Forced Marriage

2

After two weeks of partying and drinking, Adrian's wedding day finally arrived, and he wasn't that happy, but he couldn't escape it.

- Come on, brother. - Bryan says. - You’re not the bride to be late.

- Leave me alone, Bryan. - Adrian replies. - My head hurts a lot.

- It would be a miracle if your head didn’t hurt. Dad and I had to go to a nightclub almost two hours away just to pick you up drunk and surrounded by women. - Bryan says. - You know what would happen if someone took a picture of that and published it, what Jack would do if he saw his future son-in-law drunk and sleeping with four women at the same time on the eve of the wedding? If Petra finds out that I entered a place like that, I’ll be sleeping on the couch for a week.

- Alright. Let’s just get this over with. - Adrian says.

After the wedding, Adrian and Kenna would be staying at Adrian's apartment, as all of the woman's belongings were already there in the guest room.

Thus, Adrian and Bryan head to the church, where the wedding would take place.

[...]

- You look handsome, dear. - Rebekah says, adjusting her son's tie.

- Thank you, mom. - Adrian replies.

- I can't believe you're getting married... and that I'm going to have a grandchild. - Rebekah says, surprisingly excited about becoming a grandmother, even though she often said she was too young to be called grandma.

- It wasn’t exactly my choice that all of this happened. - Adrian says.

- What matters is that you’re finally taking a direction in your life, becoming a family man. You’re going to be a great father and a hardworking man. - Rebekah says. - I heard from your father that you’re doing well at the company; keep it up.

- My daughter has arrived. - Says Samanta, Kenna's mother.

Rebekah steps away from her son, smiling tenderly at him, as Adrian positions himself at the altar. Through the entrance doors, Kenna walks in, arm in arm with her father. The beautiful brunette with curly hair and honey-colored eyes is stunningly dressed in a princess-style gown, full and adorned with lace and gems. Her hair is styled in beautiful curls, flowing freely, topped with a five-meter tulle veil, which trails behind her along with the train of her dress.

Adrian follows all of Kenna's movements until she stands face to face with him; their eyes meet, and it feels like the world around them has vanished. Adrian is mesmerized; he doesn't remember how beautiful Kenna is.

- Everyone sit down. - The priest says, breaking the trance for Adrian and Kenna. - We will begin the ceremony.

The ceremony was quick, and now the couple would speak their vows. They chose to say only the traditional marriage vows, without any romantic messages.

- I, Kenna Stella Petrov, take you, Adrian Joseph Miller, as my lawful husband, promising to be faithful, to love and respect you, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in wealth and in poverty, for all the days of my life. Until death do us part.

- I, Adrian Joseph Miller, take you, Kenna Stella Petrov, as my lawful wife, promising to be faithful, to love and respect you, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in wealth and in poverty, for all the days of my life. Until death do us part.

Adrian and Kenna quickly exchange their rings.

- I now pronounce you husband and wife. - The priest says. - You may kiss the bride.

Even awkwardly, Adrian and Kenna share a quick peck and then turn to the guests, who are all smiling. All the guests applaud as the newlyweds head out of the church, where they will go to the reception.

[...]

- Please, can you show a little bit of happiness? - Rebekah says, approaching Adrian and Kenna, who are sitting, with Kenna eating some sweets.

- Mom, how can we show that we’re happy if we’re not happy. - Adrian replies.

- At least we agree on one thing. - Kenna mutters.

- Okay. Just smile, even if it’s a fake smile. - Rebekah says.

Kenna forces a smile while eating a chocolate sweet; Adrian lets out a chuckle, but his laughter is genuine.

- Why are you laughing like that? - Kenna asks, looking at her husband.

- Your tooth is dirty with chocolate; it looks like you have a rotten tooth. - Adrian says.

Kenna quickly runs her tongue over her teeth, removing all the chocolate residue, and shows her teeth to Adrian.

- Is it gone? - She asks.

- It’s gone, but here it’s still dirty. - Adrian says, bringing his hand to Kenna's face and wiping the corner of her mouth. Kenna lowers her gaze to Adrian’s hand and then looks into his eyes; Adrian could see her face through Kenna's gaze, those lovely light eyes shining brighter than the sun. Kenna blinks slowly, her delicate movements hypnotizing him, his hand still on her face, gently caressing the corner of Kenna's mouth that is now clean.

Kenna felt no different; Adrian's gorgeous ocean-blue eyes made her feel warm, as if she were at the beach on a summer afternoon under the heat of the sun, while the cool sea breeze caressed her warm skin, sending chills all over her body. That feeling made her truly shiver.

- Wow... - they heard Rebekah's voice, and they quickly snapped out of their trance. They both immediately pulled away from each other. - I asked you to pretend, but that felt very real; I could feel the chemistry here.

- Mom... you are imagining things that aren't there. - Adrian says.

- I know exactly what I saw. - Rebekah replies. - Well, now it’s best for you to get up; you’re going to dance the waltz.

Rebekah smiles excitedly while clapping her hands.

- I’ll ask the DJ to play the music. - Rebekah says, leaving the couple alone. Adrian stands up and extends his hand to Kenna.

- No! - Kenna says. - No way.

- Why? - Adrian asks.

Kenna falls silent.

- Wait, you don't know how to dance? - Adrian inquires.

- Waltz, no. - Kenna replies. - Do you?

- I had to learn when I was younger; I was going to take a girl to the school dance. - Adrian says. - I only danced that once; I think I still remember how.

- But I don’t know anything; I can’t embarrass myself in front of all these people. - Kenna protests.

- Come on, I’ll teach you. - Adrian says, extending his hand to Kenna. Even though she hesitates, she takes Adrian's hand and smiles as she stands up.

Soon they make their way to the center of the hall under the gaze of everyone and position themselves; they look into each other’s eyes, and Adrian squeezes Kenna’s hand, giving her confidence.