Page 14 of Karrington

“And based on her reaction, I think her future husband was right,” Mommy replied as I slid my fingers over the gown.

I never would have chosen lace for my wedding gown. Silk was always going to be it. The gown was cocaine white unlike the bone white silk I’d been trying on. That was a plus. It had delicately stitched flowers with diamonds encasing them. The off the shoulder mermaid design had a silk train that was absolutely stunning. Since it was see through, there was a slip underneath that was my skin tone. They’d thought of everything.

“He added a tiaraed veil. I don’t have it yet. It’s um…” Nicoletta cleared her throat. “It can’t be shipped because of the price and value of the diamonds. If you choose this one, one of his personal shoppers are ready to fly to Paris to get it.”

For a while, all I could do was stare at her. Mommy gripped my arms and said, “Well, don’t just stand there. Try it on,” before tugging Nicoletta out of the room.

I disrobed and slipped into the dress. It buttoned in the back, so Nicoletta came in to help. When she squealed, I finally allowed myself to look in the mirror. A gasp escaped me. It was absolutely beautiful. Certainly not something I would have imagined for myself, but it was beautiful. The mermaid design gave the same flattering effect to my toned, slim frame as silk did. In fact, this design made my curves more pronounced.

“You look beautiful, Lala,” Nicoletta complimented, giving my shoulders a gentle squeeze. My eyes watered as I looked back at her and thanked her with a smile. I hated to admit it, but this dress was so beautiful it made me a little excited about the wedding.

She grabbed the train, and I walked out on my tiptoes—a habit for women who wore heels as much as I did. When I entered the sitting room, it went completely silent before bursting with cheers and praise for the dress. Mommy even cried. It didn’t surprise me that Carma and Mia weren’t as excited as the rest of my friends were. Carma’s arranged marriage was three years ago, and her husband was a husband only in title. He cheated literally every chance he got and was never home. I guess that was better than an abusive husband.

“What do you think, princess?” At the sound of Daddy’s booming voice, we all turned in his direction.

“I—it’s the one.”

“Good.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re going to make a beautiful bride.”

“Thank you for doing this,” Mommy added.

“Words can’t express how proud and grateful we are, but I put a little something in your room to show you a little of our appreciation.”

I loved gifts, so I took off the dress and went upstairs, where I found two large, black briefcases. I didn’t have to count the money to know it totaled millions. While I wished he would have gotten me something with more sentimental value, I wasn’t surprised. Daddy had been using money to show his love and appreciation for as long as I could remember. Why should I be surprised?

9

Karrington

Wedding Day

My spirit was grieved.It didn’t matter how many times Pops and I talked about this day, I expected him to be here. The plan was for him to retire and I take over… not for him to be gunned down in broad daylight with his blood spilling on concrete. It didn’t matter how many times I told myself I was ready for this and that it was the right thing to do, the reason behind it made me want to wash my hands with it all. I was about to give up my freedom, even though I could do some good, for the very thing that had taken my father away from us. This lifestyle had been robbing me for years. Pops was a loss I didn’t think I’deverget over.

With my head hung, my arms rested on my thighs as tears hit the floor. Gio Lowe was dead. The man that helped give me life was gone, and now, I had to live his. A shaky breath escaped me as I wiped my face. Gentle taps against the door forced me to compose myself.

“Yeah?”

“I need the ring, brother,” Beethoven said. Standing, I continued to wipe my face as I headed toward the door. I avoided his eyes as I let him in. “Aye, you good?”

My head shook as I sat back down. “How did you agree to this shit, man?”

Toe chuckled as he sat next to me. Because of his family, he too had to agree to an arranged marriage. He was lucky, though, and ended up falling in love with his wife. Now, they had a son, and he was living in peace in Rose Valley Hills.

“I didn’t have a choice, just like you. I just… made the most out of it.” He paused for a beat, then said, “I know technically the marriage is supposed to be on paper only, but if you want this to work, you gotta build a bond with her. I’m not saying you have to fall in love with her, but at least have a genuine friendship. Had it not been for me and Whiskee taking the time to get to know each other, we would have been miserable. Look at us now.”

My head shook as I sat back in my seat. “You were lucky. I don’t think that will be the case for me. Eyela seems cool but she isn’t my type. I don’t know a lot about her but from what I do know she’s… just not my type.”

“What’s not your type? Beautiful? Educated? Talented? Because I’ve only seen her once, but I know she’s all those things.”

Sighing, I ran my hands down my face. “I don’t know. It’s just something about her. Maybe it’s not her and I’m projecting. Either way, I don’t see how this is going to work.”

“It won’t with that attitude. You ’bout to make me call them boys in here to give you a pep talk and pray for you.”

“God no. I can’t handle them right now, especially Bully.”

He laughed and lifted his hands in surrender. “Aight, aight. But for real, just be open to it. You already had closed your heart to marriage after you lost Luna Ray, right? So what do you really have to lose? Just give her a chance. I know this sounds corny,but love heals. I ain’t saying being with her is going to magically take away all the pain you’ve sustained over the years, but it would be a good start.”

We sat in silence as I considered his words. When the alarm on my phone went off, knocks rang out simultaneously. It was Ma. She cried over me and kissed me until I pushed her away, then my brothers came in.

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