TWENTY EIGHT

The night couldn't pass fast enough as l tossed and turned, my nerves getting the best of me. When the sun started to rise l quickly got on my feet and took a long hot shower.

My mom was sitting on my bed cradling a sleeping Akai in her arms, setting her down when she saw me approaching 

"I see you are up, need help choosing an outfit" she asked with her hands behind her back

"l would really appreciate that" she felt very vulnerable and exposed. Not knowing how to help me. She came back a minute later with my white leather pants that had a slot hem and a red off the shoulder ruched top and red ankle strap heels

Saying goodbye to both my parents, l could see my mom let out a few tears that she discreetly tried to wipe. I couldn't help but pull her in for a hug. Making sure she wasn't overly emotional had distracted me from the feelings that kept me awake all night. 

The building was deserted when l entered through the front doors. Not a soul in sight. Finding it a bit strange, l took the elevator to the sixth floor where l was told that my office was situated. 

There behind the glass doors was a group hurdled together discussing something under their breaths. I walked over and knocked on the door causing them all to look over at me with fear in their eyes. Fear of being caught 

"Morning" l greeted them. They all stared at me in confusion before any of them could ask who l was or what l was doing, a familiar face appeared from the direction of the elevators. 

"Miss Bellaire" the man who had conducted my interview greeted. 

"Morning...." l trailed off embarrassed that l still didn't know his last name 

"Mr Stevenson" he said, the son of Sasha's gossip partner. 

"I see you have met the team you will be working with. As stated in the email, you will work as the junior creative director and these are your seniors" they all looked like predators ready to pounce on their prey, eyeing me from head to toe

"hi" l squeaked not used to being the center of attention. They didn't respond, merely looking at each other before going to their respective posts

"Don't take it personally, that's how they treat every new person" Stevenson tried to comfort. He walked over to cubicle close to the office we were just in 

"This is your station, l hope you feel at home." he said before retreating back to the elevators, probably going back to his office 

The floor was silent, the sound of nails hitting the keyboards was the only sound heard. I looked around and saw everyone engrossed on their work while l sat with nothing to do cause no one had bothered to inform me of my role as a junior. 

"what do you want" l spoke into the phone, 

"come outside, there is something we need to do" Hilden's voice spoke into the phone 

"you know l can't do that, l am at work" l said matter - of-factly

"I'm not an idiot, l spoke to your boss and he allowed me to borrow you for an hour. So come down l am waiting for you at the entrance". I was surprised to see his car parked outside the office building with no driver in sight and Isabel in the front seat with her feet propped on the dashboard 

"what's going on here?" l asked the two suspiciously 

"we are going to get married" Holden was the one to speak 

"I thought the wedding was in two weeks time" l was confused as to how things were panning out 

"The wedding my mother wants is in two weeks. But why wait and waste money when we can go to court and sign. Isabel here will be our witness" l knew that this wasn't a real marriage but for him to go about it this way was heart wrenching. 

"I know this isn't an ideal marriage but don't l at least deserve something nice. Even just for a day" l asked

"You are getting money from this, isn't that enough. Now get in the car or else we will miss out appointment" he said rushing me into the car and strapping me in

The court house wasn't that far from my work but the feeling of getting married in this way wasn't something l agreed with. I was already signing my life away, but now l wouldn't get to have my father walk me down the isle

Isabel stepped out of the car with a white suit in hand which she handed over to me shooing me in the direction of the bathroom to get changed. When l finished they were both waiting for me where l left them before we hurried into a weird looking room with a judge and priest. 

"We can get started" the judge said as the traditional wedding rituals took place. We didn't say our own vows because none of us would know what to say and before l knew it, it was over. I was officially Aurora Stone

What was considered the happiest day of a girls life was my doom. They drove me back and this time when l arrived at my cubicle, there was a stack of papers waiting for me to look over. 

"how could you guys do something so reckless, if the press find out we are going to be doomed" Sasha screeched into the phone

"what are you talking about" l asked, not sure how she would have found out about the marriage 

"I know you and Hilden just got married on court. What about all the planning we had already started for the wedding. Will the wedding even still take place?" l was confused as she was, l didn't know what was happening or what would happen now that we had gotten married