Chapter 2 Lights, camera, action (marriage)

As I walked down the aisle with my dad, hundreds of eyes were on us, cameras clicking, of course the media had to be present.

I focused my gaze on the six foot tall man waiting for me at the altar.

Even from afar he looked breathtaking. Dressed in crisp black tux, perfectly chiseled jawline, slicked back black hair with a mischievous single strand dangling on his forehead, broad shoulders and a face that looked like sin.

As I observed the cheering crowd around, I suspected no one knew I was meeting this man for the very first time. Sure, I'd come across news concerning him on tabloids and read about his scandals on magazines but I hadn't paid so much attention to it because hell, I didn't know I was going to get married to him some day.

I wanted to turn. I wanted to run. I did not in anyway want this. But it was as if another spirit had completely taken over me cos I kept walking. And walking. Then I was beside him.

Aaron didn't say a word. Just dipped his head politely and as he delicately took my hand taking me from my dad, I felt no sparks, no connection. No butterflies.

The officiant began. I merely blinked through it all.

"Do you, Elizabeth Knight, take Aaron Vanderbilt to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health till death do you part?"

Death would not do us part, I thought. Dad had told me that I could get a divorce in a few years and that I just needed to stay married till the company was stable and then I could walk away. That he would support me. He wouldn't let anything happen to his princess, he had said.

"I do" I said quietly. My heart sank into my stomach and I could almost feel the tears welling in my eyes. But I blinked it away immediately. That wouldn't look good for the press.

Yeah, this whole marriage thing was for the press. And maybe for our families. But not for me.

"I do" I heard him say. I must have been lost in my thoughts because I hadn't noticed when the officiant had turned to him.

"You may now kiss your bride"

I froze momentarily. My heart flipped, but from dread.

In my wild era, which had been brought to an abrupt end because of this union, I had kissed quite a number of guys so it wasn't foreign to me. But there was something about kissing this man that I wasn't comfortable with. Maybe because I didn't want him.

He leaned in. Very gently.

The cameras clicked faster now. They absolutely needed to capture this moment for the tabloids.

One hand rested by the side of my waist, while he used the index finger of the other to tip my jaw gently.

Then his lips met mine.

My breath hitched.

There were no fireworks, no rush of heat. Just a calm song serenading the background.

It was brief. Too short to be wedding kiss, but long enough for the cameras to do their thing.

He was so smooth with this, like he was sealing a contract and not getting married. He looked like he had had a long time of practice, while I didn't.

His face was still devoid of emotions. He didn't look panicky or nervous, rather he looked bored.

The applause and cheers were loud.

I scanned my eyes through the crowd. My mum looked cheery and all smiles, she looked like she was too happy she could cry. I wanted to snort, but I held myself real quick.

My dad looked apologetic. He might have been clapping but his eyes told a different story as he looked at me.

He had told me that he had no choice. I don't know if that was true but I knew one thing for sure, I knew my dad loved me. But he loved his company more.

We walked down the aisle together, my hand linked to his. I had a forced smile on my face. He didn't even bother with a smile. My eyes linked with Taylor's. She looked worried. I gave her a slight nod signaling her that I'll be fine. Truth is I didn't know that for sure, but I hoped to be eventually.

When we stepped out of the chapel, the cool afternoon breeze hit my face.

Aaron leaned in "You held up well in there, Mrs Vanderbilt"

I didn't miss the tone of sarcasm in his tone.

"Nice meeting you too Mr Vanderbilt" I retorted still maintaining the forced smile on my face. He made a small sound that sounded like a laugh, a fake laugh.

Neither of us said another word as we entered the car that took us to the reception.

***

The reception had passed by in a blur. Because honestly it felt more like investors meeting from both Knight Corp and VD industries. Every corner of the room had business talks, in a circle with more than two men, they were talking contracts, deals and how the merger between both companies had been the talk of the corporate world and stock prices had catapulted so quickly.

The women spoke about fashion and trips and latest gossips. No one cared so much about us the couple. However every now and then someone I didn't know but Aaron knew had walked up to us and congratulated us with small talks. I did a stellar performance with the acting. No one could even guess how much I didn't want to be there.

Someone had even complimented us that we had good chemistry. I looked at the champagne glass in her hand and concluded she must have had more than one glass. Because she had to be drunk to have noticed what wasn't there.

"Congratulations Mr and Mrs Vanderbilt" the driver had said immediately we entered the car that was taking us home, my husband's home

Mrs Vanderbilt. A title that didn't feel like mine.

Something tells me this was the beginning of something, either good or bad.