Capítulo 27: The Husband Of The Year

They waltzed across the floor as if they owned the place. To others, they looked perfect, however, the only thing that kept Arianna going was the thought that she couldn't mess up. The butterflies in her stomach were becoming much stronger and it didn't help matters that she was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the way Kenith's hands were roaming her body.

At first, his hand had rested on her waist while hers were placed on his chest. However, with time it kept climbing and now his hands were tracing the curve of her back.

"Sorry," Arianna apologized at once when she stepped on his foot, "My bad,"

"No, it's alright," Kenith waved it off with his charming smile, "I think this is the point where we end our dance,"

"Oh, ThankGod," Arianna was so relieved she almost said that out loud.

However, the universe must really hate her because there was a subtle change in the atmosphere and she noticed everyone turning in the direction of the door. What was going on?

"It seems Big Joe has finally arrived," Kenith informed her, composing himself; he readjusted his tie and straightened out the crease in his suit from their dancing.

"Smile," He told her and did so himself.

Smile? Was that a mask everyone put on around here? But it dawned on her, her husband was finally here. Arianna didn't know whether to be filled with anticipation or dread.

The door was opened slowly, almost dramatically and she rolled her eyes. Well, here comes the husband of the year. Hopefully, tonight doesn't turn out to be her wedding night else she would have to kill herself and her dreams go to waste. Great - note the sarcasm.

And he arrived.

"You gotta be kidding me," Arianna gasped in disbelief when her gaze fell on him. Whoever named him "Big Joe" must have been making a bad joke because that joke was wasted on him.

It wasn't until Big Joe was six feet apart from her that Arianna realized she had been staring at him too much. It now made sense why Kenith nor the staff ever talked about her husband to be in her presence. They all knew, all except her.

May God help her soul because Big Joe was in summary, short. Yeah, the man standing in front of her was no greater than seventy centimeters tall - his height stopped directly at her waist.

Arianna felt like fainting, no, she wanted to faint, however, unlike what was portrayed in the dramas, it was hard to lose consciousness just like that.

When Kenith said she would make a good wife, he should have asked if Big Joe - no, short Joe would be a much more suitable title now - would make a suitable husband for her.

She didn't want to marry a dwarf - no offense to fellow dwarf out there - but everyone had choices and preferences, what they liked and hated, and Arianna had never wanted to marry a short man. Fate must be messing with her.

No wonder Kenith has been overly nice to her, he must have pitied her. Sadly, Arianna was more angry than grateful, how dare he pity her when he was the one that put her in this situation in the first place? She really wanted to punch him right now.

"Umm... Hello sir?" Arianna wasn't sure what to call him. It wasn't like they were intimate enough to use affectionate terms on him - God, she'd cringe doing that.

Short Joe, no, Big Joe - for respect's sake - didn't answer, rather he simply snapped his fingers and his men went into action. Arianna watched as they placed a stool in front of him and then two able-bodied men lifted him, placing him on top of the stool that was strong enough to hold his weight.

The music had stopped the moment Big Joe entered and everyone's attention was on them hence when a woman couldn't hold in the laughter anymore and chuckled, everyone's gaze landed on her the way a camera zoomed in on an image.

"Oh," The woman said, finally realizing herself, "I'm sorry... I really didn't mean it... It was just funny..."

The woman was still saying when two men approached her, grabbed her by the arm, and began to lead her out as she screamed, commanding them to let go.

Arianna knew they wouldn't kill her. The woman was quite arrogant which meant she or her husband had quite an influence here hence they couldn't eliminate her easily. But then this proved that Big Joe was quite sensitive about his height and she dared not run her mouth carelessly.

Arianna was still interested in the scene that a yelp escaped her throat when someone grabbed her chin quite painfully. Her face was turned and she saw that it was no other than her dwarf husband, Big Joe who was checking her out as if she was goods on display.

"Not bad," He said to Kenith who looked quite delighted that his boss praised him.

Not bad? Arianna was close to combusting. Did he classify her as not bad? How many women out there would jump at the offer of marrying him? The only reason she was here in the first place was that her choice was taken from her. Arianna was sure she'd murder this man and then end herself if he dared to touch her.

Big Joe then announced, "Why did the music stop? Come on, this is my special day, Dance! Eat! Merriment!" He ordered and at once, everything went back to the way it was before he arrived.

Before her very eyes, Arianna watched as Big Joe was picked from the seat and to his feet. Her mouth almost fell open from shock, she would never get used to this.

"Now, come my bribe, let me get to know you," He offered his hand to her that Arianna stared at as if it was a death trap.

Just slap his hand and run away from this hell, Arianna was tempted to do as her mind suggested. But who was she kidding, she would never escape here.

So she took the devil's hand.