Natasha found herself standing on a precipice of decision that would alter the course of her life forever. Her father's company, Z-Link technologies that had stood the test of time was on the brink of collapse.
She felt the weight of generations bearing down on her. With a heavy heart, yet a fierce determination to save her father's dream, she decided to get married to the second son of Mr&Mrs. Woods.
She stood up and moved closer to her dressing mirror. There, her late mother's picture was. She picked it up and heaved a sigh.
"I'm not getting married today because of love mom, I wish there were other alternatives." She said looking at her late mom's pictures in her hands.
"I'm getting married based on a mutual benefit. Dad said my marriage would combine the strengths of both business and hopefully breathe a new life into our struggling legacy," She paused for a moment sniffing up her nose.
"I really do not want to do this mom, I just wish you were here." she wept.
"Don't worry Nat, you will be fine," Mia, Natasha's best friend tried to console her.
Natasha stood in front of the mirror adjusting her wedding dress for what seemed like a hundredth time. It was a beautiful gown, a flowing creation of silk and lace. But as she observed her reflection, it felt more like a mere costume than an expression of love.
The church wedding had started and everyone was seated when the pastor had asked the question "Do you take Natasha as your wife?"
"Huh, I don't know. I mean I don't have a choice, do I?" He chuckled and then continued "My parents planned for this wedding and I obviously do not have a say. I mean I don't want to get married, but if it's what my parents want, then okay" he replied.
Reynolds response to the question he was asked got everyone murmuring. Natasha felt hurt and embarrassed. She felt like walking out of the auditorium, but the thought of her father's company going down won't let her.
She looked at her father who was seated in the congregation with teary eyes. Her father in return placed his hands on his chest, moving it up and forth as a signal to her to be calm. Natasha nodded, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
The mansion was quiet when they arrived, too quiet for newlyweds. Reynolds didn't hold her hand as they stepped inside. He didn't even glance at her. The driver took their bags upstairs, the staff gave polite congratulations, and still, silence. Natasha walked beside him like a ghost in a white, feeling the weight of her new prison settle onto her shoulders.
"Your room is down the hall," Reynolds said coldly, already loosening his tie. "Third door on the left."
She blinked. "My room?"
He shot her a glance, the kind that made her stiffen. "You didn't think we'd be sharing one, did you?"
No words came. Only heat in her chest.
"Goodnight, dear wife," he added with a crooked smirk and then disappeared into the master's suite without saying another word.
Natasha stood in the corridor, the lace of her wedding gown brushing the marble floors, alone. The echoes of celebration still rang faintly from the empty reception hall. She looked at the third door on the left, opened it slowly, and stepped inside.
The room was pristine, luxurious and cold, just like him.
She sat on the bed but couldn't cry, there were no tears left. She had cried them all the night before, when her father signed away her future with a pen and a handshake.
But maybe, just maybe she could still make this work. Maybe Reynolds would see that she wasn't just some business pawn. Maybe he'd grow to respect her, even like her. Maybe the part of him that could one day laugh with her, too.
A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts. She opened the door and froze.
Xander stood there, a glass of champagne in one hand, a crooked smile on his lips.
"Beautiful bride," he said, scanning her from head to toe. "Even if he's too blind to see it."
Natasha's throat tightened. "Xander, it's late."
"I just came to say congratulations," he said, stepping a little too close. His eyes lingered. "But between you and me, I give this thing six month. Tops."
She stiffened. "Goodnight, Xander."
He smiled again, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Goodnight, Mrs. Woods."
As he walked away, she felt something unspoken hanging in the air between them. Something that chilled her more than Reynolds' indifference.
The next morning arrived with a whisper, not a bang. Light filtered through the curtains of her cold, new room, but she had barely slept. The gown lay in a heap on the floor like a reminder of yesterday's nightmare. She stared at the ceiling, waiting to be like someone's wife, but all she felt was trapped.
When she stepped into the dining hall, Reynolds was already there; shirtless, barefoot and nursing a black coffee like it was the only thing keeping him upright. His eyes were red. Not from sleep, but from whatever bottle he had buried himself in the night before.
"You didn't eat last night," he said, not looking up from his mug.
"And you didn't come to find out why," she replied, sitting across from him.
His jaw tensed. "Let's not play house Natasha. This is what it is. You're here for your father. I'm here because I had no choice. Let's not make this more than it needs to be."
She stared at him for a long moment. "You think I wanted this?"
"No," he muttered. "But you accepted it."
The silence stretched, thick with unsaid things.