A phantom of a smile appeared on her tanned face before disappearing as quickly as it had formed. She shifted her head so that she was looking out the window, where the scenery that flashed by was still the same. Sighing, she fiddled with her fingers, not sure where to place them at all. Unknowingly, her fingers moved to the dashboard where they began a slow rhythmic beat. It lasted for a whole five minutes before the man beside her grunted in displeasure.
“Sorry,” she muttered before returning both her hands to her lap. But a few minutes later, she was shifting uncomfortably in her seat, trying to find a position that suited her.
“You were always a fidgety child,” the man said smilingly before looking at his daughter. “Relax a little. We’re almost there.”
She nodded her head, slightly surprised at hearing any sort of emotion in her father’s voice. He had not spoken much to her during the entire car ride and if he did, it was to only give instructions. Settling herself back into the leather seat, she clasped her hands together before closing her eyes.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
“Why look at you! You’re so beautiful,” her mother teared before Faith could react. She herself was feeling emotional and she was not used to the surge of emotions that flooded her at that moment. She felt extremely vulnerable and at the same time felt the most secure.
She held back the tears that threatened to spill forth onto her cheeks. She could not allow that or Mimi, her make-up artist would kill her for sure. “Oh mum. You don’t know how happy I am right now.” Faith’s joy could be seen in the way she glowed.
Her mother came to stand behind her before plucking the pearl necklace that lay on the dressing table. Holding it around Faith’s neck, she clicked the clasp close and looked into her daughter’s emerald eyes. “I just want you to be happy.”
Faith rose from her seat behind the dressing table and smiled at her mother through the mirror, “I am mother, I truly am.”
“Honey, the harpist is asking where to set up?” the mother daughter moment was ruined when Faith’s father barged into the room, confusion written upon his face. “They ask me like I would know!”
Faith couldn’t help it. Bubbles of laughter spilled from her lips as she saw her father in a most confused state. Her mother however, controlled herself before stepping to her husband. I’ll handle it Charles. Don’t worry that thick head of yours.” And as her mother walked out of the room, Faith swore she heard her say, “Don’t ever send a man to do a woman’s job.”
Faith turned to look at her father, uncertainty written upon her face as she made a full circle to show her father how she looked. Silence ensued for awhile before her father stepped up to her very quickly and pulled her into a tight embrace. “You look like an angel darling.” He pulled away and looked down at his daughter. “I am so very proud of the woman you’ve become.” Faith blushed prettily at her father’s words before readjusting her white gown. “And if that man ever hurt you, I will…” he trailed off as Faith placed her hands on her hips and looked at him sternly.
“Dad how many times have I told you that I love him and that he loves me as well. He would never do anything to hurt me and I know it,” Faith declared passionately.
Her father’s grim look faded away at her determined words. He didn’t trust Damien and Faith could see it clearly in his face but she knew he would set aside all differences just to see her happy and she was grateful for that. Nodding his head, her father left the room to settle several unfinished matters leaving Faith to her thoughts.
Lord knew Damien was a handful. Her soon to be was an opinionated man with a manner for being ruthless in his business. But Faith had found a way to love him for she had discovered a man of a loving heart. Damien had courted her with single minded determination that had amused Faith.
She remembered the way he used to send bouquets of flowers to her apartment and for weeks, Faith remembered the way her home would smell of freshly cut flowers. The memories brought a wistful smile to her face while she swayed on the spot, her body moving on its own accord. She could still remember the first time Damien had held her in his arms. He had held his hand out to her, quietly asking for her to dance with him under the moonlight on the street. There had been no music but their bodies swayed in time to a tune that only the two of them could hear. And as she had peered into his azure eyes, Faith had known what was going to come next and she had welcomed it. Leaning over, Damien kissed Faith and on that starry night, Faith had fallen in love.
“What are you doing staring into blank space when all the guests are waiting for you to make your grand entrance?” Faith’s dreamlike state was disturbed when Ray barged into the room. Spinning about, Faith looked at her sister and for a few seconds, the two siblings stared at each other before squealing in delight.
“Can you believe it Ray? Can you believe that I’m….I’m…” Faith trailed of as excitement and trepidation consumed her.
Pulling her sister into a fierce hug, Ray smilingly said, “You deserve this Faith. You deserve it all. You’re the most caring and selfless person I know and it is good to see someone love you for those very things.”
Faith pulled away and playfully punched at her sister who was dressed in a lavender gown, “Stop it, you’re going to make me cry.” Grinning Ray grabbed her sister’s bouquet from the side table before ushering Faith out of the spacious room.
“Come on before your soon to be husband comes hunting for you,” Ray said teasingly. Faith’s heart soared at hearing the word ‘husband’ and a few minutes later, when she was walking towards the alter with her father holding on to her arm, Faith’s emerald eyes met Damien’s and in that moment, Faith knew she had found true love for in her husband’s eyes, she saw pride and unbridled joy.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
No comments:
Post a Comment