ROSALINE
Today was the day my fear had begun to liven. We’d be meeting Gerald’s parents today, and for some reason, I couldn’t seem to pull myself together and get out of bed.
The thought just weighed heavily on me, and I sat, hugging my knees as I made different scenarios on how this day would go. What terrified me the most was his mother and the demeanor I’d sensed from her on the day he proposed to me. She didn’t seem like someone I’d like to be around.
This might be the perfect opportunity for me to ruin it all and get out of this bondage. I couldn’t file a divorce since I was on the losing side, but Gerald could. All I needed to do was make him despise me. If I played my cards right, everything could pan out just as I wanted.
A knock came at the door and shoved me out of my thoughts.
I pouted, shuffling out of my seat because I already knew who it was. Yesterday was quite an eventful day for both of us, and as I walked closer to the door, I found that I didn’t even want to see him, or speak with him. We don’t always get what we want, do we?
I pulled the door open, revealing an image of Gerald holding onto a garment bag as he leaned against the door frame. My eyebrows shot up in surprise, and I crooked the corner of my lips, trying to understand why he was even there. What happened to boundaries?
Then again, it was his house. “What do you want?” I fired at him, folding my hands across my chest.
“Good morning to you, too,” he responded, rolling his eyes. Gerald shoved the garment bag into my hands, a satisfied grin playing on his face. “Prepare for today, as we’ll be leaving soon.”
I examined the black plastic bag, unable to see through it. Frowning and raising my head to his level, I asked cornily. “Dear husband, did you care so much about me to get me an outfit?” My hands went over my mouth as I faked surprise. “That’s so nice of you!”
Gerald shook his head, closing in. “Quite the opposite, actually. I didn’t want you to mistake this occasion for a bar. It won’t be a pleasant sight, don’t you think?”
He always had a response, didn’t he? I rolled my eyes, too stressed to drag the discussion further. The fact that we were going to meet his parents was enough to unnerve me. I didn’t want to include the attitude of a sassy man in my morning problems.
“I’d dress the way I want to, husband.” I slammed the door in his face and heard him mutter something, before the sound of his retreating footfalls danced to my ears.
I dropped the bag on the table and unzipped it, curious as to what he’d gotten me. With both hands holding on to the hanger, I pulled out the black, knee-length dress that had barely noticeable straps over the shoulders.
The design was one I quickly remembered, and a small laugh slipped out of my mouth. How dare he gift me one of his industry’s new releases? Though it was a gorgeous dress, but the price was enough to purchase a car. What did I expect? Of course, he was going to throw money around for no reason. I stormed my foot angrily and pushed myself into the bathroom.
In the bathroom, I filled the tub with warm water, letting the steam envelop me. As I sank into the soothing embrace of the water, the tension from the impending meeting with Gerald’s parents began to dissolve. The gentle fragrance of lavender filled the air as I submerged myself, momentarily escaping the anxieties that clung to my mind.
I emerged from the bathroom and wrapped myself in a plush towel as the drops glistened on my skin. The dress lay on the bed, waiting to be adorned. The more I looked at it, the more I realized it was going to be my perfect size. The thought amused me somehow.
Slipping into it, the fabric clung to my curves, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how it emphasized my figure. It was both elegant and daring, the perfect dress for a day like this when I didn’t know what to expect.
Standing before the mirror, I admired the reflection that stared back at me. The barely noticeable straps delicately framed my shoulders, and the dress draped effortlessly, portraying elegance that I didn’t even know I possessed. I twirled by the mirror and patted my thighs. “You really outdid yourself on this one, Gerald.”
I couldn’t deny the allure of the garment; it was as if the dress had been designed with me in mind. I pulled the wooden chair before the mirror and sat, grabbing the curling iron. I delicately curled strands of my hair, the soft curls dancing freely on my shoulders.
A touch of makeup to emphasize my eyes, and I added a hint of color to my lips to elevate the outfit. I heaved a broken sigh, and the mirror unveiled a version of myself that felt both vulnerable and empowered, ready to face whatever challenges awaited.
The most prominent of them being Gerald’s mother. I wasn’t sure I could handle her presence just yet. “You can do this, Rosaline. You have it in you!” I urged myself. All you have to do is make them hate you. “You’ve gone through worse!”
Have I though? I mean, it wasn’t every day I foolishly got to marry a man who only saw me as a fragment of my sister. I slipped into my stiletto heels and grabbed my pack back, heading out of the room.
Descending the staircase, the polished wood cool beneath my bare feet, I caught Gerald’s gaze fixed upon me. He was standing by the fireplace, wearing a suit as usual. I couldn’t deny how good he looked on them, and my cheeks heated up slightly. His eyes widened subtly, a mixture of surprise and admiration evident in his expression. I scoffed, ripping my gaze off him. The silence lingered for a moment before he finally spoke.
“I see you changed your mind,” he uttered, his words carrying a genuine appreciation. “I guess it takes a dress to make a rational woman.”
The tension in the room seemed to shift, and for a brief moment, I felt a sense of calm. Perhaps, despite my apprehensions, this day held the potential. “And, you are what? Cosplaying a butler?” I managed a response in an effort to lighten the mood, glaring at him.
“Butlers would be butlers if they could afford this,” Gerald tucked at his suit jacket as he bragged. “Now, let’s go over the rules. My parents must not sense whatever this aura of resentment is within us. We’re a newly wedded, happily married couple who-”
“So you want me to lie?”
“Yes, exactly– ” he paused, scrunching his face. “Don’t say it like that. I’m not asking you to lie. I’m asking you to bend the truth…”
“That’s exactly what lying is!”
“It won’t be a lie if the feelings are true, Rosaline,” he expressed. “You must have liked me even if it was just a little bit. If you didn’t, my proposal would have been rejected, and we wouldn’t be here!”
“Oh…” I muttered, shaking my head slowly. “I see what’s happening now.”
“What?” He sharply asked.
“I thought you were just vain and insensitive. Turns out, I need to add insanity to the list,” I retorted, tilting my head slightly to the side. “Why would I ever like someone like you?!”
Gerald’s lips curled into a hushed laugh, and he wiped his nose as though I’d said the most comedic thing ever, angering me even further. “There’s no need to get defensive.”
“I’m not getting defensive!”
“Listen, Rosaline. It’s either we do this or go our separate ways!” Gerald yelled, his voice etched with anger.
“Tell me the directions you’re going then, so I can go the direct opposite of it!”
I brought my face lower to his, stealthily descending the last step that killed all the distance between us. Soon, I was close to him, feeling his breath on my face, and my stomach jerked again, just as it always did when I was in such proximity to me.
I inhaled deeply and finally spoke again. “Let’s do this and get it over with, Mister. It should go well since we’re both great at pretending.”
I brushed past him and headed outside, and Gerald followed behind me.
*
The sleek, black car purred to a stop in front of Gerald’s family house. My eyes widened as I took in the imposing structure. The apartment seemed to stretch into the heavens, and its beauty left me breathless.
I couldn’t help but gasp at the sheer elegance of the place, its exquisiteness dwarfing anything I had ever seen. “You did not tell me that they lived in heaven,” I muttered. “Wow.” Gerald didn’t respond, just as I had expected, but honestly? He was the least of my concerns right now.
Security men in dark suits loitered around the entrance, their watchful eyes scanning the surroundings. Their stoic expressions heightened the aura of wealth that surrounded the premises. I hesitated for a moment, feeling like an intruder in this world of wealth. I was no different from a spec of dust.
“You want to come out of the car or what?” Gerald’s stern voice knocked me out of my admiration spree. I looked up at him, bemused.
“Are you too cautious to haul me like a sack of hay again?” I shot back. “It won’t be the first time.” I shuffled out of the car by myself, and my feet hit the tiled floor.
As we approached the entrance, the massive double doors swung open, revealing a grand living that left me in awe. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their glow, warm and welcoming, reflected over marble floors. Elaborate artwork adorned the walls, and I continued to look around, noticing the sweeping staircase that led to the upper levels. It was a house that seemed more like a palace. I expected nothing less from this family.
Maidens in crisp uniforms greeted us. Their smiles strained as if they had mastered the art of hiding their genuine emotions.
“Where’s mother?” Gerald asked one of them.
“Mrs. Thorne will be with you shortly,” they responded in a chorus, their voices steely and robotic.
They ushered us through the vast halls, each step echoing in the large space. The air was scented with a hint of roses. Hell, it smelled like heaven in here.
I nudged Gerald. “Is this the part where we hold hands and act lovey-dovey?”
“Is that even a question, or do you just need an excuse to hold my hand?”
“Gross,” I scrunched my nose. “That’s not-”
“Son? You’re here?” Gerald’s mother entered the room and met us exactly in the middle of it.
Mrs. Thorne exuded an air of authority, her stiff demeanor leaving no room for casual pleasantries. Dressed in a gorgeous suit that fit like it was made for her, she carried herself with a regal presence that commanded attention. Her gaze swept over me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being thoroughly scrutinized.
“Yes, mother. How are you?” Gerald asked, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
“Awesome, thank you,” She responded before her gaze finally fell on me. “Rosaline, dear,” she said with a polite nod. Her tone, however, lacked warmth, and her eyes held a steely feeling. “I hope you appreciate the gravity of being part of this family. We uphold certain standards. Let’s… hope people of your likes can fit into it.”
People of my likes? What do I even say to that? “Good to meet you, too, Mrs. Thorne,” I rushed. “Thanks for having me.”
“Good, shall we?” She ushered, walking ahead of us, and we followed.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Gerald said as he nudged me, his voice lowered in order to prevent others from hearing. Despite the caution, I could still sense the mockery behind his words.
“Really?” I shrugged. “That’s funny. All I saw was your mother.”
We entered a lavish dining room where a cautiously set table awaited. As we took our seats, Gerald’s mother sat directly opposite me. “Lunch will be served in a while.”
I nodded, my nerves tightening. The tension in the room seemed to thicken as she continued to speak, outlining the expectations that came with the Thorne name. Her words felt like a web, entangling me in a world of obligations I hadn’t signed up for. If only she knew how much I hated being there.
Gerald’s father appeared from the other side of the room and approached us. I immediately got off my seat to greet the frail-looking old man.
“Mr. Thorne, it’s a pleasure to see you again!” I chimed, forcing a broad grin.
He smiled back and took my hand. “Hello, Julie-. My bad, Rosa. Hello, Rosa,” he quickly corrected. “How are you?”
This was going to be a hell of a day.