[Words Count: 1937 ]

Laura Lewis

Marriage....what an ironic word yet a beautiful word. Marriage is where two individuals unite, mutually for their love. When I was a child, I usually played a game called Marriage, where me and my friends made a fake marriage to play. , I always used to be the bride, and my other friend who also was a girl became the groom. I always wear my little white frock for the wedding and my friend becomes the groom by wearing her brother's clothes. In that game, we both get married to each other. Our parents as in our other friends who became our parents in the game, matchmade us for the marriage. After we got married in the game, we built our imaginary house and a lifestyle. Where my husband goes to work and I as a wife stay at home and cook food for him. I dress up beautifully to wait for my husband to return after work so that we can eat together. We always play this imaginary marriage game in our childhood. The sweet moments that happen between husband and wife are the symbol of a happy marriage. The way my husband takes care of me and sometimes when he cooks for me or does the other chores of the house are the joyous moments of a happy marriage. Where I always want my husband to pay attention to me. Those imaginary moments are so beautiful when I get sick and my husband takes care of me. After playing the game, when I go home and tell my mother how I imagined my husband to be? She always says that I will get a very handsome and loyal husband who takes care of me. I used to feel shy when she mentioned my husband.

Is my imagination of having a good husband wrong? Did my imagination go overboard? Did I think of too many qualities my husband will possess? I should have not played that sort of game in childhood. It made my hopes high for a good and loyal husband.

Can my imaginary husband and the one who is about to be my husband be the same? Can they be ever compared for any factor? It seems to be a waste of time thinking about my husband or a marriage. There is a saying think positive and feel positive.

I have been thinking about my marriage as I glance at myself through the mirror while getting ready. 

This morning Ace bought the Wedding Dress for me. He gave it to me before leaving the room. He said although there was no need for a wedding dress because everything happened too suddenly later he thought that it was my first and the last marriage so, I should wear a wedding dress.

"How thoughtful of him?" I scoff while glancing through the mirror.

As our wedding was happening all of a sudden from nowhere, he said that only family members would be there and an officiant would perform the marriage. The wedding gown he bought for me was simple yet elegant. The dress was not too much for our wedding or not too less. It was a perfect combination of simple and beautiful. It was a white gown with flowers and leaves which embraced the dress beautifully. My collarbone, shoulders, and sleeves were made of white lace net which made my skin barely noticeable. The dress was not that heavy yet gave a good amount of flare at the bottom. I tied half of the hair back leaving the rest open in a way where a few hair strands were lingering on my face. I didn't do any makeup just washed my face before wearing the dress. I always go without makeup as I am a doctor, I always have to focus on my patients more rather than my face. 

I was done getting ready when I heard a doorknock. 

"Oh no! Is it that time when I have to get married?" I whisper wide open.

I suddenly feel a mix of emotions like fear, nervousness, and many more. My hands were cold while scratching the edge of the chair placed beside me. It was a while that I didn't reply to the knock. I know I have to go outside but it was my legs who were not supporting me. I couldn't move from my place. I was standing there staring at the door while blinking many times due to fear. 

I heard the sound of a door knock again. 

This time again I couldn't move so, "Please, come in!" I murmured calmly swallowing my anxiety inside.  

The door was slowly opening, I was expecting Ace to be there but it was Clay. He was wearing a black tuxedo holding a bouquet in his hand. He was about the same height as Ace around 175 cm tall dark handsome man. Unlike Ace, he didn't have any beard, he was clean-shaved which flaws his skin features smoothly. For someone's right-hand man, he was far qualified to be the handsome man. 

He enters the room, "Ace is waiting for you downstairs." He says while giving the flowers to me. 

"Is everyone downstairs?" I asked while taking the flowers nervously. 

"Yeah, Sort of!" He says while thinking. 

"I just need two minutes." I chuckled nervously. 

He nods while leaving the room.

I quickly locked the door as soon as he left. I started brisk walking from here and there, thinking what should I do now? It's the time for marriage. I don't wanna get married to him. At least not to my kidnapper. 

"What should I do?"

"What should I do?"

"What should I do?"

"What should I do?"

I murmured nervously while brisk walking. Then, I saw the window in the room. I ran towards the window and saw downwards. It was a two-floor distance from the room to the ground. That was a tough one to climb down. I quickly grabbed the bed sheet and the blanket. Tied both of them to each other's end. I tied the first end to the window rod and let the other one go down. I tried to cross the window to climb down but I couldn't because of my dress. The dress was long which made it impossible for me to climb down. I quickly went near the cupboard to check so that, I could find something useful. 

"Bingo!" I whispered excitedly as soon as I saw scissors on one of the cupboards. 

I grabbed the scissors and cut down my skirt to make it short so that the end of the skirt touched the knees. I even cut down my long lace net sleeves so that when I climb down they won't trouble me. 

I quickly ran towards the window and held the rope that I made from a bedsheet and blanket. I tightened my grip on the rope and started to climb down. I removed my shoes and threw them on the ground so that I could tangle my legs to rope in a way that I wouldn't fall. I slowly made my way downwards. As the distance between the window and the ground was the two floors, the rope that I made couldn't touch the ground fully. When I reached the end of the rope there was still some distance left between me and the ground. I had no choice but to jump from the rope to the ground. 

"I can do it," I whispered while tightening the grip of the rope. 

"Three!" I sigh. 

"Two!" Took a deep breath.

"And, three!"

As soon as I whispered the last counting, I skipped the rope and jumped down. 

"Ahh!" I screamed as I reached the ground on my knees. 

When I jumped from there the distance was too much which made me fall to my knees. My knees were all scratched down. I could see the blood coming from the knees but that was not the time to sit and cry there. I quickly stood up and took my shoes from the ground which I threw earlier. I started to walk slowly glancing here and there so that no one saw me running from here. I couldn't run because of my knees, they were burning in pain like hell. I had to slowly take steps to walk forward. There was only one main gate to leave the house. I could see that gate from a distance. I could leave this place forever but I couldn't leave. Instead, I had to hide and wait for that particular moment when I could run from here. The problem was the bodyguards, they were standing at the main gate to guard the house. I can't go out because I am wearing a white dress, they will find out that I am the bride. There is one option I could change my clothes right now but that seems too difficult because for that I have to climb up back to Ace's room. And, with my knees hurting I don't think I can do that. I'd rather find a place to hide than go back to the room. I saw the garden area near the parking lot of the house. I quickly went over there to hide myself for the time being. 

Ace Hoisington

I, Ace Hoisington waiting to get married but that's not the question. The question is, Is Ace Hoisington ready to get married? Although, I don't know the answer to this question. But, what I know is that I am getting married today. Whether it is with consent or non-consent, it doesn't matter now. What matters is that Laura Lewis is going to be my wife and I will be her husband. It sounds so cliche but it is true. 

My family and I are all waiting for the bride to come down to the living room for the marriage. It's a small family function because of the situation we are getting married into. Also, as my mother is not here, she is out of town for some business work. And, she doesn't know I am getting married today. 

The situation we are marrying in is not a happy moment to buy a wedding dress but I know how important it is for a girl to have a wedding. So, I bought Laura a wedding gown and a black tuxedo for me. Also, one of the reasons for buying the wedding dress was that my sister Kat, my brother Daniel, and Aunt Mary didn't know the reason for us getting married. So, a wedding dress was the best excuse I could use. 

The wedding is a beautiful yet happy moment for everyone. The ones who are getting married and the ones who are included in the wedding. I could see the happy faces for my wedding like Kat, Paston, Daniel, Aunt Mary and David. But, not all are happy at weddings like my father, Laura, and I. But as I said, It doesn't matter now. 

It was a while that we all were waiting for Laura to come down. She is taking a lot of time to get ready. I previously asked Clay to bring her down. I think she will be here soon. 

It was almost time to get married as the Officiant who would perform the marriage also needed to go somewhere else. I saw Clay coming downstairs but he was alone. Laura was not there. He came close to me and whispered in my ear. 

"YOUR BRIDE! RAN AWAY!" 

To be continued.....