She took a step higher and came face to face with...Those eyes... They weren't Merlione's. She had seen them so many times on TV and...King!He smiled at her.Her mouth fell open.*"Mr. King Johannson, do you take..."She almost laughed at the way the Priest whispered his name so the congregation wouldn't hear.She was sure if the others heard his name, the Church would erupt in chaos. His name was forbidden among the Fritzgetalds."Yes."She stifled her laughter again at his perfect imitation of Merlione's voice."Miss Bernadette Miley Yusuf, do you take...""Yes."As the others wondered why the microphone was having problems..."I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."She melted in King's arms and let him remind her of their love, once old but now reignited.★A day before...King paced restlessly in his bedroom, his eyes running aggressively through a document."No... no... no.."He hadn't realized how deep the trap Merlione had set for them. He had known all

"Merlione" She called drily, "there's no need to apologize because you got what you wanted. It's fine to have desires. We're married now. You're happy and you feel very great for getting it done, that's good, that's great. Please help me get the plate washed. It's part of a married man's duty." She smiled at the last word then walked out. She paused halfway."Since we're married now and you have nothing to fear, I'm free to contact whomever I like, right?"She didn't wait for his answer.*Merlione shrugged after she left, a pleased smile present on his handsome face. It would take a while, he thought, taking the used plate to the sink, but she would eventually come around. She couldn't possibly hate him for life. She'd grow to love him and then they'll have the most beautiful family. He whistled happily.Joan took the first car she saw and left the irritatingly gigantic house she now lived in. It took her a thirty minutes drive to get to Vincent's house and walking up to the door, sh

"Ok, but I'll like to remind you that until this case is resolved, you are still, as it is, married to Merlione Fritzgerald and it is holy that you remain faithful to your vows."She smiled, "Yes, Father."He rose. She did too."You don't mind if I pray for you?"*She returned to her current temporal house, as she chose to call it, after spending some time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. She put on her nicest dress, applied makeup which she seldomly did, wore her best heels, and styled her hair until she looked the part of a queen.She sat in the living room and waited for Merlione to return. Once he walked through the front door, she stood and made to walk past him. He grabbed unto her arm."Where are you going dressed like this?"★Merlione's mouth dropped open at the sight of Bernadette. She looked... beautiful was an understatement. He wasn't sure he had ever seen her dress so much. He snapped back to his senses as she walked past, her rosy perfume tickling his nostrils. He grab

She thought of going to see King but the memory of Vincent's cold face crossed out the thought. She visited Isla instead.*"Surprise, surprise." Isla's eyes were wide as she ushered her into her modest penthouse in the early afternoon of a Monday. The house was pretty small but comfy. A set of mismatched couches in the middle, an eating area to the right, a TV at the center, a few flowers in antique vases kept at strategic corners, and a treadmill close to a door she assumed led to the room."I checked you at work but I was told you wouldn't be at work for the rest of the week. Is there a problem?"Isla laughed, passing her a glass of water after she sat on one of the couches, "Must there be a problem?""No, but one doesn't just take a leave from work, do they?"Isla wrinkled her nose. She looked pretty. Her long red hair was now shoulder length and she looked very relaxed at home in pajama shorts and a too baggy T-shirt."Ok," She plopped down beside her and tucked her legs in, "I

She threw her phone aside with a satisfied smirk, "he asked for it. Imagine telling me to apologize after openly stating he didn't take it to heart. A hypocrite, that's what he is."Joan didn't know whether to laugh or cry."Yes, he said he doesn't mind but it is only normal for you to apologize when you do something wrong to show you are truly sorry.""Well, that should be my choice, not his." She stubbornly refused.Joan raised her hands and dropped them in resignation."Good riddance," Isla whispered.*"You were out all day."Were the first words she heard upon entering the house at about 7 pm."Yes. I'm home early. Is there a problem?" He was at the foot of the stairs. He looked sad and beaten but he was one hell of a good actor."Sorry," She changed tactics, putting on a smile, forcing ill feelings out of her heart, "good evening. How was your day?""It was trashy and boring without you," He replied in a monotone, "I went out to see my family when you left for Church and I got