18

Two days till wedding and two days after the semester ended I was getting ready for the event. I can't wait to act out a loving wife and wait for weeks or probably months till his mother visits Sweden for a month or two and that's when we cool things down. We both get what we want.

"Darling I'm informed about the invitation cards not being given.  How about your family? I'm sure they'd love to come."

"I don't have a family." Or anyone at all.

She led me inside her house. Upon hearing my reply her voice faltered, her face frowned.

"Oh. I'm sorry for that." My soon to be mother in law cooed softly like I was someone broken.  I found it unpleasant by the way she acts all protective and what not.

"Fine by me." I felt sorry for acting so distant towards her but she can't possibly expect that much from me. It's imperative that she knows the score between us. I mean I am not used to being with people and much more not used to my personal space being compromised. I bet she's good at that.

"You know I'd always wanted to have a girl. Too bad I wasn't blessed with one but here you are. All those prayers have been heard.  Sitting in the front pews in church paid off. "

"I am glad too."

"Is there really no one in your life to attend the wedding my love? "

"I lost my foster parents years back."

"Oh dear do come here."

She hugged me. That long hug with pats in the back. Then I realized I've never been this vulnerable in front of anyone. Maybe because I never grew with parents or real parents. All my life I remembered being in an orphanage. Though we were feed three times a day, privileged to go to school, being taken cared of, the enormity of the atmosphere was lackluster of love. Everything's just about the system, rules, errands, the hierarchy of commands and the tasks given.

We were all girls.

We weren't living in a house, or anything that resembles like it rather it looked like an old Victorian Mansion perfectly plucked from Victorian Era and travelled through Modern Timeline.

But there's nothing fancy about it.

Because we were all girls and that's just that.

So I never knew love, never felt love, and the classic feeling of not being able to love.

We were taught manners, etiquette, proper communication, values, everything everyone is ought to know.

I was living in luck and luxury together with the other girls and I just don't want to lose that. Of course I never experienced being homeless and begging for humble coins from  the passersby so I always feared of not being able to stay here all of my life.

But it was only a matter of time that I was sick and tired of the routine. We were not allowed to decide for ourselves.  We weren't allowed to cut our hair even when it reached almost butt length. We can't speak unless spoken too.

If someone's being  too stubborn, that person won't be present in the line for the perpetual head counts every night at the dinning table. The next morning she'll be sporting an ugly gash on her back and presented in front as an example not to speak ill against Mrs. Neme.

"Darling are you alright? You looked pale. " I flinched from her icy touch that brought me back to reality.

"Nothing. "

" I'm so sorry. I'd love this to be the grandest wedding ever held. Your supposed to be bridesmaids backed out just yesterday. I'm not supposed to worry you by telling you this but --- We need at least three girls from your side or a friend could do. I believe you have."

"I---" I don't want to look like a snob by saying I never have friends. That'll look bad.

"Oh, why don't you take this time to stroll and spread the excitement of wedding bells to your closest of friends! Though I'd say it's a bit of a short notice innit? "

"But--"

"I'll tell my son you went out for a bit. "

I have no one in mind but she just scurried away from me only to come right back with invitation cards on her hands. She picked the dainty designer bag next to her stash of glittery and velvety black bags from her walk in closet--more like three masters bedroom rolled in one as closet.

"I'll be going Mrs. --- Oh I'm sorry I never knew your name. "

"Holy Saints! I'm sorry I haven't properly introduced myself. How unlikely of me! I'm so rude. Pardon  me, Love. "

She hugged me for an eternity again and she added,

"I'm Kristen Breese."