Two sides of a coin

cool for someone who is t

t was almost dawn, meaning that it was almost time for

miles away from her situation. She hear

ike you're reall

to pace the floors of her luxury

by the shoulders, forcing her sister to pause in her tracks.

fine. I k

joking?! I'm about to be married off to a man I h

ow th

e that I will be okay?! What t

. You were too

r face in long lush waves of black ink. She hugged herself, slowly rocki

l, and he often didn't think about anyone but himself. Amanda was truly shocked to hear that Malia would suffer a fate as cruel as being forcefully married

uly a cru

ay some music!" She grabbed her phone from the bed and began playing an upbeat song.

herself. She joined her sister in the dancing and cele

the door, interrupting

lia shouted, low

side of the door. Malia ran to the door and threw it open. In the doorway stood Aaron

, a bit breathlessly

ep rich sound. "Why, to se

o get married anymore?!" Amanda shouted, coming up

not. Where did yo

out fear. "I dunno, maybe something whispered to me that maybe you st

said, already se

alia and smiled brightly, a gesture that looked forced. "Get ready darling,

der her breath, glaring at his b

and faced the stylists. There were two of them,

She said.

said and walked in

da. "That was unnece

oking out

is final, he can ne

her hair and makeup. As their skilled fingers worked, Amanda was saying something in the background. Malia slowly zoning o

nted t

pins of gems - rubies, diamonds, emeralds, all gifts from her father. She watched as her makeup was applied layer by layer, her lips stained red as cherries. She realized sh

wed to the love of her life. Except she wasn't, she didn't even know her husband. She felt bile rise in her throat and she swallowed forcefully. He

called out, conc

hands, her body shook with sobs.

hed to her side, cradling her shoulders. Malia shook her off and r

e ringing out through the room. "Amand

u'll be a wonderful wife." She didn't know what else to say, her heart was breakin

ised her head in a start, scaring the stylis

ling them to obey. They began to redo Malia's makeup si

She got things done. Because she was Malia Stone, it was her identity. If it was going to benefit her fami

*

ens of white lilies - Malia's favorite flowers. The scent of flowers was heady in the air, but she liked it. The morning sunlight filtering through

side her. Malia stared at him through the corner of her e

n't drea

round hers. Malia turned and faced forward, towa

husband was Greek god handsome. He looked well over six feet, with shoulders so broad she was sure she could comfortably sit on th

perfe

e scored in

o breath as her would be husband held her gaze with his magnetic eyes, smiling softly at her.

man and wife. You m

at moment she briefly wondered if her lipstick would stain his lips red. Now that would be a sight. He lea

how long I've wait

and in his. He touched the ring on her finger, twirling it twice. Malia felt fear choke her as she stared at him. She tried to remind herself to s

ed to ru

ng. Amanda was staring at her with pity in her eyes. The tests of the audience coul

un but her legs

at had her father

*

it at least. With the alcohol, she loosened up a bit. In between congratulations and well wishe

was handsome. The women he was spotted with were always famous or rich or daughters of billionaires. Malia wondered

She didn't like

ulling her close to him. She could feel

was to get lost in them. "Nothing much, just thinkin

asked, amusem

ed." Malia finishe

t like 'oh, what a waste of

you..." She was cut of

l the while his eyes on her. After a few seconds, h

t words. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame. Tears pricked her eyes and her heart hurt. Standing in the middle of the dance floo

cruel b

mask, a mask of composure, one of the many she had. She turned in a flourish and wal

n that she had ma

dsome