All Chapters of Am I Married?: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"Let's have some fun tonight." Carol, my high school friend and my roommate speaks on call. "What's the occasion?" I hear myself asking. She sighs, "It's weekend, Sanaya." "You're right. I need a break too." I muse. She is asking me to hang out at some posh night club. She has the passes. I knew she won't take no for an answer. Whole week she blabbered about this club that how swanky that place is. I'm not curious, though. I agree to go there to freshen up my brains. Tossing my phone on my bed, I rush towards bathroom with my clothes. I change into short silk top with ankle-length, skin-tight pants. The top has some diamonds around the neckline. My attire is not posh like that place because I'm not a fashion person plus I don't have enough budget to buy pretty dresses for special occasions. I have kept few pairs for nights like today and normally I put them on without much grieving about my collection. I used to have complexes about my sense of style

Andrew gave me advance payment for the job. The salary he offered me is larger than the amount I used to earn through those part-times. I was right. Wealthy people keep their employees happy. I resigned from all the places in order to fully focus on my cooking. If I would make myself stay longer at Hobsons as their cook, my financial burdens will soon ease. With my savings and this new amount altogether, I'm able to pay my first college semester. It's confirm I'm going college this year. Hobsons saved me. Andrew told me that Katherine and his husband would see me in person soon. They want to meet me at the day of interview, but due to their upcoming big event, they both are occupied with a lot of work. Whatever, I don't mind. I'm nervous to see them in person. They are big people. A week later, I decide to visit my foster home and thank my teachers for raising me, especially Mother whose cooking lessons are now my source of income. I'm going to tell her about my

I search for some fresh clothes in my small wardrobe. Carol has invited me to join the discussion about our final exams at the library. All of her friends decided to study together so she also asked me to come over. The discussion is exam related so I should join them too. My eyes catch the silk blouse that was blemished by that suited-booted man. I take it out and stare the stain on it. The whole scene of that night replays in my head, bringing smile on my face. I didn't plan to go to that club again. We can't go there without passes and I can't afford to buy them. Disappointment wells up as I recall the blue-eyed man's lack of interest in me. Maybe I should change my style of clothing, get a new haircut and learn some good makeup techniques. Maybe my appearance is a problem. My phone rings. I throw my silk top back in the wardrobe and reach to my device. Caller is Ryan; my friend since my early days. "Hey, hi." "Hey, how are you doing?" He asks.

"Remember everything I told you. Follow my instructions. When lights go off at the Church, hide somewhere or runaway, okay?" Samara reminds me, while arranging heavy veil on my head. I barely nod. I'm almost ready in her wedding dress, ready to be at her place. She covers my face once she is done fixing the veil, "We both are trusting each other. I chose you to handle everything here so don't let anything bad happen. I'm trusting you, Sanaya. I hope you won't get caught." I'm still unable to form words from my mouth. My body, my muscles are jammed and my mind is no more working. It's blank like black screen. Samara is forcing me to be a part of her fraud. I'm still not willing, still not sure that I would come out of this situation safe and sound. She moves away from me, takes her purse from the bed and wishes me luck one last time and afterwards leaves the room, leaves me all alone. Hesitantly, I turn towards the mirror to see my reflection.

As soon as I come out of the car, lights of cameras begin flashing on my face, hurting my eyes. My bare arms tremble every time someone clicks my picture. A group of reporters encircle me and Samara's father. Some young girls come forward and help me straightening my dress. They spread my long dress behind me on the ground."Congratulations, Sam. You finally made it." One of the girls whispers in my ear, making my blood run cold.The other one giggles, "Your dress is beautiful."My heart leaps into my throat as I observe my surrounding. Sun is almost setting. The sky is showing orangish-red hues, slowly increasing the brightness of the lanterns and other fancy lights. Many posh cars are parked around the area – the kind of cars I had only seen on G****e images. Reporters around me are congratulating me and wishing me a good married life. There are other people as well who are not reporters, but might be Samara's acquaintances. They are smiling and waving their hands at me.