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.

wide and spacious living room, I see Mr. 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

calls out

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 wore a polo shirt. Every male wore suit and tie, no wonder

been..." He trailed off and glared at his guests. He clears

He whispers to Catherine's ear and

himself away and

sir." I

me at all. Catherine smiled at me

if we didn't elope and run away days

obviously trying to hold himself down and I could see the anger building behind his eyes. I see Mrs. Forster walking towards us cos I heard her calling out

birthday mom." Catherine

ever received. Where were you

Catherine

too mom. Sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm so sorry." Catherine

She arched

look at him cos it'll only make me remember what he did

my

want to offer

hug her back to be nice. I glared at Catherine and she was smiling.

Catherine talks about you a lot." She

I'm surprised.

"But honey. What about--"

please don't." Catherine cut

eyebrows creasing with what I heard then I hear Mr. Forster clearing his

have a girl talk and I'll show Nick around the

That's a bad offer.

me. I know she knows that her father might do

would be nice." I

you sure about this

I hope you'll have

you." Mrs. Forster

now Nick?" Mr. Forster

Catherine squeezing my hand before I let her go. I smiled at

mouthed to her then kissed her knuckles.

with her wicked father who hates me to death. He grabbed two glasses of champagne from the waiter that was walking around

you sir." I said as I grabbed

a sea of people while they were greeting Mr. Forster every time

nerve to come here."

knew it. This wasn't gonna be a 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 himself in front

wanted to make Catherine

is already happy before she met you. What do you really want from my daughter? I'll give

from my glass. "I don't need anything

money. It's definitely money is it? How much? A million? Two million? Three? Name your price, I'll give it to you. Just stay away from my

I exhaled heavily.

due respect sir, I am in love with your daughter. I don't need your scholarship, car, house and lot, money or anything. I love Catherine sir. I know you were furious when we ran away together but we love each other."

daughter? Can your love support Catherine financially? You're nothing but a penniless man and you talk to me

right shoulder with his hand and I feel his tight

He looked like we were the same of age but that smug on his

Fitzgerald." I

take another drink from

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 and he's the