Chapter 19

"I wonder what his plan is."

"I hope it's something dramatic."

"Like what?" Callie laughs.

"Like he's going to say 'I don't' and then snatch up Nova and they run off together and be happy. Then someone decks his mom in the head or something." Lorena says thoughtfully.

"You guys are so weird." I laugh, looking at my friends I'm FaceTiming. "I doubt it'll be that."

"Okay but it has to be dramatic since he wants us there, right?" Lorena grins. "I'm getting excited. Nova, how are you doing your hair? Are you leaving it natural or are you going to do something else?"

"I don't know." I shrug.

"What do you mean you don't know? It's tomorrow!" Callie exclaims.

Tomorrow. That's right.

Tomorrow is the 21st. Things are supposed to be better after tomorrow. Way better. That's what Ethan keeps saying.

"Ethan is sending people over to do my hair and makeup. I told him I can do it myself but he said to just 'relax'." I roll my eyes.

"Girl, he spoils you so much. Please share." Lorena laughs, holding her hands out to the camera.

"I know...but it always makes me feel nervous- or like guilty. I don't want him spending unnecessary money on me. People will get the wrong ide-"

"Please just shut the fuck up." Lorena cuts me off.

"I agree with her. Shut the fuck up." Callie hums, laughing.

I stare at my two friends, lips pursed and raising my hand to flip them off.

"Ethan genuinely seems happy as hell whenever he gives you things. And he expects nothing in return. He's so happy to even be next to you, or to hold your hand. I'm almost 120% sure all that goes on in that poor boy's brain is thoughts of you." Callie says, fiddling with something off camera. "He just wants you to be happy and wants to be the one to provide that happiness. Nobody gives a shit what he does with his money- so accept the gifts and just shut the fuck up. It's not like it'll stop any time soon. Get used to it already."

A small sigh escapes my lips and I go lay on the bed.

I don't have the money to buy him gifts as often or as expensive as he does for me. But I don't want the nice gestures to only go one way either. Maybe I'll get a job on campus, and then I can buy him nice things too.

"Okay" I hum.

"Okay?" Both Lorena and Callie look at me like I'm crazy. "That's it?"

"Yeah. That's it. I'll stop complaining."

The two girls blink before sharing a look with each other.

A frown comes over my lips as they mute the call, starting to talk to each other by themselves. Once they do unmute though, I roll my eyes at their response.

"You've been possessed, right? What have you done with our precious, stubborn Nova?"

~

"Stay still for me sweetheart."

"Sorry." I apologize. "I had no idea I was getting my nails done too."

It's around 12, and a group of women came just 20 minutes ago saying Ethan sent them to get me ready.

I was a bit worried since we didn't really talk about it much. But I was hoping with all my heart he didn't send a white person to come do my hair or makeup.

And he didn't disappoint. It seems like the women all came are from the same company, and they're all Black too.

I have to thank him for that later, along with everything else.

"This is so exciting! Are you nervous?" The woman doing my hair asks.

"Hmm, kind of." I laugh. "I just don't know what's going to happen."

"Oh- baby. You gon cry. But that's okay, because we are going to be there hidden wayyyy out in the back just in case your makeup needs a touch up." She laughs.

"When I got married, I bawled like a baby when I started walking down the aisle. As soon as I seen my husband all dressed up- I was gone. That man looked so fine. I tried to hold it in but that man started crying when he seen me and that bitch knows I'm sensitive so I don't know why he'd do that to me." The woman doing my nails laughs.

The three women had said their names quickly once they walked in, but I didn't catch it and I've been too afraid and embarrassed to ask again.

So that's that.

"Do you think you'll cry when you walk down the aisle?" The girl who's supposed to be doing my makeup asks as she holds up different foundation bottles to my skin.

A moment of silence passes, and I see the woman doing my nails send her a look.

"Oh, I'm not the one getting married." I laugh lightly. "I'm just going to the wedding."

"Oh, we see." The lady doing my hair chuckles awkwardly, and a thick silence fills the air afterwards.

Hmph. Weird.

~

"Holy shit Nova." Callie gasps, running over to me the best she can in her heels.

"OH FUCK." Lorena steps out the car, gasping and running towards us while barefoot.

"You look so good!" They scream in unison.

Cameron as well as Dylan step out the car, walking over to us.

"You guys want some pictures together?" Cameron offers, taking his phone out.

"Yes please!"

The three of us take a ton of pictures until the driver Ethan sent for us tells us that we need to leave.

On the way to the venue we talk about what my friends have been up to these past few days. It seems like they had a lot of fun at the Airbnb and I'm grateful for that.

Once we actually arrive, the five of us gawk at the place. Outside must be where the marriage ceremony part takes place, and inside has to be the reception. To get to the ceremony part, you have to walk through the building and damn did they put a lot of decorations.

"This is like- beautiful. And hideous at the same time." Lorena hums.

"This way please!" Our driver rushes us.

We stop looking around, quickly following the driver to our seats. As soon as we step in, Ethan spots me. He's standing in his suit, his hair is styled, and he's waiting at the end of the aisle.

He looks...really good. Mature too.

As soon as he catches my eyes, he looks away.

Okay. I'm just going to say he did that because his mom is here. Yeah. That's why.

Once we are seated I gasp at the people next to me.

"Will!" I exclaim, taking the seat by him.

"Hey girl!" He grins, giving me a hug.

"Helen, Professor!" I smile, giving Ethan's aunt a hug and shaking my professor's hand.

"You seem to be in a very good mood despite what's happening." Helen looks at me worriedly. "Are you sure you'll be okay to be here?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I give her a polite smile.

"I wouldn't. If my boyfriend was marrying some bitch just because my mom is a whore- I wouldn't go to the wedding." Will crosses his arms.

I'm assuming they don't know anything about Ethan's plan, which sucks because I wanted to ask about it.

All too soon the wedding ceremony begins, and we all stand to watch as Kaitlyn and her dad walk down the aisle. She has a huge smile on her face and when I look over at Ethan I see that he does as well.

Ethan...he didn't trick me. Right? He's can't actually be marrying her.

He said not to freak out when she walks down the aisle, but how can I not when they're looking at each other like that?

And I hate to admit it, but Kaitlyn is really pretty.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Ethan and Kaitlyn in matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly and solemnly. Into this - these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together - let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Nobody says a word.

Am I supposed to say something? Ethan never mentioned me being part of his plan, so I just sit there quietly.

The opening prayer is said, and I end up not soaking in much of anything after that.

Isn't this going a little too far?

I have to trust Ethan. Especially because right now, trust is all we have. But this is almost over and nothing is happening.

"Kaitlyn, do you take Ethan to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?"

"I do." She answers confidently.

My breath gets trapped in my throat and I begin to lose all hope.

"Ethan, do you take Kaitlyn to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?"

It's so quiet you can hear a pin drop as we all wait for Ethan's reply. Both him and Kaitlyn look way too happy for my liking right now.

"I don't." Ethan answers and Kaitlyn giggles a bit.

"WHAT?!" Someone shouts, then a woman stands up from the crowd.

Ethan nudges Kaitlyn, letting go of her hands.

They whisper something to each other before the two of them look over in my direction.

I felt an incredible amount of relief flow through my body once Ethan uttered those two words, but now I'm getting nervous again as Kaitlyn is rushing over to us.

"Nova? Hi. Can you come with me please?" Kaitlyn smiles warmly, offering her hand to me.

I stayed glued to my seat for a second, just staring at her hand.

"W-What?" I ask.

Will lifts me up and pushes me in her direction.

"Go get your mans!"

Kaitlyn grabs my hand and leads me over to Ethan, making me stand in the spot she was in before. After she does so, she goes off and disappears.

"Ethan Agosti what in the world do you think you're doing?!" The woman starts making her way through the row of chairs. "This is unacceptable! Get that ni-"

"Samantha Agosti, you are under arrest for domestic violence..." Policemen, who were dressed as attendees, cut Ethan's mom off and list a number of things shes being charged with.

My eyes almost pop out of my head at the scene unfolding in front of me.

I turn back to Ethan, but he's not looking at what's happening. He's looking at me. His expression is a bit solemn though, and I reach up to cup his cheeks.

"Are you okay?" I ask quietly.

"Yeah. I just feel...guilty." He responds, looking down.

"Hey, it's okay. She was hurting you." I frown, rubbing his cheek with my thumb.

He looks up at me again and nods, finally giving me a small smile.

"Let's not talk about that now. Today is our day. I'm...really happy." He says, taking my hands in his. "I'm going to introduce you to everyone now, okay?"

Before I can say anything, Ethan puts a hand on my back and we both face everyone else remaining in their seats.

"Good evening everyone. I hope you are not too shocked at today's events..."