The realization hit at the same time: They had both been trying to escape. And it was a fact. Before either could react, a deep voice rained from the other side, and Rowan was quick to stand up and drag Carmen along with him. They hid inside a tent, watching the bodyguard's shadow move past. Rowan sighed in relief, glancing down - he frowned. A woman pressed against his chest as she tried to figure out what had just occurred.
He huffed then slid his hands into his pockets.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Asking me questions huh? What are you doing?"
He glanced down, "You have guts, I can give you that."
She crossed her arms, "I cannot believe you were going to ditch me."
"Oh, and you weren't?"
She looked up, glaring, "That's different! I had a plan."
His frown deepened, "So did I! It involved an Uber and zero complications."
She looked away, her face turning red from the embarrassment of escaping her own wedding. Rowan chuckled, "I guess we both aren't any different."
"Whatever." she mumbled, and glanced at him, "I'm going back."
He sighed, "For an peabrain, you truly stand out." Carmen paused and turned.
"Did you just call me an peabrain?" She glared. Rowan smirked, "I'm only saying what I see. So you're that type of girl huh? Who does what mommy and daddy says?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Our families are only letting this happen because of a business deal they negotiated, you know that right?"
"Of course I do."
He tilted his head, "Then why didn't you stop your family from sealing the deal..as well as the marriage." His bored eyes draining into hers, "Let's be for real, we both don't want this."
"You talk as if it were that easy," she said.
"So this is where you were hiding - Rowan Bronson and Carmen Brown!"
Rowan and Carmen flinched and bit their tongue when they jumped. They turned their heads and their eyes knew to wide as they stared wide -eyed at Mrs and Mr Brown, with a guilty looking Josh behind them.
"You both are in deep trouble, don't think you can get away from this," she said. Carmen hiccupped.
That whole afternoon , they were placed in the living room with the families who kept an eye on them. Though it wasn't pleasant. They were standing side by side, disheveled from their escape attempt, shooting each other death glares while their families lectured them. Carmen's
mother wouldn't stop fussing over her torn dress, while Rowan's father was seething about the humiliation of his son trying to flee like a common thief.
And underneath all the anger, and lectures from both families, Carmen and Rowan glanced at each other. He uttered beneath his breath but Carmen could catch it - it tugged the corners of her lips slightly but she was able to hide the smile from growing. Even though the lecture took two hours and their change to new dresses and suits - the wedding still goes on.
…
The wedding took place in a modest family garden under an arch of flowers. The officiant stands nervously between Rowan and Carmen as their families watch. Both are tense and reluctant. Carmen was pleased it was a private family only wedding. She didn't know how she was gonna explain to her friends she was getting married to a man she barely knew.
She stood opposite him, clenching the bouquet of flowers in her hands, but his eyes were cold and distant, and Carmen had to look away from getting uncomfortable.
Officiant clears throat, bringing the Bible to place, "We are gathered here today to unite Rowan Bronson and Carmen Brown in holy matrimony. Do you, Rowan, take Carmen to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Rowan with a forced smirk, muttered "Not like I have a choice."
Carmen glared at him. Rowan turned to her, voice dripping with sarcasm, "What? Did you think this was my dream wedding too? Trust me, Carmen, if I could blink and make this go away, I would."
She stepped closer, pointing a finger, "Oh, because I'm just thrilled to marry the guy who pinned me against a wall to avoid his problems! Grow up, Rowan!"
Rowan smirks, folding his arms, "And I'm stuck with Miss Perfect, who can't even make her own decisions without Mommy and Daddy holding her hand."
"You're unbelievable!" She fumed, "At least I have ambition. What do you have? A bad attitude and a knack for running from responsibility?"
Rowan leaned closer, his smirk vanishing, as he lowered his voice spiked with venom. "Ambition? Is that what you call playing nice so your family can brag about their golden girl? You're nothing but a puppet, Carmen."
Her voice raised as she felt her blood boil, "At least I'm not a coward who hides behind fake charm and bad jokes because he's scared of being honest!"
From the crowd, Mrs Bronson yelled, "Rowan! Carmen! That's enough!"
"You're embarrassing us!" Mr Brown said, and the two pulled away.
The Officiant clearly flustered, glanced at the two then proceeded "Perhaps we should take a moment—"
Rowan.cutt him off, turning to the families, "You all wanted this, didn't you? Well, congratulations. The happy couple hates each other."
Carmen glared at him but he didn't falter "The only reason I'm still standing here is because I have dignity. Something you clearly lack."
Rowan steps closer, his voice soft but sharp, "The only reason you're still here is because you care too much about what people think. Admit it, Carmen, you're terrified of disappointing Daddy."
Her eyes narrowed, "At least I'm not terrified of growing up."
Before the tension escalated, the Officiant raised his voice slightly, "Shall we continue?"
Rowan huffed, "Oh, by all means. Let's tie the knot and make everyone happy."
Carmen through gritted teeth, said,"Fine. Let's get this over with."
The Officiant awkwardly clears his throat, "Very well. Carmen, do you take Rowan to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." She said without looking at Rowan.
Officiant turned to Rowan, "And Rowan, do you take Carmen to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Rowan paused dramatically, looking Carmen dead in the eyes "I do."
The Officiant, relieved, smiled, "You may now kiss the bride."
Rowan smirked, "Don't push your luck."
She scoffed, "Trust me, I wasn't expecting a fairytale."
Rowan leans in, giving her a quick, almost grudging kiss on the cheek. The families erupt into awkward applause.
Carmen whispered as they turn to face the crowd, "I still can't believe I'm stuck with you."
Rowan glanced at her side, and whispered back "The feeling's mutual, sweetheart."
Then, just as they think they've survived the worst of it…
"Uh, excuse me?"
Everyone on their chairs turns. The Uber driver, holding up his phone, looked confused as hell.
"Someone requested an Uber to O'Hare international airport, Rowan Bronson?"
Then, slowly, every single person in the room turns to the groom. His face freezes. Carmen just stares at him, arms crossed, smirk hiding behind her face. His father looks like he's about to explode. His mother gasps. Mr Brown definitely chokes on his champagne, and Mrs Brown is there to stroke his back. As for Josh, he cowered in embarrassment. And Rowan? He just closes his eyes, muttering, "You have got to be kidding me."
Mr Bronson stands up, "Rowan!"
The Uber driver is still standing there awkwardly, "Sooo… do you still need a ride, or?"
Everyone gives him a glare and the Uber driver backs away, "Or not." Then he bolts out.