14. Temple
The Next Morning
I’d been up since six this morning just staring at the ceiling. It had finally settled in that my world was about to change. Me. The foster child who didn’t believe in fairy tales or happily-ever-afters felt like I was about to live out the very dream most girls prayed for.
My mind played tug-of-war for over an hour. I felt like I didn’t deserve this because I’d shut off the idea of being somebody’s forever.
Someone’s peace instead of their problem.
Nonetheless, Solomon had gotten to me somehow. Maybe it was his energy, his story, his entrepreneur mindset, or the BDE he exuded without even trying. Whatever it was, I was now drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
Only, I was the flame, the one that could burn his world to the ground with just the slightest sign of disloyalty.
I wouldn’t lie and say I wasn’t a little scared. Solomon needed someone to help him along his journey, and I feared I might set him back.
I didn’t fib when I told him I wanted to be his refuge.
His safe space.
The woman who supplied all his needs because he deserved it. If I was the woman he chose to become his helpmate, then I’d do all I could to make him proud to call me Mrs. Matthews.
The soft taps on the door made me sit up in bed. I looked at the clock, and it read 8:13 a.m.
“Come in,” I called out. The door opened, and I expected to see a caramel-kissed god, but instead, four women stepped inside.
One dropped flowers on the floor, the other carried towels with a bathrobe, another carried a tray with breakfast, and the other carried a violin.
I looked on in wonderment just as the violinist played the acoustic version of Jagged Edge’s “I Gotta Be.”
“Good morning, Miss Newman. My name is Lirah. We are here at Mr. Matthews' request. He has instructed us to give you a grand experience on your special day. While you eat, we will get your bath set up, then take you down to the great room where the glam squad is set up for you.”
I was gagged.
Flabber-fucking-ghasted.
No way was this happening to me. I had to be living on another planet, in somebody else’s life—in another freaking realm.
When I agreed to marry Solomon, I just thought we’d get hitched, then have a real wedding later on as we planned. I was not prepared for him to make this feel like the real thing.
“Um-wh-where is Mr. Matthews?”
“He stepped out for the day, but he promised to meet you at the altar at three o’clock sharp. So, we must get a move on,” she said, smiling at me.
“Oh, yeah, okay.”
“Would you like to eat your breakfast in bed or on the terrace?” the one holding my food asked.
“On the terrace is fine.”
She gave a curt nod, then walked away to place my food outside on the terrace.
“Would you like the music or no music?” Lirah asked.
“The music is good. Thank you.”
“No problem. Enjoy your meal.” She and the flower lady went into the adjoining bathroom while the violinist continued to serenade me.
I smiled, feeling a feeling that felt foreign to me: joy.
I swung my legs over the bed and went outside to eat. I wanted to call Solomon, but I didn’t want to bother him while he prepared himself for this day.
Stepping out on the terrace, the sun, scenery, and ocean waves greeted me.
I sat down, lifted the telegram from the tray, and read it aloud.
“My Temple. My Beauty. I hope you woke up ready to step into your new life as my wife. You don’t know how grateful I am that you agreed to walk into this with me.
I know it’s only been a short time, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.
You are my forever. Get even more beautiful for me, and I’ll meet you at the altar in that white dress. Solomon.”
I bit my bottom lip to hide my smile.
For what?
I had no clue.
I made haste with eating my food and fruit, then went inside to the bathroom to the smell of something vanilla and lavender. Candles were lit around the bathroom with rose petals on the floor and inside the clawfoot tub.
I spent almost two hours in that tub. Whatever they put inside of it had my skin feeling as soft as a newborn baby’s.
When I finally made it downstairs to the great room, I stopped in my tracks, seeing a rack of white dresses and the glam team standing by, waiting for me.
The music and the ambiance took my breath away.
An older woman stepped toward me with a smile on her face. “Miss Newman. I’m Dorcia Alexander, your beautician and head of your glam team. If you’d follow me, we can get started on all this lovely hair of yours.”
I felt myself getting overwhelmed and needed a minute.
“C-can you give me one minute?” I asked as I backed away and hurried down the hall to the bathroom. Once inside, I walked over to the sink and splashed water on my face.
My eyes caught my reflection in the mirror, and I closed my eyes tightly to reel in my emotions. This was a lot to take in.
I was about to become someone’s wife.
Ma Lula would be so disappointed that I’d done this without her, but I promised myself that as soon as we touched down on U.S. soil, I would have her help me plan the actual wedding.
“You got this, Temp. You’re making the right choice.” I coached myself. Then I looked up, feeling emotional, and did something I hadn’t done in a while.
“God, I know we haven’t talked in a minute, but I pray that You open Your ears to my prayer.
I know that You had to send this man to me.
I know this is Your way of saving me from myself.
For so long, I blocked out any thought of love and marriage because I never had that for thirteen years of my life.
I had no one who cared enough to teach me what love truly meant.
“Those nights when I’d hide in the closet from my evil foster sisters and careless foster mother, praying that You’d deliver me from them, finally came true when You sent me Ma Lula.
But the damage had already been done. I just .
. . If this is the man You deem as my husband, then I ask that You guide and lead us to a healthy, loving, everlasting life together. Help me to believe in real love again.”
I exhaled the tension in my chest, dried my face, then headed back down the hall with a new confidence.
When I re-entered, Dorcia still stood at the entrance with her arms crossed in front of her as her smile returned.
“Ready?” she asked.
I gave her a curt nod. “Ready.” I followed her over to the hair station and she asked me how I wanted my hair. I typically didn’t allow non-melanin people to touch my hair, but since this was spur of the moment, I would allow it.
Besides, Solomon hadn’t half-stepped or disappointed me since I’d met him.
Except for when his ass ghosted me, but he definitely made up for it.
I decided on a simple, low bun with two tendrils of curls framing my face.
We moved over to the racks of dresses, and I noticed the brands at the top. Les Giani and Infinity Beyond.
They were simple gowns, none flashy, but still very expensive and elegant.
Silver red bottom sandals lined the floor, each with a different design.
He was really making this day bigger than what I’d imagined, and I couldn’t help but smile inside.
I decided on a simple, off-the-shoulder ivory-colored silk dress with a sweetheart neckline. The glam team beat my face to perfection, then I slipped into the gown behind the portable wall that was set up for me.
By the time we were done, it was time to meet Solomon at the altar.
“You look amazing,” Dorcia said, smiling wide at me.
“Thank you.”
The flower lady stepped up next, handing me a bouquet of white roses. Then Lirah stepped beside me.
“If you’ll follow me, your chariot awaits you.”
I nodded and followed her to the front of the house and out the door, where an actual white horse and carriage waited.
“This is insane,” I said, smiling wide as the horseman opened the back of the carriage and helped me inside. How this man was able to get all of this done in such a short time blew me away.
I felt like a real-life Cinderella.
I wondered how he would top our actual wedding if he already had me feeling like this was the real day.
Technically it was, but without our families here to witness.
The carriage moved down the long path leading toward the ocean I had marveled over since we’d been here. It wasn’t long before we stopped, and my eyes found my prince. He stood on the cemented platform next to a man wearing a white robe with gold trimmings right in front of that gorgeous ocean.
The chauffeur stepped down from the horse and came around to help me out of the carriage.
The violinist sat in a chair and lifted her instrument once she saw me appear.
I had been feeling nervous all morning, but once my eyes met Solomon’s, and that handsome smile appeared on his face, all my nerves seemed to disappear in that moment.
The rendition of “Best Part” queued, and I slowly made my way up the pathway until I reached Solomon, who stared at me in admiration. His white tux fit his muscular frame, and all I could think about was what would happen once we made it back to the villa.
Damn, this man is fucking delectable.
The music ended, and Solomon took my hands once the violinist relieved me of my bouquet.
“You look stunning, my love.”
I smiled. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do all of this, but I thank you for making this feel like the big day.”
“I don’t do anything small, Beauty. The moment you agreed to be my wife, I already had it in my mind to turn things up a notch. This is lightweight. The real wedding will spare no expense. Whatever you want, you shall have.”
“Are you sure you want to marry me?” I had to ask because I was almost sure I would burn a hole through his accounts when the actual wedding took place.
“I was sure from the moment we locked eyes. If you’re not ready, baby, we can wait. It’s no rush. I went this long; I can go a little longer.”