Chapter 4:
.Inhale. Exhale...
This was it. The moment of thruth, the night were everybody would know she was officially engaged to Archie looked herself on the full length mirror.
Hair, check...make up, check...dress, check... Nails, she looked good?, too trashy?...was the dress too tight?, too reveling?.The whole situation was something she would like to forget, to run away and move back to New York would be ideal, but that was just not an option anymore. So here she was...looking at her reflection trying to figure out if she looked the part she was about to play, it was one thing to hate the whole Idea, but another to look bad...Veronica Lodge could never look bad. Ever!.
She picked a black classy dress, nothing too extravagant, something semi mother gave her some advice on how to behave when she was around the wives of the the men of the council and even thought she just rolled her eyes, she took mental notes of everything she said.
" Mija, Archie has arrived"
"I'll be down in a second"
It took her will power to actually walk towards the door. This was going to be hard. Pretend to be in love and happy with someone was something she has never she had liked people but she had never fallen in love. Never!
The stairs look actually taller than what they really were. Maybe it was the 4 inch hills what was making it dificult to start decending towards the tall red headed man that was waiting for me. His suit Impeccable. His black tie complemented the simple white dress shirt he was wearing.
Archie Andrews was not an ugly man. He was tall, built, hansome...a gentleman, everything a woman would love on a man...but maybe it was the circumstances that made it difficult for her to see him as a nice decent person. To her, regardless of his looks, he was a monster that forced her to change her life.
" you look very nice"
I could tell by the way that he swallowed that he was as nervous as me, he extended his hand and helped me down the last step. His eyes looking deeply into mine. His hand was warm.
" thank you"
He didn't let go. He just stood there looking at me.
" I have something for you..."
" Something for me?"
His other hand reached into the pocket of his black slacks,I hold my breath as he slides the beautiful piece of jewelry down my finger. The single solitary standing shiny. It was not too big, not too small.
" It was my grandma's, she gave it to me so I could use it the day I decided to get married".
I felt speechless. What to say when someone gives you an explanation like that?, sure it was sweet...but nothing could make her forget the circumstances they were both in. She always imagine her marriage proposal to be romantic, maybe under the night sky, next to the beach.
The doorbell sounded louder than usual. The guests were starting to arrive, and my heart started to race.
" Mr. And Mrs. McCoy, please welcome"
My mother definetly knew how to handle this type of events. She has had a lot of practice thru out the years.
I felt Archie tense right beside me, he dropped my hand and suddenly not knowing why, I felt unprotected. My mother turned around and looked at me, expectant to see me play the part I was chosen for.
Without thinking, I grabbed onto Archie's arm and I pulled him towards the entrance to meet the so "expected" guests.
Without realizing how fast the time was passing, I noticed that we were finally in the dining room. I believe I had only 3 glasses of wine. Enough to be tipsy, but not enough to be drunk like I wanted.
My eyes scanned the room. If I was being dragged into this, might as well learn what am I going to be dealing with.
Five families: The McCoys, The Blossoms, The Kellers, The Lodge's and Finally the Andrew's. Suddenly I felt like the center of attention when Archie stood up and cleared his throat, letting everybody know he had an announcement to make.
" first of all I want to thank the members of the five families of the council for making it tonight. The reason all of you are here is because the Lodge's and myself have some big news"
He looked at me expectant, and as I was sitting there drinking my fourth glass of wine, I realize all eyes fell on me, so I stood up right next to him.
" Veronica and I,... Are getting married"
Silence took over the entire room. Everybody looked at each other in father was the only one smiling while he took a sip of his glass of wine. Each family approached us, and gave Archie and I a kiss on each cheek. It was considered a gesture of respect and approval.
" Well Archie, Veronica...congratulations!, you make a very nice couple. I propose a toast, for Archie and Veronica. Here is to wishing a life of happiness and we all hope the first child is a boy!, cheers!"
Wow! Hold your horses there McCoy, what the hell is he talking about?. Kids?, that wasn't part of the deal I was looked at me, he knew that was something I didn't expect.
" ill explain later, dont worry about it"
He whispered in my ear and all I could do was fake a smile. As everybody gathered around and started talking, I find the right opportunity to escape. I needed fresh air. I almost ran towards the porch, were there was nobody. I felt the tears run down my cheeks as I can finally feel the cool air. Thank god for waterproof mascara.
"Hey..."
I didn't look at him. I didn't want to. All I wanted was to be left alone with my thoughts. This night needed to end soon.
" Don't worrt about what McCoy said"
" you never mentioned that part of this stupid deal, I never agreed to such a thing"
" I know..and I don't expect that to happend...so don't worry about it. This council has old rules that have been going on for generations...it doesn't mean we have to go thru with it, I would never force you to"
" I just don't understand what this damn council has on you and my father. I mean you two are practically slaves of this stupid cult."
" Its a long story that started many years ago. I apologize for not going into details but there are just rules that aren't meant to be broken"
" I hate this. All of it"
" I can assure you, Im not happy about it either, but some things just need to be done."
" what do you expect this marriage to be like?"
He took a deep breath and stood quiet for what felt like forever. I wanted to ask this question the first day I met him, but I didn't have the after four glasses of strong red Wine, I was surprise I wasn't embarrassing myself.
" Look. I would never force you to do anything you are not comfortable with. However, once this is done there is no going back. Divorce is just not an option. We are both adults...I consider you to be a very attractive woman, what happens...happens and that's it. "
" what the hell does that even mean?"
" what the hell do you think happens when a man and a woman get married Veronica?,...I don't think they stay up all night playing chess"
" I... I didn't..."
" I know, but if we are gonna be married forever, eventually is gonna happend, or do you expect for me to live a life of celibate?"
What an ass!. This night keeps getting worst by the second. He is a jerk. How dare he speak to me as if I were a sex object. Just there to satisfy his dirty needs.
" What happend to not disrespecting me?"
" Im sorry, I didn't know my honesty offended you. Im not asking you to open your legs to me right now. But we are going to be living together in a house for God knows how many years...it is meant to happend. Lets go back inside, the guests are probably wondering were are we at"
I didn't say anything else. What could I possibly say that could change this whole situation?. My life was just meant to be miserable. Whoever knew me could probably write a book. As we walk in, I could see how easily everybody started to mingle. My father surrounded by men. Whiskey on his hand, faking a laugh I only knew. My mother on the other hand, was busy discussing with old ladies the expensive and delicate decorations that made our home more extravagant than what it really was.
He left my side and walked towards the crowd of men standing on the corner of the room. He served himself a Whiskey and started chatting with everyone like nothing wrong was going on. I find myself joining my mother and pretending I was listening, but my eyes and my mind were on Archie Andrews.
Standing all the way on the other side, he looked taller, strong and sure of himself. He was respected by everybody that was in this room. My life was going to change forever once I say I do,I was about to become property of Archie Andrews. I hated him, and maybe the alcohol was getting to me when I noticed my eyes fell down to his pants and the way they were nicely tight around all parts of his body.