Chapter 104- Leaving Him
I was currently standing at the altar waiting for a woman I didn't want to marry. I had envisioned this day, thinking of the day I'd happily wait for Anna at the altar, the day I'd have tears in my eyes as I wait to see her beautiful face.
I've wanted to see how beautiful she'd look as a bride, my bride. But that never came to pass. Instead here I was, unhappy as ever.
I watched as the door opened and Mirabel walked in, that should have been Anna. I told them I didn't want this, I told them I wanted only one woman, the only one who brings happiness to my life but they took that away from me.
Mirabel reached me as she climbed to where I was standing, did she think I was going to hold hands with her and help her up? She got to be dreaming, they asked me to marry her and that's exactly what I'm doing.
The ceremony started as the priest asked us to say our vows, my mouth was bitter, I didn't want to lie in the presence of God and everyone because I didn't mean the words I was saying. I just had my fingers crossed.
I had carefully written the vows I'd say to Anna, hoping that our wedding day would come. But it never came.
“ I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride," I was brought out of my thoughts by the priest's voice as I looked at Mirabel. I drew closer to her and pecked her cheek before I pulled back.
For the sake of my mother who was begging me with her eyes to behave, I held Mirabel's hand as we walked down the aisle.
“ Congratulations, I'm happy about this marriage," Mirabel's parents said as they hugged their daughter while her father shook hands with me and her mom hugged me.
Others came to give their congratulations but all I wanted to do was get out of here and go somewhere quiet, somewhere I'd be alone with my thoughts.
“ Son, I'm…”
" Don't you fucking call me that,” I warned my Dad and I'm sure he was wise enough to know I wasn't joking and I'd make a scene so he kept quiet.
We walked out of the church as we got into the car and headed to the reception venue.
“ I can't believe we're married, I'm so happy, oh, I have to update all my social media pages to married," Mirabel said as she quickly took out her phone and I was glad, it's better she's on her phone rather than talking to me. I just wanted to be left alone with the beautiful memories I had with Anna.
“ Smile," she said as she raised her phone to take pictures but I turned my face to the window.
“ What's wrong with you? We just got married, you're supposed to be happy," she said but I chose to ignore her, I wasn't in the mood.
“ We're here," I came out of my thoughts when she nudged my shoulder and I turned to see that we were at the reception venue.
I opened the car door and stepped out as I turned around and started walking inside without looking if she was following or not.
“ You're acting strange Cole, did you forget we're married and we're supposed to walk in together?" she said as she caught up with me.
" Stop acting like you don't know I didn't want to marry you, I told you I don't want this but since you and the rest of them want this, you better take whatever I give you, I don't love you and I'm never going to love you, the sooner you accept that the better, now let's get this done with, I've got more important things to take care of,” I said as I bent my elbow for her to link hers as we both walked inside.
When I thought that saying those fake vows was the only torture for me at the wedding, now I had to dance with her and pretend.
We stood up as we walked to the dance floor as everyone had their eyes on us. The music started and we started moving to it.
“ You know we should probably go to Paris for our honeymoon, I want to go there, it's not like I haven't been there but I've always you know, dreamt of going there with my husband one day and today I'm married, we're going to have a lot of fun,” she blabbered expecting a response from me but she didn't get any yet she continued.
“ I want us to have three kids,..." That caught my attention but not because of her, but because that was what Anna wanted.
….. “ A boy and two girls, wouldn't that be lovely? The girls would have your eyes and the boy, maybe mine, we're going to be a happy family,”
“ It's enough torture that I'm here, can you just keep quiet?” I said and she shut up.
“ But…”
" If you have wanted all that maybe you should have had a really good talk with yourself before marrying me, you should have married the man you love not me because I'll never be able to fulfill any of your dreams, I'm just your husband by name that's how it would remain,” I said as I took her hand and we returned to our sit and sat down.
“ You're going to forget her soon, you'll fall in love with me because I'm your wife," she said and I scoffed,
That would never happen, only one woman has a place in my heart and nobody can change that.
The reception ended and I couldn't wait anymore. As soon as everyone left I stood up to leave but my Mom stopped me.
“ Son listen to me, I know you're hurt right now, you're angry that you didn't marry the woman you wanted, but you're married to Mirabel now and you have to treat her as your wife, she's your responsibility now," she said but I shook my head.
“ They wanted me to get married, I did that, they shouldn't expect anything else from me. Excuse me Mom, I've got somewhere to be.” I said before I practically ran out.
“Cole,” she called but I didn't stop.
I just needed an excuse to see Anna, whatever excuse, maybe I'd tell her I reject her resignation, anything, whether it sounded stupid, I just wanted to see her.
I stopped the car in front of the gate as I climbed down. My heart was beating so fast in my chest, I knew I wouldn't get the usual welcome I used to get and that scares me, it scares me that I'd see hate in her eyes for me.
I opened the gate as I walked to the door and then I took a deep breath before I rang the doorbell. They couldn't possibly know it's me so I expect that they'll answer the door.
After several minutes of ringing the doorbell I still didn't get any answer and for some unknown reason I felt dread fill me.
“Are you looking for someone, young man?" I heard someone ask and I turned to see an elderly man who looked like he was in his late fifties. I think he's one of the neighbors.
“ Yeah, I'm looking for the ladies that live here," I said as I walked to him and shook hands with him.
“ You didn't know?" he asked and my heart skipped a beat.
“ Know what?" I asked,
“Earlier today my wife saw them packing and when she asked them why they were leaving when they haven't even been here for long, they told her they're relocating to a new country for personal reasons," my heart stopped.
No.
“ Did they by any chance mention what country?" I asked but he shook his head,
“ Is there a problem?" The man asked, noticing the look on my face.
“ No, it's all good," I said before he nodded as he tapped my shoulder and walked away.
I fell to my knees in pain, unbearable pain, she left, she left me. I'll never see her again.
Why? Why me?
But she said she wasn't going to leave me, she told me she wasn't going to leave no matter what.
But she left.