002 The Worst Jerk

I never noticed how much Damon Dunn looked like a fox. The kind that has magic, with a hint of dark, dangerous aura, like a demigod, who only uses his power for mischief.

After dumping my gibberish version of a proposal on him, I expected him to be shocked, confused, or even angry, but he just cocks his eyebrow, and then, with a smirk as if he sees through everything, he says, “Sure.”

Just like that?

That’s not how you say yes to a marriage, but how you soothe a drunk who attacks you on the street so you can escape.

“I’m saying, I need you to complete the wedding with me. Here. Today,” I stress again, not sure if he understands what he agreed to.

“Like, under this?” Damon Dunn waves a finger at the flower arch a few steps away. That’s where I was supposed to have taken the sacred vow today. Right now, only the left side has some of the roses left, giving the altar a bloody, post-apocalyptic aura.

It’s a bit sloppy, even for him.

Taking a deep breath, I nod, nervously waiting for his answer with butterflies in my stomach.

His taunting eyes land on me, and slowly his lips form a smirk. He is definitely enjoying this cat-and-mouse power play. I can see that in his eyes, and there is nothing I can do.

He does have that power over me.

He is my last straw.

“Sure,” With a shrug, he says with a mischieving laugh, giving the same answer again.

Things get simpler after that.

The manager hesitates a little at my request, considering Mr. Morgan, the one who actually pays today’s bill, is absent, but he has no good reason to reject me from choosing my own husband.

The guests return, not all, but enough of them. The hall is filled again with the solemn tune of the wedding march. The media are allowed in. I allowed it. I need their quills to seal my new groom on record.

A woman in her forties was sent to take Mr. Morgan’s place, to walk me through the aisle, and “give me away”. At this point, I am only grateful that when I do, there IS a groom who is waiting for me on the altar.

Has seen his share of the world, the minister, an old, kind, short little man with a long white beard, doesn’t show any shred of surprise as he announces Damon Dunn’s name instead, asking for our vows. But I know he is not as calm as he looks, because he asked for my vow first.

I open my mouth, but the simple two words suddenly get so hard to pronounce.

Am I really doing this? Exchanging my vow with the brother of my supposed groom last minute, without the blessing of any of our parents? I thought I was ready, but I didn’t know how big a decision I made until it’s in front of my face. I want to finish this public humiliation and just get out of here, but part of me is waiting for Hector to barge through the door and shout, “I speak up”.

How laughable of me, thinking that I actually matter to him, even if he would ever do something like that.

I take a deep breath to calm myself, only fail to do so.

Holding both of my hands in his, Damon Dunn gives me a light grip on my fingers. He is smiling like a harmless fox, his ocean blue eyes gaze on me as if looking at someone he has loved for years. His hands are not trembling, and his demeanor is relaxed but elegant.

Magically, it does calm me down a little.

There is a reason why he became the womanizer he is. He sleeps with a different woman every week, getting on the news for no serious matters but only dirty trivia. Yet, none of those women ever said anything bad about him. The most complaints they gave is how they wished they could be his last woman, and they missed him.

I never paid attention, but I see that now.

What woman could not fall for his crystal clear eyes, when they give you such a soulful look as if you are the only one that matters in the world?

“I do,” I say.

Hector is an addiction I can’t quit on my own. If this is what it takes to do it, then...

...so be it.

The father repeats the same question for Damon Dunn. He pulls my hands closer to his chest, his sharp jaw leans into my face as if for a kiss. I stare at him with my eyes wide open, my just-calmed heartbeat racing up faster than before.

I have to kiss him?!

But he doesn’t kiss me.

He titls his head a little, painting such an intimate image for the crowd as if we are such a pair of love birds that can’t keep away from each other for too long, and he whispers with a voice that only I can hear--

“You want my vow, there is a price to pay.”

Now?!

I glare up at him, wishing I could eat him alive.

Damon Dunn is still with that perfect, harmless smile. Only, I see the devil that everyone has been telling me about behind his angelic face now.

He agreed to my proposal easily, only to lure me onto the altar before he could name his price safely, knowing I’m in no place to say no.

He IS the worst jerk, ever!