Mark and I were getting married today__an arranged marriage. I see no love in his eyes but I guess it was too late to go back on this decision now. We are to be bound by the matrimonial words and a ring in less than ten minutes.
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I needed the money and his father was willing to give it. My mum was diagnosed with Leukemia and after selling off nearly everything we had for her treatment, we are close to being homeless now.
I have worked as his secretary for three years and I have not been able to gather the amount he was willing to offer for the arranged marriage. Either way, we were helping each other.
For his son, Mark Hover to take over the company, he needed to be with a wife. In the board’s words, without a wife, a duty to shoulder the company’s responsibility cannot be handed over to a person who isn’t capable of having a home. As crazy and unrelated as it sounds, it was a criterion to take over the company.
Now, we were standing before the church.
He glared intensely at me with no smile forthcoming, not even in the least side of the corner of his lips was a smile but his eyes breeding, I warned you but you never cared to listen!
There is no going back now.
"The lipstick doesn't suit you," he muttered but I didn't care to give a response, not even the type of look he wanted. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of mocking me.
The priest's voice echoed in my ears like I was away. Far, far away and could not be brought back unless I received a smile of reassurance, a smile that I wouldn't regret my decision, a smile that I could endure all these from Mark but I got none.
"In the name of God. Do you, Mark Hover, take Ciara Banks to be your 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 until you are parted by death?"
I waited for his response it did not come. I watched as he opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally mouthing the word.
"I do," he answered in all masculinity that I wasn't sure I had recognized in him before now or that I hadn't ever noticed.
I stared at him, I was lost in my thoughts and was brought back when I heard my mum silently call my name.
"Ciara, you should speak," she whispered. I could see the tears glistening in her eyes but the reason why I’m doing this is so she would never be sick again or at least, manage her sickness.
I voiced out the word but the sound wasn't heard. This caused the priest to repeat the vows.
"I... I do," I finally said.
As we exchanged the rings, it all felt so real but I was dawned with uncertainty, absorbed in doubt and nothing seemed to be genuine.
This doesn't feel right.
The priest then said aloud "You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your union and fill you both with his abundant love. I declare you two husband and wife. Now you may kiss the bride,"
My breath ceased. It suddenly became hard to swallow like I had choked on ice.
Kiss?
Hold on, I wasn't expecting that part.
At the moment, the full focus of everyone was on us including the cameras.
"I don't think we are comfortable..." I was interrupted when he pressed his lips against mine.
I heard a loud and several clicks of cameras capturing the kiss.
It wasn't long but it felt like it lasted for hours. It wasn't the best kiss. It was harsh. It was rough and it lacked affection. Not even a tad bit of emotion was put into it.
Most importantly, we kissed.
We kissed!
We kissed before the whole church and in the presence of the hungry paparazzi.
I stared dead at him like we were in the Wrestlemania ring.
Now, I am Mrs. Hover.
There was an after-party and the hall was filled with a lot of people. People I haven't ever crossed paths with or even thought I would.
Mark’s dad introduced me to a few of his friends and business associates earning a prestigious look from them.
I'd changed from the ball dress to a more comfortable one.
"Shouldn't Mrs. Hover be with her man at this moment?" I finally heard a familiar voice. It was my friend, Cassie. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Where the hell have you been?!" I instantly asked as I pulled her in for a tight hug.
"I was sorting things out for you. I also brought a few of your things," she explained.
"Let's get a more quiet place to sit. You have no idea how much I've missed you," we walked to the patio.
I checked through the things she had brought and saw an envelope.
"Where is your husband though? You shouldn't be spending the night with me. You should be in his arms right now," she said, pulling me up from the seat.
I followed her reluctantly to look for him but he wasn't around. Nowhere in sight.
Cassie’s phone rang and she excused herself to receive the call, leaving just me to my fate.
I walked up the stairs to the second floor which seemed a little less crowded. I walked by two doors, checking each empty room.
I walked to another door and was about to unlock it when I heard voices echoing out of the room. The voices were a bit unclear still, but it was enough to be heard. It was certainly Mark and a female speaking.
"How could you get married? I thought we were getting somewhere with our relationship. I know you want me back," I heard the female voice say.
“We are still together, Jessie. This marriage is just a facade to get the company. Nothing is real,”
“No one’s gonna believe it isn’t. You seem to love her,”
“We’re far from love, Jessie. My heart only belongs to you. My dad had to pull my weakest string to have me concede to this,”
“Which was?”
“I would be disowned. He would rather I have no inheritance than watch someone else take over the company,”
“What??” I gasped as I pushed the door open.
“You were everything the rumors said!” I yelled at him before rushing away.
“This is the end of the marriage!” I yelled.