Chapter 2- The Wedding I never Wanted

I never thought I would get married at 21.

And I never thought that the man I would marry would be Lucian Montenegro — the man I've hated since high school and the man who always looked down on me.

I'm in the garden of the Montenegro Mansion right now, 3 PM. I'm just wearing a simple white dress that Doña Victoria lent me, no design, no jewelry. No guests, no friends, no Grandma Miling. Only Lucian's family and a priest are here. They said it's a private wedding so there would be no gossip and so it would end quickly.

My hands are shaking while holding the small bouquet of white roses. In my mind, Grandma Miling is the only reason why I'm here. Her 500k surgery, and the 5 million in exchange for one year of being Lucian's wife.

The large glass door of the mansion opened.

And he came out.

In a black suit, so handsome, his hair combed back, but his face looks like he's about to kill someone from anger. Lucian Montenegro, 28 years old, CEO of Montenegro Corp.

He walked toward the altar, didn't even look at me.

"You may now start the ceremony," he coldly told the priest.

The priest started.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Lucian Victor Montenegro and Bea Reyes..."

I didn't hear the rest anymore. I looked at Lucian. His perfume smells so good, but his aura is so cold.

"Bea Reyes, do you take Lucian Montenegro as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"Yes, Father. I do," I answered, soft but firm.

"Lucian Montenegro, do you take Bea Reyes as your lawfully wedded wife?"

Lucian looked at me, straight into my eyes.

"I do," he said, forced.

"You may now kiss the bride."

I froze. A kiss wasn't in the contract!

Lucian came closer, and just whispered in my ear.

"This is just business, Bea. Do not fall in love with me."

Then he kissed me on the cheek, quick, just for the picture.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Montenegro," said Doña Victoria.

---

Night. 10 PM. Master bedroom.

Lucian took three large pillows and placed them in the middle of the huge bed. Like a wall of pillows dividing us.

"This is your side, this is my side," he said. "Rule number one, you're not allowed to cross the barrier. Rule number two, you're not allowed to touch me. Rule number three, you're not allowed to drool on my pillow."

"Fine," I answered. "My rule, you're not allowed to snore while you're sleeping."

We lay down, backs turned to each other, with a wall of pillows in between. We were so far apart, I was almost falling off the edge.

"Good night, Mr. Montenegro," I said.

"Good night, Mrs. Montenegro," he replied.

Quiet. But I couldn't sleep. I could still smell his perfume even with the barrier.

---

The next day, 6 AM.

I woke up feeling warm and with something hard under my head. And a heavy hand wrapped around my waist.

I slowly opened my eyes.

The wall of pillows was gone. They were all on the floor. And I was lying on Lucian's chest. My head was on his chest. My hand was on his abs. And his hand was wrapped around my waist.

Lucian was still asleep, but his face was so close to mine.

Oh my God!

I wanted to get up immediately, but his hug tightened while he was still asleep.

"Bea, do not move," he mumbled without opening his eyes. "It's cold, just a hug."

I blushed so hard. My heart fluttered even though he's my enemy!

"Lucian! Let go of me! We were supposed to have a barrier!"

He slowly opened his eyes, and was also shocked to see me on his chest.

"What the hell! You crossed the barrier! You're the one lying on my chest!"

"Me? You're the one who hugged me! You're the one who removed the pillows!"

We were both blushing, both shocked.

I stood up right away, almost falling off the bed. Lucian also got up, his hair messy and his ears red.

"Do not tell anyone about this," he said, serious but embarrassed. "It was an accident."

"Who said I was going to tell anyone?" I answered, but my heart was beating so fast.

He picked up the pillows from the floor and put them back in the middle. But the way we looked at each other now was different.

Moments later, someone knocked. It was the housekeeper.

"Ma'am Bea, Sir Lucian, 7 PM there is dinner with the Montenegros and investors downstairs. Both of you are required."

Dinner? With his family who doesn't like me?

I looked at Lucian.

"Do not worry," he said. "Just pretend you like me tonight. Can you do that, Mrs. Montenegro?"

And that's when I realized, the first night as a married couple is over, and the barrier we made is already broken.

---

7 AM. Breakfast.

Lucian and I went down to the dining area together. I was wearing the simple dress Doña Victoria gave me and he was wearing a white polo with rolled-up sleeves. He still smells so good even though he just woke up.

Doña Victoria and Clarisse were already there, having breakfast. When Clarisse saw us going down together and even holding hands because Doña Victoria insisted, she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, good morning to the newlyweds," said Doña Victoria, smiling wide. "How was your first night, Bea? Did you and Lucian sleep well?"

I choked on the water I was drinking. Lucian choked on his coffee.

"Yes, Mom. We slept well," Lucian said quickly. "Very well."

Clarisse looked at us, suspicious and smirking.

"Really, brother? Then why does Bea look like she didn't sleep? And why were there three pillows on the floor of your room earlier when I passed by?" Clarisse asked. "Do you have a barrier?"

I got nervous. So she saw the pillow barrier we made.

"Ah, they just fell last night," I made an excuse right away. "Lucian is a restless sleeper. All the pillows fell."

"Excuse me? I'm the restless one? You're the one who..."

I immediately elbowed him under the table to keep quiet.

"Ouch!" he shouted softly.

"What ouch, Lucian?" asked Doña Victoria.

"Nothing, Mom. My wife just stepped on me."

Lucian and I looked at each other and both of us were trying not to laugh. First time we weren't fighting, we were even teaming up to lie to Clarisse.

We ate quietly. The maid put pancakes, eggs, and bacon on my plate. So much. I'm not used to this kind of breakfast. In the dorm, I could only afford coffee and a bread roll.

"Eat more, Bea," said Doña Victoria. "You are too thin. You need to eat more so you and Lucian can have a baby right away."

I choked again. Baby? That's not in the contract! And he's my enemy!

"Mom, we are not planning that yet," said Lucian, now serious but his ears were red.

I looked at Lucian who was eating quietly, handsome even when he just woke up. And that's when I realized, this contract marriage is dangerous. It's not just money that's at stake, but also my heart that might fall for my enemy.

Tonight, we have dinner with the investors and the whole Montenegro family who doesn't like me.

Can I pretend that I love him for one year?