"Mrs. and Mr. Langston, I am honored to be photographing you on your special day today. Such a lovely couple."
"You're welcome," Rome replied. "Where do you want us?"
"I have a few sets set up. Let's have you and the bride stand here." The photographer motioned for them to go to a section that had a chair with a large expensive painting as the backdrop.
Her hands were sweating now. What had she gotten herself into? The overwhelming feeling she had been trying to get away from was creeping up on her. She needed her pills. She was finding it harder to focus on what was going on, but she knew she had no choice.
She couldn't let him know about her habit. No one knew. Damn that bastard, Baxter! She quietly seethed. "Mrs. Langston." Rome's voice snapped her back to the present.
She realized the photographer and her new husband were already in position. Rome's gaze was piercing through her. He always looked so serious to her. She walked over to him. He took her by the hand and guided her to the chair.
She sat down and the photographer began to take the photos, complimenting them on how great the photos would look. It was an hour of different poses, backdrops, and people. Through it all, Rome didn't leave her side. Not that it mattered. She just felt a little peckish. Her legs were slightly shaking.
Their last photo set was with his parents. This time his mother got to sit. Bunny stood in between Rome and his father behind the chair. His mother took her hand and draped it over her shoulder. Bunny was taken aback by the sudden, warm gesture.
"Your hands are like ice. You poor dear." His mother patted her hand as the photographer continued to snap away.
She knew it was only a matter of time before she went into full blown withdrawals. Looking like a happy bride was the last of her concern. She just had to get through this day, she repeated ththat little mantra to herself.
"Annnd we are done." Announced the photographer.
Bunny heard some far off claps. Rome's mother once again hugged her and placed a kiss on her left cheek. "See you downstairs, darlings." She said to them both. His Father escorted her out of the room.
Bunny began to exit when she felt his iron grip on her arm. Her movements were halted. It had been less than 72 hours and she already knew not to argue with him. What was the use? She looked at him. He looked angry, and somehow she knew his anger was directed at her.
What did she do this time? She thought. Suddenly she was half walking-running alongside Rome, who was walking quickly. He opened the door to a nearby room. He made sure no one was inside, pulled her inside and closed the door behind them. He did it so forcefully that when he let her go she whirled around, almost tripping and falling.
The harsh movement made her already swimming head a little worse. He wasted no time tearing into her, "I should have known known that they you were a f*cking junkie!"
She was angered by his words. "I am not !"
"Oh, you're not!" He snarled. A look of utter disgust on his face.
"No!" She retorted.
"No? Then why are you freezing in 90 degree weather? Why are your palms so goddamn clammy? Disgusting!" He said.
She felt hurt by his words. He thought she was disgusting. She wasn't. She just needed help, and for her, pills did that. She said nothing, scared he would say more cruel insults to her, and she dared not cry. Afraid if she showed weakness he would think she was lower than low.
"What do you take?" He asked her instead, breaking the thick silence between them.
At first, she said nothing.
He spoke again. "Now's not the time to try to act high and mighty. Just tell me what the f*ck you take." He demanded.
She didn't want him lording it over her head. She felt like she couldn't trust him, but she had no choice. She finally gave in and said it.
"OxyCotin."
"Stay here." He commanded and shut the door behind him.
She was terrified and wondered what he was up to. Bunny had thought she had been hiding her withdrawal symptoms very well. She was quickly discovering she couldn't hide much from Rome. He was always watching, even when she thought he wasn't. Five minutes later, he was back.
He opened his hand and produced three familiar pills. She thought it was a trick. She looked up at him.
"What?" He asked her, seeing her expression.
"Is this a trick? W-Why are you helping me?"
"I am not helping you. I am helping us. You see, my family believes you to be a victim of circumstance and an innocent. They have heard the whispers about your corrupt family in the gossip rags, but they have made a choice to disregard it. Take the pills, meet me in the foyer in 20 minutes. Get yourself together before you sit with my family. You will not ruin this dinner. You will not make me look like a fool and you will not embarrass me."
She was about to take the pills from his hand when he closed it and then began feeding them to her. There was nothing to wash them down with. Her body seemed to be thrilled at the bitter, acrid taste of the medicine as it hit her system. He looked at her disgusted and then exited the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Bunny felt humiliated, ashamed and completely exposed. Rome showed no mercy when he spoke to her about her weaknesses. He made her feel worthless. A trait, up until her life collided with his, was only found in her stubborn father. It didn't help that the deeds of her father were now hers to bear.
She couldn't help but replay the event that had just transpired between them. He was so angry with her. She recognized his anger as cold, strong, yet silent. It was palpable. At times she felt it.
She had felt the lowest when he made her eat the pills from his very hands. Any normal girl wouldn't have done it. He was a stranger. Those pills could have been something else. But not Bunny.
Bunny needed her fix. Her body was becoming more addicted to the pills with each day that she took them. She had tried not to use them, but it was hard. She heard a knock on the door. The loud sound broke the silence in the room and startled her.
The door opened. The bodyguard peeked his head around the heavy door. "Mr. Langston is waiting." He informed her.
She said nothing, just exited the room and followed the guard. Rome didn't take his gaze off of her as she descended down the marble staircase. She watched his intense gaze and said a silent prayer that she didn't trip on her very delicate and expensive bridal gown. When she reached him he took her by the hand and guided her towards the wedding reception.
"You look much better." He commented where only she could hear.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet."
His words echoing in her mind. What did he have up his sleeves for tonight? she wondered. They finally reached the large dining room, which was elegantly decorated. Bunny felt sad.
Once upon a time, she had been promised a beautiful wedding to a wealthy man. Her ex boyfriend.
He had broken up with her immediately after the news had dropped about her father. She recalled him not having the balls to break up with her in person. He had sent her an e-mail.
It had stated his family and legal counsel advised him to end our engagement. She had thought she loved him and he loved her. She had often found herself imagining a different outcome to her life.
She had married her ex boyfriend. It would have been a reception similar to what she had earlier today. As Rome seated her at the long wooden table she looked around it, noticing it was his close family and friends. It made her sad and wish for real love. Bunny felt like the effects of the medication were taking the edge off and helping decrease the social anxiety she was feeling. She looked around the table once more. Everyone was warmly smiling at her.
Everyone except him. He was sitting at the head of the table. His tuxedo was back on. He was looking like a very handsome brooding groom.
"You look much better." Mrs. Langston commented, "It must be this heat," she said. Then looked at her son, "Darling, you must make sure she doesn't catch heatstroke or worse."
"She doesn't have sun stroke mother." he said, still looking at Bunny.
Bunny made sure to keep her gaze averted. She decided to buck up some courage and speak. "T-Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Langston-"
"Please, call me mother. We are family now, after all."
Bunny knew on her wedding day it would be unwise and foolish to turn down this request. She continued then, "Mother, I really am fine. I think it's just nerves." She hoped her life sufficed. It did.