Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Copper

“There they are!” Someone exclaimed.

Kenny and I slowly strode down the stairs. Not only that, but my arm wrapped around his. Both of us smiled as if nothing was wrong. However, while we walked together, we didn’t hesitate to whisper our raw, and honest thoughts.

“Marrying me won’t give you a better life,” Kenny said, nodding at his mother. “You’ll be in the center of the public eye and sooner or later they’ll make you a spectacle.”

“I appreciate looking out for me,” I grinned at everyone. “But Mr. Harmony, you might know him, he’s your mentor, will teach me how to react if such an event were to arise.”

“Mr. Harmony, can’t say I ever heard of him. Is he the reason you can act so well?”

“Oh my, so you don’t know him. My bad, honey~ I don’t know how I could have mistaken you for one of his educated and well mannered diciples.”

Kenny sat in his chair and I did the same. Mr. Greenland spoke to me. “Did that boy apologize to you, yet?”

“Yes, Mr. Greenland. He was a perfect gentleman.” I gave Kenny a pointed look. Of course, he pretended not to see. Sylvester observed my movements. Once he heard my reply to his friend, he got back to eating.

As much as having to eat in front of this troll made me self-concious, I couldn’t deny the mesmorising scent of the seasoned rice. I scooped some up and added it to my plate. At least I won’t end up hungry.

“Mmhumph,” Sylvester cleared his throat. I waited, knife and fork frozen in place. “Despite the unfortunite incident,” Sylvester began. “I believe you two have gotten a chance to become familiar with one another, as was the whole purpose of this dinner. Young man,” he motions to Kenny. “Is there anything you find wrong with my grandchild?”

My utencils were gently laid on my plate. Kenny sat back and folded his arms like a man with no care in the world. The table was silent.

“Her voice is too plain.”

I felt a headache coming on.

Beside Kenny, Georgia rolled her eyes. “Kenny, sweetheart, you promised you would not dismiss her over silly things like those. I find her voice quite pleasant.”

“Why, thank you, Georgia,” I said.

“Any time, dear.”

But he didn’t give up. “Well, her hands are too large,” he continued, motioning to said hands.

I raised them into the air, analysing each finger.

“It’s okay if you think that way. My grandfather always told me that my hands reminded him of my grandmother’s. I’m pleased to own the same hands that aided a strong, and capable woman throughout her entire life.”

For the first time tonight, he glared at me. I wanted to laugh, yet I held it in. He and I both knew he had no real reason to reject me, none he could prove right away. I’m not usually the type to toot my own horn, but I tok Sylvester’s lessons to heart and did my damn bestest. Charming? Check. Engaging? Check. Remember all my knives, forks and spoons? Check. Repscetfully acknowledge his parents? Triple check. At least with this I can rest easy knowing that the Greenlands’ accepted me not just because I was related to Mr. Harmony.

I watched him bite the corner of his lips and shifted them from one cheek to the other.

I batted my eyelashes.

Finally he resigned. “Fine! You all win.” Suddenly I was caught in his gaze. “Even you, Miss Copper. I promise to be an upright husband during the entirety of our marriage.”

All the members of Kenny’s family erupted into a loud applause. I grinned at Sylvester.

See? I told you I could do it.

Sylvester laughed heartily and stroked his greying brow. Yes, I didn’t doubt you for a second.

“A toast!” We followed Mr. Greenland’s lead and stood up, a glass of champagne in hand. “Ah, wait. Copper, you can’t drink. Heh. Forget it! My son is getting married! Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

And just as quickly as the brief moment when our glasses clicked upon contact, it was the day of my wedding. I lifted a hand to my face, careful not to smear the makeup.

The Greenlands found a dress similar to the one I wore when I met them a week ago. It fit my upper body and my hips, then flowed with ease past my thighs to my feet, leaving plenty of space or my legs to walk. Sylvester gifted me a lovely pair of white four inch heels, a bow on the toes with a shiny clear stone in the middle.

When I envisioned my wedding, I didn’t think it would go like this. “Are you ready?” A woman asked. Her name was Marisol, she’s the one Georgia assigned to help me fit into my dress. I could keep track of that much because everything else felt like a dream.

Marisol smiled. “You look beautiful, Miss.” She attached a veil to my hair which fell in loose curls all the way to my bottom.

“Thank you,” I said. But I didn’t feel beautiful. I didn’t feel anything.

A knock sounded at the door. Marisol walked over to answer it. After a quick discussion, she returned to me with a grin. “It’s time! They want you out there, Miss Harmony. Oh my, and I caught a glimpse of your fianceé on his way to the altar. What a catch!”

“Time already? OK, I’m coming.” Two of the makeup items dropped to the ground as I got up. Marisol picked them off the floor for me and placed them in their previous spot. When she turned to me, she looked puzzled. “Ma’am, why are you crying?”

“Hm? No, I-I’m not-” That’s when I noticed. A single tear passed my left cheek. How had I not realized it before?

“Don’t you worry. It’s an important time for both of you, isn’t it? A lot of brides cry on their wedding day. I mean it’s only natural.” Marisol carefully patted away the tear streak. I sighed softly, then relaxed. “It can only get better from here, right?”

Marisol nodded with enthusiasm. “Exactly!”

I smiled. After the veil covered my face, that smile disappeared.

The doors swung open and the wedding song hit me in full force. I started walking down the asle. Suddenly, a girl in a black, floor length dress joined me and offered her arm. I had only seen her once before. Brown skin with startling eyes full of ambition. Without saying a word, my right arm joined hers, and we walked down the asle.

The church’s ceiling was higher than anything I had ever seen. When I was a young girl I would dream of coming here. This is the place celebraties and politicians go to get married and attend church on Sundays.

People made up a majority of the pews, plenty of whom I didn’t know personally. I couldn’t locate my parents either. Then again, did Sylvester even invite them.

“Head up.” I turned to her. We were halfway there. “No need to be nervous. I’m with you, aren’t I?”

Somehow, although I had an idea she only said that so I wouldn’t embarass, the bitter butterflies fluttering in my stomach settled down. I might feel alone now in such a giant venue with so many eyes on me, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have people in my corner.

I nodded and did as she said.

She and I seperated at the altar. I failed to ask for her name, but I didn’t have much time to think about it when Kenny’s hand appeared in my line of vision. I held it and allowed him to help me climb up the steps until we were in front of the preacher. “Nothing to say before we’re wed, honey?” He taunted. I didn’t reply.

Kenny didn’t let go of my hands the whole time during the preacher’s speech. His hand squeezed mine. Not in a threatening way, more like he was trying to comfort me. What a strange moment of gentleness from a guy convinced I was some actress.

“...if any man, here today, has a reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

No one spoke a word. The preacher nodded and went on.

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Kenny lifted the veil. From then on I could clearly spot the yellow rose in his white jacket. He held my cheeks. My fingers softly grasped his wrists. We maintained eye contact. He kissed me without a second thought.

His lips felt warm and feathery soft on mine, yet firm. I felt his tongue trace my bottom lip. I opened them slightly, afterwhich I was met by his tongue entering my mouth. He didn’t move very fast so I caught up without an issue. My arms wrapped themselves around his neck, pulling him closer. Excited whistles and applause almost made me self-concious. I wanted to stop, until Kenny tightened his hold on my waist. At least, in that moment, I felt peace.

The doors to the church burst open, causing an echo throughout the building. Kenny and I broke the kiss and glanced in the direction of where the sound came from.

A woman trotted towards us, all dressed in pink. Her long strawberry blonde hair bounced with each step.

I have never seen this person in my life, but she seemed to recognise me based on that glare.

Whoever she was, her main target seemed to be my newly appointed husband.

“Ken,” she yelled, dropping to her knees at the foot of the altar. “Why would you leave me like this? Me… the baby… I thought you said you considered us to be your family! You said your parents were preparing to accept me as your wife to hide the pregnancy. Then who is she?!”

My bundle of white lilies dropped near my feet. A baby? I glanced at Kenny, who looked down at her in disgust. Did he really get someone pregnant?