Chapter 3 Married

"I really can't believe you two have betrayed us like this" Helen glares at Arah and Luther who are both speechless the instant the older woman starts her tirades. 

Helen has been ranting for almost an hour and no one could counter her, even her husband. She has been unstoppable after the two announce their supposed marriage. 

"You were married for two days without us knowing. I can't believe this" raising her hand in pure frustration, she huffs her every breath. She is angry...furious actually. 

"Mom, we are two consenting adults. We don't need permission" Luther spoke for the first time after the entire time his mother has been ranting their heads off with her anger. 

"Yeah, of course, I know that. But we are your parents! Your family! And it is Arah you married, idiot! Why do you have to do it in secret? She is almost a daughter to us!" Helen angrily counters. 

"Mom, we are so sorry. I got so busy with my patients and I only have that two hours to spare so we just seize the opportunity to sign the certificates" Arah calmly spoke after seeing how angrier the woman had become. 

"Two hours?" exasperated, she glares at Arah. 

"It's your wedding but you just squeezed it between your busy schedule?! You got to be kidding me, Amara!" Helen flares up.

Arah flinches at the sarcasm in the woman's words. She hit the bullseye but there was no way Arah would concede. 

Timothy has been quiet at the corner, busting his ears with all the angry rants from his mother which he doubt would end soon. All he could do is spare the two forlorn figures with sympathetic looks. 

"If you are that busy, then you could have told me and I will arrange everything" Helen added.

"Mom, we don't need everything. This is what is convenient for both of us. This is what we want" calmly, she responded, making Helen look at her like she lost her mind.

"I don't need a fancy wedding. It won't ensure a happy ending, right?" she smiles as she playfully asks Luther's mother. Hearing her, Helen paused and become thoughtful. 

"Arah..." she suddenly calms down. 

"I don't have plans for any relationship but I would try it with Luther. However, if it won't work, so be it. We are still friends and I'm still your daughter. That's all I could offer. I don't need someone, you know that mom. Nonetheless, I will tolerate Luther as long as I can. We have a mutual understanding and that is what matters to me. That is what is suitable for the both of us" with a casual smile, she continues. 

She doesn't believe in fairy tales or happy endings. There is no such thing as that because if there is, her mother would have been by her side and she grew up in a complete and happy family. She won't be apathetic as what they say about her. But who could blame her? She has no mother to teach her how to deal with her emotions. 

Silence rules after she spoke. No one could counter her. They are aware of what she had been through since a child. 

She grew up without a mother. Her father just casually told her she went away to be with someone else. And she never felt any affection from him. He married another but instead of having a complete family and a mother figure, she become a rival to her father's attention until she got tired of trying. 

She grew up almost alone. Her father provides her with money and everything she needs except for the warmth of a loving heart and a home. Her father is as cold and distant as she is. He is too focused on his career to mind a child from his unfaithful ex-wife.  

Growing up, she developed a complicated temperament. She cannot even keep a friend until she met Timothy Steel. A stubborn engineering student who eventually becomes her friend. The guy respects her boundaries and they somewhat jive in despite the total opposite of their interest and academe. 

Slowly, he introduces her to his family. And she doesn't know what she did but his mother dotes on her despite her aloof personality. Eventually, she was used to being around the family. She started to call Helen, mom, and Eric, dad. 

The Steel family is the only people whom she could tolerate. They made her feel like a family in one way or another. They adore her without crossing the boundary she set around her. They respect and value her. And she appreciates them. 

"Arah..." Tim tries to break the tension but he cannot think of anything to say. It's quite a sensitive issue for her and until today, they don't know how to deal it with her. 

"It's either Tim or Luther. I just chose to be with Luther this time, if it doesn't work, then maybe Tim could have me" playfully, she added. She even teasingly smiles at everyone around her. 

Tim chuckles, getting it as a joke but Luther remains placid. No one could guess his thoughts. 

"You really are cunning, Amara. You plan to have both of my boys" Helen indulges her playfulness. 

"There's no harm in trying, mom. They are the most eligible bachelors in the country. It won't be a fault if I want to sample them before I release them to the ocean of hungry vultures" she chuckles as she winks at Helen and Eric. 

"Yeah, better choose the best for yourself, Arah" Eric playfully agreed. The tension earlier dissipates but not all. 

"Of course, dad. I have the upper hand" she chuckles. 

"Well, then... " Helen heaves a sigh. 

"I will have to trust you on this. You are both adults, you know what you are doing. Though I really want a grand wedding for you and Luther, I cannot do much if I'm on my own" Helen continues with a smile, surrendering her case. 

"Thanks, mom" she appreciates her for not insisting. 

The least she wanted to do is to fabricate more lies to Helen and Eric. Though almost everything she says was true there are parts she didn't mean. 

Glancing at Luther, she feels like she was left on her own, explaining to the two oldies. The man chooses to be quiet and say nothing to defend their setup. 

After the tense get-together, they left without talking to each other. Luther's mood seem to change and although she noticed, she didn't bother to inquire.

"I will be meeting with some friends" after the long silence, Luther speaks. 

"Just drop me at the penthouse. I want to rest" she softly mumbles without turning to look at him.

It's the weekend and it's her time to rest. Despite how busy she could get, she save the weekends for her alone time. Well, except for today. 

They have to break the news to Luther's parents about their marriage. And they finally did it over lunch earlier after two days of contemplation. 

Now that the burden has been taken off their shoulder. They could freely move around, not as a couple but back to their usual routine. 

Putting an act of being a sweet couple is not on her plan, more so with Luther. Even their parents have recognized it's not their cup of tea. And they respected them. So it won't be a big deal if they appear to be distant from each other despite being married. 

"I won't be back for dinner" he mumbles. 

It's actually their first day together after Arah moves in earlier today. 

"I'm not expecting you to" she casually responded before long silence followed. 

After a long while, they arrived at Luther's place. 

"Thank you..."

Not waiting for his response, she went out of the vehicle and walk straight to the door without looking back.

Clad in a sleeveless white tailored jumpsuit with a low V-shaped neckline, she instantly becomes a ravishing spectacle. Her elegance is a head-turner. And Luther could see the admiring gazes around as she walk her way to the building. 

Aside from her perfect figure, her flawlessly pinkish complexion is her real wealth. She may have access to every procedure towards perfection but she has never undergone any. She is blessedly gifted with flawlessly healthy skin and a beautifully sculpted face. Thanks to her gorgeous mother's genes. 

Despite sporting a cold demeanor paired with her neat bun hairstyle, she maintains her allure. Her delicate beauty stands out despite her tough demeanor.

She is the epitome of her profession. One of the reason patients flocks to her clinic's doorstep is the dream of having her perfection. To avail her expertise to do miracles. For a renowned Dermatologist, she is her own model. 

Walking straight ahead, she was unbothered by the attention she was getting. She was used to the spotlight and she had long accepted and lived with it. 

For no apparent reason, he remains on his spot watching the gentle sway of her figure until she disappears inside the elevator. 

Heaving a sigh, he stepped on the gas. The piercing sound of his engine broke the usual noise of the busy street.

If he could make his car speed away, he would. But the congested traffic prevented him from doing so. He is pissed with a lot of things and all he wanted is to flee as far as he can. 

Far from everything even from his own thoughts. 

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