Married by Proxy {18+}

10 - Perspective

~Bellemy~

Two days after my father announced my engagement, I was hiding in my study, watching my bride through the screen. Her beauty was undeniable with cocoa hair braided to the side and a white ribbon tied around the bottom. A blush, pink blouse and dark blue jeans weren't the only things she wore. There was also a smile on her face.

It seemed nobody else saw what I did lurking behind that expression. That content on her face was as false as her reason for giving up her future. Zooming in on Nevaeh, it became even more clear that she was scared. I wasn't happy either, but it was different for me.

I knew what was coming. There were no mysterious puzzles to keep me encircled in the panic of the unknown. That well-concealed spark of misery dwelling behind those sage gems and phony happiness made my distaste for the arrangement that much stronger.

My mother came into the room and stood behind me, resting her hand on my shoulder. "What's on your mind, bebé?"

I trembled my head. "It doesn't matter. In the next five minutes, that girl will change everything for me and I have no say."

" Lo siento hijo." (I'm sorry, son.)

"Don't be, " I said, leaning forward and tenting my hands over my mouth, keeping my eyes on my bride. "This isn't your doing. Padre is to blame for this entire mess. It's just like that pendejo to tear me down and make a demand this life-altering!"

"I know, but you know we can end this all, bebé. Many of the men follow your lead as it is. You can-"

"Stop it, " I demanded. "These things you keep saying will get you killed, mamà! I don't want to see you fall victim to his rage!"

There was a long silence before her red-painted nail tapped my screen. "Tell me, hijo, what makes my life more important than hers? How many people must suffer at the hands of Victor Perez before you understand there is no other way?"

"She'll be fine, " I huffed, growing tired of her dramatics. Sure my father had caused many people pain, but my bride's life wasn't on the line.

"Will she, though?" She questioned, making me spin my chair to face her. I could see the battle for air in her loving eyes. I wasn't a fool. She hated my father and every day, that wall gained a new brick. "Nevaeh may not want this marriage but the minute those rings are on your fingers, it changes her from an innocent girl to a wife; your wife. What will that title mean for her? Will she come here and find a kind and caring husband? Or will she walk into a hell she can never escape?"

"Don't be ridiculous, mamà!" I groaned. "You raised me better than that. You know I'd never hurt her."

"Do I?" She twisted a strand of hair around her finger and flicked her eyes to mine. "Ella made you a man that I didn't recognize. You were killing people for looking at her the wrong way! You let that woman bring out the worst in you and he didn't pack up his shit and move into your padre's seaside villa with her! He's still here and that girl didn't ask for this any more than you, so what are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure what you're asking me, " I told her.

"What I'm about to say won't be anything you want to hear, but you're old enough to understand now and you need to listen because I've been where that girl is at." She stooped at my feet and used my knees for elbow props, taking my hands in hers.