Hey yo...Why don't you just pretend I'm saying something meaningful here.
Caroline stared into the full lenth mirror, the light bounced off her glittering hair like and angle's halo. The full length white dress fit her perfectly, the creamy lace hugged every curve of her body, flaring out at the knees to make her look taller and thinner.
Her father kept the wedding simple, a town hall ceremony with the family of the betrothed and someone to officiate. The only thing he sparred no expense on was her dress, that was the one special thing about this day. This was her wedding day, the wedding day her father had set up for her. It wasn't her special day, it was his. This was the day when the she would join her middle class family to a wealthy stock holding company.
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, instead, it was becoming the worst she had ever lived.
Her heat ached painfully and her shoulders shook with sobs once more, her face was a mask of misery. Tears dribbled down her smooth cheeks. She remembered the dinner with her father less then a week ago.
Less then a week ago, her life was perfect. Less then a week ago, she had an adoring boyfriend who loved her dearly. Less then a week ago, she didn't resent her father. Less then a week ago, her life had direction. Less then a week ago, she wasn't getting married to a stranger.
The conversation was permanently embedded in her brain.
"So, when are you getting back home? I rented a movie for us." Matt's voice projected through the speaker of her phone as Caroline pulled into the restaurant parking lot. She held her cell in one hand, maneuvering the steering wheel with the other.
"Matt! I already told you," She gave an exasperated laugh and craned her neck to look for a parking space, "My dad asked me out to dinner, he said he has a surprise for me.
"Yeah, yeah I know. I just can't wait to see you again."
Caroline pulled into a vacant space and killed the engine, "We've been living in the same house for six months, One would think you'd be sick of seeing me." She giggled.
"Nope. Not a chance." She could practically hear him grinning
She began gathering her things in her black leather purse, "Kay babe. I've got to go, my dads waiting for me inside."
"Great, the sooner you get in there, the sooner you can get back here,"
Caroline laughed, "Gosh, Matt what's gotten into you?"
"Hey! Your dad has never liked me. Forgive me for wanting his daughter all to myself." He paused, "I love you Care, see you tonight!"
"Love you too."
She hung up the phone and stepped out of her car, locking it behind her. It was her father's favorite restaurant reserved specially for business matters, a strange choice for a casual family dinner. Inside, Caroline felt somewhat underdressed. Her plain jeans and black leather jacket were out of place compared to the other women clad in glamorous cocktail dresses and martini glasses. Bill waved to her from a dimly lit table for two, he had already ordered and a steaming risotto dish for her.
"Hey dad," She sat down and folded a napkin in her lap.
"Caroline! Wonderful to see you, how are you?" He waved a hand at a nearby waiter.
"Pretty good, I got a promotion at-" She was interrupted as the waiter set down two champagne flutes and poured the bubbly liquid. "Wow, I didn't know this was a 'Champagne' kind of dinner, you must really have something special to tell me."
He chuckled knowingly, "Yes, yes but first, I would like to toast my beautiful daughter." They both raised their glasses. "You make me so proud and I know you will make the right decision."
A twinge of doubt, flicked in her stomach. She lowered her glass and let out a breezy, somewhat nervous, laugh, "I'm not sure I like the sound of that."
Bill ignored her concern, "So, you know I've been trying to win over the Malarkey family for while.'
"The share holders?"
"Yes, Yes, very wealthy man that Malarkey." He waved her off casually, "Anyways, we've been trying to sink our teeth into him for a while. I don't expect you to understand the company politics Caroline, but having a partner like Malarkey would completely turn around our stocks."
She picked at her risotto but suddenly it didn't seem so appetizing, "Okay...so what happened?"
"Well, I've been trying to negotiate the partnership for weeks but he's made it very clear that he wants an unbreakable contract, something more then paper and ink."
She set down her fork and took a sip of champagne, it tasted dull in her mouth, "So why are you just telling me this, why isn't mom here?"
He laughed at her impatience, "Well, he has a son that just turned 23, only a year older then you. And we have decided that the best way to join the two companies would be to form a legacy family through marriage."
The glass shattered on the tile floor. "What?!" She hissed.
"It's called an arranged marriage." He said matter-o-factly.
"I don't even know this man! What about Matt?" He voice rose with anger and disbelief.
"Bah! You can't be talking about that lowly bartender again! This man's son went to business school and is the heir to a multi million dollar company, your little spring-fling hasn't even gone to college!"
"I love him!" She exclaimed, the chair clattered to the ground as she leapt to her feet.
"Love?" He spat out the word like bile, "Love isn't going to pay the bills little girl, and neither is Matt Donovan!"
Tears stung her eyes "I can't believe you would do this to me." She cried.
He narrowed his eyes, his voice stung like venom.
"Oh Caroline, this has nothing to do with you."
Her mother appeared in the mirror behind her, placing a sympathetic hand on her daughter's shoulder.
" I'm so sorry Caroline," She murmured softly. " If I had know he would do this..."
Caroline sniffed, "It's okay Mom. When dad wants something, he always gets it. There was nothing you could have done."
She hugged her daughter tightly and sighed, tears forming in her own eyes, " This isn't how I envisioned your wedding."
A sarcastic laugh bubbled up in her chest, "Yeah, me neither."
Liz withdrew herself from her daughter's arms, "I should leave, you'll probably want to get ready."
"What do you mean? I am ready."
Liz cupped her daughter's cheek, "Your makeups running sweetheart." She walked out, closing the door softly behind her.
Caroline turned back to her mascara stained reflection, "I don't care." She muttered.
"Good, because I can't stand the thought of another guy looking at you the way I do."
She whirled around at his voice, his voice. Her eyes scanned the room, coming to a stop at the open window, the white curtains fluttering in the breeze. She stepped forward, "Matt?" she asked hopefully.
Suddenly, his familiar form rose up in the window, he quickly hopped over the sill into the room. He rushed towards her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, her arms remained limp at her sides.
"Oh Caroline...We have to get out of here." He breathed. "Just think about it, We could run away, get out of town. Your dad can't control you."
She looked away, "I can't Matt. This isn't just about me and my dad. It's my mom's life too, I can't leave her."
"So?! We can bring her along!"
Caroline turned away, "Matt..."
"What Caroline!" He snapped.
"I'm staying, I'm going to get married to...to whatever his name is." A tear slid down her face, "You should go."
"No Caroline, I'm not leaving you."
"You have to forget me Matt," She choked out a sob," We're over."
He caressed her cheek, "Don't talk like that Caroline." Hurried footsteps echoed down that hall someone was coming. He kissed her cheek softly, "I'll get you out of this, I'll find you."
He vaulted over the window and disappeared right as the door opened, Bill stood in the doorway.