The Billionaire's Booth Bride

Chasing Pretty Eyes

Five Years Ago

“Guys! She’s here! She’s here!”

My eyes widened when I overheard one of the student’s voices from where I was hiding. He must be from the Student’s Events Club. Today is Brook’s College Founding Anniversary so there are lots of events inside the campus. Parties and booths are set up for fundraising purposes.

Damn! Who paid to drag me to that wedding booth?

I was already hopeless while I was hiding there beneath our classroom door. My mind was already weaving plans about how I could get out of this room in case I got cornered.

“Where?”

I heard another voice asking.

I held my breath.

While other students intentionally bring themselves to the wedding booth. Lovers. Campus figures, here I am running away from that place. Why wouldn’t I? I’m sure they’re just chasing me to put me in shame. It is already expected that I’ll get a lot of audiences ridiculing me in there! And the next day, I’ll be in the headline in Brooks College.

Unbelievable! Ugly Duckling Getting Married with an unlucky guy!

I could just imagine the worst with all those bullies I have endured here at Brooks College.

They must not catch me! Or else I’ll die the next day!

So, when I noticed that the two students chasing me weren’t looking in my direction. I quickly sneaked out of the room and ran as fast as I could heading towards the wide quadrangle. I noticed some heads turning at me, wondering, and when they quickly realized what was going on, the students were already shouting, encouraging those who were chasing me. I felt more embarrassed. My only refuge now was to leave the school campus and so my eyes were directed at the exit path, determined to get away. But then, I was stopped by the guard when I reached there.

“Please…sir I’m in a hurry you see I don’t want to —”

I wasn’t able to finish my plea. I was shocked when he handcuffed me. The next thing I knew was the guard was already waving at those students who were chasing me. I frowned.

“I’m done!” I whispered.

And I was not wrong. I have got many audiences there in the wedding booth. They were there not to support me but to humiliate me. As soon as I stepped in, I heard the crowd booing.

“The ugly Addison is getting married!”

“Who’s the unlucky guy!”

“Who do you expect? But the ugly guy in Brooks too!”

And she heard all of them laughing.

Whoever has the idea of putting up this marriage booth she swears she wants to pick on that guy right now!

The crowd was wild and mean and I was expecting I’d be in more embarrassment when the groom arrived.

Perhaps they’ll still catch the worst, weird-looking guy on the campus to be paired with me. I think. But then, seconds later I was surprised when I noticed why the crowd got silenced.

Zayden Rhodes! He’s my groom?

I was paired with the guy whom they weren’t expecting.

“Let’s get this down to the bottom,” Zayden muttered seriously. I noticed he was not in a handcuff so I assumed that he must have come here willingly.

“The kiss the bride part…jump to that…finish this ceremony quick!”

I heard Zayden say.

What? Kiss the bride! What the—

And the audience was all dumbfounded.

I was frozen on my feet that the student club assistant needed to push me towards Zayden for that kissing part.

I lowered my gaze. I know I was blushing.

Is he going to kiss me for real? This is going to be my first kiss!

Zayden touched my chin lifting my head a bit.

“Remove those thick glasses, pretty eyes!”

I heard him whisper.

But I wasn’t moving. I was all too innocent for this! So, it was he who removed my glasses. Then, it was as if time had ticked in slow motion as his lips touched mine. It was quick. A smack but it felt like an eternity. I smell his scent as we draw closer. And even though he had finished the kiss, I still felt his soft lips on mine. The feeling, the senses still linger and I know I was blushing. That was my first kiss. And I know right from that moment he had taken my heart too.

“Okay now for the document signing!”

I heard the acting marriage officiator say. I was handed a ballpen and the marriage certificates to be signed. I was not myself. My mind was still in that kiss moment. I found myself just going through the motions and doing what they were asking. I signed. I saw Zayden’s gaze as I was signing. I sensed that there was something, but I just ignored it. What I wanted was to exit this marriage booth.

This wasn't a real marriage certificate anyway! I thought to myself. But I was mistaken.