Chapter Five

The melodious strains of organ music and violins filled the entire church room, which was dominated by white, from the wall paint to the wedding decorations that adorned every corner of the room.

Soon after, they saw Deianne and her dad walking on the red carpet towards the altar. Starting now, Deianne will not be Deianne. Daniella Allyson is the name of the person seen walking down the aisle. The charm and beauty of "Daniella Montes" amazed almost everyone in the church—Deianne—without them knowing that what they admired was her twin sister. Little did everyone know, the real Daniella was now nowhere to be found. 

From a distance, no one would recognize that Deianne was not Daniella, including Marcus, because Deianne really tried her best to be Daniella in every way she could.

"Dad, can we just stop all this?" Dieanne asked, who was getting nervous about the play they were playing, even though she had not played her role for half a day yet.

"No! This will continue, Deianne. You want to help your sister, right? Don't make her feel disappointed in you! And from now on, you should get used to the name Daniella." Her dad whispered, but in a firm manner.

They continued their walk towards Marcus, who was waiting patiently for her in front of the altar. Deianne tried to spread a smile on everyone, even though she actually felt a bitter and heartbreaking feeling in her heart. She knew that her father didn't mean to force her, but this still made her feel compelled.

When they finally reached the end of the aisle, Marcus greeted his future wife with a smile that showed his dimples. Deianne replied with a smile full of awkwardness. It's the kind of joke that's not funny at all.

"Take good care of my daughter, young man." Deianne heard her father say before he turned around and left the main aisle of the church.

"You look beautiful, Daniella." Marcus whispered. He gripped Deianne's hand, holding it very tightly to assure his future wife that everything would work out just fine between them. They may not start out like a normal couple does, but he will work hard to make their marriage a happy one.

"T-thank you..." Deianne answered awkwardly. Even now, she is struggling so that she can be as close as possible to her twin sister's voice.

"Alright, the wedding ceremony will begin now." The officiator who gave the signal—who was standing on the pulpit—said, "First, the bride and the groom will make their promise directly to each other," he continued.

Marcus then grabbed a piece of paper, which was placed on a tray with a red cloth. He raised his right hand—as if swearing—to level with his ear.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I, Marcus Montañez, promise to love and cherish Daniella Allison Montes, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part," he said.

Now it's Daniella's turn. Oh, it's Deianne.

Deianne hesitantly took the paper. She knew this wasn't an arbitrary promise, but should she say it now when she didn't deserve to say those words? She was silent for a long time. Various doubts were running through her mind. She doesn't know who to blame now. Is it her father's fault? Or maybe it was her twin sister who just ran away on the day of her own wedding? Her mom, who didn't choose to defend her? Maybe herself? She was too stupid to agree to her father's plan. She should've stood firm and been against it. Deianne started to think of what was going to happen after this. She even thought, "Is this all my destiny ordained by God? Or was she just too stupid to change fate like this?" Everything is complicated.

"Daniella," Marcus whispered, gently pressing her hands. That made her pull away from her reverie.

For the umpteenth time, Deianne hesitantly unfolded the paper. She read all the contents carefully. The name listed is Daniella Allison Montes, not Deianne Allyson Montes. Of course, she did know that. It looks like she will really be Daniella, while "Deianne" will be the one who will be gone for a while. She lets out a breath before she speaks. "I, D-Daniella Allison Montes, promise to love and cherish Marcus Montañez to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part." Deianne said, carefully.

After that, they exchange rings and other holy things that are part of the wedding ceremony.

Everything was just happening like a wind for Deianne. She couldn't focus on the ceremony because her mind was just blank. All she just understands is that the ceremony is about to end because she heard the officiator say, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Hearing that, Deianne's body started to get tense. She had no idea how intimate Marcus and her sister were, but one thing was for sure, she hadn't had any experience of kissing someone or being kissed by someone on the lips, as she had never had a boyfriend since birth.

Sensing how his wife was tense all over her body, Marcus gently smiled at the woman. He then carefully lifts the bridal veil. He waited for "Daniella" to look at him in the eyes before he grabbed her around her waist and slowly leant in to kiss her.

Deianne, left with no choice, chooses to close her eyes as her arms tighten around Marcus's nape. And before she knew it, soft lips touched hers in a gentle manner.

The kiss only lasted for a couple of seconds before Marcus decided to pull away. He once again smiled at his wife, then pulled her waist closer to him as they faced the crowd as husband and wife for the first time.

Somehow, she felt relieved, but not completely because of the pain she felt. How could she not? She's become a wife now, in just a snap. And it was against her free will.

Loud applause filled the entire church room as Deianne's heart and mind were filled with fears and doubts. 

*****

Deianne pulled her suitcase into her new house with Marcus. After the wedding and the after party, they both decided to go to their house.

"Daniella," said Marcus, who approached Deianne, who was carrying a large black suitcase. The man frowned strangely at his wife's puffy eyes. "Why do your eyes look puffy, hmm?" he asked her.

Deianne immediately looked down. No wonder her eyes were like that because she had just cried at the hotel's powder room right before they went home. Even her heart hurts more because now she is being called by her twin sister's name.

"Ah... it's nothing. I-I'm just probably tired." She replied, pulling her suitcase past Marcus, who was still waiting for her.

Not satisfied with his wife's answer, he pulled her hand gently. "Daniella," he called out before he carefully pulled his wife into his arms. Marcus hugged her tightly. 

On the other hand, Deianne, who was hugged, felt her heart beating fast, her blood flowing profusely and her hair was covered in goosebumps, giving rise to a cold tingling sensation.

"M-Marcus," she said with a trembling voice. Her fingers squeezed the man's tight white shirt. She didn't mean to return the hug, but wanted to let go of it.

"Why are you being like this?" Marcus couldn't help but ask, pulling away from his wife again to look at her in the eyes. "Why are you here? Didn't you say you were happy to marry me?" he added, "Didn't we promise to work this marriage together?" he asked again.

"It was not me who promised that." Deianne wanted to say, but she knew she couldn't.

"N-no. It's not that. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that, on the way here, I saw a girl who had lost her mother in the park. S-she was crying, and it affected me. Yeah, t-that's it." She obviously lied. Her fingers brushed her eyes, which were wet with tears.

"Really?" asked Marcus, releasing his arms and looking into his wife's obsidian eyes with his hands on Deianne's shoulders. 

Deianne nodded doubtfully. Marcus then tilted his head, spontaneously making her close her eyes. She could feel the breath from the man's nose hitting her philtrum. She knew what was going to happen.

And as expected, Marcus's lips really stuck to her lips. They were silent for a few minutes, with their lips pressed together. Deianne still couldn't think straight. Who knows? To be honest, now her heart rate is erratic. And she doesn't even understand herself, as she really enjoys the man's kiss.

Get a grip, Deianne; this is your sister's husband. Not yours.

After a few seconds, Marcus broke the kiss. Deianne, as if a reflex, looked down, embarrassed. Her chubby cheeks were as red as a ripe tomato.

"Different lip taste," Marcus thought as they parted and stared at his wife.

*****

Marcus opened the door to his room with "Daniella" slowly. The time is now eleven o'clock. He just came from buying a big can of vanilla ice cream that his wife ordered. "Daniella" insisted that he buy the ice cream first, as she really wanted to eat it. 

He smiled and found his wife, who was fast asleep, and at that time had her back turned on him. He slowly closed the door to their room and walked away, intending to put the ice cream in the kitchen—in the fridge—then back to their room.

Coming from the kitchen, he entered the room and closed the door. His smile quickly returned when he saw his wife's changed position, which was facing right where he was standing now. With slow footsteps, he walked to his side of the bed and laid down next to "Daniella," who was fast asleep. Marcus looked at the woman's calm face. He lets himself be enamored by his wife's beauty. He knew there was something different about "Daniella" now. The woman looks prettier, but she also seems a little timid.

When he got tired, he tried to close his eyes, but then he opened them again. For some reason, the figure in front of him made him addicted to staring at it for longer. There was a feeling of disappointment in his mind. This is their first night. It had been a long day for the both of them, but the long day made him a little disappointed. Maybe he really should just pass the beautiful night away. And maybe his wife was just exhausted. After all, they will have the rest of their lives together to do the things they want to do to each other.

"You look very beautiful today." He whispered, almost inaudibly. He then caressed his wife's chubby cheeks. It was strange for him since the last time she saw "Daniella", the woman still had sharp edges on her jaw. But maybe she's just gained weight. But still pretty, nonetheless.

Marcus kissed the top of his wife's head and repeated it three times. The calm and serene face in front of him really made him want to wake up just to watch her.

"Let's try to make this marriage a successful one. I promise to always be here for you." Marcus said before he kissed his wife's forehead once again. He then pulled her close to his chest, spooning her. He lets himself be lulled by the lavender scent that is coming from his wife.

*****