May
Carmen laid on her bed, her back slowly falling into the sheets, engulfing her in endless bunk. She closed her eyes. The thoughts in her head running wild, but her heart beating as softly as the pillows drumming her ears. This was it, she rolled on her side and glanced at the alarm clock on her nightstand. 21:47a.m. When her alarm device wakes her up in the early morning, she will be forced to dress in her wedding gown. No longer waking up to the sounds of an annoying ring in her ear, reminding her of the prisonment. Because it was gonna be different, she was no longer gonna be locked in her own house, but chained down with a man she barely knew. This, wasn't the freedom she prayed for nor the independence she craved for. At least she spent her last day with her friends at the market. Not until he ruined it. The mere thought of his arrogant got her smoking through her nose.
06:23a.m. The mansion was busy as it gets, maid's running up and down the house. Carmen groaned, lifting an eyelid up to glance at the alarm device. A maid rushes in, into the bathroom, she turned the tap on, and Carmen could hear the water run down into the tub. She groaned again, firing her eyelids down and turning to the side.
"Miss Brown? It's time for your bath," the maid's voice interrupted her. Carmen growled now, and the maid flinched, silently waiting for her to wake up. It was a rather fast morning, she took a bath and was already sent to dress up in her wedding gown. The wedding dress was seemingly pleasant, a modern design for a twenty two year old.
As Carmen sat on the dressing table, gazing into her reflection, she admired her beauty, but she didn't see the need for it. In fact, it didn't feel like a wedding to her. The maid's who were doing her hair noticed her somber mood. As soon as Aunt Shira entered the room with a veil, one of the maids indicated with her point of a chin. Aunt Shira sighed, placing the veil on the bed, she walked behind her, grabbing her shoulder. Carmen looked up, and Aunt Shira's smile fell upon her. The maid's took their leave, leaving them both.
"You want to talk about it?" She asked, Carmen looked back at her reflection, no hint of excitement.
Aunt Shira nodded, aware of the feeling she felt. She grabbed a brush on the stand and worked on her hair.
"If you talk about you'll feel better," Aunt Shira said.
Carmen shrugged, "What's there to talk about?"
"Your feelings maybe." Aunt Shira looked through the mirror, "How are you feeling Carmen?"
Carmen averted her gaze on her manicured fingers crossing each other.
"I'm…sad." She muttered. Aunt Shira nodded, placed the brush back on the stand then squeezed her shoulder gently.
"All done, look at you, you look beautiful Miss Brown, or should I say Mrs Bronson?"
Carmen chuckled, "No need. Thank you Shira."
"Of course," she smiled, "Your home is still here Carmen, it isn't going anyway, remember that."
Rowan paced up and down the room. A knock interrupted his thoughts and he halted on his steps. "Come in." He said lazily, and Josh peered in.
"Hey! My little bro is getting married, I'm so proud of you," he said, patting Rowan on his shoulder, "And the suit looks fire on you, your bride will wobble when she sees you."
Rowan scoffed with a frown, "Aren't you supposed to be the one crying about how your little brother beat you to it."
"Neh," Josh waved his hand dismissively, "I'm not rushing for that kind of stuff."
Rowan tsked, and walked towards his desk, grabbing his cellphone.
"What are you doing?" Josh asked, walking towards him.
"I'm requesting an Uber," he replied. Josh halted, and tilted his head in confusion. "What for?"
Rowan glanced over him, and smirked. "I'm getting out of here."
"What? What do you mean you're getting out of here?" Josh stepped closer, "What about your wedding?"
"What about it?" Rowan said, walking past him, heading to the door. Josh ran to block his way, and Rowan frowned.
"You can't be serious?"
"You can't be serious, who leaves on their own wedding, requesting an Uber is even worse."
Rowan walked away from him, heading to the window. "Then cancel it, I refuse to marry someone I don't know." Opening the window, he jumped out and Josh's eyes widened. I'm screwed.
The outside was benevolent, a grand wedding only private to those invited as the flowers by the side of the huge gardens decorated the views of two members of different families ready to collide. Rowan only had to avoid the sound of distant chatter and hurried footsteps echoing through the grand estate. The wedding was gonna be a blast, and everyone in the estate had to make it perfect, to resemble a Bronson wedding. He swung his legs over the window ledge, breath shallow, fingers gripping the cold stone as he glanced down at the neatly trimmed hedges below. His phone buzzed in his pocket.
Pick up in two minutes.
He pushed off the ledge, landing with a muffled thud against the soft earth. This is it, he chuckled as he adjusted his suit, and turned on his heel, ready to bolt toward freedom, when - WHAM!
A body slammed into him at full force, knocking the air from his lungs. He hit the ground hard, a sharp gasp escaping as something—someone—collapsed right on top of him. Dazed, he blinked up at the bright sky before shifting his gaze to the figure sprawled over him. Then his eyes widened, so did hers.
Carmen was equally stunned, her veil draped over both of them like a ghostly shroud. The surprise illuminated her face - wide, startled eyes framed by long lashes, lips parted in shock. Her wedding dress pooled around them, layers of silk and lace tangling between their bodies. At that moment, neither of them spoke. They just stared at each, with nothing but confusion running through their minds with thoughts losing them as well. Then - as if they realized what just had happened…
"You?!" they blurted in unison.