The Arrangement

Every night since my encounter with Matthew had been spent trying to understand my conflicting feelings. He seemed so nice but dangerous and entitled all at the same time. He was ruggedly handsome while looking as polished as a bowling ball. I also wondered if he liked me, I was scared that I wasn’t pretty enough for his family to accept me as a new member. I also had a slight hope that I wasn’t pretty enough, so I could stay with my family.
Today was the day we would know if the negotiations went in our favor. My mom didn’t allow my brothers or myself to leave the small apartment we called home, that way we would all be present. My grandmother also stayed in, she sat at the table with my mom and older brother having tea quietly. All three of them had pensive looks on their faces probably preparing for the worst. Within the negotiations there was talk of money and elevation in titles for my family.
My younger brother watched a movie as he waited completely bored out of his mind. The movie was very low to ensure we heard the phone or doorbell, what ever method Matthews family would use to communicate with us. The movie playing was Jurassic Park, I leaned in to the couch and watched silently when the doorbell rang.
I immediately sat up and looked over to my mom who was staring at my grandma. The doorbell was followed by three knocks on the wooden door. My mom walked over after taking a deep breath and opened the door.
“Hi, I’m Brian” the man who had been smoking the day I saw Matthew said.
“Um,” My mom mumbled confused.
“I’m looking for Elizabeth, the Sanders sent me” he explained.
“Oh yes, come in would you like some tea or biscuits?” she offered stepping aside.
“No I don’t drink tea, This is for you.” he handed my mom a large envelope and continued “This his for Elizabeth, from Maria Matthews mom.” He handed me a rather large box that looked like it could store a cake in it.
“Thank you,” I lifted the box to reveal a dazzling white dress.
“Your meant to wear that today, assuming you have proper footwear to accompany it.” He said as he pointed at my torn sox.
“Today,” I asked as I tucked my feet under the coffee table.
“Sweetie, go change now, you’re getting married in two hours.” My mom looked up from the letter she was reading.
“What, but I thought I would be able to spend some time with Matthew before,” I questioned.
“Oh you’ll spend time with him later,” Brian smirked.
“What are you implying?” I stood.
“Listen if you don’t know already what happens when people get married then you are in for a rude awakening little canary.” He stated pulling his phone out.
“Mom,” I asked.
“come on I’ll help you get ready, hop in the shower.” She said as she took the box and shoved me to the bathroom.
Mom did my hair in to a ballerina bun and wrapped a small pearl necklace around my neck. The necklace was one my grandmother wore when she was married, it was her gift from my great grandmother. Mom also applied some light make up and glitter around my eyes as if I was some princes in a movie. I completed the look by stepping in to my moms older but nice pumps. She saved those for when she had dates every now and then. The pumps were made with cream colored lace and gave me the much needed four inches I needed to be a good height.
When I came out of the room Brian looked me up and down and smiled, one of those softer smiles. It calmed my nerves a bit. Grandma and mom repeatedly said how beautiful I looked but I couldn’t feel more awkward in my own skin. Brian stood and walked over to the table and set a paper down with a pen.
“Ma’am, we really should be leaving it’s a long drive, we’ll be sure to send you photographs. Please sign at the bottom of the paper.” He pointed.
Mom cried as she signed and grabbed Brian’s arm uncharacteristically.
“Please, give this old lady peace by taking care of her only daughter,” Mom referred to herself as old that was strange and weren’t they all coming?
“Sleep peacefully then, I’ll be sure she is safe.” He patted her hand and rolled up the paper she signed “Time to fly little bird.”
“What about my mom?” I asked as he walked to the door.
“Just you, say goodbye because it will be some time before you see your family again.” He turned as he stepped out.
“Oh honey.” Mom rushed to hug me.
After about fifteen minutes begging them to go with us Brian finally came back in and pulled me away gently. My hands trembled, and my nose grew stuffy as he walked me down the stairs. Before exiting the apartment building he turned to me.
“Come on no more tears,” he used the white pocket square in his suite jacket to dab the tears away.
“But, mom.” I cried.
“I know you scared, you were probably never to far from your mom before, however I can’t walk you out there crying people will stare and take picture with their damn phones.” He whispered.
I wrapped my arms around his body and felt him stiffen. He didn’t move for some time but eventually placed a hand on my shoulder and the other on my back in an awkward attempt at comforting me. This made me laugh, he acted like he had never hugged anyone before.
“What’s so funny,” he asked pulling away.
“You suck at comforting people, ya know?” I smiled as I took his pocket square and dabbed it around my eyes.
“Laugh it up.” He removed his hands and took the pocket square back and quickly folded it, so it would sit perfectly in his pocket. Obviously, he had experience in that department.
We walked out in to the busy sidewalk where everyone stared at us. We were far to well dressed to be in this part of town. There was a luxurious black car a few steps from us with a man holding the back door open. He had on one of those funky hats that drivers in the movies wore.
“Do they force you to wear that?” as asked the man pointing at his hat.
The man just smiled and winked. Brian held my hand as I began to get in the car, I took one last look up at the window filled with my family on the third floor. They all waved smiling mom still had tears in her eyes. I gave a small wave and entered the vehicle. Just as I was about to scoot over so that Brian could jump in the door shut and Brian walked around to the other side and entered there. He winked at me as we started moving.
“So where to,” I pulled my seatbelt on.
“To start your new life as not only Matt’s wife but the heir to the throne.”

Notes

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