Chapter 5: Imperfection

Ch 5 Imperfection

Elle pov

They say beauty is what lies inside but why does this world always make me feel the opposite.

I mean I don't mind not getting attention from any guy out there but I do mind being called ugly or just simply being an odd one out.

The ugly duckling is what he calls me and every time he uses this world something hits my insides.

I mean don't husbands usually call their wives darling or cupcake or sweetheart or other sugarcoated appealing words like that.

"Ma'am, are you listening?"

The maid said moving her hand in front of my eyes to get my attention

"oh sorry May.....what were you saying?"

"Ma'am Sir said that today you were to get ready by 7....an after marriage party is organised here only..."

"Okay, thanks May...I will be ready..."

"Do you need any help getting ready...should I call for our specialist team ?"

"I manage on my own May ..thanks though"

"You are most welcome Madame...let me know if you need something"

She was gone giving me a smile which I returned ignoring my burning body and throbbing head.

I laid down on the bed staring at the ceiling wondering when this party will get over and I can return to my bed.

A few hours later.....

"Just a second May!! I will be there!"

I screamed from inside the bathroom as I gave my makeup it's final touches.

I was wearing a red dress with quarter sleeves...the stuff was body-hugging and I felt beautiful wearing it for the first time.

My hair was tied in a high bun with my flick laying lightly on my face.

I didn't feel like using blush as my cheeks were already burning with fever.

With one final look, I opened my door to be met with a cold look from my husband.

He was looking perfect and for a second I forgot that I was blankly gawking at him.

"This will not do"

His words surprised me

"Huh?"

He shook his head in a no and looked displeasingly at me.

His words broke me for the first time...I mean I thought I looked beautiful for the first time in my life

He moved closer to me and I couldn't look into his eyes anymore.

The eyes which displayed how much he disliked me.

I felt his fingers on my hair clutch and next I know my long hair flowed down my back covering the deep back neck fully.

I looked up surprised at him but his eyes were fixed on my lips.

Handing me a napkin he spoke

"Dab it on your lips....the lipstick is too dark"

I followed what he said and all this time his eyes didn't leave my lips.

Next, I saw him playing with my fringe rotating it in his fingers.

Surprisingly the rotational swings made it bouncy and he laid it softly on my cheek.

As his cold hand touched my burning cheek a shiver went down my spine and my body shivered under his touch.

I expected him to feel disgusted and that's what exactly he did.

He moved back his hand so fast as my touch burned him.

Placing his hands back in his pant pockets he moved back from me.

He suddenly looked very angry at something which I failed to recognise.

"Do you think you look beautiful today?"

He asked ,making me instantly look up at him, surprised to hear such a question.

"Ehhh... I don't know....I guess Asht-"

"Shhhhh"

He said showing me his hand and closing his eyes.

He looked madly irritated and I don't know how I played a part in it.

"Don't you dare to say my name!! It's Mr Lockwood to you ...you ugly girl!!"

Him calling me ugly again made tears well up in my eyes.

"I don't know why dad had to tie me to a girl like you!! I don't know what he saw in an ugly girl like you !"

I couldn't take it anymore.

Till now everyone has shown me through their behaviour and actions of how unfit and a disgrace I was.

He is the first man who has the audacity to say such harsh words on my face.

He may be the most beautiful man I have ever seen but no one gave him the right to disgrace others.

"Just how am I going to introduce you to them!! Your hair is all rough and dull and your eyes have dark circles.... couldn't you at least cover them!"

"I hate it when things don't go according to me and you are the biggest example of it!! I hate you ugly duckling!"

He shouted coming near my face glaring at me with those hateful eyes.

As the first tear escaped my eyes my mind forgot all obedience he wanted me to follow

"Just go Fu** yourself Mr Lockwood !! Go grab some whore and present her as your wife !! I am not going anywhere with you!! Fu** you function!! Fu** your guests!! And Fu** YOU!!!"

The words left my mouth before I could stop myself.

I placed my hands on my mouth looking at him in disbelief.

He is going to kill me!!

"What did you just say?"

He said coming closer to me like a hunter approaches its prey.

My legs were moving back and I moved my head in a no

"I asked what you said, Elle!!"

"You heard me already okay!! I am not repeating myself!!"

This time I grabbed my head instead of my mouth.

Why can't I stop already!!

He was trying to calm himself as I saw him clenching and unclenching his hands.

"Come let's go"

He finally said turning around and moving towards the door.

But I refused.

He should learn to respect me and not treat me like this.

On seeing that I didn't follow him his gaze again got fixed on me and I refused to acknowledge him by staring at the ceiling.

"Elle!! I said come!"

When I again refused the beast in him again woke up and made his way towards me.

I turned my back on him, held the wardrobe handle and closed my eyes.

Please go....please go.....I don't want to attend this party.....please leave...I kept praying.

Next, I know he pulled me up in his arms bridal style as I shrieked with surprise.

"Ahhh....put me down!! Put me down!!! "

I tightly held the handle to stop him from moving but it just took one pull from him and my grip on the handle dropped.

I was thrashing but he was fast to ignore me and lead us towards the main hall.

Were we going to enter like this!!! Oh no!!!

What is this man doing!!

"You continue to behave like a spoilt little bi** you are and I won't stop teaching you some manners!!"

"Just put me down you ass**** !! How dare you call me a bi*** when you are a Fu**** bastard!!"

"Such beautiful words from your mouth...I would love to shut your trap with duct tape if I have to!!"

His threat made me silent for a second....this man is insane...he can do anything.

"You won't!!"

"Try me my ugly duckling!! The guests won't mind your absence after waiting for so long....getting locked in a bathroom with duct tape on your mouth.... isn't it a dream reception for you?"

I looked in horror at his face while he looked least bothered.

My mouth hung open at his threat and that's when the lights flashed in my eyes.

I instantly held onto his neck tightly and hid my face in his chest escaping from reality.

Loud claps were heard and to my horror, we had already entered the reception hall.

He smiled his perfect smile as he entered with me in his arms bridal style.

Keeping on his smiling face he pulled me up a little and whispered in my ear.

"Behave yourself my ugly duckling...I hate it when people disrespect me or anyone related to me"

For the first time, I understood his intentions.

He wanted everyone to respect me and that's why he also wanted me to look beautiful.

His words were harsh but his intentions were not to hurt me but protect me.

I looked up at him pulling up my head from his chest and nearly melted seeing him smiling down at me.

All my anger vanished and I found myself returning his engaging smile.

Clicking sounds were heard and the audience voiced up 'awwwwws'

"Is Mrs Lockwood fine Sir!! Why are you carrying her!! "

Was the first question which came out way to which Ashton politely replied.

"She is not feeling well today but still she insisted to meet you all as you were waiting..."

"That's so sweet of you Mrs Lockwood. Thank you!!"

The media went crazy pushing others to reach me but then some guys in black appeared and blocked them.

Ashton took me further inside and decided to place me down on a table at the corner of the hall.

Following him came my mother and father in law with concerned looks on their faces.

"Are you fine dear? What happened?

Henry said

"I am fine dad...just tired."

I said and Henry placed his hand on my head protectively.

"Elle child just meet a few important guests and then you go and rest...okay dear?"

My mother in law Jane said with worry in her eyes.

"Okay Mom... don't worry"

With this, they were called by some guests and they excused themselves.

My eyes landed on Ashton who was standing next to me with hands still in his pockets.

He was nodding at some of the guests greeting them.

Soon guests started coming towards us to meet me and I politely introduced myself to them.

After a few hours, I was feeling really tired and I searched for Ashton.

I wanted to go back but I can't leave without informing him.

I was searching for him when a beautiful girl with long blonde hair blocked me.

"Hi...I am Amanda....your husband's ex"

I blankly stared at her as I registered her words.

Did she meant ex-girlfriend

Still, I shook her hand out of courtesy.

She stopped a waiter and offered me a cup of cocktail which I politely refused as my head was already bursting with pain.

"So...finally I meet you, Elle Hamilton..heard a lot about you"

I nervously laughed at this.

"I didn't know people were talking about me"

I said truly

"They are not just talking dear.....they are comparing how unfit you are for our handsome Ashton."

Here comes what I was waiting for for...just why can't an ex be good for once.

Her eyes scrutinized me from top to bottom as she twirled the drink in her wine glass.

"Do you know why Ashton rejected me, Elle? Why he ended our 2-year relationship?"

I moved my head in a no and she moved forward to whisper in my ear.

"He rejected me saying that I was not beautiful enough for him........and look what he got married to..........an utter piece of shit!"

She gave me a smirk as she pecked my cheek.

My fists were clenched and I was burning with anger.

How dare she !!

Moving my face closer to return her peck I gave her a reply.

"At least this shit is now his wife and you are just an ex dear."

Next, I know a pull was felt on my back and I saw the zip of my dress falling near my feet.

"Best of luck carrying your dress dear!"

She said and moved back from me

"Sh**""sh**"

I cursed as I could already feel the cold air touching my back.

The zip was waist deep and without it, my whole back will be on display.

Not to forget my undergarments.

That bi**!! I will kill her!!

But I can't even move without the fear of being naked from my back.

"Ladies and gentlemen let's begin the evening with a beautiful dance by our newlywed couple!! Please welcome Mr and Mrs Lockwood for this romantic performance!!"

What?

Who said I was going to dance

And with whom?

Him? No way?

Instead of going forward, I moved back to press my back on a pillar.

But then the lights were out and a headlight shined on me.

No...no...please....

So much for not getting attention.

I refused to move and the anchor kept encouraging me to come forward.

This continued till I saw him making his way towards me with a breathtaking smile on his face.

No offering his hand for me to take...no approval...no asking.

He just pulled onto my waist and I landed on his chest.

"Ashton.....my zi-"

Before I could tell him my worries I found his hand moving back to land on my naked back.

His cold hands made me shiver but a burning fire was lighted inside me.

The music started and my worried eyes landed on his cold ones.

"Relax your body"

Were the only words he spoke and I found myself abiding his order.

He turned me around and pressed my back on his chest.

Moving his face to the crook of my neck I could feel the tingles of his subtle beard.

His legs guided my legs along as he gracefully followed the music with the perfect steps.

My hands were softly held by his large ones and for a second I forgot all my worries and melted under his touch.

Before I know the music has stopped and applauses echoed the hall.

The lights were turned as we looked into each other's eyes.

Not even once he dropped his hand from my back.

It felt safe in his arms and somehow I trusted him.

"my...zip...it's broken..."

"I know"

He replied and refused to move away from my back.

He stood there like a wall blocking my back from everyone's view.

"Stay here and don't move from here"

He ordered as he took me to a nearby pillar and pressed my back on it.

I nodded as he left in the crowd looking for someone.

Soon Jane appeared with few safety pins in her hands.

"Come dear... let's fix it in the washroom"

I sighed a breath of relief as she guided my back to the washroom.

Before leaving the washroom I could feel a particular someone's gaze on me.

Looking up I found Ashton staring at me and then at everyone around.

Maybe to see that no one was staring.

A smile automatically came on my lips as I understood his actions.

This was the second time my heartbeat was so loud that I could hear it.

Ashton Locked you are more than what meets the eye.

Your words may be bitter but your actions are damn sweet and I can't help falling in love and having a sweet tooth.