Page 9 of Corrupt Desires

Iwoke drenched in sweat, my shorts and tank top sticking to my body, and my hair wet at the base of my neck. I had been having the absolute worst nightmare about today. Anthony showed up and killed my entire family, along with James and his brother. I knew the fear I felt for my family, but the fear I felt for James and Kayden was a foreign feeling, one I didn’t expect to have.

Shaking myself out of the remnants of my dream, I head to the bathroom. Turning the bathtub handle, I put the water as hot as it will go.All the better for burning away the demons in my soul. Ha. Maybe a tad morbid today, but oh well. I think I deserve to feel that way a little bit, after all, I am getting married because of my father’s dying wish, to someone I barely know—that I don’t even love.

As the bathtub fills with water, I get undressed and then add a few salts and oils to the water. Soon, the bathroom is smelling heavenly with hints of vanilla and citrus. Dipping my toes in the water, it’s finally full and hot enough to get in. I lather the loofa with my vanilla body wash and make quick work of washing my body. Once I’m satisfied that I’m clean and washed all traces of sweat from my body, I lean back in the tub and let my head rest on the edge.

What will my wedding night be like? Will James force me to have sex with him? Will he carry me over the threshold of his home, or will he simply let me walk in? I don’t have a bridesmaid, oh my god… What if James has a best man? I have a million and one questions running through my mind. I shut my eyes and try to calm my racing thoughts, but it’s no use. Letting out a breath, I grab both sides of the tub and pull myself out of the water. There is no use trying to relax any longer. My mind is running and there is no stopping it.

After washing my hair and getting dressed, I shoot my mother a text to see when she will be here to get me into my dress. She replies almost instantly that she’s already waiting outside.

“Hello, Mother,” I say, holding the door open and letting her walk in.

“Emilia, darling, you smell wonderful. I’m sure James will love that. Now where is your dress? Why isn’t your hair and makeup done yet?!”

“I just got out of the bath, I was going to do my hair and makeup next.”

“Well, hurry up now, Emilia. We don’t have much time.”

Before I can say anything else and start an argument, there is a knock on my front door. Confused as to who else could be here, I check the peephole and see a blonde girl with bright blue eyes.

Opening the door slowly, I peek around the edge of the door and ask her, “Can I help you?”

“Hi! My name’s Brooke, and I’m your bridesmaid for today. Sorry if you weren’t expecting me. James told me where to go and what to do, so I’m just following his orders. Sorry…”

I roll my eyes at the audacity of this man. “I was not expecting you, but please, come in. My name’s Emilia. How do you know James?” I look her up and down, jealousy lacing my words.Wait, why am I jealous again?

“I’m his sister actually. Has he never mentioned me? That’s ok, I’m just happy I could be part of this special day,” she all but squeals the last part. Brooke has such a positive, bubbly energy, it’s hard to be annoyed at her. My jealousy instantly dissipates. And she talks a mile a minute. I decide I like her already.

“Well, Brooke, my mom and I were just about to do my hair and makeup if you want to join us?”

“Absolutely, let’s do this!”

We spend the better part of the next two hours doing both of our hair and makeup. Brooke decided to go with an intricate updo with a braid along one side of her head that shows off her delicate neck. She looks absolutely gorgeous. I went with curled hair that’s been brushed through so it has gentle waves pinned to one side. I know this look will only accentuate the dress, so I am all for it.

Brooke is nice enough to take pictures while I get ready, saying that I need to cherish this day forever. I want to tell her that today feels more like a death sentence than a dream, but I keep my mouth shut. I don’t want to ruin her moment as a bridesmaid—she really is taking it very seriously.

I help Brooke get her bridesmaid dress on and zipped up. She picked out the perfect dress. It’s knee-length with a one-shoulder neckline and has a belt to tie into a bow in the back. The material she chose is a navy-blue chic chiffon. Her silver shoes compliment the diamond earrings she’s wearing. The dress absolutely flatters her figure and makes her light blue eyes pop.

Once we have Brooke all set to go, she helps me get into my dress and gets the back zipped up.The slit in the thigh is very daring for a wedding, I think to myself, admiring the dress in the mirror. Oh well, though. It ismyday, and I will wear whatever I want. If James thinks it too revealing, which he probably will because he’s so uptight and proper, he’ll just have to suck it up. Finishing my ensemble, I don a pair of white, red-bottoms and follow Brooke and my mother toward the front door.

Before we leave the house, I grab my gun and thigh holster, slipping it under my dress and onto my thigh where it is perfectly concealed. I like to think I won’t need it on my wedding day, but I much prefer to come prepared then have nothing if the need arises.

* * *

By the timewe reach the church, my hands are sweaty and my leg won’t stop bouncing.

“Emilia, please, calm down,” my mother says, laying a hand gently on my bouncing leg.

“Excuse me if I’m a little stressed out here. I am marrying someone against my wishes, you know,” I snap back at her, not meaning to put so much venom in my words.

“Emilia, we talked about this. It is for your own good. James is such a good man, I know he will take care of you and give you the world.”

“That’s not all that matters in a marriage, Mother. Most people love each other before tying the knot. They aren’t forced into it.”

Arguing with her is fruitless, though, and I know it. She knows I won’t back out, not since my father wished James and me to marry. Tears spring to my eyes thinking about the fact he won’t be here to walk me down the aisle. He’s simply too frail to make it out of his room and attend. Mother tells me someone is live-streaming it for him in his room, though. That makes me a little happier, knowing that he’ll still be able to watch his little girl get married. I know how much this means to him, and it’s the only reason I’m going through with it.

We make our way up the stairs to the church, and we all quickly get into position, my mom hurrying to go take her seat in the front row. Kayden comes into view and holds out his arm for Brooke. The ceremony is going to start rather quickly and be relatively short. I agreed to get married, but it was to be on my terms. A quick ceremony and a cocktail reception afterwards. That’s it.

Sensing that the church has quieted down, Brooke peers through the crack in the door and into the great hall. Before she can even turn back to me, the music starts up, signaling the start of the ceremony. Seemingly out of nowhere, Lorenzo comes up to me and offers me his arm. If anyone is going to walk me down the aisle other than my father, it only feels right that it’s Lorenzo. He peers down at me with a shuttered look in his eyes, but also a hint of something else that I can’t place.

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