2

With slightly trembling hands I stood at the beginning of this narrow corridor and nervously let my eyes wander over the guests.

Only people who probably belonged to Rian were sitting to our left, because I didn't recognize a single face among them. Everyone looked at me, but while some quickly turned back in disinterest, others threw me disparaging looks that made me feel even more uncomfortable than I already was at the moment.

I quickly turned my gaze to the other side. There sat my family, my friends and also distant relatives. I thought they might be happy and smile at me, but only pity and sorrow lay in their so serious expressions.

"Keeva," my father whispered in my ear, gripping my arm tighter. "I'm very proud of the sacrifice you're willing to make, but once you're up there there will be no turning back. If you want to go, then we go."

I looked up at him thoughtfully, fleetingly roving my irises over his mustache and dark, worried eyes before smiling fearlessly.

"It's just an illusion. I don't have to get close to him. Mom will be helped, I'll show myself as his wife in public and as soon as he's risen in politics, I'll come home. I promise," I breathed and leaned me over to him to give him a soft kiss on the cheek.

Soft music started to play and everyone got up, and only very hesitantly did I and my father put one foot in front of the other. Aiming my eyes at the light colored carpet below us, I took a few deep breaths and then lifted my head to look straight into Rian's eyes, who met my gaze coldly.

He looked like an iceberg in his white shirt. He stood there calmly, almost petrified, radiating a coldness that sent shivers down my spine. I really hoped everything would turn out the way I had promised my father.

Then, as Rian looked away from me and stared at the floor, I also focused on the other things in front of me.

A priest was standing there, impatiently awaiting my arrival. Behind him the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen and as I got closer and closer to saying yes, I also felt how fast my heart was beating and how constricted my throat suddenly felt.

It took my breath away and in a panic I looked at my mother, who was the only one sitting in the front row. She looked pale, sickly and I quickly raised my head and put all uncertainty aside.

If a mother would do anything for her child, then a daughter could do anything for her mother.

I carefully positioned myself directly opposite Rian and gave my father a grateful smile, who hesitantly brought my hand to Rian's, who took it roughly. Despite his so cold touch, I felt an unfamiliar tingling sensation that ran pleasantly through my fingertips, and when he twitched slightly, I knew he had felt it, too.

My father rushed to my mother and then when the priest started to speak everyone sat down again, only Rian and I stood there, my eyes still on our hands, I didn't want to look at him, but I did and saw him anyway with bated breath deep into the empty eyes.

He didn't show any more emotion, seemed like he was looking right through me and intimidated by this coldness, I turned my attention to the priest, who first asked me to say yes.

Without even looking at Rian, I said "yes, I do" and then took a deep breath while the priest now aimed at the man next to me.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't even listen if he said anything at all until the sentence "You may kiss your bride now" took over everything in me and made me look wide-eyed at Rian.

I immediately realized that he was just as uncomfortable as I was and hesitantly he brought his face so close to mine that I could feel his warm breath on my skin.

My heart was pounding even though I knew it was all a hoax and I was screaming at myself for not showing how nervous I was.

Putting his hands on my waist, he pulled me closer to him, looking deep into my eyes and, without warning, placed his lips on mine.

That someone who seemed so cold could suddenly create such warmth in me was truly frightening and I instinctively closed my eyes to let the taste of his soft lips rush through my senses.

I heard the cheering and clapping of the wedding guests, but for a moment it felt like time had stopped and that's exactly what made me put my hands on his chest and reluctantly push him away from me.

His eyes darted over mine and he looked completely confused until he resumed his emotionless expression and hurriedly pulled me down the aisle by the hand.

Being romantic was definitely not one of his strengths.

The guests followed us out through the door and I just let him lead me into the huge garden, where there were white bar tables with champagne bottles and glasses everywhere.

At the very back of a hedge were many long tables set with white tablecloths and delicacies. The sun was still shining, stinging the skin of my shoulders lightly as the band next to us played a soft song.

I found it extremely unfortunate that there was no real wedding here, because it was just perfect. My eyes fell back to Rian, who let me go at one of the bar tables and gave me a glass before he expertly opened one of the champagne bottles.

"One glass, nothing more. You don't dance with anyone and only talk to women. We'll dance the wedding dance in a moment and then I'll drive you home so you can pack your things," he suddenly said decisively while taking my glass filled and didn't even look at me.

I didn't even answer his absurd demands. Was rather speechless about what he was imagining again and provocatively raised an eyebrow to then empty the champagne glass in one go. His cool gaze met mine and I silently took the bottle from his hand to slowly pour my forbidden second glass with a grin on my lips.

I put the bottle on the table, just about to put the glass back on when he slapped it out of my hand with such force that I just opened my eyes in shock and held my breath.

The man who was standing next to us and whom Rian had slapped the glass on the back turned angrily at that moment.

"Can you pay attention! What should-"

When Rian stared at him angrily, my eyes fell on the man, who immediately swallowed hard and looked down.

"Excuse me Mr. Gallagher," he said, totally intimidated, and quickly disappeared between the other guests.

"I don't like to repeat myself, so don't provoke me and just do what I tell you!"

***

After Rian had made his and my point of view clear to me, I stood alone at my table for a while while he talked to some suit-wearing bigwigs further away.

What did he want in politics anyway? You needed calm, exuberance and you shouldn't act too impulsively, which didn't suit his character at all.

"Keeva," my father pulled me out of my thoughts and he hugged me warmly, whereupon I returned his gesture with a smile and looked over his shoulder at my mother, who was leaning weakly on the table behind him.

"You should really go home. Mama needs rest," I said worriedly and only hesitantly he broke away from me to take my face in his hands.

"We're very proud, but also very worried," he whispered, and I skilfully pretended that I didn't mind at all. It was just missing that my parents are plagued by worries.

"It's really perfectly okay, dad. Don't worry and take care of mom," I replied smiling, turning out of his hands to kiss my mother lovingly on the forehead. She didn't say anything, seemed like she wasn't really there and I wasn't sure if she even noticed anything.

Saddened by her condition, I was helped by the thought that she would soon be able to afford the best doctors in Dublin.

"We'll see each other later. I'll get my things then," I explained to my father, who immediately shook his head in the negative.

"Padraig has already left to pack everything and bring it here."

Irritated, I nodded and thought about the fact that I wouldn't have a chance to say goodbye to the people who didn't have time to accompany us today. Who knew if I was even allowed to go out with his demands. I couldn't imagine it.

"We are always here for you and no matter what, you can always come home without ever having to blame yourself."

One last hug, one last goodbye and all the people I knew left together to leave me alone with all the rich suits.

Great.

Without thinking about it, I grabbed the bottle of sparkling wine and looked curiously through the garden to meet Rian's eyes, who happily sipped from his whiskey glass and glanced at the bottle in my hand.

I picked her up, grinning, like I was about to toast him and very slowly mouthed a word.

"Aaaaarschloooooch."

He certainly didn't understand me, quickly turned back to the men opposite him and when I triumphantly wanted to look for a quiet corner, I ran straight into the chest of the giant, who had grabbed my arm so roughly before.

"Watch out!" I snapped at him and without replying, he took the champagne bottle from me and put it a little more firmly on the table next to us.

"You should listen to my brother. See that," he pointed to some scars on his face. "That can happen if you tease him."

He grinned dirty, as if I should be scared now, but I just shrugged, looking rather bored of him. "If you can't defend yourself, it's your own fault, big guy," I offered him my sympathy and then patted his shoulder encouragingly to take my bottle again and push past him.

When I then found a small pond around the corner of the house, behind which there was an abandoned pavilion, I was happy about the upcoming peace and quickly ran towards it to sit down on the light wood with relief.

Jackpot!

I took a strong sip of the sparkling wine that ran tingly down my throat and then thought about the fact that Rian's brother looked much more dangerous and bigger than himself. Why then did he even let Rian do this to him?

Then it occurred to me how psychopathic he must be to harm a family member.

Who does that???

I would never harm anyone in my family, but there was never a reason to...

"Well, not my problem," I whispered to myself, taking another sip before leaning back and closing my eyes to enjoy the glorious silence, which was quickly broken.

Something seemed to be moving towards me in the grass next to me, and very fast I could hear.

I opened my eyes in shock, looked at the meadow next to me and looked straight into the eyes of a huge dog that had a pink bow instead of a collar.

"Oh my god," I breathed, clutching my heart in panic as this dog continued to stare at me intently.

Very calmly and slowly, I set the champagne bottle on the floor and then hopped onto the pavilion table to try to control my breathing, shaking.

"What are you doing?" I heard Rian's voice coming towards me and crouching down right next to the dog to pet him. He looked at me with an amusement that was entirely new to me. Apparently he enjoyed seeing others suffer.

"I'm dancing on the table! Can't you see that!" I said bitchy and lifted my chin.

He looked from me to the dog and back to me, then showed his beautiful teeth while laughing for the first time. I marveled at how perfect he looked when he seemed happy and for a moment I even forgot my terrified fear of dogs.

"You're scared of him?" he then concluded and I immediately shook my head in the negative. It would only suit him if I played it weak now.

"I have not!"

"Come here then. His name is Nero and it's my gift to you so you don't feel all alone."

Disbelieving his words, I then pushed my fear aside and very slowly climbed down from the table and then took a few steps towards the two of them, my heart pounding in my throat. But I didn't let it show.

"What breed is that?" I asked casually and then took a closer look at the dog.

He was really tall and yet slim. He looked almost elegant, which I liked, but looking at his snout I knew he could eat me in one go.

"A Doberman," Rian smiled and stood up again to watch me with crossed arms as I crossed the last few meters to Nero with bated breath until I stopped right in front of him and he smelled my hands curiously.

If you want to eat someone, then ask him and not me!

And then, all of a sudden, Nero was licking my hands, which made me giggle, and with his so loving gestures, this dog really made me lose all my fear of him in a flash.

However, I still had more respect for Nero than for Rian, whose gaze I looked at, pleased with my courage.

A smile broke out on his lips as well as he watched me squat in front of Nero, but that instantly disappeared when he noticed my staring at him.

Apparently he didn't want anyone to see his human side. Idiot!

"We're leaving in about two hours. If you stay back here alone, I don't mind if you have a drink, but not in front of my business associates and family."

He seemed to be waiting for my reaction and when I nodded to him he took one last look at Nero and disappeared back across the lawn and around the house.

"He's not quite tight," I murmured to Nero, who suddenly barked and then licked my whole face.

I think he was completely of my opinion!