Chapter 10

At the grand suite of the hotel, Hayley is being scolded while the make-up artist does her make-up. Although Cassandra is being loud, she could not hear her mother. All she thinks about was how she forgot it was her birthday, how her mother has not greeted her but Kenji did. The guy she dislike had remembered her birthday.

"Your makeup is all set, love. The hair will be done soon and you can change to your gown."

Hayley smiled at the artist and then reached for her phone. The first thing she saw on the screen was a text from Lucas and it immediately made her grin. Lucas never fails to greet her with a happy birthday. 

After she texted back with a thank you, Cassandra and the other staff told her to get changed to her wedding gown. The designer and his team had to help her. In order for it to be elegant, they need to assist her every time. Now she just hopes she doesn't trip over and be a laugh of the crowd.

 "Oh look at the time! We won't make it if we wait for another minute!" Cassandra yells, taking her hand. "We have to go, my flower! We don't want to keep your groom waiting!"

"Mother? Aren't you supposed to be at the church already?" 

"It can't be helped since you are late!"

Cassandra pulled her, making her hurry and walk outside. There were still assistants following her as they make their way to the bridal car, making sure the long part of the dress isn't folded wrong. 

And finally, when she's inside the bridal car, she could, at last, hear silence. She isn't happy nor too sad about this wedding. All she wants is for it to get done with so she can go home and be free again. 

"You don't seem too happy, milady."

Hayley looks up and saw her driver glancing in the rearview mirror. She flashes a smile at her driver.

"I'm just nervous. I think I'm going to stumble down the aisle."

"Oh, don't worry, milady. I am sure your groom will come and hold you."

My groom... she thought. It was considerate and thoughtful of Kenji to have proposed to her last night. She thought she would never hear a proposal but she did. It's even funny how it felt so right when she said yes. 

The moment finally came and they arrived in front of the church. A butler had opened the door for her and before she left, she thanked her driver for the company. Then she stepped out and a lot of assistance gathered to her. 

Her parents made their way to her. Her dad, Sam even complimented her as they ready everything for the grand entrance she was going to make. Once that door opened wide, she has to take steps forward. She had no bridesmaids, no maid of honor nor flower girls. Though they are traditionally there, she opted for nothing. 

Hayley does have a bunch of school friends but they are school friends and she will be transferring to another school. Sooner or later, they will forget her so she doesn't stay close to anybody but Lucas and the people from the orphanage.

"I'm sorry that you have to do this, my love."

She turned to her father who uttered those words and saw a smile on his face. It suddenly made her feel hate and she face front.

"I don't need a sorry, father. I should have known that I am going to be married off to somebody I do not have feelings for."

The water had easily made its way to swarm up Hayley's eyes. She cannot cry or else everybody will think she is beyond happy to get married. 

Then suddenly, the moment of truth came when the door opened. It's exactly then when a tear fell from her eyes and they started marching together with the music. This will end soon, she thought.

As she walk down the aisle, she only focused on the man waiting for her at the altar. Kenji's face was not so visible from her veil and tears but her gaze remained centered to him. When they reached the end, her father was about to lift her veil when she stopped and held his wrist.

"No, father. I would like for Kenji to do it after the ceremony," she whispers. 

It seems like her father understood and nodded. With red eyes from his tears, her father congratulated Kenji, telling Kenji to take care of her, and they exchanged some lovely words they both don't mean.

And finally, her parents left and Kenji took her hand, assisting her to the altar facing the priest. She could not help but cry silently, she didn't even care about what the priest has been saying.

"If you want, you can be a runaway bride," Kenji whispers to her. "You have to stop crying. I don't want an ugly wife in pictures."

Hayley's brows knitted together but she bet Kenji could barely see that. Oh, how she loves to kick Kenji off the alter and make people laugh at him. Imagining him stumbling some steps off the altar suddenly made her chuckle loud and she covers her mouth. But her laugh has let out. The damage has been done.

"I'm sorry, father," she utters, clearing her throat. She was beginning to stay serious when she feels Kenji's shoulder shaking. And when she looks at him, she saw that wide smile on his face.

"I will kill you later, Kenji," she mumbles. 

Everything was then quiet but after a while, Kenji had leaned towards her again, whispering some dumb stuff to her ear like at their practice. She swore she wasn't going to do it but she couldn't help and she turned slightly to her right and saw what Kenji meant when he said one of their guests look like a burrito in her gown and he was not wrong.

Like Kenji, she was shaking, whimpering while she keep her mouth close. When they look up, they saw the priest's eyes darted on them and they stopped, coughing softly in the same time.

"Did you not hear what I said? It's time for the exchanging of vows children!" 

"Oh!" They both said in chorus, standing up and faced each other. That's why the priest was eyeing them, the readings were done. They were supposed to stand up already. 

"Uhm... Who does the vows first?" Kenji asked, chuckling awkwardly. 

"You, young man,  will do the vow first," the priest said shaking his head in disappointment. "Are you two really serious about marrying each other?"

"Of course, father!" they answered in chorus.

"Well then, I am told you have your vows. Please state it after your I do's ." The priest gestured his hand for Kenji to say his vow. "Do you, Kenji Johan Maledict take Hayley Amber Grimroe, as your wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God's holy ordinance?"

"Uhm, I know I was supposed to have my speech ready but I think I said everything to you Hayley last night," he said looking at the crowds then back at Hayley whose eyes were darted at him. 

"You are supposed to just say I do!" she muttered.

 But Kenji plastered a smile and took her hand. Their eyes locked on each other and she could see the sincerity in his eyes. 

"I just want you to know that even though we have different plans and we are young, we can always find a home in each other. We fight more often than we agree on things but... let's stay together. Let's stay being each other's home," he stops and took the wedding ring from the bearer and slide it in her left ring finger. It has such plain design and three engraved stones. "I will, father."

"Well then," the priest turned to face Hayley who had her focus on Kenji. "Do you, Hayley Amber--"

"I do, father." Her sudden interruption had received gasps from the crowd and it also had Kenji's eyes round.

With the silence of the crowd, Hayley suddenly felt hot and she took the wedding ring with her sweaty hands. Hayley knows she should have let the priest finished but if she waited she's afraid she will forget what she's about to say. Reaching to take Kenji's hand, she slid the ring on his finger and look him in the eyes.

"I didn't prepare a speech. I'm quite nervous so I'm sorry father for interrupting," she glances at the priest who gestured to go on with her vow. "Kenji Johan Maledict, you are right. We fight almost every time, we ignore each other's businesses and you hate how I mess up the kitchen. We stand here in front of the altar to make a promise and so I will make one. I vow to thee Lord, even if sometimes we dislike each other, I will be your home and you will be mine."

The whole church was suddenly silent, even Kenji seemed stuck staring at her. Then he suddenly raised his hand and lift her veil and he touched her cheek, softly. They both knew that the ceremony has not ended yet and the priest was yet to announce them husband and wife but Kenji was looking at her wet eyes. Slowly, he brought his face closer and she was too mesmerized to look away.

When he got too close, Hayley had closed her eyes and she felt his lips on hers. She heard the crowd gasp, their giggles, and then the priest announcing them as husband and wife. 

But when she felt Kenji's lips started moving she could not help but kiss him back, trying to sync with him. His kiss was gentle but it was making her weak. Maybe Kenji noticed and he wrapped an arm around her bringing her closer and his other hand on her cheek. 

It was hard to stop and his tongue had begged entrance that she had given. Now his tongue plays inside her mouth. It was giving the damn butterflies that she could not control at all. It's scary but she loves how he tastes.

After the kiss, their forehead touched as they catch their breaths. They hear the crowds clapping but they were left staring at each other until it was time for photographs.

 In between the picture taking, Cassandra took the chance to whisper in Hayley's ear that the kiss was believable enough. Her mother also told her that she had taken care of the orphanage's property, that she had the land lists as the Grimroe's property.

"You promised the money, not the property," Hayley grunts, smiling every now and then for the picture.  Her happy mood has been shot down.

"It's the same thing honey. After all, when we die, it's all yours. We just need to make sure you stay married to dear Kenji."

Tears started filling Hayley's eyes and she looked up, biting her lower lip. Her mother had deceived her once again! Why does Cassandra have to ruin everything for her?

At the reception venue, Hayley was just looking at the happy guests, holding her glass of champagne.  Kenji was busy with the other part of their family. She is supposed to be with him but she had excused herself from the heels she wore. The party is almost over anyway. 

Just as she was about to excuse herself to the restroom, Cristy had approached her. She thought she was going to get teased because of that kiss she had with Kenji but Cristy's face tells otherwise.

"Is something the matter?" she asked.

"Milady, I'm afraid you should check your phone."

With Cristy's tone of voice, she immediately check her phone and her eyes widened upon seeing the screen. Full of missed calls and texts from Lucas. It got her shaking.

"I think your mother had let him know."

Wiping her tears rashly, Hayley storm out of the loud venue and went to the parking lot. There, she tried texting Lucas but he would not respond so she pressed the call button. It ranged but it gets rejected. She tries a couple of times until he finally picked up.

"Lucas, please hear--"

"You broke your promise, Hayley," he cuts her off. Hayley could feel how angry Lucas was. "You said you would not do anything like that! And I told you, you didn't have to save the orphanage nor me!"

"But I promised!" she cries, her voice breaking down. "When you calm down can we please talk? I didn't mean to keep it a secret. I-I just had to do it, Lucas. I'm not breaking my promise to you! I am still--"

"You are not! I don't want any help from you, Hayley. You fucking didn't have to marry a guy you don't love just for this damn orphanage and me! Damn it! I shouldn't have mentioned to you the study abroad!"

 "I love you, Lucas..." she sobs, holding her aching chest. "You're the only one I have that understands. Please, don't hate me."

"I could never hate you. But I don't want to talk to you right now. I might end up going there and kill them."

"That's something you should never do, Lucas! I will wait for you to cool down," she sniffs, catching her breath. "Let's talk it over."

The phone call just ended and Hayley is still clutching her chest. It still feels like her heart is being squeezed and her tears kept falling. She inhaled deeply and let it out then she turns around to go back. Once she did she froze and her eyes widened at the sight of Kenji in front of her. His features were clouded and his lips were pressed together, his rare gray eyes darted at her. 

"So, you do have a boyfriend."