Chapter 03

The days passed quickly. One morning, I just woke up and it was already my wedding day.

 I slowly walked to the altar while mommy and daddy were walking beside me.

 Our wedding was held at the church while the reception was held at a well-known resort owned by the Salvatore's.

 I walk carefully even though my knees are shaking while earnestly listening and memorizing the lyrics of our wedding song.

 "I'm so happy, Celes." It was the voice of my mommy who was walking beside me in tears. I just smiled at her.

 I'm happy too. I'm happy to see them happy. That's enough for me to continue this marriage and not run away.

 While listening to the music, it was as if someone urged me to look up and turn my gaze to the altar that was not that far away from me.

 I looked at him who was also looking at me and the moment our eyes met I couldn't help but be emotional.

 I will get married...

 I'm getting married...

 When I was young, I dreamed of marrying the man I love and who loves me.... I dreamed it all. From the clothes I will wear, to the church, to the reception, to the godmothers and godfathers. I always dreamed about my wedding. I want a marriage just like my parents had, with a smile drawn on their lips while reciting their promises and vows to each other.

 But here I am now, getting married to someone I don't love and who doesn't love me either.

 The world is really unfair.

 I didn't realize that I had arrived in front of him. Mommy carefully released me and presented me to Lexus who was respectfully standing in front of me.

 The moment our bodies touched I felt something strange. He didn't say a word, while I was in tears. I really cried.

 Just thinking about how our marriage will work and I'm already having a hard time. 

  But I was dumbfounded when he's just staring at me. Is there some dirt on my face? Why can't he take his eyes away from me?

  Or maybe he's mesmerized by my beauty? Well, we can't prevent that from happening. My parent's genes are spectacular.

 The ceremony began and I couldn't fully focus my attention on what the priests were saying. Lexus's piercing stares are making me anxious and nervous. He's intimidating me. I'm starting to get creeps inside my body. I just can't meet the intensity he's giving me. 

 After saying I do, it's now our time saying our vows in front of God, the priest, and the people.

 I can feel my hand shaking in nervousness. It's cold inside but I'm sweating. 

 "I vow to protect you with all my heart in any way I can. I will do everything for you even if it means sacrificing myself. I, Lexus clark salvatore, take you thee, Celeste Hara Villamore, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part..." he slowly said those words while looking into my eyes.

 He put the ring on my finger without breaking our gaze.

 I closed my eyes nervously before opening my mouth to speak. I forgot what I was going to say even though I practiced it several times last night in front of the mirror.

 I took a deep breath before slowly blowing it out and then spoke while also staring into his eyes. I gave the same intensity he's been giving me since earlier. I can feel my knees melting but I did all my best not to fall on the ground.

 "I-I vow to love you with all my heart. I vow to understand you in any ways I can. I vow to make everything I can do just to make you happy. I, Celeste Hara Villamore, take you, Lexus Clark Salvatore, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

 I was still shaking when I put the ring on his finger that symbolizes our union.

 The priest said something for a while until the moment everyone was waiting to arrive. The kiss sealing our vow.

 The people cheered but none of my attention was on them. It's the man in front of me who slowly lifted my veil and then casually pressed his lips on my lips. I closed my eyes while savouring his kiss.

 It was gentle as our lips moved gently. My heart is beating so damn fast as if it wanted to go out of my ribcage.

 I looked at him when we parted but both of his hands were still holding my cheek.

 I cried even more when a smile appeared on his lips. I saw it for the first time and it felt like something was flying in my stomach.

He slowly pulled me and locked me in his arms.

 So this is how it feels when you get married- even to someone you don't love.

  I thought he's strict and cold as ice. But the way he caged me in his arms, I realized that there's still sweetness and softness he's hiding inside his body.

 It's been two weeks since we got married.

 While it's still early, daddy passed the name of the company to Lexus. And according to Lexus he will be the one to manage it.

 We have our own house- but it's not a normal house because of the size so I'll just call it a mansion- Daddy Jack said Lexus built it himself.

 What does he mean? That Lexus itself constructed the mansion? Turns out he's not just a businessman, but he's also a construction worker!

 But of course, it's just a joke.

 There were only the two of us in the mansion but there were many guards outside. Every Saturday the maids visit here to do laundry and clean the house.

 I'm the one who cooks the food for the two of us. I'm the one between us who can be counted on for that job because he can't even cook noodles.

 He is not here now because he is in the office and working. I don't know anything about what he's doing so I'm just here inside my room. Besides, I can't go out yet. I don't want to risk my life either.

 That's better because my life is more in danger now. He said that daddy's competitors found out that I got married. According to them, they are moving again.

 I just sighed. They are so annoying. They have their own lives to care for. Why bother us? 

 I was currently standing in the living room when the door opened and Lexus, whom I thought was working, came in. I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and noticed that it was still early for him to finish what he's doing.

 But instead of intervening, I just shrugged. As usual, he didn't even look at me. He continued to climb the stairs to his room.

 I smiled bitterly, this is what I'm saying. I don't want to marry someone I don't love and who doesn't even love me.

 Ever since we moved here, he hasn't changed the way he treats me. He's cold and he rarely looks at me.

 He will only talk to me if he needs something and I can count every word on my finger. That's it, then nothing more. I was like a wind to him.

I don't want that treatment, that's not what I dreamed of.

 I just kept my eyes on the TV, trying to forget his presence so I wouldn't feel the stinging pain of being avoided in my chest.

 "Let's eat," I heard his voice while going down the stairs, which I didn't expect.

 I almost froze in my seat. I gripped the remote so hard. I can't believe it, did he just ask me to eat with him?

 I looked at him with my jaw dropped on the floor. He's just looking at me coldly as if he doesn't care if I would refuse his invitation. It's not that big deal.

  BUT I AM IN COMPLETE SHOCK!

 He asked me to eat with him for the first time. Who wouldn't be surprised?