Chapter 11

  I was sure I was dreaming when I woke up in my room to see Robin sleeping on a chair, with his arms crossed. I reached for the wet yet warm towel on my forehead and then gasped. What time was it? 9:52 PM. I can’t believe I’ve been asleep all this time.

 I pulled the covers off me and stumbled out of bed, almost falling on top of Robin. He stirred and I prayed he wouldn’t wake up, but he did. He opened his eyes slowly and when he saw me, he jumped out of his place.

 “Clare,” and then I found him pushing me gently back on the bed. I sat there motionlessly as he put a hand over my forehead. “It’s gone. How do you feel?” He was talking about my fever.

 Honestly, the headache had lessened and I just felt a little dizzy. Other than that, I felt just fine. I smiled. “I’m feeling much better.” The fact that he was here taking care of me all this time made me feel unusually happy.

 There was a knock at the door then my mum came in, followed by Brenda. I sighed, as she put a plate of hot porridge and water on my bedside table.

 “Don’t give me that look. You’re going to eat all of it unless you want me to feed you by myself,” she said.

I groaned and shook my head. “No need. I can eat by myself.”

Robin just sat there staring at me with a smile despite the fact that I had told him to go home. Brenda was already gone, and mum was downstairs with auntie watching her favorite series. I sighed when he wouldn’t leave. “Go home,” I repeated.

“I need to make sure you eat first.”

 
“You’ll leave then?” I asked.

He just nodded and I gave him a suspicious look. “Really?”

“Do you want me to feed you?” he was obviously trying to avoid my question.

"No.”

When I was done with eating, I turned to him. “Thank you Robin, really, but it’s about time you go home and get some sleep. It’s getting late.”

“Oh, he should stay here since it’s so late,” I jumped as my mother walked into the room. “I’ll get the guest room ready for you.”

I opened my mouth to protest but Robin beat me to it. “No need. I’ll sleep here on the chair. I need to take care of my wife,” he said.

“I am not your wife!!” I snapped.

“Yet…but you will be in a few days or a week to be precise.” I looked to mum at that hoping she wouldn’t accept but she just smiled and nodded.

“Yes of course. I’ll go get a blanket for you,” and she just left like that.

I turned angrily to Robin this time. “Don’t get close to me!!”

He smirked. “So this is what it’s about. You’re worried I might do something to you…but don’t worry I can wait for that. I’m not desperate.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I didn’t…I mean, I wasn’t thinking of that. I just want you to know that I’m not comfortable sleeping with a guy in my room.”

“It’s the same thing. You’re worried I might do something.”

“I am not!!”

“Then it should be alright.”

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-          Wedding Day    -

I stood in front of the mirror as my aunt fixed my dress for me. She used to be a make-up artist but retired when she got pregnant with Ben. So, I was glad when she was the one who took care of my make-up and dress.

She did an amazing job. She made my eyes look much bigger by darkening it with eyeliner and mascara. My lips looked fuller and pink, and my cheeks had a light blush. She put my hair into loose curls.

“Take a deep breath…calm yourself dear, everything will be alright,” It was then that I noticed how nervous I was. “Should I call Robin for you?”

I looked down. “What can he do?”

She smiled. “I can tell something you still don’t know. Something about how your heart has been changing because of him.”

I turned to her and shook my head. “My heart hasn’t changed. I don’t feel anything great.”

“Oh no, you might still not know but I see it…”

“What do you see?” I asked.

“I see my beautiful wife…” I turned at that. Robin stood leaning at the door…his hands crossed against his chest. He wasn’t wearing what I expected him to.

I gave him a once over. He was wearing all gold. He looked like a prince. His light brown hair also looked golden when he walked to stand beside me near the window where the sun hit his hair. 

“What are you wearing and how long have been standing there?” I asked.

“Not long…you don’t like it? The girls think I look like royalty,” he smiled smugly.

“Girls? What girls are you talking about?”

“Maya and her friends… I went out to see the guests. Now I’m here to get you.”

 I sighed. “I don’t care what those girls think! I mean, I don’t like it!!” I lied. I don’t know what was wrong with me…either I was too nervous or maybe it was PMS. I prayed it wasn’t. I don’t want to be a moody bitch on my wedding. He looked beautiful and he was trying his best. I shouldn’t be blaming him.

“Then I’ll just go change.”  At first, I thought he was just joking but then I noticed he was being serious and stopped him.

“I’m sorry,” I was almost sure I would break down now, but he pulled me into a hug.

“It’s ok…Since it’s your wedding day, I’ll give in and do whatever you want. Every girl deserves to have a beautiful wedding, and since I’m not the person who you really wanted…I’ll try to make everything else perfect for you.”

I found myself hugging him back. “I love it…”

He pulled back at that and gave me a puzzled look. “Love what?”

“Your clothes. It really does make you look like royalty.”

He smiled. “Yes of course. You look like royalty too. Wait here.”

He walked out and came back in a few minutes holding a beautiful tiara ornated with blue gems. I smiled. It was really perfect. He put in on top of my head, and for a moment I thought it was real.

“Shall we go now?” he asked as he stood in front of me, his hands holding mine. I nodded. “Thank God, you’re finally smiling,” and then he gently kissed my forehead.

----------------------------------------------------

We walked into the crowd of people together, paying respect to the elders and close family. After a while I went to sit next to my family while Robin walked around with some of his friends. Lena was supposed to be here yet I couldn’t find her anywhere.

Mum and dad gave me a hug. Brenda kissed me on the cheek and smiled. “Welcome to our family hun,” Alexander said and he squeezed my hand for reassurance. I just nodded with a smile.

“Clare!!!!!!!!” I jumped as Lena ran up to me and gave me a tight hug. “I’m sorry I’m late. I made Gabriel pick me up and took a while to get ready.”

She was wearing a short knee length blue dress and her hair was put up in a beautiful bun. She was wearing the black sandals we bought together when we went shopping. “You look great,” I told her.

“You look even better.”

Gabriel held my hand and kissed it gently. “Is he being good to you?” he asked.

I laughed. “Very…I’m glad you guys are here,” and then hugged them both tightly causing Gabriel to protest.

“You’re not being proper. It’s your wedding so act more ladylike.”

I just smiled and then felt someone put a hand around my waist and pull me back. “Robin, what are you doing?” I asked. He really never lets me stay with my friends without bothering me.

“What are you doing hugging that guy? If you want to hug someone then I’m here.”

I sighed. “What do you have against Gabriel? He’s my best friend…more like my brother. Stop bothering me…I didn’t say anything when you hugged Maya!”

“Clare…she’s my cousin. I see her as a younger sister.”

“Well, I see Gabriel as my brother and he’s my best friend.”

“You can’t say that! It’s totally different…”

“No it’s not!”

“It…oh never mind…let’s go and sign the marriage papers…and you,” he looked at Gabriel, “Stay away from my wife. I’ll take care of her. Remember your promise.”

Gabriel smiled impishly. “I won’t if you don’t,” and with that he walked to join another crowd.

“What promise?” I asked. Robin stayed quiet for a moment…then held my hand and took me inside.

We signed the papers and finally went on with the party. I was so tired yet I had to be all smiles. I walked around with Lena for a while, to greet everyone. Robin was sitting with a group of guys who I hadn’t seen before and he seemed nervous for some reason.

At some point I was sitting on one of the chairs drinking what seemed like orange juice when a guy with dark hair and a beautiful smile came up to me. I hadn’t seen him before that’s for sure, but I do remember him sitting with Robin a while ago.

I noticed he had the same green eyes. Could they be cousins?

“Hey,” he said as he sat on the chair beside me. “I’m Ryan…it’s the first time we meet.”

I smiled wearily. “Well, I’m…”

“Mrs. Clarissa Hughes. I do know who you are. I was just interested in seeing you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Brenda. She seems to really love you like her own daughter.”

I gulped. Clarissa Hughes? Really?! I felt myself smile. “Then I would like to know who you really are. How are you related to this family?”

He smirked. “Is that important? Really, what makes you think I’m related to them?”

“Your eyes,” I blurted. “They look just like Robin’s.”

“Ryan, I need to talk to her right now,” Robin came in just then and grabbing my arm pulled me away. “You look like you could get a little sleep…” he said.

“A little? Well, I’m dead tired.”

He smiled. “We’re going home then. Mum said you need to get some rest before we leave tomorrow.”

“Leave where?”

“Honeymoon to Italy…”