3. Desire
ArrangedHearts had a team in place to help me get ready to walk down the aisle. My life had been on fast-forward since Arranged Hearts contacted me a week ago to tell me they’d found a match. It took me less than twenty-four hours to find the perfect dress, which I interpreted as a sign from God that I’d made the right decision.
My sisters still thought I was crazy but rocked with me anyway. I asked them to be my matrons of honor, and they jumped headfirst into their roles.
The fee we paid to Arranged Hearts covered the venue for the festivities and the honeymoon, while we paid for our attire and rings. However, when I was informed that they’d found a match, I was also told the groom would cover all my expenses and was given a refund for everything I’d paid for. I didn’t argue because the fee had put a dent in my savings.
As I sat in front of my parents’ home, I tried not to have a panic attack. The wedding was tomorrow, and I couldn’t go through with this without telling them. I wanted their support, but I’d decided I’d move forward either way.
“How long are you planning to sit out here?” my father, Deakin, yelled from the front door.
“I was on a call,” I lied as I stepped out of my car.
He waited for me to reach him and extended his arms for a hug. I inhaled his manly scent and allowed his embrace to calm my nerves, if only for a moment.
“Your mother just finished dinner. Come on inside so we can eat.”
He moved to the side, giving me space to enter. As soon as I was inside, a mouth-watering aroma hit my nose.
“Whew, that smells good. What did you cook?” I asked my mother, Sarah, when I reached the kitchen.
“I had a taste for lasagna, so I quickly threw one together. I made a salad and some garlic bread, too.”
“My stomach is growling. Is it ready?”
“Sure is. Go wash your hands, and I’ll set the table.”
Since I was single with no family, I had dinner at my parents’ house a few times a week. Even when I didn’t come over, my mother packed some of their leftovers for me to pick up the next day. I’d miss this part of being single.
We sat down for dinner a few minutes later, and my father blessed the food. After filling our plates and taking a few bites, I made small talk because I was nervous.
“Did I ever tell y’all that the mayor’s daughter was one of my students?” I asked, avoiding the topic I was there to discuss.
“I think you may have mentioned it,” my mother said.
“He was late picking her up a few times last week. It actually happens more often than it should. Anyway, he asked if I’d watch her after school a few nights a week.”
“Seems like he’d have a nanny for that kind of thing,” my father said.
“I thought so, too. When I asked him about someone on his staff picking her up, he said it wasn’t their responsibility.”
“And he wants to make it yours?” Ma questioned.
“I wouldn’t do it for free and could always use the extra money.”
“You wouldn’t have to worry about money if you’d stayed in law school,” my father mumbled, but I heard him clearly.
“Of course I would because I’d have school loans regardless of my chosen career. Let’s not start that again, Dad. It’s been years, and I’m happy with my decision. Speaking of decisions, I’m getting married.”
My parents froze as they lifted the fork to their mouths.
“Excuse me?”
“What did you say?”
They both questioned me.
“I’m getting married tomorrow, and I’d love for you to be there.”
“Is this a prank? Are your sisters somewhere recording our reaction to put on social media?” My father looked around suspiciously as he questioned me.
“This isn’t a prank, Daddy. I’m serious.”
“Who is this man, and why haven’t we met him?” Ma asked.
“Because, umm…” I hesitated because once I told them everything, the shit was likely to hit the fan.
“Spit it out, Desire. Why haven’t we met the man you’re about to marry?” Daddy pressed.
“I haven’t met him yet.”
“You haven’t—Desire, you’d better get to explaining or else, young lady!” he barked as he stood.
“Okay, okay! Calm down, please. You’re making me nervous.”
“Talk!” Ma shouted.
“I saw an ad for a company called Arranged Hearts. It’s basically a matchmaking service, but the first time you meet your match is at the altar.”
“Are you crazy? Do you know what kind of nut jobs are out there? You can’t marry a complete stranger.”
My father was on a roll. He’d been pacing since I blurted out the news, and I needed him to calm down.
“Desire, I know you’ve dreamed of getting married and having a family since you were a child, but this isn’t the way to do it,” my mother reasoned.
“It’s the way I’ve chosen to do it. It would mean the world to me if you supported me, but I understand if you don’t want to be there.”
I pushed away from the table and stood. My parents looked at me with confusion, disappointment, and anger.
“Desire, please, just think about this logically,” Ma pleaded. “Marrying a stranger is risky.”
“I’ve thought about it and want to do this, Mama. The company is reputable and has been very successful. Look them up and see for yourself.”
“The internet makes everything look and sound good, Desire. What if this man turns out to be an asshole?”
“We can divorce after ninety days. Destinee and Dream?—”
“They know about this nonsense and didn’t tell us?” Dad grumbled, more to himself than me.
“I asked them not to, but they’ve agreed to support me. If you decide to come, the color scheme is dark purple and gold. I’ll text you the rest of the details.”
I all but ran out of my parents’ house because I didn’t want to continue listening to their negative talk. They had legitimate concerns, but my mind was made up. I was getting married tomorrow, whether they supported me or not.
“Oh my God,sis! You look beautiful.” Destinee beamed.
“Yes!” Dream said. “Your soon-to-be husband is a lucky man. I hope he’s not lame and matches your fly.”
I arrived at the wedding venue at seven a.m., which I thought was too early, but I didn’t question it. Based on the itinerary, the wedding and reception would be over by noon, and we had a three o’clock flight to catch to our honeymoon destination.
The makeup and hair stylist had come and worked their magic, and the photographer had just left my suite after taking pictures of the entire process, including photos of me with my sisters.
“You both do, too. Thank you for being here. I know this whole thing is wild, but your support means the world to me.”
“Now you know damn well we weren’t letting you do this alone,” Dream assured.
I took a few deep breaths as I admired myself in the full-length mirror. The gold strapless dress I chose was fitted with a detachable skirt halfway around my body, exposing the front. My shoes were clear with rhinestones around the sole, a gold four-inch heel, and a thin gold ankle strap. I looked amazing and hoped my future husband would agree. A few taps on the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Come in,” I called out.
A staff member from Arranged Hearts came inside but remained near the door.
“Miss Chambries, this is for you.” She handed an envelope to Dream and disappeared just as quickly as she arrived.
“What is it?” Destinee asked.
Dream flipped the envelope over and read what was written aloud, “To my future wife.”
The three of us gasped as Dream gave me the envelope.
“Oh my God. Hurry up and read it,” Destinee urged. She’d always been the nosy one of us three.
I slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the paper inside. My nerves got the best of me as I unfolded it, but I forged ahead. I wasn’t sure if my husband-to-be had written it, but the handwriting was beautiful.
“To my future wife… The path we’ve chosen isn’t the norm for most, but know that I’m all in. I trust that Savannah and Nathan have matched us perfectly, but even more, I trust that God spoke to them while they did so. Please don’t be nervous. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the altar. Your future husband.”
“Wow! That was so sweet,” Destinee commented.
“And thoughtful,” Dream added.
“Yes, it was.”
I reread the note, letting his words sink in and calm my spirit. Another tap on the door pulled me out of my moment. Dream opened it, and there stood my parents. I gasped before rushing to them.
“Mama, Daddy, what are you doing here?” I questioned with surprise.
“Did you think we’d miss our oldest daughter getting married?” my mother asked.
“I wasn’t sure. After our conversation?—”
“Let’s not dwell on the past,” Dad said. “Are you ready to marry this stranger?”
“I was a bit nervous until I received the sweetest note from him.”
“What made you change your mind?” Destinee asked our parents.
“We had a note delivered to us a few hours ago,” Dad told us. “It seems he didn’t feel right marrying our daughter without asking us for her hand in marriage. We figured if he values having our permission, he probably had a respectable upbringing and is a good man.”
“Wow, I’m impressed,” I admitted.
“We were, too,” Ma agreed. “Since he doesn’t know who he’s marrying, I’m sure he had to pull some strings to get the note to us promptly. By the way, you are breathtaking, sweetheart. Your groom is a lucky and blessed man.”
“Thank you, Mama,” I said as we hugged.
“Okay, Miss Chambries, it’s time to get this show on the road,” the wedding coordinator announced as she peeked inside the room and announced.
Things moved quickly after that, and before I knew it, I stood outside the banquet room with my right arm looped through my father’s left.
“You look beautiful, baby girl,” he whispered.
“Thank you, Daddy, and I’m so thankful you and Ma are here.”
Just as the doors opened, he turned to kiss my cheek through my veil. “I Could Fall in Love” by Selena began to play, and my father and I waited for the coordinator”s signal. My eyes darted around the space as everyone stood, and I was shocked by the number of people present. I’d invited my extended family and some of my coworkers, but since it was such short notice, I wasn’t sure who would come. My future husband had a good number of guests as well.
I looked down the aisle, and my stomach fluttered when I saw him…well, the back of him.
“You ready?” Daddy asked as the coordinator gave us the signal.
I nodded, and we began a slow stride down the makeshift aisle. My husband-to-be stood at the end of the aisle, his hands clasped together, looking straight ahead. The closer I got to him, the more excited I became.
“Slow down, baby girl,” my father whispered.
I didn’t know I’d increased my speed, but the realization tickled me. I slowed my pace to match my father’s, and eventually, we made it to the end of the aisle. The music stopped, and the officiant spoke.
“Who gives this man to this woman?”
My father lifted his right hand and said, “I do.”
He turned to face me, lifted my veil, and kissed my cheek. When he moved away, I noticed his eyes were glossy.
“Daddy, I promise I’ll be fine.”
He nodded before leaving my side and sitting beside my mother in the front row.
“Sir, you may now turn and face your bride,” the officiant announced.
As soon as his face came into view, I gasped in disbelief, and I wasn’t the only person surprised.
“Mayor Harris?”
“Oh God, she’s marrying the mayor.”
“Is that the mayor?”
Those were some of the questions and comments I heard as I processed who stood before me. I recalled the number of times I’d daydreamed about this man being mine, and he was now minutes away from being just that. This couldn’t be real.
As excited as I was to see a familiar face, I wondered if he was committed to this process. He was known to entertain many women, and I didn’t want to be caught up in any scandals with the mayor and admirers.
“Close your mouth, beautiful. It’s really me,” he teased with a wink and a smile.
He took his place beside me, and we stood before the officiant.
“We are here today to join Desire Angelique Chambries and Aziel Charleston Harris in holy matrimony. Is there anyone here who objects to this union?”
Aziel released my hand and turned to face our guests. “If anyone objects, keep it to yourself and take your ass home. This wedding is happening whether you object or not. We’re not here for the negativity.”
He waited to see if anyone would say anything before turning back around and taking my hand in his again. My eyes remained on him because although his actions were a bit shocking, they turned me on. He looked my way and smirked before giving his attention to the officiant.
I wouldn”t have an answer if someone asked me anything about the ceremony. While the officiant spoke, I daydreamed about how Aziel’s lips would feel against mine, how his body would feel pressed against me, and how his dick would feel when he penetrated my walls.
“Desire, did you prepare any vows?” the officiant asked.
“I didn’t, but I have something to say,” I replied as Aziel and I turned to face each other, holding hands. “I took a chance and didn’t know what to expect, but I’m God’s daughter, and He don’t play about me. He’s proven it many times, but He went all out this time. I don’t know what our future holds, but I’m looking forward to exploring life with you. I promise to love, honor, and obey you if you don’t act a fool and prove yourself worthy.”