Forced Marriage
The car pulled up to the front of the steps of a white building.
"We are here. Now don't even think of causing a scene in front of the judge later or else I will not promise that I won't hurt your sisters or your best friend," Zaccheus' sweet face did not match the threat in his words.
"I abhor you!" Theeya shouted at him.
"Are we done shouting?" He asked.
Theeya pouted and crossed her arms across her chest.
When Theeya was silent, Zaccheus grinned and said: "I thought so."
He stepped out of the car and walked over to the other side. The driver already opened the door for Theeya. Her arms were still crossed in front of her chest and her face was still showing a pouty mouth but at least she did not refuse Zaccheus' hand when he smiled at her.
Theeya did not know exactly how he did it but he got hold of all her personal identification documents ready and had already submitted the application two weeks prior to the date. This man was very well prepared!
"It is just signing the papers today. I promise you I won't touch you until I need to. For the cave," he whispered into her right ear as they were walking towards the judge's chamber.
"Ms Theeya James and Mr Zaccheus Froyman," the clerk called out their names.
Theeya gritted her teeth and just went along with the proceedings, raising her right hand when prompted, repeating the words required by the judge and signing where she was pointed to.
Just like that, she walked out of that white building a married woman to a man who invaded her dreams for the longest time.
"I know nothing about you yet you know so much about me, that's not fair," Theeya grumbled in the car to Zaccheus.
"We have a lifetime together to know each other, my love," he flashed his signature grin as he winked at her.
"Now what? Do I return to join the rest of them?" Theeya did not know what plans were in store or what Zaccheus' strategy was.
"It is time I introduce myself to the group. Time to rejoin the 40 thieves," he said with a faraway look in his eyes as he looked out the window.
"But first, let's go home, let them worry about you another day, Jeff Everett will never leave town without you," he simply stated.
"Where's home?" Theeya asked absentmindedly.
"You shall see," he squeezed her hand as his honeyed smile brought a tight smile on her face, breaking her pout.
The city roads gave way to smaller country lanes and before long they were in front a huge golden and black iron gate which opened automatically as the driver waved at the guards.
The land spanned acres and acres of green grass with lush green trees and well manicured shrubs. Three dogs were chasing after their car, barking excitedly, they looked like mixed breed dogs, not fancy pure bred ones at all. The biggest one was a golden retriever mixed with mutt. The other two were white mutt with Dalmatian spots. And the smallest looked like a border collie crossed with a regular breed.
Not a big fan of dogs, Theeya shuddered at the toned muscles of the dogs and prayed they would not come close to her or God forbid lick her.
"I take it that you fear dogs?" Zaccheus noticed the look of apprehension on her face as she stared out the window at the dogs.
"Yeah, a little. I am more of a cat person than a dog person," she replied.
He nodded and spoke into a walkie talkie asking a person called Jack to "restrain the mutts".
They pulled up a huge drive way with a water fountain feature of a mermaid with long hair right in the center of the roundabout.
The mansion was even bigger than the Malabar Hotel both the Hotel and family wings combined. Everything oozed of luxury and money.
An ancient looking butler actually stood at the front steps of the mansion.
"Good afternoon miLord and miLady. Welcome back." He bowed.
"Wilfred, please ask the kitchen to prepare a small feast just for the two of us. We got married today," Zaccheus ordered the butler.
"Congratulations miLord and miLady, right away, Sir," the butler talked on his walkie talkie to inform the kitchen of the preparation.
"Come, Theeya, let me show you around," Zaccheus held out his hand and Theeya took it gingerly.
The mansion was truly huge. Zaccheus brought her straight to the bedrooms.
"This is our bedroom. The bed is comfortable even for the four of us," he pointed at the huge custom-made four post bed.
"Come, let me show you something," he pulled her hands and walked towards the balcony.
It overlooked the vast garden which was a labyrinth, a huge maze.
"This used to be my mother's favorite garden. My father built it for her. When I was little, I used to spend hours just hiding in there escaping Wilfred. I grew up alone in this mansion and Wilfred was my only friend," his eyes had that faraway look again.
"How old is this mansion?" Theeya finally asked.
"It has been here 50 years after the cave was "lost" it has been a long time, Cassandra," he looked at her and his eyes turned red.
"Who did I marry? I know you are 35 in your papers but are you really?" Theeya probed.
Zaccheus looked at her and sighed.
"I sold my soul for immortality, dearest. My grandfather was one of the Forty Thieves. And yes, I am ancient, and yes I am no longer what you would call a human being," his red ears pierced through her soul as she felt her heart dropped.
"Great, I married a demon," Theeya cursed under her breath.