The ‘rents weren’t invited. My choice. It didn’t seem like the right thing to do. I know; I’m a wuss. But I didn’t want to give them more cause for worry or complaint, feeling a great deal of CBA. (I’m sure that doesn’t shock you, that I can’t be arsed with their drama.) They’ve both met Kai, by the way, and if they don’t exactly approve, they’re keeping their thoughts to themselves.Mostly.Bonus, hey?
So, in the absence of Geoff, ostensibly to give me away, the bloke officiating the ceremony acted as my representative, or wali, though he wasn’t stupid at all. (Just in case you didn’t catch that, that thing there was a joke.) Anyway, he was lovely, gentle, and more than willing to explain anything he thought I might not understand.
Which is more than I can say for Kai.
During the ceremony, I was more or less offered to Kai, with a few religious sentiments, Kai then accepted, and contracts were signed.
And that’s where I went wrong. Blinded by love, or just a joke?
And bada-bing-bada-boom, we were hitched.
It was different.What else can I say?I won’t say I wish you’d been here because it was over and done with pretty quick. It would’ve been a long way to come for a few minutes; some paperwork, a few words and that was about it. Plus, we’re doing it again once we get to Dubai.
Wanna be my Maid of Dishonour? I draw the line at a bachelorette party of topless waiters and headbands made out of condoms, FYI.
Raising my head, I glower once more at the bed and wonder if I can contrive to get a male stripper in Dubai.
So this time around, no wedding bells, no rice throwing and no fancy wedding bash. We’re saving all that for when we get back. Mum and Geoff are flying out, and even though they say they’re “happy” I’m settling down. I’m not sure if that means they like Kai, or like his cash.
Pretty sure they won’t be happy to find I sort of got married already, so you’d best keep that to yourself.
Anyway, we leave soon, so you can strangle me when I get back.
See you on the Doobers side, mate.
X
As I type the final line, it occurs to me that in his own calculating way, Kai has offered me tangible evidence of his commitment. By standing to lose half his wealth, he’s sending me a sign of his commitment and fidelity. I can understand his motives, but not his methods, at least not right now. He should’ve spoken to me first. Explained. Shoving the contract under my nose? That was manipulation. I could’ve been signing anything. But if I’m honest with myself, I don’t know which makes me angrier; his actions or my own stupidity.
I stare at my laptop screen, my finger hovering between delete and send. The latter wins in the end and probably for the best.
I force myself back into bed. I can’t sit in a chair all night, and I still can’t quite bring myself to sleep in one of the other rooms, because despite everything, I don’t want to be apart from him.
My back is towards Kai as I begin pulling the sheet free from under his hip, when his body surges from the bed, pulling me to him.
‘Are we still fighting?’ In the moonlight, his eyes appear as black as the night sky.
I sigh and unthinkingly turn and rest my chin on his chest. I nod, though the truth is, the fight seems to have seeped out of me.
‘In that case, I’ll go back to sleep.Oof,that wasn’t why I bought you that ring.’ He links his fingers with mine, preventing me from jabbing him again.
‘Then why did you?’
‘Don’t poke people with rocks, sweetheart. Especially when they were bought to convey love.’ His grasp tightens, loosening just as quickly. With a protracted sigh, he tips his chin so his head falls back against the pillows. ‘I didn’t plan it this way. I bought a ring with the intention of proposing to you. The rest of it... I wish we could’ve done it some other way.’
‘Married a day and you already have regrets.’ My tone is peevish. ‘I’m not a puppy you can take back to the pet shop, you know.’
‘No, you’re a kitten whom I’ve put on a pedestal.’
‘No one asked you to.’
‘I wanted to.Wantto.’ His voice betrays his regret in the darkness. I’m pleased he can’t see my face, because despite my earlier combustion, I’m still hurt. ‘I knew you’d kick up a fuss.
‘You shouldn’t hide things. Ever.’
‘I knew you’d try to refuse. Negotiate at the very least.’
‘That’s no excuse. You can’t force people into doing what you want by hiding things.’
