Chapter 5

"It is already the eighth time they have tried to get their marriage license. Who could put up with that?"

"If it were me, I'd have gone crazy by now."

Their words reached my ears, but I barely reacted.

They thought I was throwing a tantrum. They thought I was trying to force Melissa into marrying me.

Only I knew the truth.

I did not want to wait for her anymore.

Just then, Chester stood up, still clutching the broken piece of the lucky bracelet. His eyes were red as he looked at me.

"Zane, don't do this.

"Getting married is a decision for two people. How can you use something like this to pressure Melissa?

"She already came all the way to the County Clerk's Office. She just wants to finish giving you her blessing.

"If you pressure her like this, you are only going to hurt her."

It was as if Melissa had finally snapped out of it. She looked at me with obvious disappointment.

"Zane, when did you become like this?

"You used to be so understanding."

I stared at her and suddenly found it almost funny.

"Understanding?

"You mean getting left at the County Clerk's Office seven times and still smiling while saying it is fine?"

Melissa swallowed.

I continued.

"Do you mean watching my parents prepare meal after meal to celebrate with us, only to be disappointed every single time?

"Or do you mean standing here while the office closes at five?

"Waiting for you to finish helping your childhood friend fix his bracelet?"

Her face slowly stiffened.

My voice was quiet, but every word was clear.

"Melissa, I'm not being unreasonable. I have been understanding for too long. So long that you forgot I can hurt, too."

4:58 pm.

A staff member's voice rang through the lobby of the County Clerk's Office.

"Last call for anyone getting their paperwork processed. Bring your documents up now. The system is about to shut down."

I did not look at Melissa again. I turned and walked into the lobby.

Ryan immediately followed, his voice trembling.

"Zane..."

He wanted to comfort me, but I shook my head. Then, I handed my documents to the clerk.

She looked up at me.

"Marriage license?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

She glanced behind me. "Where is the bride?"

Before I could answer, I heard footsteps behind me.

Our friends were practically pushing Melissa into the lobby.

"Melissa, stop being stubborn!

"You are already here. Just get the license first.

"If you keep delaying, Zane really is going to leave you."

Melissa looked miserable. She stood behind me, still holding Chester's phone.

At that moment, the whole thing struck me as painfully ironic.

Even after making it all the way to the County Clerk's Office window, she was still holding something that belonged to another man.

I turned to look at her.

"Melissa, it is 4:58 pm. The County Clerk's Office is about to close.

"I'm asking you one last time. Are you coming in with me?"

Everyone in the lobby was watching her. Even the clerk stopped what she was doing.

Melissa tightened her grip on the phone, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes. However, it quickly vanished beneath her growing impatience. "Zane, it is already too late.

"Let’s do it next time. Once Chester fixes the bracelet, we can bring it with us and get the license.

"That way, it will represent good luck."

I suddenly laughed.

"So it really is the same."

Melissa frowned.

"What is?"

I did not answer. There was no point anymore.

4:59 pm.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from the entrance.

Everyone instinctively turned to look.

A woman in a white wedding dress rushed into the lobby. She walked straight up to me and held out her hand.

"Zane, come on.

"Let’s get married."