SAVED BY MY TWIN MATES

My gaze falls on the dress lying next to me on the bed, its delicate beads sparkling in the light. Each one is carefully placed on the embroidered flower patterns, forming intricate circles on the tulle. The long sleeves and traditional design seem suffocating. I don't dislike the dress itself, but the weight of its purpose. Maybe it's not the dress but the occasion- and the future it represents.

Lost in thoughts, I stare forward, tuning out the surrounding voice. I can't think of running away, my father would catch me in no time and beat me up before I'm forced to do his bidding. I have no idea who I'm to be married to, but from what Aiden, my stepbrother, revealed to me after their meeting with him, I knew it had to be someone I would never dream of being with.

'Aiden' I think to myself, suddenly reminded of what he had told me that night.

'Perfect match, well deserved.' he'd mocked with a smirk.

A knock on my door jolts me out of my thoughts as Rhea walks in, a tulip filled flower bouquet in hand as her pink dress billows behind. Her hair is tied in a bun atop her head with a white flower ribbon. She shines her white pearly teeth at me in a grin, dropping the flower on my vanity table and sitting next to me.

"How are you feeling?" concern laces her voice.

"Never been worse." I respond honestly.

Since I turned 11, I've had to endure unimaginable things and I was used to it. To finding out about my mother's death, getting bullied and moving on to my father's abuse, they were all things I could ignore and move on but nothing prepared me for this. Getting married at 21, to someone I knew nothing of. Not even his face.

Ever since I got the news, all I've done is look in the mirror and laugh at myself. I have no control over my life. I never did.

"Have you seen my inhaler anywhere?" I turn to Rhea.

"No dear, I haven't. We've searched the whole house but couldn't find it. Do you think you might have left it at Serene's place?"

"I haven't been there in a w—" I am cut shut by the sound of my door opening as Serene walks in. I didn't notice that she hadn't followed me home after we left the hospital.

She pecks Rhea on the cheek and squats in front of me, taking my free hand.

"Feel any better?" she asks, drawing circles on the back of my palm.

I stare at her face, taking in her red eyes and tear-stained face. Something is wrong, Serene never cries except it is at a funeral.

"Yes" I turn to face Rhea. "I'd like to talk to Serene in private, please."

She gives me a confused look but smile and stand up anyway, ruffling my hair gently.

"Text me if you need anything" she heads out, leaving the door a bit open.

Serene hurries to lock the door before heading back and embracing me in a tight hug. I didn't mind, I've missed my best friend.

I hug her back, blinking back the tears brims in my eyes.

She pulls back, staring dead in my eyes.

"Do you know him?"

I avert my gaze and pick at my skin.

"No, and even if I did, does it even matter? What matters is that I marry him, which I'll be doing in few hours" I say the last part with nonchalance.

It is true. It didn't matter who he is or if I knew him, all I needed to do was be his wife and remain so. No matter how much I fight it, the decision has been made and even though I'd choose to end it all, I can't escape my fate.

She sighs and stand up, pacing around the room.

"What's wrong?" I ask, breaking the minute long silence.

She pinches the bridge of her nose and sigh.

"But you know him, Eirlys. We know him"

I raise a brow in question.

"You do, and I'm sorry for not telling you after I found out. I didn't know how to"

I fixate on her.

"Who is he?" my heart races. 'I know him.' 'Who?'

She looks away, wiping the corner of her eyes and picking up the wedding dress.

"You need to start getting dressed. The makeup artist will be here any minute" she drops the dress and heads for the door.

I stand up and grab her hand, tugging her back.

"Who is he, Serene?" I ask again.

Rhea's voice calls out behind the door as she knocks.

"Eirlys? The hair and makeup stylist is here with me. Can she come in?"

I release my hold on Serene and straighten my hair with one of my hands.

"Yes please. Just a minute."

I give my best friend a knowing look,before heading for the door.

A lady that looks to be in her late twenties stands next to Rhea with a box in her left hand. Her honey blonde hair is tied in a perfect, messy bun. Her brown eyes smile along with her lips as she nods at me and enter the room with Rhea.

"Hi, My name is Stacy and I'm assuming you're the bride-to-be?" she asks in a sing-song voice.

"Yes, nice to meet you, Stacy. Can we begin? I can no longer to be married" I fake a convincing grin.

She puts her hands to her chest with dreamy eyes, smiling at me.

"Congratulations! Yes, we can! You're such a bright and happy bride. He is so lucky!"

'I guess we know who the unlucky one is' Liora mocks.

I grit my teeth to suppress my anger as I sit on my vanity stool, waiting for Stacy to style my long, red hair before applying several makeup products on my face.

In less than an hour, she announces that she is done and only then did I notice that Serene had since left the room, with Rhea sitting on my bed and watching the whole process.

"You look really beautiful ma'am. You're the prettiest bride I've worked with." Stacy compliments and I resist the urge to scoff at the harmless comment.

I smile, pretending to love my makeup after a quick glance at the mirror on my dresser.

"I look perfect Stacy, thank you." I offer my heartfelt appreciation.

She packs up and leaves as Rhea helps me get into my dress.

After fitting into the tight dress, I gather the courage to look into the mirror. My hair is styled in an updo with bangs at each side. My makeup is light with nude lips and Arabic eye shadow look.

I look more human than I've done in a really long time.

"You look breathtaking, Eirlys." Rhea says.

I smile in approval as Serene walks into the room.

"Wow! You look stunning, Eirlys. But you need to head downstairs now, Mr. Grayson has called for you." she fidgets.

Right.

I pick up the flower bouquet on the vanity table as Serene holds the train of my dress, ready to make my way down the aisle.

Rhea opens the door and immediately steps back as someone walks in.

Fear grips me as I look up, my heart racing uncontrollably.

Theron.

"Hi, my bride." His voice swell with pride as he taunts, laughter creeping into his tone.

It's him. The one I've been running away from for years.

The one I've been hiding from all this time.

I am going to be Theron's wife.