The Unwanted Bride

Some days I wonder if it's worth getting out of bed. All I ever hear from the two people that brought me into the world is how much I'm unwanted and that I was a mistake.

A terrible mistake that they could never get rid of. They only kept me so they could keep the Hamilton hotels and resorts running.

As the next heir to the Multi Billion dollar company I have to obey my parents. If I don't I will lose the trust fund my Grandparents left me.

I enter the kitchen and start breakfast for my parents. I place the food on the plates as they enter the dining room.

They sit at the table and I serve them.

Mum looks at me. "Joy, I have a bunch of things I need you to sew. I also want the entire living room dusted and mopped before four. We're having a party here and your father asked Joseph McKellar to join us."

"Yes, madam." I exit the kitchen and move toward the living room.

Wayne (the handyman) helps me move the ladder underneath the chandelier. He sets the ladder and turns to me. "Be careful up there."

I pick up the brush and climb the ladder. I start dusting the chandelier. Some dust falls to the ground and I start sneezing.

I hold onto the ladder with both hands.

I sneeze again and I fall down the ladder hitting my back on the small steps.

That hurts.

I rub my back.

Mum enters the living room. "No, slacking, Joy. Once your done I need you to make cakes and cook dinner for fifty people. I'm going to the salon to get my hair and make-up done. I might get a pedicure too. I need you to get the blue dress out of my cupboard and place it on my bed before I return."

"Yes, madam."

She exits the house with my father.

I enter the kitchen and start making food for the party.

A few cooks enter the kitchen and they look at me. "What do you need is to do, Miss?"

"Can you make the cake? The cake is needed for fifty people. I have to put place cards on the table for the dinner guests."

I move toward the dining room and sit at the table. I write names on the cards and then place them around the table.

I move around the house making sure that everything is in place and they everything is clean for when my parents come home.

I hear a car door open and I run upstairs and pull Mum's blue dress out of the cupboard. I set it on the bed and make sure it's not crinkled.

I exit the room and make my way down the stairs to the kitchen.

I look at the cooks and say. "I need all of you out of the house now. "Thanks for your help."

I exit the house.

Mum enters the kitchen and she looks at the table. "The food looks and smells good. I want you to wear the black dress I brought you last week to the dinner party. Go upstairs and have a shower. I want you to look descent when Joseph McKellar arrives."

I look in the vanity mirror as I apply make-up to my face.

Mum enters my bedroom and she looks at me. "You look descent. Go downstairs and bring dinner to the guests. Once everyone is served you can eat with us. Is that understood."

I rise. "Yes, Madame."

Sometimes I wish she just left me on the stairs of an orphanage. At least I might have had a better upbringing then I did.

I exit my room and make my way down the stairs that leads to the kitchen.

I hear voices in the dining room.

I pick up a bottle of wine and enter the room. I pour wine for the guests and then I enter the kitchen and bring out plates for the guests. I carry four plates to the table and place it in front of the guests.

I move around the table serving everyone.

I bring out my dinner and sit at the table close to Mum and Dad.

Oh, here we go with the politeness.

"This is my daughter Joy Hamilton. Joy this is Joseph McKellar."

I extend my hand hand to him and takes my hand.

He has a firm grip. I thought removing my hand from his.

I look at the vegetables on the plate and I scoop it onto the fork. I place it in my mouth.

The table is noisy as everyone talks to each other.

I wish I had someone to talk to.

I eat all the vegetables on my plate and leave the steak on it.

Dad takes the steak off my plate and he eats it.

Mr McKellar looks at me. "Are you vegetarian?"

No, I'm not. Mum and Dad don't want me to eat the expensive steaks they buy.

Mum jumps into the conversation. "Yes, she's a vegetarian. She forgot to take the steak off the plate when she entered the room.

Mr McKellar shakes his head. "The girl is too skinny. Make sure she eats more food."

After dinner I take the plates to the kitchen and pile them next to the sink.

I turn on the jug and return to the dining room to clear away the table.

When the table is clear I return with dessert. I place the cake in front of everyone.

I enter the kitchen and pick up the pots for tea and coffee.

I carry the pots into the dining room and ask the guests what they want to drink.

After dessert I see Dad exit the dining room with Mr McKellar.

I use the door to the kitchen and stay in there for a couple of minutes before I sneak out through the other door.

I walk down the hall to Dad's office. The door is closed and I can hear what they are saying behind the closed doors.

"I have a business deal for you Joseph." Dad says.

"What's that?"

"I will give the McKellar's my company if my daughter marries the next heir to the McKellar group."

"I like your daughter. So, I'll accept the proposal. I have a lot of ideas for the Hamilton hotel and resorts around the world."

I move away from the door.

I don't want to get married to some play boy.