Bounded Together

"I'm going to marry a billionaire like in all those books I read where the super-rich guy falls in love with a poor chick who may not have much in the way of money but is wealthy in vivacity and sprightliness and is really into bondage?" Anna thought, but here the guy didn’t fall in love with her. He didn’t even want to listen to anything related to the word love. Here the guy is so cold that every time she looks at him, she shivered. It always feels like his feline gaze is analyzing her every move.

The sound of the violin echoed throughout the church and sounded so lovely that all the guests were eager for the ceremony to begin. The groom and groomsmen were the first to enter the church, followed by the bridesmaids. Then, a man in a black tuxedo, his hand focused on playing the violin, slowly entered the aisle as he escorted the bride, who was walking towards the aisle with her hand linked to her father’s arm.

This may be a lovely scene for the guest, but it is not for Anna. She wished time would stop ticking so she could wake up from this nightmare. This, regrettably, is not a dream; the man standing in front of the altar will be her husband in a matter of minutes. That cruel man shows no emotion and stands there like an iceberg. Anna and her father eventually arrived at the altar, no matter how slowly she tried to walk.

Paul Rae cast a thoughtful look at Ibrahim. "She is my daughter, whom I raised with love. Even if you don't love her, please protect and treasure her as we did. If you decide you no longer want her, don't dump her instead, send her back to me because I'll always be there for her." said Paul, his heart pounded in his chest as he give Anna's hand to Ibrahim. 

Anna felt compelled to cry again for a brief moment, but she fought the urge to do so. She, too, was taken aback when she noticed Ibrahim's face was etched with a smile. When she saw his smile, her heart nearly burst. "You can count on me, Mr. Rae," Ibrahim assured him.

The wedding ceremony has officially begun. The priest began the ceremony with a prayer, and then it was time for the couple to say their vows. Anna's heart is racing so hard right now. She is extremely nervous. What person wouldn't be? The man next to her is listed as one of the country's young billionaires. Every girl may be vying for her position right now, unaware of how dangerous this young billionaire could be.

"Welcome, dear ones. We have gathered here to celebrate the marriage of Ibrahim Saunders and Anna Rae. Please repeat after me, Ibrahim." The priest made a request.

Ibrahim took a step closer to her and lifted her veil. He was so captured with her natural beauty for a split second that he was stunned. He quickly regained his composure and took a deep breath before saying his vows. He reached for her hand with his right hand while holding the microphone in his left. He began to say his vows.

"I, Ibrahim Saunders, take you as my wife, Anna Rae. I promise to love you unconditionally, to laugh with you when you're happy, to cry with you when you're sad, to guide you when you ask for help, and to challenge you to be a better person. I promise to cherish you forever, to honor and sustain you in sickness and health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death separates us." He said so confidently that for a moment, this wedding really feels real. "From now on, you will not walk alone. My heart will always be your safe haven, and my arms will always be your refuge." He added, his hand still tightly gripping hers. This man knows how to put on a good show.

Anna couldn't help but look moved. His vows are so lovely. Too exquisite until she remembers it's all a show. He wasn't saying all this through his heart. It's all a part of a show. Ibrahim's gaze was so deep in her eyes, for a moment, she felt lost in it.

"Anna, please repeat after me." The priest requested to the bride.

Anna took the microphone and gripped it tightly with her trembling hands. She began to say her vows. "I, Anna Rae, took you, Ibrahim Saunders, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do us part." She finally uttered her vows. After the vows, they exchanged the rings.

"Now that Ibrahim Saunders and Anna Rae have made solemn vows to each other, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce them husband and wife." The priest declared, and a loud handclap followed.

The priest concludes the ceremony with a prayer and blessing for the couple. The priest's final sentence nearly caused Anna's jaw to drop to the floor.

"Ibrahim and Anna Saunders, having witnessed your love vows to one another, it is my pleasure to present you as husband and wife to all gathered here. You may kiss the bride."

What? A kiss?

Anna was startled when a soft yet wet surface touched her lips. She was speechless for a while because she didn't know what to say. She can tell his lips are moist because it tasted so chewy. She would have dropped to her knees if he hadn't supported her by circling his large arms around her waist, as her body was jellied by his kiss. His other hand is grabbing her nape in anticipation for a deeper kiss. He was aware that this girl was taken aback by the unexpected kiss, but he felt obligated to put on a good show additionally, her captivating lips look so alluring that he has no idea why it felt so good just by kissing her. He didn't even give her a chance to defend herself before attacking her with his tongue. He quickly broke the kiss before he embarrassed himself more.

Meanwhile, Anna is still perplexed by the kiss. A loud hand clap and cheer rang out throughout the church. Ibrahim and Anna both tried their hardest to smile. But neither of them realized that when this party ended, a new beginning awaited them to play with their fate.