Fake Marriage, True Love

Chapter 9

Days came and went like flashes of a broken bulb. Nikolai was too busy with work that we never got to see each other, not even for a few seconds that it made me feel like I was not getting married at all.

What only made me happy during those times was the empty lunch boxes that came back to the mansion. It only meant that even if we were unable to see each other, at least, he was eating the lunches I made him. Somehow, that was enough to cheer me up so to keep myself from overthinking, I had the chef teach me more dishes to cook.

Before I knew it, the day of our wedding came. It was scheduled this afternoon so I woke up early to prepare for it. The mansion was in a state of chaos, but positive chaos so it was making me all nervous. I checked my phone while the make-up artist started working on me, yet… There was no call or text from Nikolai. A part of me started feeling that he might not come, but another said that he would definitely attend.

“Do you want to call your groom?” the make-up artist asked.

I shook my head because who knows? He might be doing something important this morning so I did not want to disturb him or anything. I just took some few deep breaths to calm myself and just went about my business that morning.

Wearing my off-shoulder wedding gown, I stared at myself in the mirror. It may have accentuated my curves and even showed off my shoulders, I did not feel too happy about it. I wanted a ball gown wedding dress that had veil reaching the floor, however, wearing such a kind of dress in a civil wedding felt out of place for me so I chose this one instead. Heaving a sigh, I started practicing my smile so as not to show any kind of negative emotion during this important event.

When noon struck, I got inside the car with my phone in hand still waiting for Nikolai’s call or text message. There was only an hour left before our wedding…

Out of worry, I pressed the call button and waited for him to answer my call. For a few seconds, all I could hear was the phone ringing. It was my first nerve wracking call that I had to clench my fist to stop shaking.

After severals rings, a huge relief showered upon me when my call was finally answered.

“N-Nikolai, I was just wondering if–”

“He is in an important case right now so I suggest that whatever you want to tell him can wait.”

The next thing I heard was the call being ended. I cannot be mistaken, that voice belonged to Cresia and just as I expected, he was busy at the moment. No, no, Calpyso. You are definitely not going to cry right now. You cannot cry!

I lifted my gaze up, hoping that it would stop myself from bawling out right there and then. Nikolai could not have possibly forgotten what day today was… That was just impossible… He must be trying to wrap up his work as soon as possible so he would be able to attend.

Convincing myself, I slapped both of my cheeks to keep my confidence and sanity together. Everything would be alright. After some time, we reached the city mayor’s office where the wedding would be held. My father and several of our relatives were already there. With the way they looked at me, it was clear that they were not pleased at all most probably because Nikolai was still not there.

“Is this seriously a wedding?” I heard one of them scoffed.

“How could it be wedding when there is no groom?” said another.

“He must have had backed out and found another woman since he came to his senses.” That was my female cousin, who had always been against everything I do.

“Maybe it is time for me to drag those bullsh*ts relatives of yours out of this place,” Jennifer, my only friend, said with gritted teeth.

She attempted to stand, but I stopped her. I did not want her to get involved in a fight before my wedding since that was not something she came here for.

Besides, today had been hectic. My nerves were so close to killing me because of anxiety and I may be holding onto my sanity, but hearing them say those words nonchalantly pushed me on the edge. I stood from my seat instead and faced my cousin, whose name I did not bother knowing, and slapped her right across the face in front of her mother. A gasp came from Jennifer.

“Ohhh… That must have felt so good. I want to do it, too,” she whispered, making me smirk.

“Calypso! How dare you?!” my aunt almost screamed in disbelief.

“Well, you should tell your daughter to be more careful of her words,” I replied while glaring back at her.

“You truly are still a brat!”

She was about to slap me back, however, someone held her wrist and managed to stop her from laying a finger on me. Our attention shifted to the newcomer and just as I had hoped, Nikolai did come… Though, he was still wearing his police uniform.

He seemed to be controlling his breathing, but it was obvious that he was almost out of breath. He must have had ran from work just to be here. That alone made me happy.

“Leave my wife alone,” he said with a condescending tone while looking down at my aunt, who was stunned while staring at him.

Even my cousin was speechless and for sure, she must be wishing that she was the bride today. I did not want her to stare at him too much so I stood between them.

“The groom is here so the wedding goes on,” I said before leaning close to my cousin, who was glaring at me now. “I bet you cannot find someone as handsome and cool as he is. Settle with that scammer boyfriend of yours so keep your eyes off of my husband before I snatch those eyes.”

Nikolai never said anything else and just intertwined his hand on mine before taking the lead inside the mayor’s office. I looked back at my cousin and aunt before sticking my tongue out, meaning this was my win.

The wedding then proceeded without any problems and the highlight of it wall was Nikolai stating his vow.

He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “I promise to be your honest and faithful husband for the rest of my days. I pledge to honor you, love you, and cherish you as my wife today, tomorrow, the day after that, and every day. Today I say, ‘I do’ but to me that means, ‘I will.’ I will take your hand and stand by your side in the good and the bad times. Take this ring as a reminder of this promise and for everyone to know that from this day on, I am yours.”

As he put the ring on my finger, I cannot help but tear up. His words and his sincerity felt too surreal that the fact that this was no marriage because of love slipped out of my mind. When the mayor announced that we were finally husband and wife, Nikolai pulled me close to him and sealed my lips with his. I was about to break away immediately since there were a lot of people watching, and not to mention, I could feel my father’s glare directed at me. However, Nikolai pulled me harder and bit on my lower lip first before letting me go.

W-Why?! Why was he acting so carefree?!

My face was definitely red by the time we faced the witnesses of our union. Jennifer was even giving me the looks while raising her eyebrows, teasing me so subtlely.

Right after the ceremony, Nikolai and I got into the car. I was expecting him to explain the reason why he was late, however, he never spoke and just kept his eyes on the road. I wanted to ask about the case he was working on since I was curious about it, however, his silence and his gestures were telling me that he was not in the mood to talk.

Moreover… He did not compliment my dress or my make-up, or how my hair was braided and arranged in a messy yet pretty bun. But then again, he was probably worried about work or he was not just impressed at all because—it all goes back to the main reason—he held no affection towards me. It was just me feeling all these sorts of emotions.

By the time we reached the mansion, our guests, which was all consisted of the relatives coming from my side, greeted us with a joyous welcome. Just as planned, the host held a program to keep the guests entertained while Nikolai and I sat at our table. I wasn’t really paying much attention around me since I could not take my eyes off of the ring that Nikolai gave to me. I did not expect him to buy another set of rings for us so I was just beyond ecstatic. It was a crossover diamond ring and what I really loved about it was the fact that it had the same aurora blue shade as my eyes.

Everything was going smoothly, but then, Nikolai received a phone call. I did not see who the caller was, but he immediately answered it before motioning me that I should stay put. I watched him leave the venue with a worried look on his face.

It was just now that I realized how Nikolai seemed too near yet so far from me. It just felt like he did not want to welcome me in his world, which was disappointing. Only then, Jennifer approached me and gave a tight hug.

She sat close to me and gave a light hit on my arm.

“You sneaky b*tch,” she teased. “You never told me that your groom was that police officer who got us imprisoned. Was it love at first sight? Huh, huh?”

I pursed my lips and nodded my head before we let out some muffled squeals while holding each other’s hands.

“You’re one lucky girl. Did you two do the deed already?” she whispered with sparkling eyes.

As a reply, I nodded once more before receiving another slap on the back from her. That was always her signature move everytime she was elated—hitting me.

“So… How was it? Was he wild or was he as gentle as he looks? Hmm?”

I blushes at those questions, but it seemed like Jennifer knew what that meant. She looked at me with wide eyes while covering her mouth as if my blush alone had told her the whole story.

“He’s wild, isn’t he?” She did not even let me answer. She chuckled and just added, “You’re so obvious, Calypso. Anyway, I want more details.”

This girl just would not let me off the hook. Anyway, I was too embarrassed to tell her everything so I decided to add another important detail that would help her complete the puzzle.

Leaning closer to her, I whispered in her ear, “He’s quite big.”

Jennifer squealed like a pig begging for its life to not be butchered that I had to cover her mouth before she interrupts the wedding program. She kept teasing me about it until she was called since it was time for her to perform a piano performance along with one of my other cousins who played the violin.

I looked around in the midst of their performance and there was still no sign of Nikolai. Since everyone’s attention was focused on the two performers, I decided to sneak out from my seat and walked towards the direction where Nikolai disappeared into.

I was sure he went to the corner where the back gate of the mansion was. Did he leave without saying anything? Looking around the premises, I indeed spotted him at the gates so I made my way there only to notice that he was not alone.

He was with Cresia… Again. And not only that, it looked like he just gave her a necklace.