MY HUSBAND’S BROTHER

SHE'S YOUR WIFE

The young girl holds out her hand to take the bouquet, but Maizah's firm grasp on the flowers makes it clear that she has no intention of letting go. Despite the girl's best efforts, the woman remains fixated on the bouquet, leaving the girl empty-handed.

After some time, Maizah's anger slowly decreases, and she slowly releases the bouquet, noticing her small hands have become white and numb. She feels cold and tingling as her tissues lack oxygen and nutrients.

After a few seconds, her blood circulation is restored, resulting in a temporary pins-and-needles sensation as the nerves in her hand start to reactivate.

Maizah turns to face the man who looks like he would rather be anywhere else than at the wedding arch with her. He has an annoyed expression on his face, and it's either he's one of those people who can't hide their feelings well, or maybe he is sending a message to Maizah. That message is pretty straightforward to her because after making eye contact with him, she gulps as her cheeks turn pink with embarrassment.

Maizah discovered on social media that Amare is a man who has it all. He is extraordinarily wealthy and enjoys showing off his riches on social media. He is also well-educated and beautiful, with dark hair and deep brown eyes that give a sultry gaze. His physique is slight, and he has a warm skin tone. However, these are just his physical attributes.

The wedding began with an eerie silence as nobody spoke to each other. One couldn't help but wonder why the groom didn't even compliment his bride. It didn't have to be anything grand, just a simple, friendly word, yet he remained quiet. Perhaps he's still upset from a fight he had before arriving at the wedding.

Maizah looks at her groom as the priest quotes a few Bible lines.

She can't help but wonder what happened before he came to the wedding, considering his messy hair and bruised lips. She can tell he got into an argument with a woman because he has a lipstick smudge at the corner of his lips. In addition to the smell of whiskey and cigars, there is also a lingering scent of Hypnotic Poison perfume, which had notes of vanilla and musk. The perfume didn't suit him at all.

"Amare Jackson and Maizah Elaine Igwe, have you come here to enter into Marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?" Says the priest then proceeds. "Are you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?"

"Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?" The priest asks in the distance while Maizah is lost in her thoughts.

"Wait, did he make out with a woman before attending his wedding?" Maizah thinks as she stares at Amare.

"I have," Amare answers the priest's question while looking at Maizah. Startled, Maizah widens her eyes in shock

"Did I say that out loud?" She thinks to herself, smiling sheepishly.

"I am," Maizah says, but the words get stuck in her throat. She wants to apologize, but then she quickly remembers what the priest just said.

The priest seems convinced by their answers because he proceeds with the wedding.

"Since you intend to enter into the covenant of Holy Matrimony. Declare your consent before God and his Church." Says the priest, murmuring the blessing over the rings and sprinkling them with holy water.

"What God joins together, let no one put asunder," Says the priest, handing them the rings.

"Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, sickness and health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." He says, placing the ring on Maizah's finger.

Maizah's says the same thing while putting the ring on Amare's finger,

"My life is over," she murmurs to herself with tears threatening to fall off her face.

People take her tears as a happy sign and loud cheers erupt from the crowd, accompanied by screams, chairs swinging in the air, others hugging, and children crying - someone may have stepped on them. There are also whistles and happy screeching sounds. It's pretty impressive yet scary, but no one can judge them; they are elated.

The wedding ceremony ended. Indeed, a few individuals are still waiting for the kissing moment, especially those who don't care about cultural beliefs, and the priest is new in town, but he must have been informed because he didn't even mention that part.

In Centurion, conservative individuals consider marriage as a sacred institution. Public kissing is deemed offensive and inappropriate as it is viewed as a s****l act that should not be displayed in public.

Except for the rich people who live in the big cities, some don't care about that, but in Maizah's small town, many people pretend it's inappropriate.

Perhaps seeing others kiss arouses them sexually. Hypocrisy at its finest!

As everyone moves towards the wedding reception, which is just a few feet away from their seats, the guests and Maizah herself are pleasantly surprised by the spectacular arrangements her Aunt made.

The wedding tent is adorned with white and purple colors, and beautiful mixed flowers, predominantly cattleyas, are placed on every table.

Moreover, they have placed lit candles on rock pebbles, and each centerpiece is adorned with a floral wreath of matching flowers. They even added fairy lights to some of the planted trees, adding to the overall ambiance.

The favors for the guests are wrapped in gold or copper with one of four ribbons with the copper, gold, and oranges of fall. They are placed so that every other box has the same color.

The wedding program is printed on rolled parchment paper and tied with copper ribbons. The head table is also decorated with custom-made designs and has touches of the same color scheme.

The wedding continued for several hours, with kids playing around the tent, guests coming in and out, and Maizah's lovely family making speeches after the speech.

Hell, their speeches are starting to sound like a biography!

The Jacksons didn't say anything the whole day; Amare, on the other hand, is drinking like it's his last day on earth.

The fierce cow is looking rather quite mouthwatering. It looks savory and rich, with a slightly smoky flavor from the grill. The exterior is caramelized and crispy, while the interior is tender and juicy with a satisfying chewiness that gives way to a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The smokiness from the grill adds depth and complexity to the taste, making it even more enjoyable.

Maizah looks at Rebecca Jackson, swaying her hips and almost losing balance as she walks over to the head table; her heels keep sinking into the soft soil. It had rained yesterday; the soil is still damp.

"Let's go home. I have been here more than I should have." Says Rebecca.

"The night is too young, Mom; relax, have some drinks, and dance," Amare replies dismissively.

"Don't tell me what to do. I'm tired of being in this wretched place. Look at my designer shoes. They are ruined!." Rebecca cries out, but thankfully, to the music playing in the background, no one hears her screeching voice.

"Who's fault is that?" Amare asks, resting his arms on the table.

"Don't talk about that right now. Let's go. We have the press to worry about tomorrow, and I need you to be prepared." Says Rebecca.

"What about the toast? Cake cutting?" Amare asks, pointing at the cake in his unfinished glass.

"Don't tell me you care about that. You didn't want this wedding in the first place!" Rebecca yells in Amare's face as he moves back to his seat.

"Yes, I didn't, but you forced me into it. I might as well play my role as her wedded husband." He answers with a big smile on his face.

"Ugh. Don't stay up too late."

"Okay, fine. What should I do with her?" Amare asks, pointing at his wife with his head. Maizah, in return, gave him a bombastic side-eye.

Rebecca sighs. "She's your wife. What do you think?"

"I don't think anything. Should I leave her here?"

"What! Why would you leave her? She's your wife! Take her with you and ensure she stays by your side everywhere you go. I don't want her wandering around spilling things she shouldn't while the will hasn't been updated yet." Rebecca whispers enough for Amare to hear.

"Okay, I will take her home. I can't bring her to work tomorrow. "

"Work! You Imbecile! Are you worried about that? What will people think if you show up at work after your wedding day?

"What should I do with her then?"

"I don't know. I don't care. Just think for one in your life. Think!" She says, tapping his temple with her index finger.

As he groans, Maizah looks at him with concern, ready to offer any assistance he might need; only if she knew what he was planning with his mother, she wouldn't even look at him.