The Showdown.

Finally, I'm back...back to the comfort of my city, my home - literally, my house. I told Fin, no way am I staying at his place in Bronze, he's moving in with me or we're living apart and of course, of course I won that argument, hence we're here in my house and my bedroom. He really doesn't want to live apart. This man...

I can't believe I left Bronze with a best friend and came back with a husband, I have to say it too unless I want to be accused of shrinking my responsibilities. He's shameless...this big guy accusing me of taking advantage of him.

"Why are you standing there? Come to bed." Easy for him to say, he doesn't have a big bad wolf looking at him like he is his dinner. Yeah... I'm a coward.

"Why aren't we easing into this? That's what normal people do. First sleep in the guest room then move to the main bedroom." I'm standing at the door, it's safe here, it's the safest in the entire room.

"Mrs Merwe, aren't we signing tomorrow? Don't worry, I won't do anything to you tonight, tomorrow...well, we'll wait for tomorrow to find out."

I'd rather not, even tomorrow...my senses are screaming danger approaching, I can't simple ignore it. And I'm tired, I want to sleep...looking at Fin occupying my bed, so unfair...I want to occupy my own bed.

My worldview tilts and I'm thrown into the bed, I bounce a little bit. Dammit, I let my guard down.

"What, I thought you'd gotten used to me." He approaches stealthily. Just when I make to bolt, he catches my ankle and lands on top of me. He swallows what I was going to say and blocks what would follow. Only when I'm out of breath does he let go.

"Go to sleep..." His voice is deeper than usual, it doesn't help calm me down at all. Oh, to sleep this hyper?

Sleep, yes... let's do that. Tomorrow, I'll be a married woman.

I'm woken by a sound of something breaking.

"What's going on now?" So early. I can't remember the last time I woke up before twelve.

When I get to the living room, all the stuff is rounded up and Fin is looking extremely serious. Okay, what is going on?

"If you won't take your jobs seriously, you can quit." Now, I've always wanted to say it but Mama Jewel was here and knew how to handle them, it seems they behaved they way they do with me with Fin? How embarassing...

"I won't tolerate people who don't respect their boss. You can leave."

They scatter like rodents, if it wasn't embarassing before, it sure is now.

"Mr Merwe..." I don't know them, they're temporary...

"Are you ready?" How can I not be ready?

We get to the home affairs office and our appointment is already done, it doesn't take long until we've signed everything... I feel it's surreal, who knew getting married didn't take too much hustle at all? Nothing is different except, I'm now Trent Merwe...Trent Dion-Merwe - Trent Merwe-Dion? I don't know which one to go by yet. Let's stick to Trent Dion for now, lest I get a whiplash for how quickly everything has gone.

I'm really married?

I'm not panicking, nope...I refuse to let a piece of paper rattle me up. I'm not living alone anymore and that didn't change anything but...that piece of paper makes it all, real?

"Hello?"

"Are you back yet?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Chris is definitely going to loose it, he and I kind of made a pact...a silly pact of being witness to each other's marriage signing...

"There's a fashion show coming up, I've already signed you up to participate. Come to the company this instant, we don't have much time."

Might be what I need to distract myself. Too much has happened lately, if I don't unwind, I'll unravel... we don't want that.

"Ok, I'll be there."

SOS - how to go about being a married woman? I like my independence...

I didn't really think this through, did I?

"You don't have to look so out of sorts, I'll see you at home." I don't? It's my first time doing this marriage thing, he can't fault me for being clueless...and laugh at me. I know something though, panicky or not - I know I don't regret it. He's so good-looking.

"Okay." I kiss him on the cheek and leave, Mr Bidder - see you at home. Not bad, not bad at all.

The company is located downtown, the building is something of Chris' personality, loud and hyper. If you're wondering how a building could be loud and hyper, imagine each room in different a vivid colour...the colours spreading to the lounge. Yep, you get used to the brightness after a while.

"Finally... you're here!" I didn't take long to get here?

"What's got your panties in a twist?"

"The show is in three weeks and you have to make three different outfits, this time there's a theme. They want it to correlate."

Every year, we participate in this show that rounds up upcoming fashion designers and holds a fashion show for them, I don't know how long we've been a part of it but we've never won. Not like I take part to win, designing isn't my passion and I like making up different outfits all the time.

"What's the problem?" He's not worked up for what he already knew?

"The theme, they're saying Victorian." What?

"They've got new judges too." Victorian and new judges, can we opt out? I don't like that era, it's so stiff... I see why Chris is overloading and in three weeks?

Whew, this isn't distraction, this is taking me away from my newlywed bliss. I wasn't asking for this.

"Okay, don't worry. I'll let you know tomorrow. I can't think now, I just got married and my husband's waiting for me. Let's talk tomorrow."

"You were serious?"

"I wouldn't kid about that." I'm not that far gone.

"Who's your husband?"

"Infinity Merwe."

I like this, I think dropping this bomb is going to be my favourite thing do. The expression on his face, I can't help but laugh. Really shocking, it really is. Where in common sense would anyone think I would be involved with Thee Infinity Merwe... I'm flabbergasted still.

"That Infinity Merwe?" Or else?

"Is there another one?" God isn't that free, how many Infinity Merwes can the world handle?

"Okay, I'm leaving. Send me the memo, I'll come by tomorrow."

Yep, I'm a married woman.

The living room is covered in dead silence, my parents and their new thing are there, looking at Fin like his an alien or thief, I can't make it. When I walk in, they all turn their heads in my direction and I can my mother had a fit, her face is all red.

Ha. I forgot about them, just what I need - not! They ignored the ransom call but came here? Fin is right, I have to get new staff for my house, this bunch of tattlers won't do.

"Mom, dad, you're here. You should've called before coming. I would've been here to receive you then."

"Called? Would we know what you're doing here if we called? This man claims to be your husband! When did you get married, why didn't you tell us? I don't approve. Your father will give him money and we'll find a nice man for you."

How tiring is it to be like my mother? No, seriously; I'm curious. How can she live in her own world like she does and expect everyone to follow along? Isn't it exhausting? I'm exhausted and I don't live with her all the time.

"TT, why didn't you tell us?" Ha. They're really meant for each other, they can echo their nonsense without feeling it's bizarre. Tell them, when did they become interested in my life?

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's my mistake."

Why bother, I can't argue with them. It's useless, so useless it does nothing but hurt me. The faster the fuss is done, the better my world will go back to its peace.

"What sorry! Divorce him instantly. I won't accept a son-in-law out of nowhere."

"Why do you have to accept him? I'm the one married him."

"You..."

"Why do you suddenly have interest in my affairs? I was kidnapped and you didn't do anything. If Fin wasn't there, I'd still be held captive. Divorce?"

Okay, I couldn't hold it in the end. Their accusatory tone, I did them wrong as the result of their negligence, what were they punishing me for?

"Kidnap?"

"TT, that Thompson is weasel, he wouldn't do anything to you."

"Yeah, he wouldn't do anything, just beat me around until he's satisfied. What was I worrying about."

I never learn. What was I expecting? I'm sorry? I should've done better? What a joke. Why would it be different now?

"Were you expecting me to do whatever he demands? Do you even know what he was asking?"

"Kidnap? Why didn't you tell me? Our daughter was kidnapped and you didn't do anything?"

Get the fuss done with.

"Why did you come here? What's the matter?" They drain me. They make me wish I wasn't me. It's really exhausting...

"Lydia needs a place to live and I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone in her condition, Jewel is here, let her stay with you."

I'm clutching Fin's hand so hard, it's a miracle his bones aren't cracking. I'm too furious! Furious, no - that isn't right. I'm uncomfortable. My chest is stuffed. They're... they're too much.

"I fired her. You can call her and ask her to go to your place." And please leave.

"You fired Jewel? Why now? Is this man making you do things? First you didn't tell us about him and now you've fired Jewel. Trent, have you gone mad?!"

Wouldn't it be easier if that were the case? I wouldn't be subjected to this disappointment. This hurt...

"Mom, you've never been interested in my life. Don't start now. I can't take it - no, I don't need it. And as for Lydia, have her stay with mom or hire a company full of stuff to take care of her, I can't - no, I won't even if Mama Jewel was here."

That's the longest I've ever said to them. Yes, I'm fed up...I can't pretend anymore.