Chapter 5

I was in a white dress, sitting outside the wedding hall where the judge was waiting. I looked up and realized that it was too far from the wedding I dreamed of back when I was a kid.

A beautiful and unforgettable wedding—that was the wedding I wanted. But here I am, waiting for my mysterious groom to come to the place where he wants the both of us to be proclaimed as a legal married couple.

He doesn't want my parents to come. I asked about his parents the eve I visited his place, yet he seemed to be offended when I opened the topic. I thought that he didn't want to talk about his parents. He might be holding a grudge against them, and so do I!

I hate his parents for bringing their son into this world, who eventually will become my husband.

I can't!

What will happen to me? To us? And to what stage of life will we enter? Marriage has to be serious and sacred. But this! This is an awful thing! Awful than ever!

I looked at the little round thing on my wrist, checking what time it was already. I sighed out of disbelief.

He is not here yet, even though our wedding is about to be held in 10 minutes from now.

How could this be?

I stood up and bowed my head on my palm.

Even though this marriage was planned for business, I would be ashamed if my groom ran away.

“He should be here by now,” I said, trying to console my own agony of worries.

I heard steps coming my way. I lifted my face, and here comes my groom walking with Martin. He was in a shiny and expensive set of clothes that were totally fit for him.

His biceps were shouting freedom, and his chest was trying to break his inner cloth. Here I am trying to control myself.

I always hate admitting that he was hot. He was literally a masterpiece of whoever was up there. He was made up of perfection.

“Come on, Valerie. You don't exactly know this man. You should be controlling yourself.”

The fear that I had earlier to be left alone in this hall vanished. I let go of three heavy sighs before he reached my position.

“I watched you from afar, Miss Wills. You are like a puppy that was left on the street, restless and worried.”

Look at this masked man, trying to mock my feelings. He should learn a lot about considering others.

My parents taught me to be submissive to this man before I came here. But, I think my temper will hardly ever be controlled.

“Are you worried that your groom will not come, Miss Wills.”

I nodded my head in a slow manner.

“Oh, my bad. You get it wrong, Mister Suarez. I am actually afraid of making the giant dollar jump from my palm.”

His smile was slowly fading. Good for him! I shouldn't just stand here and let him insult me. He might be filled with charm and a desirable body, but he is out of his place sometimes.

“Your parents really taught you well when it comes to money and what benefits you, Miss Wills,” he said, making me get chills.

I withdraw my stare from his eyes down to his button. My brows reacted when my eyes were focused on the bulge he had inside his pants.

“Crazy! You are really crazy, Valerie! This man is not worthy of your attention! Everything about him…you must hate them!” I reminded myself inside my head.

It was true! My mind said to hate him. I agree with that because he became a chain that stopped me from achieving my goal and dream as a woman.

Modeling in the west is one of my biggest dreams, but look at me, I am here, in front of this mysterious masked man, and in just a few minutes I am going to be declared as legally his.

“My parents were not the only people who taught me when it comes to money and benefits, Mister Suarez. I am old enough to make my own brain function for what it is supposed to do.” I sighed, unstinting her breath that was locked inside her lungs. “Apparently, you also reminded me that this is all for business and money. That's why we are here, right? Having our wedding here in the judge's office is an enough description that this is all for our parties benefits.”

I was stunned to speak when he pulled me close to his body. His hand was on my waist while mine was holding at his thick and hard arm.

“You are making me see your true color now, Miss Wills. But whatever attitude you have, I can handle that. How about you? Can you handle mine?”

I had a hard time swallowing because of what he said. I think that the rumors spreading around were real. They said that this man has no interest in women and only likes to play around.

“Mister Suarez, the judge wanted to have you inside now.”

He let go of my waist and turned to face the staff.

“We're coming inside now.”

He looked at me, and the way his gaze conquered my head down to my foot was giving me more chills.

He came in first. I sighed again to release the tensions I had after our conversation.

He's mean.

And it's ridiculous to make him pay attention to the previous meetings we had.

I ought to never admire him again.

“Miss Wills, let's go.” It was Martin. I smiled a little and nodded my head.

I walked with my chin held high.

Looking at the peaceful venue of my own wedding made me look at the floor.

I wanted to be strong today. I need to!

In the series I've watched, the bride was in her best gown, but what caught my sight was the beautiful thing she wore on her face, and that was her genuine and joyful smile. She must be so happy marrying the man she likes, and of course—having a wedding inside the church where she invited all her friends and family.

The wedding started, and my heart began to beat as if I were locked inside the room with no way out.

“Mister Suarez, do you ought to love the bride, Miss Valerie Wills, forevermore, for better or for worse? Do you accept her as your lawful wife?”

“Until my last breath, Mister Judge. And yes, I do.”

I could hear thunder from his voice. There's something that is up ahead of this marriage, but what else can I do? Nothing. Just go with the flow and be my own foundation of strength.

“Do you accept Mister Eldifonso Suarez as your lawful husband and promise to be faithful until the end of your days together, Miss Wills?”

That is the question that I would like to be asked, but right now, I view it as the most ridiculous question.

“Yes, Mister Judge. I do.”

“What are we waiting for? You can now have your first legal kiss,” the judge said, giggling.

His hands crawling and cupping my cheeks were the reasons why my knees lost their strength. He was looking at me in my eyes.

And I was scared because I know that I can no longer escape from this.

His face drew near to me, and a couple of tears ran down my face.

My heart skipped its beat when I could feel his soft lips landing on mine. It doesn't feel good, but it is certainly not bad either. I don't know. I really don't know how I am supposed to address the kiss we are having.

His tongue slides inside my mouth as if it is a key to opening a padlock.

Another set of tears went down.

I was quiet the whole time after the ceremony. We signed our marriage contract, and Martin signed as our witness.

It was really a questionable event. He wants his name to be put on top of everything, but our marriage was private. I literally don't understand this man.

We were now in the backseat of his Audi, and Martin was yet to come inside.

“Why are you so quiet, Valerie?”

He sounds dangerous. He is calling me by my first name and not “Miss Wills”. That was enormously scary.

“N-Nothing, Mister Suarez—”

"Oh, come on, Valerie. Isn't it that I am your husband now? Why are you calling me Mister Suarez again? That's absurd and totally disrespectful to me,” he said, his arms crossing.

It was so quiet in a few seconds. My palms were sweating.

I don't want to call his first name because it sounds old. And calling him with the endearment of married couples seemed to cringe for me. I can't do that!

My eyes widened, and my soul was slowly separating my body because of his hand on my leg. He was massaging my leg in a gentle way, and it tickled my spine.

His face cocked on my neck. He was smelling me like newly poured wine in the goblet. I gripped the hem of my dress because of the fear of trying to lure my wholeness.

Honestly, I am turning insane because of this man.

What sins I committed that I was put on a punishment like this?

I hate him for making me so uncomfortable.

“Don't be afraid of me, Valerie. I will be the best husband in town ever.”

His voice will definitely give me nightmares.