's voice from my side.

I turned my head to see her frustrated face.

"What, Alice?" I played dumb.

"You know exactly what, Lauren. You don't have to do this marriage. You deserve to marry someone who you love." She exclaimed taking my hand.

"I have to do this and I'm quite happy doing this, Alice. I'm doing this for my father." She was about to say something but I interrupted her.

"Don't worry I will still be around to annoy you." I tried lightening the mood.

"Can I ever get rid of you!" she exclaimed throwing her hands.

We broke into a smile and I hugged her tightly.

Alice is such a teddy bear to hug. Her hugs are always warm and comforting.

We broke the hug when my father entered the room.

"Isn't she the most beautiful bride in the world Mr. Campbell?" Alice asked my father.

"Yes, Alice. She is." My father answered with moist eyes.

"I know you are doing this for me, honey. And I cannot appreciate it enough." My father gave me a tearful smile.

"Ready?" he asked.

I took a deep breath and nodded at him.

***

The flower girl lined the path with white rose petals as the music started.

It was my turn and my palms started sweating.

Relax Lauren.

Inhale... Exhale...

Inhale-

When I entered, all eyes turned towards me which made me even more nervous.

My father escorted me down the aisle and I am quite happy that my father is there to catch me if I faint.

The walk down the aisle was terrifying because no one at least made a single sound except the music. When we were at the end of the aisle, I looked ahead to see my future husband for the first time.

He is almost 6'3 tall, wearing a black suit. He could easily be the most handsome man in the world.

He stood taller, his shoulders back and his eyes on me.

Wait...

That is how it should be! But it is not.

This is how it went...

He stood taller, his shoulders back and his eyes on anywhere else but me.

Once we reached the end, my father turned towards me and kissed my head before placing my hand in my future husband's.

When he touched my hand, it felt different and nice. He gave my father a stern nod and my father walked away. He looked at me for a second and my eyes instantly went to his blue eyes.

Damn, he has such beautiful eyes.

He looked even more handsome with that perfect jaw and blue eyes.

But he looked angry with his clenched jaw. His eyes are stormy red similar to the Hulk who is ready to smash someone or anyone.

We both stood in front of the priest and the priest started.

"Dear beloved, we are gathered here to witness this man and woman join together in holy matrimony."

This is happening. Isn't it?

Am I going to be called Mrs. Kingston from now on?

Mrs. Kingston. That sounds so boring.

The sound doesn't even have a ring.

Shut up, Lauren.

What are you supposed to think and what are you thinking?

I swear I'm the dumbest person in the whole world.

No. I think I'm the second. The dumbest person will be Alice.

The priest's voice brought me out of my senseless humor thoughts.

"Do you, Lauren Campbell, take Ethan Kingston as your lawfully wedded husband?"

I turned towards the crowd to see my parents happy. I got the answer I needed.

"I do." I answered.

The priest turned towards him and asked the same.

"Do you, Ethan Kingston, take Lauren Campbell as your lawfully wedded wife?"

His jaw clenched again and he tightened his fist. He stood silent and the crowd started murmuring.

Is he going to reject this?

Reject!

Reject!

Reje-

He glanced at me for a second, took a deep breath and turned towards the priest.

"I do." He answered.

Just like that, my hopes died.

The priest turned towards the crowd.

"With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The crowd cheered.

Oh no. The kiss.

I completely forgot about the important part of all the chaos around me.

I looked at him to see him shift uncomfortably.

A man who was almost as tall as my husband came and whispered something in his ear.

In return, he glared at him.

Wait.

How can I not recognize him?

He is Ryan Parker, one of the famous actors.

My husband took a step in front of me and placed his hand lightly on my cheek.

I closed my eyes tight in response.

I waited in anticipation not knowing what to even expect but my breath hitched when I felt his soft lips on my cheek.

I opened my eyes slowly to see him moving back from me. My face felt hot as blood rushed towards my cheeks.

Am I blushing?

I'm sure I look like a tomato right now.

Get a grip, Lauren.

***

In the reception, we posed for something like two pictures and he walked away abruptly when he got a phone call.

I was standing alone awkwardly when Grandpa came towards me.

Yeah, he told me to address him as either James or Grandpa.

"Don't mind him, dear. The call must be important." He supported his grandson.

"No, no, it's fine, grandpa. Don't worry." I assured him.

One of the guests came and took Grandpa to discuss something. Alice came and stood beside me with a champagne glass in her hand.

"How are you doing, Mrs. Kingston." I rolled my eyes at her.

"I think you can see it," I answered and she smiled at me.

"Out of all this wedding crap, the only good thing happened here is your husband is handsome," she smirked.

I was going to reply when he came towards me.

"Mr. Campbell, I have a very important thing to do. Do you mind if we leave right now?" He asked my father.

"No. What do you mean Ethan?" Grandpa whisper-yelled at him.

My father looked starstruck.

"Sure, son. I mean if it's important." He nodded his head unsure.

"Then we will leave now."

He started walking away and Alice pushed me slightly gesturing me to follow him.

I quickly nodded and turned towards my parents.

I bid them goodbye by kissing them on the cheeks and quickly followed him out.

Once I was out, I saw a car waiting for us.

I was never good with car names, but this one sure looked rich.

The chauffeur opened the back door and I quickly sat after greeting him.

Ethan followed me and sat beside me.

Why does he make me a lot nervous?

In all of this, I realized now that the man beside me didn't even talk to me at least once.

I tuned towards him to see him talking on his phone.

He should've married his phone.

I rolled my eyes and turned towards the window staring out.

The car ride started and just like that a new chapter in my life started.