"I do," I said begrudgingly, wishing all of it was just one long nightmare.
But alas, my wishes went unfulfilled. I mean the wedding certainly was a nightmare but unfortunately only in an emotional sense. Everything was very much real.
"You are now pronounced husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the pastor announced with a smile; his mood evidently opposite to mine.
The phrase always annoyed me; 'You may kiss the bride'. What if the bride didn't want to be kissed? I certainly didn't want to be. But then again the circumstances of my wedding (and now marriage) were different to other people's. The main contrasting factor being that I didn't want to get married in the first place.
But I guess woe is me.
I looked at my apparent husband, silently daring him to come closer to me. Daring him to try to kiss me. The consequences of such an act would be dire for him.
He moved closer to me but only pecked me on my cheek.
Perhaps he knew what would be best for him because if he tried anything else, I would not have hesitated to murder him even in the public eye.
Some people cheered at his gesture. Others "aw"ed.
I merely scowled; it was the friendliest I looked all day.
"Congratulations," each guest - some familiar, some not - said to us(the newlyweds). There was little variation in each congrats although to be fair I wasn't paying much attention to anyone.
The entire situation still seemed absolutely bizarre to me. I was officially a married woman. Not a particular happy married woman but a married woman nonetheless.
I didn't attempt to make eye contact with the despicable thing I now had to call my husband. Every time I saw him in his smirking glory I was reminded of the day everything changed.
May 7th at 9:02am
The day I was instructed to get married.
*Flashback*
The sweltering heat was getting to me. I had chosen the wrong day to go for a jog. I felt like I would pass out or melt from the sun's intense exposure. Which ever came first really. A sense of relief washed over me when my house came into view again.
I needed to a shower before I drowned in my own sweat.
I noticed an unfamiliar car in the driveway. I didn't consider it an important occurence but I was curious as to who was visiting.
"Eomma, where are you?" I called loudly as soon as I entered my house.
I found her sitting in the living room with my father and another man who looked to be the age of my parents.
"Soo Hyun honey, you're back. You must remember Mr Kim," she gestured to the man next to my father.
"No." I stated plainly resulting in my mother glaring at me for what some people called honesty but she called 'lack of manners'.
"Anywho, I'm going to shower before my odour causes me or somebody else to faint." The glare didn't leave my mother but a touch of shame was now added in the mix.
The man chuckled either at my behaviour or his own insanity. Who was I to judge?
"I knew she'd be perfect for him," Mr Kim said. I looked at him sceptically. I'd never been called perfect before so I knew immediately something was fishy.
"She's exactly what my son needs," he continued.
"Huh?" The word of confusion leaves my mouth.
"I guess everything is set then," my Dad said.
"Yes it is. I guess I should be leaving now. It was great meeting you dear," Mr Kim shook my father's hand before leaving.
"What's going on?"
"You're getting married to Mr Kim's son," Mom informed me and I burst out into uncontrolled laughter.
After having calmed down, I wiped away a tear that formed during my laughter.
"Great joke eomma. It's your turn dad."
"Soo Hyun, your mother is right. Your marriage has been set."
"Come on Dad, the joke isn't funny if it's repeated. Think of something else."
"We are not joking."
"What do you mean you're 'not joking'?" I asked finger quoting them.
"I can't get married, I'm still in university. And besides that, how can I marry a guy I don't even know?"
"I'm sorry honey but it's what's best for the family. The Kim's wanted to buy out your father's company and become majority shareholders. We couldn't let that happen. But you know your father is in debt so if this happens the company still belongs to your father but will eventually be passed on to the Kim's . It's a business deal everyone wins in."
"Everyone but me. This is my entire future you're putting on the line. You're going to marry me off to some stranger because it's profitable for the business?"
"He won't be a stranger. You'll meet him before the wedding."
"That obviously doesn't matter because clearly I'll still have to marry him."
"Honey it's the right thing for you to do. You can't let us down."
"Oh no. It would be absoultely sinful to let my parents down but they can ruin my life all they want," I hoped my sarcasm was evident.
"We're not ruining your life. Mr Kim's son is a great match. He's taking charge of the business now. He's rich and very handsome."
"Mother, he can be the sexiest man alive but how can I marry someone I don't love or trust or even know?"
"Soo Hyun, your father and I have done so much for you. This is the least you can do for us."
"I don't know if you're forgetting this one simple fact but I didn't ask to be born so you can't pull that card on me."
"If you have no care for the business that's fine but at least think about your father's health." My gaze softened at the mention of my father's deteriorating health.
"He's not in a position to be working as hard as he used to. Neither is the stress of all of this good for him. Please Soo Hyun, do this for us. We're sorry."
"I wish you'd atleast asked me first," I sighed.
"When is the wedding?" I asked accepting defeat in the matter.
"In a month."
*end of Flashback*
My mother was right. I did meet the supposed groom before the wedding. But only once. And from that first meeting I decided that I had a seething hatred for the handsome man, Kim Taehyung . Not only because he agreed to the marriage but also because he was a pompous and arrogant asshole.
"Congratulations," the word came again from another guest.
I was tempted to snap and say: What are congratulating me for? My own ruination?
I chose to bite my tongue and politely smile instead. It was the safer choice. After all my parents and in laws were watching.
"Stop looking so pained. It's supposed to be a joyful day for you. I mean you got to marry me and save your father's business all on one day. So smile; whether it's fake or real, I don't care. Just do it," Taehyung whispered in my ear, making the scene itself look intimate to the guests but only we knew what his words were.
"I am pained, Mr hot shot. But I'll try my best to fake my happiness for the rest of my life." I whispered back sarcastically.
"That's all I'm asking for."
I took in a deep breath and reminded myself that I would not look good in prison. That was momentarily enough to make me calm down.
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New arranged marriage ff. I hope you like it.
Please tell me your views. I will probably unpublish it soon so I can work on it.
I'll republish it when I have more chapters.