Laura's POV
Debt is a cruel master! I opened my eyes, my back laid barely on the cotton sheets. I had prayed this day would never come but here it is, as cold as ice.
My bath had been prepared, with roses sprinkled around the warm, scented water. For the first time in my entire life, I was experiencing such calmness but my heart raced faster than a speeding car.
I got into the tub, trying not to think about how my husband in two hours would look like. I had never seen him, not even a glance or a picture, the only thing I knew about him was his name, Edward.
Who would have thought that my eighteenth birthday would be my wedding day? I closed my eyes, gently scrubbing every inch of my body; hoping the calmness of the water would soothe my soul.
I heard my room door open wide, soon after, the bathroom door swung open. I was still naked in the water but unbothered. My mother was the only one with the audacity to enter my room without knocking.
"There you are, you aren't even dressed yet and you are glowing." She teased, smiling warmly at me.
Beneath her smile, I could see her worry, her fear. The only way I could make her comfortable was to hide my anxiety.
"I guess I should thank you for passing your looks to me." I said, fixing a wide smile on my face.
I got out of the water and took the towel from her. Thankfully, my hands were not trembling.
"I'm curious about his looks, I hope he's nothing like his father." I blurted out, revealing all my emotions in that one statement.
"I knew it, you were faking your smile. I'm your mother, I can tell when you're anxious, you don't have to hide it from me."
"And I'm your daughter, I can tell when you're worried."
It was quiet for a moment, I cleaned myself thoroughly and led her out of the bathroom.
My wedding dress was neatly placed on the mannequin standing close to the vanity. A short dress with stones that made it sparkle, I could already imagine it on my body.
I had always hoped to wear a wedding dress at twenty four. All glory goes to my father for my early marriage to someone I've never met.
"I feel so terrible, I could have been a better mother; I know you do not deserve this. I'm so sorry my sweetheart." She whispered, wiping the tears that dropped freely on her face.
"Shh, it's okay... it's not your fault. You did your best, there was nothing more you could have done."
I held her hands tightly, holding my tears back. "I hate it when you blame yourself for father's wrecklessness."
"Everything is going to be okay, I'll always be here for you." She said, drawing me in for a long embrace.
I quickly put my self together, got my make up on and got dressed. According to my father, I had to look extraordinary, like an angel, to avoid refund.
I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling disgusted. I was the transaction, the payment for my father's debt.
For the sake of my mother, I didn't hide, I didn't run. I accepted it as my destiny and only hoped it wouldn't be my end.
A car was sent to pick me up and we headed straight to the court for the wedding. I was made to sign a contract never to leave the marriage till death. They owned me, He owned me and if I ever try to leave, I'd face the consequences.
It was clearly stated but what bothered me the most is why I might have to leave. Is he a monster or a dragon for such terms? I just couldn't shake off the bad feeling.
I had no choice, I signed. I guessed my entire life was worth a million dollar debt.
The car suddenly stopped in front of the court house, I had been carried away for a long time, I didn't realize how much time had passed.
It had been long agreed that just the both of us would attend our wedding. It definitely wasn't an agreement, it was an order.
I got down from the car and watched the driver zoom off. I held my bouquet of flower, my heart racing so fast. I took in a deep breath and let it out.
"You can do this Laura, you're courageous." I said, consoling myself as I walked into the court room.
At the entrance, I bumped into a young, handsome man, rushing out with his phone pressed to his ears. It seemed to be a business call from the little I heard on his end.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking..." Before I could finish, he had vanished from my sight.
"I wish that was my husband." I mumbled to myself and entered the room. Surprisingly, he wasn't there yet. No one was there.
"Are you soon to be Mrs Charlton?" A voice from behind me made me jolt. For a second, I thought I was getting married to a woman.
I nodded my head in agreement.
"Your husband was here, he had some business to attend to, he'll join you shortly. Please sit."
I sat down and laid the bouquet on my legs, rubbing my palms together.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, let's get this over with." A thick, masculine voice echoed but surprisingly, it was familiar, like something I heard minutes ago.
What were the chances that the man I bumped into was my husband?