Arranged Bride

OLIVIA P O V

I had chosen a soft cashmere blended chive green dress that stopped just above the knees with intricate patterns that seemed to dance in a dimming light. The dress hugged the body delicately like a second skin paired with deep green heels.

The makeup Artist mom hired had done what I could call a perfect job on the face. My hair was swept up elegantly, with a few tendrils escaping to frame my face, creating an image of a young, soft and beautiful woman.

I stepped out of the cab at the restaurant in the address Kellan's secretary had sent me earlier. Not wanting to embarrass myself I knew I needed all the confidence I could to get through this dinner.

I have been informed that dinner will be at six in the evening.

I walked into the restaurant, my eyes immediately searching the busy yet quiet restaurant, taking in the appearances of the people, and I could not be more grateful to Mom for convincing me of my temptation to wear simple Jeans and a sweater.

“Good evening, May I help you?” The lady behind the counter, I assumed, was a waitress.

"Yes I have a dinner reservation here," I said.

“Under what name?” she asked, her eyes fixed on the computer.

“Kellan Easton.”

I must have dropped a bomb because she raised her head so suddenly.

“Please follow me, ma'am,” she instructed.

Feeling the stares as I walked through the restaurant following the waitress to the other side.

“Please sit here.” She motioned to a chair.

“Thank you." I nodded at the waitress.

Taking in my surroundings after some seconds, one would never have guessed this part of the restaurant existed.

Checking my phone after taking a sip of the drink that was brought to the table, I thought he should have been here if the dinner was supposed to be at six.

The next fifteen minutes felt so blurry with many displays of foods and drinks on the table. Kellan must have ordered this because I was never given a menu to choose from.

Checking the time again, I realized I had been here for thirty minutes; it was already 6:30 pm.

I was barely able to eat at home because I was nervous about this dinner. I took a bite of the beef tenderloin and mashed potatoes.

“A match made from heaven" I speak out loud enough from my mind, watching the two couples inside the restaurant feeding each other.

“Not an arranged one." A deep, masculine voice interjected.

Snapping my head to the other side to see Kellan standing tall with both hands in his pocket.

“When did you arrive?" I asked him

Without saying a word he pulled out the chair and sat.

“Hi," I greeted them in an attempt to start a conversation.

“Is there a problem with the food?” he asked, staring directly at me.

Diverting my gaze to the drink in my hand I shrugged before replying .“It's just too spicy for me."

I watched as he took a bite of the chicken breast before he signalled to the opposite side, which made about five chefs come to our table looking rushed.

“I do not remember telling you to make it extra spicy?” he said to one of them.

“Uhm, sir. You had requested extra spicy food the last time you had dinner here with uhm…”

I raise my eyebrows, staring at the chef, who found it difficult to complete his sentence.

Scratching his head nervously, the chef continued, "I thought..."

“Just bring in the desert," he grunted and dismissed the chefs.

With little to no appetite I took a bite of the red velvet cake, and Kellan was busy typing on his phone.

I rub my arms as the chilly night winds blow gently.

Jerking his head at my action I saw confusion in them. Laughing a little at myself, I thought for a minute that he must have forgotten I was there.

Checking his wristwatches up

“We should go, I will drop you home."

Nodding my head I repeated his actions and followed him through the backdoor. I didn't even notice when I entered.

Muttering a small thank you as he opened the car, I entered, anxious and nervous to share the same space with him.

I guess my heart has its plan and those little butterflies swimming around in my belly were not helping matters too.

The always busy streets of New York seem deserted through my vision now. we got to the gate of the Brookes mansion.

With a heavy sigh, Kellan looked at me, and I realized it was time already, right? We should resolve the pressing topic of the reason for this so-called dinner.

“Olivia, we need to talk”, he said after a few minutes of silence.

"We need to talk', I did not know how these four words could change the universe, someone's world, until now.

I nodded silently telling him to continue.

He started.“It should be quite obvious by now that I don't want this marriage, I don't have any feelings for you whatsoever, and I don't think I ever will. My heart belongs to someone else.”

“I only agreed to this marriage because of the pressure from both families. I had to find every possible way out of this marriage but it's all futile. This marriage is nothing to me more than a sacrifice to satisfy my parents because they want to unite both families. I never knew this day would come till I found out that the Brookes adopted a daughter.” He continued

“Olivia, I have heard about you and how hardworking and amazing you are. But you should not expect anything from me as a husband. I'll never be the man of your dreams. I have someone I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I know this wasn’t your fault and it might seem unfair to you. But I hope you will find someone who has true feelings for you one day, and who knows we might find a way out of the marriage". He finished looking out of the window.

I remained frozen at Kellan's short but cold words. Tears welled up l in my eyes and I could feel myself become weak at that moment.

Pulling my lower lip with my teeth in an attempt to stop the unpleasant sounds in my throat. I opened the car door and walked inside the house barely hearing the sound of his car racing away from here.

I made my way inside the house without responding to Mom's questions aloud from the kitchen.

Without any care to remove my clothes, I lay down on the bed, looking at the firefly design above the ceiling with tears coming down in waves.

His words were replaying in my head like a recorder.

Suddenly my pain and sadness turned into anger and rage towards no one but myself.

How dare I dream of a happy ending, and here I thought all my sad days were over, and my life would be like a sweet ride from now on. Angry at the thought of thinking I might have stood a chance.

Now, I'm going to be trapped in a marriage with no love and affection, with a man whose heart belongs to someone else.