The groom's tux above.
Amelia Smith
My heart is pounding so hard.
Jasmine's dad, the mayor is the marriage officiant. He's standing in a tux with a happy expression on his face.
As my dad and I reach the end of the aisle, he hugs me. "I'm so proud of you." He says in my ear and presents me to Adam who's hand is held out. I take the hand and we both stand in front of Mayor Andre Johnson .
I look at Adam and he has his usual scowl on his face. He doesn't look happy at all but that doesn't keep him from looking handsome.
Even though I don't want this marriage, I can't deny the fact that the groom is ravishingly handsome and so fucking hot.
His beautiful brown eyes stare into mine and I can't help but to feel a pain in my chest. There are like Liam's, only a bit darker.
How did he even agree to this?
"You look beautiful." He whispers blankly.
There is no admiration in his eyes or voice so that means, he either said that because of the cameras or he is just trying to be polite.
"Thank you." I force a smile on my face.
My mum told to act happy because of the show and most of the people that are here don't know that this is a 'business' marriage.
Even though my friends mourn with me, I can tell that they are really excited for the wedding.
There are very mad at Liam. Nicole said it's a good that I'm getting the more handsome brother. Does that even matter?
I'm trying my best to stay strong since it was my decision to agree to this. I've cried so much, every fucking night.
I think of Liam everyday and wonder where he is and how he's doing. It's been six days.
Half of those days, I've been lying in the hospital unconscious and the other half happen to be the worst days of my life.
Does he miss me like I miss him?
Does he think of me?
Will I ever stop loving him?
I love him so much but at the same time, I hate him. I hate him for leaving me. My heart hurts so much in pain.
After I told my dad I will marry Adam, everything changed. I stopped caring about the wedding and like I said earlier, I left everything in the hands of my bridesmaids.
During the day, I stay strong and plaster fake smiles on my face then I breakdown at night.
I know I made the right choice though.
This marriage is about all the council members' children. I will give up my anything for my siblings and friends.
I let out a soft sigh and drift my eyes to where my bridesmaids are standing.
I'm happy with my choice even though I know it's going to change my life forever.
"Ladies and gentlemen," The mayor starts, "we are gathered here on this day to witness the union of Adam Black and Amelia Smith." He then looks at us. "You may say your vows."
Adam looks into my eyes. "I, Adam take you Amelia to be my lawfully wedded wife. I vow to always be there, to always listen and to always hold you close. I will love, honour, respect, encourage and cherish you, In sickness and health, for better or worse, through sorrow and success, for all the days my life." He says.
I feel tears gathering in my eyes. I shouldn't be standing here. I don't want to.
It is all fake! It's not real at all.
Who do I even blame?
Liam? Our grandparents? Or Daniel Black?
I forge a smile to hold back my tears. "I, Amelia take you, Adam to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to honour, love and respect you. I will share my life with you and cherish every single moment, In sickness and health, for richer, for poorer till death do us apart." My voice breaks as I speak and tears start falling through my eyes.
The good thing is people will think there are happy tears. I wonder if the same person wrote our vows. I like his more though.
I meant my vows. Well, except for the love part. I will honour and respect Adam and I will cherish our life together. I have to.
My cousin, Cora who is the flower girl comes and presents the rings.
He takes the ring then takes my hand. "With this ring, I thee wed." He slips in my finger.
The ring is beautiful. It has a white gold band with diamonds around and a blue diamond on top. It is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.
Amelia's wedding ring
I take his, it's plain and simple. "With this ring, I thee wed." I slip it in his long finger.
"If there is anyone who objects this wedding, speak now or forever hold your silence."
A part of me wishes that Liam would come of nowhere and objects but the garden is peacefully silent so the mayor nods.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Connecticut, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Mr Jones concludes.
I feel a weight on my chest.
I'm married.
I'm fucking married.
Adam leans his head close and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time, I present to you Mr and Mrs Adam Black!"
Everyone starts clapping and cheering and Adam and I hold hands.
I look at my mum and Aunt Diana who are crying and smiling at the same time.
I put the fake smile on my face as Adam and I start walking. Flowers are suddenly raining in the garden and I feel a sense of deja vu.
When Liam asked me to be his girlfriend. The red roses. Tears gather in my eyes again but I hold them back.
I'm scared. I don't know what my marriage life is going to be like. Will I cry everyday?
"You haven't thrown your bouquet!" Someone yells and I mentally roll my eyes then throw the bouquet.
I turn around and see Jasmine holding it with a smirk so I give her a soft smile.
I want to cry. I want to let it all out.
"Amelia, you two have to go and take some pictures at the other side of the garden." The wedding planner, Linda tells me.
I look at Adam and he just shrugs.
****
I'm about to start getting ready for the reception. It's an evening event since the wedding took place in the morning.
"You have very beautiful eyes." Ashley, the makeup artist says as she starts wiping my makeup.
"Thank you." I smile at her.
"Are you okay?" Emily asks me with a worried smile.
The tv show are not here. Thank God!
The reception is in like five hours and I can't say that I'm the least bit excited about it.
"I'm not." I answer Emily.
"You will be fine."
"I won't." I tell her, tears start falling from my eyes.
"Excuse me." I say and run out of the room.
I'm only in a bathrobe but I don't care. I go into the elevator and press the button to the private pool.
There's no one there. I sit, dipping my legs in the pool.
I'm married. I'm married to Adam Black.
Liam is gone. I don't even know where he went. Will I ever see him again?
Will the pain in my chest end?
It hurts so much.
I open my mouth and let out a scream then start crying out loud.
I cry, cry and cry till I somehow fall asleep beside the pool.
****
"Amelia."
I open my eyes and I see Rob.
"Why the hell are you sleeping here?" He lets out a soft laugh.
I sit up and hug myself. "I don't know."
He gives me his hand and helps me up then pulls me for a hug. "I'm sorry." He says.
"Yeah." I hug him back.
He softly strokes my hair then pulls away. "We tried everything to make him to stay but he refused. Brian literally knelt and begged him to at least say goodbye to you."
"That's so sweet." I smile.
"There's also something I need to tell you." He nervously scratches the back of his head.
"What is it?"
He takes a deep breath then he sits beside me. "Liam was having second thoughts."
My heart drops.
"About me?" I ask in a small voice.
"You, the wedding, I honestly don't know but he kept acting weird and saying things like it's too soon to get married and that you two might not last."
"Oh."
To be honest, I'm not mad about that because I also had the same thoughts. I told my mum and she said it was normal. "It's just wedding jitters, honey." She said.
It's fair for Liam to have them too.
"I'm not saying this to upset you. I just think that you deserve to know. Liam might be my best friend but what he did was a dick move. He gave up on something very precious."
Well, that is what I'm mad about. He gave up!
"Thank you, Robby." Tears softly fall out of my eyes. I gently wipe them and sniff.
"I want to show you something." He says and drags my hand.
"Where are we going?" I ask as we go into the elevator. I'm still in my bathrobe.
"Just trust me." Rob smiles and presses a button.
We arrive at a floor but it's not like a normal floor. There are no hotel rooms. I follow Rob as we walk through the corridors.
We finally reach a door. I look above it and see 'conference room' written. Why are we here?
Rob twists the door knob and we go in.
"Surprise!"
I instantly smile as I see Tyler, Emily, Camilla, Colton, Ian, Nicole, Jacob, Jasmine and Brian.
"What's going on?" I laugh.
"We know your dad gave you a choice but you decided to marry Adam because of us. We want to show you how much we appreciate that and love you." Ian says with a smile.
"You guys didn't have to." I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye.
"Yes, we do and throughout your marriage we are going to be here for you, always." Jas says.
Brian nods. "Even though Ian, Rob and I are going to be following Liam, we promise we will FaceTime you all the time."
"You're amazing, Milly and we are a team. All in this together. We all wish you the best and happiest married life." Jacob says.
"Thank you, Jacob." I grin.
"You're going to be fine. Adam might be a grump but he's really kind. I'm sure he will try to make sure you're comfortable." Colton says.
"I hope so." I chuckle.
"To our wonderful friend, Amelia Black!" Nicole raises her glass and I frown.
"Sorry, too soon?" She smiles.
I roll my eyes at her.
"I have an idea!" Camilla suddenly says.
"Instead of you to mop around and cry during the reception, why don't we celebrate? Let's celebrate you for being so strong for all of us. Let's push aside Liam and all the negativity and party the hell out." She says.
"Let's do that." I agree.
****
"You look so gorgeous." My aunt, Katherine says after we take a selfie.
Amelia's wedding reception dress
"Do I really?" I frown.
"Of course, you do. Look over there....your husband can't take is eyes off you." She grins.
I turn to my left and see that Adam is indeed staring at me. When our eyes meet, he doesn't look away. Instead, he stares harder.
"Go talk to him." Aunt Katherine nudges me.
"Do you want him to murder me?" I whisper.
She laughs, flashing her shiny white teeth. "I'm sure he wouldn't murder you in front of all these people."
I look at her nervously.
"Go." She encourages.
I sigh and walk over to Adam who is sitting like a king in the stage set for us.
The bride and groom's stage
"Hey."
He looks up at me but he doesn't say anything. I stare at his face, he looks so handsome. His hair is styled very nicely and he's got some scruff on.
"Why were you staring at me like that?"
"You surprise me." He replies.
"What?" I raise an eyebrow.
"I saw you screaming and crying by the pool and now you're smiling, laughing and dancing." He says with a hint of confusion in his tone.
He saw me by the pool. Did he call Rob?
"I decided to push away all the negativity and pretend that everything is fine." I answer his question with a smile.
He simply nods and looks away.
I wonder how he feels. I mean, I'm not the only one that's marrying someone that they don't love. Did also have to leave his girlfriend?
"So how are you feeling?"
"Married."
"Yeah, it's crazy." I state but he doesn't say anything so I ask. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
He looks at me. "If I had a girlfriend, I would not be here, Smith. I'm not as selfless as my brother." He says and that makes my heart break even more.
If he had a girlfriend, he wouldn't be here. He wouldn't give up like Liam did. He would fight for what is his.
"You are crying." He tells me, staring at me strangely.
I don't realise I'm crying till he speaks. I use my hand to gently wipe my tears. Thank God my makeup is waterproof. Emily suggested that. I'll thank her later.
"Hey guys!" Mae squeals as she jumps in front of us. "Amelia, I loved you with Liam but seeing you two now..." She pauses and places a hand over chest. "It's like you are meant to be. You look so good together. You are literally perfect for each other." She smiles excitedly.
I roll my eyes at her. "You're crazy."
"Can you guys give me a romantic pose? It's for instagram. Publicity!" She grins.
"Okay." Adam says and pulls me close to him by the waist, taking me by surprise.
I lean in closer and smile into Mae's camera. New hubby smells so good if I must say.
"Oh my God! Perfect!" Mae shrieks then look at me. "Gosh! I can't believe that you are married to Adam Black. I'm his sister-in-law!"
I palm my face. Gosh! She's so embarrassing.
"Would you like to dance?" Adam asks her.
Why is he so polite to her?
"Of course!" She grins and I watch them as the walk to the dance floor.
"Hey." Ivory smiles and sits next to me.
"Who would have thought that I would get married before you?" I chuckle.
"Yeah, everything happened so fast."
"It did." I smile sadly.
"But you know you're going to be okay, right?"
"No. No, I don't."
"You will be. Adam is a great guy."
"You don't even know him, Ivory and neither do I." I whisper the last part.
"Yes but look-" She points at the dance floor with her head.
Adam is talking with Mae and some of my aunts and cousins. They're all laughing except him but he looks very interested in the conversation. They all look quite normal.
"He already fits in with your family."
If it was my dad's side of the family, I will argue and tell her he probably knows them since they were kids or through business but that is my mum's family. Most of them live in the UK or France.
I watch as Cora tugs on him and he looks at her then picks her up. "He's acting." I tell Ivory.
She scoffs. "Yeah, right."
"Where's Peter?"
"Hanging around with a bunch of dudes. There a lot of people at this wedding, some of his friends included."
If Liam had been the groom, this day would have been the best day of my life. Everything is perfect and just that way I've always wanted. The sad thing is I don't care anymore because don't want any of this if he isn't here.
"Hm."
I look around. Adam has the hottest groomsmen. I didn't take a proper look at all of them but they're all pretty damn hot. My bridesmaids can't take their eyes of them.
Camilla and Mia have been flirting with them non stop.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!" Daniella reaches us waving her hands in the air.
"What?" I ask her.
"He kissed me!" She cries excitedly.
"Who?"
"Chance the Rapper!"
My jaw drops. "Really?"
"Yes! Oh my God." She squeezes between Ivory and I. "You are one lucky bitch, girl." She says as she looks at Adam who is now talking with my grandfather.
I scoff. My grandfather plays a huge role in all this. I haven't talked to him and I don't intend on doing so.
"So is Chancea good kisser?" Ivory asks Daniella.
"He kissed me on the cheek."Â She replies.
I pause and turn to look at her. "Wait what?"
"Do you guys really think I would be here if he kissed on the lips? I would be in his car, making sure I sleep with him tonight." She lick her lips with a smirk.
Hmmm
I guess some parts of my life will never change.
The reception decoration
****
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr Ed Sheeran. It's time for Adam and Amelia's first dance as newly weds!"
Everyone starts cheering at the mention of Ed Sheeran. John Legend couldn't come because he's on tour. I didn't care when my mum told me but my bridesmaids did.
So Nicole spoke to Adam and he found a way to bring Ed Sheeran here in two days.
"I will be singing one of my new songs. It's called Perfect." Ed Sheeran says and everyone starts screaming again.
The music starts and Adam puts his arm around my waist.
I found love for me
Darling just dive right in and follow my lead
"This scares me." I confess.
"What?" My dear husband finally speaks.
"Everything. This marriage, It's scares the shit out of me. I don't know what being with you for the rest of my life is going to be like." I reply in a small sad voice.
Baby I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
He looks in my eyes. "Nothing will happen to you and stop crying please."
"Aren't you going to miss him?"
"It is not like I'm never going to see him again."
Listening to our favourite song
When I saw you in that dress looking so beautiful
I don't deserve it
"I just....it's all just fucked up."
Darling you look perfect tonight
"We will get divorced."
I scoff. "Yeah, right. Have you forgotten the big capital 'no divorce' in the contract?"
"Yes but I will find a way, I promise."
"Really?" My eyes widen with hope.
Babyyyyy I'm
Adam nods. "Yes now can you stop crying?"
"I'm not crying."
"Yes, you are."
What is wrong with him? I am not crying! My eyes are as dry as bone.
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
"No, I'm no-"
"May I cut in?" A voice interrupts.
Peter Black. My father-in-law.
Adam steps back and I slowly start dancing with Peter. We dance in silence for a bit but then he speaks up. "You know I'm happy with the way things turn out."
I raise my eyebrow. What is he talking about?
"Liam leaving was a good thing."
I frown instantly. "What are you taking about?"
Why would he son leaving the country be a good thing?
People always say that Peter has more care and love for his first son. Are the rumours true?
"No." He speaks as if he has read my mind. "I love both of my sons but as a person that has watched you, Adam and Liam grow up, I can assure that Adam is a better match for you than Liam will ever be."
I almost laugh. Adam and I? A match? Never!
"Why?" I ask.
"This trip that Liam has decided to take is the first that he's going out in the world on his own. He has always been our little boy. Adam on the other hand, has been without us since he was five. He is a man, there is nothing in this world that he cannot do." Peter answers.
I still don't get his point.
"That doesn't explain why he is a better match for me than Liam." I state.
He looks around. "Come with me." He whispers.
I gather my dress and follow him out of the hall. We go outside and he helps me sit on a wooden bench, beside him.
I sigh and inhale the fresh air. I'm tired, I want to go home.
With that thought, I feel a pang in my chest.
I'm not going back to my home.
I will be living with Adam in God knows where.
"You seem suffocated in there." Peter says.
"I was. Thanks for bringing me out here."
He gives me a smile. "I'm so happy for you, Amelia and I'm happy for Adam as well."
"I love Liam." I remind him.
"You and Liam were good for each other, too good perhaps but you and Adam are perfect for each other." He says.
"There is no such thing as 'too good'."
"Yes there is. You were brought up the same way, in the same community, you went to the same schools. You are so much like than you'll ever realise, your personalities included."
He's right but that's not a problem, is it?
"You both need someone different, a little darker and more experienced in life." He adds.
I turn to look at him. "Why didn't you stop it? Why didn't any of you did?"
If he thought Adam was 'the one' for me, he could have stopped my relationship with Liam before it had gotten this far.
Heck! My parents should have told me that I was betrothed to someone when I was fifteen since I guess I got my senses then.
What would have happened if it was someone else? Would they still watch me fall in love with that person and then suddenly tell me I can't marry him?
"It was eighteen years ago. After Daniel left, we swore to never speak of him again. We all forgot about the marriage contract." Peter explains.
Yeah, right. I just can't find myself to believe that crap. There are fifteen families in the council. Each with a spouse and that makes a total of thirty members.
Colton's dad and Rob's mum have passed. Jacob's mum left, The Townleys live in the middle east and Brian's mum divorced his dad.
With those people subtracted that makes twenty-four members of the council. There is no way in hell that only Mr Wang, Mia's dad remembered.
I watch as people start leaving. It's getting pretty late. I see Nicole coming towards us so I straighten up.
"Hi, Mr Black." She smiles at Peter.
"Nicole." He nods at her formally.
"Amelia." She drags my arm. "What type of a bride ditches her own wedding? People are starting to miss you!"
"Okay." I smile and get off the bench.
"See you later, Mr Black!" Nicole waves and we head back in.
****
It's finally time for Adam and I to leave. We are both really tired and it's late.
The chauffeur opens the door and I wave at everyone then get into the limo.
This is it.
"I don't have time for a honeymoon but I can plan a trip for you if you would like." Adam speaks as the car start moving.
I ignore him and lean my head back. Who wants to travel by themselves? All alone?
Adam's arms are crossed over his chest as he looks out the window.
He is my husband.
Adam Black, the guy who dislikes me, my ex-boyfriend's brother is my husband.
I know Peter believes in what he says.
I know how most arranged marriage stories end, the two people fall in love and live happily.
But this is my story and I know for sure that there is definitely no falling in love or a happily ever after.
I can swear on it.
****
Here we go! The story begins.
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All the love.