Chapter 19

NATALIE'S P.O.V

It's been 3 days since the day Maverick and I went to buy the wedding rings-our wedding ring. I've been at home, doing my best to be happy at least till the wedding. And everyone has been quiet about saying anything further all of a sudden. Especially my mom, it's been acting all cool and calm. Last night she came to my room to talk, saying she just wanted to talk with her daughter, and said nothing about the wedding or about getting married to me. I was very happy, at least for the first time in a long time. My mom and I had a quite reasonable time to talk without her bringing up anything about Maverick or about weddings. Even though my father mostly stayed out to work, he came back sometimes very late at night, ending up being tired and having nothing to say to me at the end.

Somehow I'd almost forgotten that I was getting married but then, my instinct kept reminding me that soon, I'll be locked up in Maverick's house. The best of it was sleeping in peace and waking up in peace. It was these 3 days that I mostly wished I could run away, not like I could say why, besides my marriage to Maverick still threatened me.

I looked at the time, it was 8 o'clock in the morning and I was still in bed when my mother called my name twice almost immediately from wherever she was. Her voice was filled with panic. I would know that, because she was my mom and I knew what her tone was like when she panicked. I wondered what it could be that caused her panic. I stood from my bed reluctantly and looked out of the wedding, the world appeared to be quiet. I ambled out of my room to find my mother.

She was in the sitting room when I walked in, she was seated on the sofa, and Andrew was standing next to the sofa where she was seated, there was a suspicious look on their faces. Especially my mom, she looked sad somehow, and she was holding a newspaper in her hand. I didn't know what to expect really, it's not everyday I find newspapers in our house, except there was something very tremendous that got to our ears, that way Andrew would always find a way to get a copy and bring it home. I stood still for a moment and examined the both of them, searching for information to feed my curiosity.

"What's the problem?" I asked, moving closer to Andrew. I nudged him, demanding an answer from him. He looked at me tiredly and took the newspaper from my mom, then handed it over to me. Wait! Are you serious? I looked at the headline and shook my head. I haven't even been married to Maverick and my life has gone public. I hated public stuff, it always had a way of spoiling a good moment, except that I was having some spoiled moments already. With the situation at hand, it was some added spoilt moment. I sighed and sat down next to my mother.

"Are you okay?" She asked, looking at me. Of course, I am not okay, was she expecting me to be okay? Not a chance. I looked at her and shook my head looking away. "I'm sorry" was all she said. Right, I didn't expect her to say anything surplus. I expected her to say something comforting, like, 'I'll call off the wedding, or 'you don't deserve this ' . She was my mother. She's supposed to have my best interest at heart right?

"You'll get used to it, soon" she said and brought her hand close to my thighs and caressed them. I didn't say a word, but I nodded my head again in acceptance to what she said. But will I? Will I get used to seeing published articles about me, both the true and false? Will I get used to random people taking a photo of me without my notice? Will I get used to me being the number one trending topic? Will I? Tsk! I wonder how these celebrities and public figures lived. I just wonder and never stop to just wonder how.

"But it's not bad though, " Andrew said, sitting down "think about it sis, you'll be a celebrity soon" he looked at me and smiled as if expecting me to understand that rubbish he said.

"I think if I were you, I'd be happy," he concluded.

"Andrew, give your sister a break, will you?" Mom cautioned.

"Sorry" he just said reluctantly. I eyed him and sat up. I didn't tell anyone that someone took some photos of Maverick and I. And I also didn't tell them that Maverick took me to Nick Ice. I intended to keep it that way, to not tell anyone.

"I'll speak to your father, to do something about it" something has to be done truly. For just that single headline, my emotions were jamming each other, causing a little rise of anger. Giving me more reasons to hate Maverick. I hate him. I always will.

"Okay, thanks mom" I said, and stood up to leave. "I'm going outside to get some air" I announced and turned towards the door.

"Okay, don't go too far honey" mom called after me and I nodded before stepping out.

I didn't know where exactly I'll go, but I planned to make it a very short walk.

****

I walked through the almost lonely path that led to the park. The feeling I got from the trees hovering over me, and the sound of its leaves swinging side to side made me feel at ease. I walked with my head down, singing to the music that played from my phone. I strode over to a bench just close to the Park just a little bit ahead of the basketball court, and then I sat there.

"Hey!" Someone called from behind me. I looked behind and saw Taylor, the guy I went to highschool with. I didn't know he lived close to me now. He was the prom king, and those days I used to have a big crush on him. If he had looked my way, he would have been my first boyfriend. Because I didn't have the guts to talk to him about my feelings even when we were on the same team, I didn't get a chance to date any other guy. I was too wrapped up in building my feelings for him and not noticing any other guy.

"Hi" I said

"You live close?"

"Yes" I responded, my heart flustered. Damn! I still had a crush on him.

"How have you been?" He asked sitting next to me "I didn't expect it would be you when I saw you from afar".

"Same here, I didn't expect to see you though. I'm fine too, how are you?" I asked avoiding eye contact. He looked good, and a bit mature. His blonde hair fell to his face, making his well carved nose pointing out. He has always been the ideal guy for the girls at school. "Do you live around or close?" I managed to ask.

"My family moved here" he began "we live two blocks away from here. I usually come here to play basketball" he said. I was tempted to ask him how long since his family moved. But I didn't want him thinking I was becoming interested. It was better he didn't know anything about what I felt, and how I feel.

"Is he your boyfriend?" He asked. Who? What? Is he…..?

"What do you mean, who?" I asked, confused.

"The business guy on the news with you, Maverick. Is he?"

What do I say to Taylor about Maverick? How do I even tell him I'm getting married to Maverick? It was embarrassing saying I'm getting married because it was signed.

"Emmm……….." I cleared my throat "it's a long story" I said and stood up.

"It was nice talking to you Taylor" I said

"Yeah, can I see you again? I mean I'm new here and it would be great having someone I know around" he said and I nodded. "Can I have your number?"

"Sure" I said and gave him the number. He took out a pen from his pocket and wrote the number in his palm. Very childish. He could have just given me his. Then I walked away.

Back in high school, Taylor and I weren't the best of friends, we just talked because I was a cheerleader and he was on the team. I didn't even like most of his friends, especially the girls. But it was nice seeing him. I smiled to myself thinking a little as I walked back home.