Peach Kisses

Mu la la

Last night was the worst night I have ever had. I was still feeling the effects.

I was woken up a little too early and my body was just yearning for some sleep. I knew I was going senile when there were short, and chubby quadruplets helping me get ready as I was a bit drowsy.

"Cmon young lady, we can't have you late to see the master." The one with the updo says grabbing my arm and I try blinking away the sleepiness.

As soon as they open the door, I am blinded by the sight of a sea of men. Everywhere, in the kitchen, on the counter, in the living room. The four maids, led me to the same office, pushing the door open and dropping me like a hot potato.

"Thank you Marie." Ace nods and she smiles, leaving.

"Tequila." My names rolls off his tongue sexily and I almost groan by how foreign he made it sound. "How are you?"

"Fine." I murmur rubbing my face and his face was as usual, lacking emotions.

"We're just going to carry on from where we left yesterday, where you ask me what ever you want."

"I don't want to be here." I murmur, not really paying attention to his proposal.

"That's not what I asked of you." He grunts and I sigh.

"You can't just-"

"Enough." He slams his hand down on the table and my eyes widen. "I don't want to hear your whining! Since you seem to lack understanding, I will tell you all what you need to know about me, and you better listen, and listen well, because this will be the first and the last time."

"My name is Ace Marcel, I'm twenty five, and I don't have favourite foods, colours, songs or any of that nonsense so don't ask. I own this entire empire, which means I'm in control of everything, you cannot leave the premises without my permission or without security. Anything else?" I just blink and he tilts his head.

"Very well, get dressed we have a long day today."

× × ×

We sat in the car together and the tension was suffocating.

"You never asked about me. ."

"What?"

"You know nothing ab-"

"Tequila Gardner, twenty two, works as a customer care representative, enjoys crustaceans, your favourite is lobster, favourite colour is black, you own a white hairy puppy named Hugo, both parents are alive, you have a close friend named Reid, You-"

"Okay, okay." I breathe and he looks smug, stopping at a red light.

"How do you know all of that?"

"I'm a very powerful man. .Tequila." He says and I stare outside.

"Where are we going?"

"Ring shopping."

"Don't you think everyone would get suspicious? With me missing and all?" I ask.

"I took care of them."

"YOU KILLED THEM?!" I scream and he jumps, frightened. "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? I'M HERE ALREADY! COULDN'T YOU JUST WR-"

"I wrote them a note!" He blinks and I calm down.

"Oh. ."

"Damn, don't ever scream in my car like that again." He warns and I just turn back to the window.

Oh ma and pa. . I'm sorry

× × ×

"Pick any ring you want." Ace says standing behind me and the saleswoman looked nervous because Ace threatened her as soon as we got here.

"If she doesn't find a ring, you're fired."

I don't get how that would be her fault but y'know. Men. They're complicated.

I however, I was not in the mood to be doing anything. I just wanted to crawl under a bed and cry myself to darkness. Everything I've ever known is gone all because of my laziness.. I felt a wave of overcoming sadness while the saleswoman just smiled at me desperately.

I point blindly and she laughs nervously.

"T-that's a mop." Unlike normal jewelry store's, this one had its rings on the wall, sparkling for display.

"Tequila." Ace sighs. "Give us a moment please."

He walks in front on me, crossing his arms.

"You need to pick a ring, and you're going to be wearing it for a long time, so make it something you like. Now stop being so mopey for a situation you can't change. You're getting married don't girls like this?"

"It's not a real marriage is it? More like business proposal." I snap back, mocking him and he sighs.

"Just pick a ring." I lift my head sadly, scanning the uplifted showcases only to drop my head, like a stubborn child.

"Fine." He says harshly and ten minutes later we're walking towards the cashier. The saleswoman looks utterly relieved and I almost smile when she places a hand over her heart.

"Oh, it's your lucky day! Its on sale." The cashier says enthusiastically.

"Do I look poor to you?" Ace growls at her and she blanches at his scowl.

"N-no, I just-"

"Just what?" He snaps angrily.

"How much is it?" I ask her politely since Ace doesn't look like he was going to try and be nice, not even for a second.

"1.7 million is the reduced price."

"What?!" I almost scream, while Ace just takes out his cheque book.

"Ace-"

"I got this." Is all he says, ripping off the check and handing it to her.

"Have a great-" He roughly grabs the ring box out of her hand, and pins her with another scowl.

"Do you ever stop talking?"

"Jeez Ace." I murmur walking outside.

"What? She's annoying."

"But I talk a lot."

"You're annoying too." He shrugs and I roll my eyes.

When we got into the vehicle, he gripped my hand and I tried to pull it away, but he tightened his hold, giving me a slight glare. He slipped on the ring slowly, and I wondered if the butterflies in my stomach were from the ring or just the fact that I was getting married.

Even if it was by force.

× × ×

The next step was Dress shopping. I hated every second of it. Everything was either too big or too small. Nothing seemed to fit me and it was beginning to take a toll on my self esteem.

"Y'know what? I'm not paying you to walk around and get my fiancé some ugly looking dresses, if you can't get her the best, then I'll just have to look myself." He took one look at me, eyes draping down my figure before shooting up and into the dress room.

"I'm so sorry for his behaviour." I apologize as everyone turns to me, looking startled. About five pregnant minutes later, he was back with a beautiful looking dress. It had lace sleeves and I mermaid tail.

"Try it." He demands and I do as I'm told, stepping into the dressing room. When I finally pulled on the dress I saw someone else. Someone who was supposed to be getting married in the next five years not in a day, to a complete stranger, and it broke my heart. Wiping away the fallen tears, I shake it off and step out. I was protecting myself. Maybe if I ran away I would put my family in harms way.

I was protecting them.

The room fell silent and I knew then that I looked good, a small smile making its way on my face at how stunned everyone looked.

"That's the one." Ace spoke up. "Do you like it?"

"Yes." I mumble and he frowned. I just kept quiet, because I knew If I said anything waterworks would begin. . .that couldn't happen. Not in front of everyone.

× × ×

We had cake testing next and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Why do all this if it's business?"

"To make other people believe. Plus, this is my wedding, nobody expects it to be anything less than this."

We tried out many options but only one stuck with me. "Chocolate!" I said after the vanilla and he graces me with a new sight. A small chuckle.

"We have four more options."

"Well sure if they want to waste their time. But I choose chocolate."

"Very well." We ordered the cake and Ace of course threatened them to ensure it was there on time.

By the time we were done with the wedding activities it was night time. I just wanted to crawl into bed, and help my aching feet.

Ace cleared his throat once in the car and I turned to him, he looked uncomfortable. "Are you. . okay?" He asks strained and I raise an eyebrow.

"If you count mentally shook because I'm about to marry a complete stranger and a murderer 'okay' then sure." His face hardens and it's silent again.

"There are some rules we need to go over?"

"Like what?"

"1. You shall have no partners that the public knows about, it's just me and you. I however, I'm allowed to have my pleasures inside the house."

"That's unfair." I scrunch up my face. It's not like I have anyone but still, it's unfair.

"Life's not fair." He shrugs. "After marriage, we will be sleeping in the same room, 3. There will be no love, and don't pry, I hate prying."

"I don't need to know anything else about you." I state sarcastically.

"Great."

"And Tequila? Don't fall in love with me."

"I don't think that's possible Mr. Murderer."

"I hope so."