Midnight Bride

Unplanned

"Mara, I think it's time you settle down and find someone instead of obsessing over your ex" My father grumbles, roughly flipping over the newspaper he's reading not bothering to meet my eyes.

I let out a groan dropping my phone on the floor to dramatically grab my face, earning a short laugh from my mother which is quickly followed by a stern frown.

"Your father is right Mara, Your 28 it's time you figured out your life." My mother says taking a sip of what appears to be some odd concoction of herbs.

"I have my life figured out! I have a job, a house, a cat! I'm all sorted" I reply standing up and walking over to the kitchen bench. 

"Exactly. You're happy so why not take that final jump and find yourself a partner?" My mother inquires, her eyes not leaving the fireplace. 

"Maybe I'm just not ready, I mean even If I was I'm so busy with work I don't have time for a partner" I mumble grabbing a slice of cake.

"Me and your father are always busy but we find time for each other, your just making excuses love" My mother says, frowning at my impetuousness.  

"What about that nice boy that used to come around to give you flowers, what was his name?" My mother inquires looking from the cake to my eyes. 

"Arthur? and they weren't flowers they were thorns, his way of saying, I can't decide if I love you or hate you" I reply taking a bite of the cake. 

"He looked like a nice man, why not give it a go? You know not every man is like Sean" As his name leaves her mouth I'm saved by the ping of my phone.

I put the cake down on the counter, not worrying about the mess and rush over to my phone. A text from my coworker/best friend pops up. 'Potential wedding, come down now!!!' How classy.

"I've gotta go to work, bye!" I yell rushing out of the room earning a sigh from my mother and a small 'goodbye' from my father. I rush to the front door waving the house goodbye almost tripping over a loose tile as I do. I get to the end of the driveway and climb into my car.

I turn it on and turn out of the driveway, the house getting further and further away. I merge onto the road and switch on the radio, the usual songs playing over and over. After a few minutes of road rage I finally arrive at work. I park the car and get out, walking to the front of the building and pushing the front doors open. As soon as I get through the door Saskia runs up to me grabbing me by the hands. 

"Took you long enough!" She scolds running through the building. 

"What's the rush! Weddings take forever to plan there's no need for this!" I grumble as my shoulder hits the doorway.

She pushes through our combined office doors and roughly grabs me by the shoulders. once the door closes she speaks.

"This is not just any wedding, It needs to be planned in three days!" She says letting go of me and rushing over to her computer.

"Three days?!" I yell. She looks at me with a stern look.

"Guess how much they're paying us for it" She says a smile growing on her face. I cross my arms "Just tell me I've had a bad morn-" 

"500 Thousand!" My jaw drops.

"500 Thousand!?" I yell rushing over to her desk.

"Who are these people and why are they paying so much for it?!" I yell again, Saskia grabs her ears.

"Town it down will ya? And I thought my twins were loud." I roll my eyes at her joke. 

"They must love each other to pay this much" She shrugs.

"I get that, but that doesn't explain 3 days" I reply sitting down at my own desk.

"I sent you the links, we have to be fast!" Saskia says frantically typing. I click the links and my eyes wander over the names.

"Axlan? He's the one that said on a talk show he wasn't for marriage, now he's getting married? This doesn't sound right" I say looking over the requirements for the wedding.

"You think that's weird? He's getting married to Emily Teal" I swivel my head around so fast I swear I hear it crack.

"Emily Teal? As in the woman who only loves herself and money?" I scoff. Saskia laughs and nods her head. I look back at the computer. A church full of flowers and gold,  photographers stationed at every corner, a live show, no after party, just a 15 minute wedding? Are we sure they love each other, I mean what kind of a wedding is this. But that's business, no questions asked just get it done. And that's exactly what I plan on doing.