Love Aint Always Pretty

Verboten

- forbidden; prohibited by dictate

Origin: German

37

NICK'S POV

EIGHT YEARS AGO

"How do I look?" Catherine asks me.

She shows off to me her lovely white dress that I bought from a flea market in town and she seems to love it. It was just really cheap and I thought she wasn't gonna like it cos it was a cheapass dress but she loved it. She really loved it. She still makes it look so pretty damn good on her and I was glad it fits her. Catherine is always so beautiful to me no matter what she's gonna wear or how tired she looks like or how sleepy and how make-up free her face is. Catherine will always be beautiful to me.

"Say something." She pleads.

My lips twitch.

"How do I look Nick?" She asks again while she reaches for my hand.

I smiled at her. "You look very very beautiful, love."

She smiles sheepishly. "Are you sure? It's a perfect fit though. I really love it."

I cupped her right cheek and kissed her forehead. "Yes I am. You're the loveliest."

I am actually tensed to meet her parents. More like I'm scared to death. I'm not at my utmost best to be really acting okay in situations like this cos it's pretty damn obvious that things aren't okay between me and her parents. Catherine walks up to me and fixes my collar, giving me a pat on my shoulders then buttoned my polo.

"You look very handsome." She says.

"I wish they will like me Catherine."

"If they won't, we'll leave the party right away and just drop off the cake."

I nod. "But I would want to wish your mom a happy birthday."

She nods then kisses my cheek. "Just relax."

"I hope your dad is relaxed." I joked.

Catherine chuckles. I love how she encourages me and tells me to calm down. She believes in me too much and I really love that about her.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you much more." She said.

Both of us stumbled our way out of the house after she grabbed the small homemade cake both of us made. I borrowed a car from Alec's uncle for the night, at least, we will look formal. The entire was quiet and I know she's scared of what's gonna happen too. I don't really know why I signed up for this when I already know her father hates me. I just really love Catherine too much and I know this will make her happy that's why I'm doing it even though I don't want to. It's really against my will and I just hope I get out of that house with her.

The car almost reaches the tall silver gates and I see massive cars parked right outside the lawn. I parked car on the gravel road and I think I had the ugliest and cheapest car in here. Mostly were classic wickedly expensive ones and I have never seen these kinds of cars in real life. My heartbeat is now going dead fast. I see people, very rich people, around here. Not only one or two but I know all of the guests looked massively wealthy. I hopped off the car and opened the car door for Catherine. She knows I'm tensed cos she gently squeezed my hand and smiled at me.

"Relax love." She says.

I smiled at her, assuring Catherine that I was really okay.

We walked hand in hand and the moment they saw Catherine, I know they were shocked. Well, she's been missing and now she pops out of nowhere with a guy holding her hand. I just ignored all of them and those degrading stares at me. Catherine leads us to the inside of the house, I even noticed that we pass through this massively big pool before reaching the main mansion. And the main mansion? It was just huge and looked Mediterranean. The floor was shiny marbled, the curtains were very wide cream and white and all the furnitures looked like expensive things that came from other countries.

Forster, wearing a charcoaled suit and tie. We walked up to him, but I really feel like my feet was backing out. He was talking with some guests who I've never seen in this town and my heart is just getting

Catherine finally calls out to

the minute he looked at us. His eyes dilated, I know he was shocked to see us. I need air. Both of us needs a much much wider space if ever he'll hit me. I don't want to break things in here, I think I can't pay it. I see Mr. Forster clenching his jaw the second we stood next to him. I was the only man in here who

He trailed off and glared at his guests. He clears his throat and just

to Catherine's ear

himself away and

evening sir." I

me at all. Catherine smiled at me as she moves

She asked. Acting as if

it's his wife's birthday. He wouldn't risk. He's obviously trying to hold himself down and I could see the anger building behind his eyes. I see Mrs. Forster walking

mom." Catherine

the best birthday gift I've ever received. Where were you baby? I missed

pulled herself away from Catherine and Mrs. Forster

missed you too mom. Sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm

he?" She arched an

Mr. Forster's eyes locked at me but I tried not to look at him cos it'll only make me remember what he did

is Nicholas Wilde. He's my boyfriend." Catherine said so

pleasure to meet you ma'm." I say. I didn't want to offer a

had to hug her back to be nice. I glared at Catherine and she was smiling. Mrs. Forster pulled herself

meet you. Catherine talks

I'm surprised.

"But honey. What about--"

don't." Catherine cut

hear Mr. Forster clearing his throat again and

girls have a girl talk and I'll show

That's a bad offer.

that her father might do something to me but I smiled at her, to make her sure that it was

would be

sure about this Nick?" Catherine

birthday ma'm. I hope you'll have more

you." Mrs.

now Nick?"

Catherine squeezing my hand before I let

okay." I mouthed to her then

me to death. He grabbed two glasses of champagne from the

sir." I said as I grabbed

walked through a sea of people while they were greeting Mr. Forster every time he passes by as if he

to come here." He

peaceful talk. I know he's going to throw shade at me. Well of course, since I eloped with her daughter and I'm sure he has been so mad about it but he can't do anything to me here cos he wouldn't want to embarrass

make Catherine

is already happy before she met you. What do you really want from

take a quick drink from my glass. "I don't

money is it? How much? A million? Two million? Three? Name your price, I'll give it to

I exhaled heavily.

am in love with your daughter. I don't need your scholarship, car, house and lot, money or

again, "Can your love feed my daughter? Can your love support Catherine financially? You're nothing but a penniless man and you talk to me about

and I feel his tight grip. "You see that man standing right

to a man who wore an all black suit with a baby pink tie. He was a blonde with his pushed back gelled hair, and he's about my height as well. He looked like we were the same of age but that smug on his face is plastered telling me that he's a boastful

Hans Fitzgerald." I hear Mr.

another drink from my

for Catherine. Rich like us. He's the official boyfriend of her. And you? Well you don't even own a car. Hans is Catherine's real boyfriend