Chapter 08

Practicing with walking down the aisle was not pleasing to Hayley. Especially when Kenji is waiting for her at the end. His playful grin has had her scoffing all the time. She can't even believe she survived living with him for the past weeks. 

"Hayley! Smile! It's your wedding! You can't be frowning like that in three days' time! Learn to smile!" 

Aish, demanding damn coordinators! She had to force a big smile to please them. Her days have been like this, practicing the same old things and even the speeches-- scripted ones of course because just writing 'love' disgusts them both. 

When she got to the altar, Kenji took her hand whispering something in her ear. It isn't surprising anymore, he does it every time to annoy her.

"Okay! So you both stand here while the priest does his things!"  

They decided that it will be a church wedding. Hayley specifically told their parents she wants a church wedding. It isn't because she believes in holy matrimony, it's because annulling a church marriage is easier than a civil marriage. And so, both she and Kenji decided to go on with church wedding. 

"Don't your conscience haunt you? You're standing in front of the altar just to lie," Kenji tells her as they wait for the staff to tell them what to do next. 

"Well don't yours haunt you?"

"Luckily, I don't have the same belief as yours."

"One lie won't send me to hell."

Kenji let out a laugh that made Hayley throw him a death glare. What she said is true. God knows she is doing this for something greater. The children and Lucas need her and she wants to honor her promises.

After their practice at the church, they had their lunch with their parents. Though they lie an excuse, their parents insisted and they couldn't do anything.

In a private room of a Japanese restaurant, their Japanese-style lunch was served. Hayley was not familiar with the dishes but Kenji seems to enjoy them.

"I see that you've finally gotten a lot closer than you two first met," Mrs. Maledict, Shelby noticed.

It made Hayley stopped chewing her food to look at Kenji who was looking at her too. They both look away and chuckles nervously.

"We are going to marry each other in three days and lived together. I guess it's safe to say that we got along and your plans worked for us," Kenji stated, flashing a fake smile.

"We sorted out our differences and I think it will be a good marriage. Right, Ken?"

Kenji once again looked at Hayley and nodded, their eyes signaling a hidden message -- I hate you. It seems like Mr. and Mrs. Maledict were pleased to see them agree together. She glances at her parents and saw them smiling too. Look at that, she made them proud. Just three days and she won't be able to turn back anymore.

After their lovely lunch, their parents left and they instantly moved away from each other. Her smiles were also replaced with a disgusted look. 

"You going home or are you hanging out with your boyfriend today?" Kenji suddenly questions.

"I don't have a boyfriend and it's none of your business where I go!"

"Do you think I need a haircut? I think my hair is kinda getting long. It's not good for our wedding picture."

Hayley scrunched up her face. Kenji looked good the way he is. Though his hair gets messy, he can just comb it with his fingers and he is good to go.

"Dude, your hair is fine. And who cares about the wedding pictures? It's not like we will hang it somewhere."

"I need to look good especially that day. I won't get married twice. It's an experience. You need fixing too, you don't look so lovely lately."

"I don't need fixing! And for your information, I am stressing out more than you do! I am walking that aisle with that heavy damn wedding gown! What if I fall?"

Kenji took steps closer to her and then suddenly touched her chin. In her surprise, she slapped his hand away, leaning backward with her brows knitted together. 

"What the heck? Stop doing those moves to me! I won't fall for that!"

"I'm not trying to make you fall." He chuckles, staring at her. "But if you did, I will catch you."

"Eww! Stop acting like you like me! It doesn't suit you! We hate each other. Let's stay with the hate and hate!" 

Hayley has put in a lot of time with Kenji already and she needs to get away so she walks past him. A chocolate cake would be nice for today. But before she gets far, a hand grabbed her arm making her turn. When she sees her annoying groom, she made a face.

"What? I need a chocolate cake. I'll see you at home!"

"I need that too," he said, flashing her a smile before running and dragging her along. "I know a place. You'll love their cake!"

As she was dragged, she felt everything in slow motion. And when Kenji looked back at her with a bright grin plastered on his face, for the first time, she understand why they say Kenji is charming. Her heart suddenly beats faster than when she is running. 

At the shop, she keeps glaring at Kenji with her killer eyes, her lips were pouting. She doesn't hate him, she was hating how she felt earlier. She remembers her classmates squealing over their boyfriends and telling her they suddenly felt spring. It was like spring she felt earlier that's why she keeps glaring at him right now. Breathing heavily, she hits her chest a couple of times, grunting over how she felt. 

Kenji frowned, taking her hand to stop her from hitting her chest. She coldly stares at him, raising her brow, eyeing him to let go.

"What the hell are you doing that for? And why do you keep glaring at me? Do you not like the chocolate cake?" 

"Their chocolate cake is good but I do not like being with you!"

"Oh, come on! Tell me something I do not know. We both know we hate each other, already." He rested his elbows on the table, leaning forward. "We need to catch up since all we do the past few weeks is fight each other."

"And we will keep on hating and fighting each other. There's no need to be friendly, we're going our separate ways anyway." Hayley looked down, taking the fork to take some of her cake and stuff it in her mouth. Hmm, it is her second bite and she just realized how good the cake was. "This tastes really good!"

"Really?" he asked. "There's some chocolate icing on the corner of your mouth."

With the back of her hand, she wiped a corner of her mouth and continues to eat her cake. She heard him sigh but she didn't mind him anymore. 

"Hayley."

Before glancing up, she scoffed. But as soon as she did, her eyes widened. All she could see was the sides of his face and she feels his tongue licking the corner of her mouth. When she snapped back, she moved her hand to slap him but Kenji was always quick and caught her wrist. As he move away, her wide eyes darted at him and his damn playful grin.

"That really tasted good."