3. First Night
1706 Words
I spend the rest of the event in a daze. The surreal nature of the situation doesn't fade as the event unfolds.
I sit through toasts, smiling politely when required, and nodding at the appropriate moments. My mind is a whirlwind of confusion, trying to make sense of this bizarre turn of events. So instead of going around panicking and asking questions, I decided to lay low and observe.
Axel remains by my side, the picture of a devoted husband. He introduces me to distant relatives, old friends, and colleagues as if we've been happily married for years. I play along, nodding and smiling, all the while feeling like an imposter in my own life.
My mother doesn't think this is weird, my new stepbrother/husband doesn't think this is weird. And my best friend Cassie? She is currently having the time of her life dry-humping the best man on the dance floor. That means she also has no idea that I had a whole different reality before this.
And not to mention, one hour had passed, and I still hadn't wake up or lifted off to the afterlife.
Cassie finally joins me at the table, a flushed grin on her face. "Chloe, you won't believe what just happened on the dance floor! This wedding is wild!"
I force a smile. "Yeah, wild is one way to describe it."
Cassie doesn't seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm. She launches into a detailed account of her dance floor escapades, blissfully unaware of the turmoil in my mind.
One thing is for sure—I need answers. Tomorrow, when the dust of this bizarre wedding settles, I'll confront Axel and demand the truth. He has to know something.
Axel leans in close, his voice barely audible over the clinking of glasses: I can't wait until it ends and I pop have you tonight.
I nearly spit out my champagne. I blink at Axel, my mind struggling to process his words. Did he just say what I think he said? A flush of embarrassment creeps up my neck, and I discreetly glance around to see if anyone overheard.
"Excuse me?" I manage to mumble, my attempt to keep the conversation discreet.
Axel smirks, his eyes dancing with mischief. "I said, I can't wait until it ends and have you tonight. Alone. Oh, the things I want to do to you."
My cheeks burn hotter, and I give him a nervous laugh. "Uh, Axel, can we not talk about that here? It's our wedding, and people might hear."
He chuckles, seemingly amused by my discomfort. "Relax, Chloe. They're too busy having fun to eavesdrop. Besides, it's our wedding night, so that's normal."
Nothing about this qualifies as normal.
I shift uncomfortably in my chair, unsure how to respond. I didn't exactly dream about losing my virginity to my murderous stepbrother.
Wait...am I still a virgin? Or did I do it with Axel already?
I am tempted to ask him but decided against it. I should be plotting to avoid him tonight instead.
I'm relieved when the wedding reception finally ends. I try to keep a composed façade as I say my goodbyes to our guests, but inside, my stomach is churning with nerves. All I want to do is confront Axel and demand answers.
But before I can even make it out of the reception hall, he pulls me aside into a secluded corner.
"Chloe, we need to talk," he says urgently, his hand gripping mine tightly.
"Yes, we do," I respond, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
"I know this has been a long day," he continues, "but there's something important that you need to know."
Oh? Maybe he does know this isn't a normal situation.
I wait anxiously for him to continue, but instead of speaking, his lips crash down on mine in a passionate kiss.
My mind immediately goes blank as I feel his hands roaming over my body. Every fiber of my being wants to push him away and demand answers, but at the same time, his touch is sending shivers down my spine and making me feel things that I've never felt before.
When he finally breaks the kiss, we're both panting heavily.
"What...was that?" I manage to gasp out.
"That was just a taste of what's to come tonight," he smirks.
Goodness me...I am doomed!
~-~
The reception is finally over so Axel takes my hand and leads me away from the crowded ballroom. His touch sends shivers down my spine, and I can't help but feel a mixture of nerves and curiosity about what awaits me in our hotel room.
Without saying a word, Axel scoops me up into his arms, bridal style. I let out a surprised gasp, my hands instinctively wrapping around his neck for support.
"What are you doing!?" I exclaim.
"It's tradition for the groom to carry his bride to their room," Axel says with a hint of amusement.
As we reach the hotel room, Axel carefully sets me down. The room is decorated with rose petals and soft candlelight, creating a romantic ambiance that contrasts with the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
Axel locks the door behind us, and I find myself standing in the center of the room, unsure of what to do.
But one thing I know for sure. There is no way in hell I will have s*x with my stepbrother!
He approaches me with a confident stride, his gaze unwavering.
"Chloe," he says, his voice low and husky. "I know this has been a long day, and I want to make it up to you. I want our wedding night to be special."
"Um...what do you mean by special?"
His hand caresses my cheek as he leans in closer, his warm breath brushing against my ear. "I want it to be memorable," he whispers, his voice rough with desire. His fingers tangling in my hair as he tugs gently, guiding my head back so our lips meet once more.
It was not a gentle peck on the lips but a deep, passionate kiss that has my toes curling inside my high heels. His tongue dances with mine in an erotic dance that leaves me dizzy and confused.
Wait...hold on...pump the breaks!
I can't believe what's happening. This is my stepbrother. My heart is pounding, and my mind is screaming at me to stop this, but my body seems to have a mind of its own as it responds to his touch.
His lips are demanding and hungry against mine, his tongue sliding past mine with skillful ease. His hands roam over my body possessively, his fingers tracing the curve of my spine before moving up to unzip my dress.
He groans softly against my mouth as he inhales deeply when his hand brushes against my bare back.
You're married to him now, a little voice in the back of my mind whispers. How are you supposed to stop this?
And yet, I can't help but want to push him away. Axel must feel my hesitation because he pulls back, looking into my eyes with a mix of concern and lust. "What's wrong, Chlo?"
"No," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just...we can't do this."
"Huh? Why not?" He looks pained.
"Be...because..." my mind reels, trying to come up with an excuse. "Because it will hurt?"
Axel is taken aback. "Oh, is it because you are a virgin?"
So, I am still a virgin in this life!
"Yes?" I answer his question with another question.
Axel's voice is low and seductive as he teases, "I remember you telling me that you were saving yourself for marriage. Well, we're married now. So why wait any longer?" His eyes flicker with desire, his tone filled with promises of pleasure to come.
I couldn't come up with a good excuse, so I blurted out my rejection to him.
"Just no," I say, yanking my hand away dramatically. "This is... it's all sorts of weird, Axel."
"Hey," he reaches out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his expression filled with concern. "What's going on in that chaotic mind of yours?"
"It's just...this isn't real. It's like some messed up alternate universe where we're together," I confess, knowing how crazy it sounds.
Axel's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Chloe, you're starting to scare me. What are you talking about? We've been dating since our parents' messy divorce..."
"Hold up, Mom and Adrian got divorced?" I interrupt incredulously.
Now Axel's giving me a look that says he thinks I've lost my marbles.
"Yes. Why are you acting like you are just now finding out?" Axel cooes and places the back of his palm against my forehead, checking for a fever. "Are you feeling okay, baby?"
I hesitate. This conversation isn't going anywhere. Clearly, Axel isn't faking it, and he has no idea about anything. I should stop before he sends me off into the looney bin.
"Chloe," he leans in, his expression softening. "Maybe you're just stressed. We are an unconventional couple, and there were people whispering about us. I thought it didn't bother you before, but now I am starting to think that it does."
People gossiping about us is the least of my worries, but Axel wouldn't understand that.
"Yeah, you are probably right. I think I just need some sleep," I say, giving up.
Axel sighs. "Well, this is not how I imagined our wedding night would go. But you are not in the right state of mind, so I will let you sleep it off."
"Really? Thank you so much!" I beam. I am starting to like this new version of Axel.
"I love you, Chloe," Axel says.
"Uh...yeah...ditto!" I chirp and, jump in bed and cover myself in a blanket with my dress still on.
"Well, okay. Goodnight then," Axel says awkwardly and walks into the bathroom.
Tomorrow is a new day, I tell myself. Maybe in the morning, I will wake up as the old, unmarried version of me.
Either that, or I will wake up upstairs playing chess with the angels. Because I am supposed to be dead, aren't I?
- Writer
