Prologue

Prologue

"Miss Zette, wake up. The people who will prepare you will be here soon," our housemaid knocked, waking me up to convey the message.

Reluctantly, I rose to take a shower. As I entered the bathroom, my reflection in the mirror revealed smudged makeup from crying the night before.

I'm marrying a man I don't know? What the heck?! I could've accepted it if I at least knew him before the wedding, perhaps even had a single date. But no! It's been a year since I met that jerk. And now? I'm going to marry him.

**

"Dear, get ready for dinner. Wear this dress. We have guests," Mommy said as she entered my room, holding a pink, sparkling dress. I nodded before she left.

I was reviewing for tomorrow's exam. It's our finals, graduation is nearing, and I'm afraid of failing. If it happens, Mommy and Daddy will be furious. Especially if I lose my place in the honors.

At around 6 PM, I changed and headed downstairs. I looked at myself in the mirror before descending the stairs. The living room was empty; they must be in the dining area. As I was about to go there, I heard a 'psst.' I looked around, but there was no one.

I continued walking, and the sound came again. This time, he showed up.

"Who are you?!" I asked in surprise as a man, a few years older than me, appeared. He was tall, with a sturdy build, fair-skinned, and handsome. He just smiled at me and approached, so I took a step back, but it seemed there was a wall behind me. He cornered me.

"I'm the son of your father's visitor," he whispered before turning away. It was only then that I could breathe properly. It felt like I couldn't breathe when he was close. I sighed in relief when he left.

**

That's why I hate that jerk!

"How old are you, Miss? You seem too young to get married," one of the ladies doing my hair asked. I saw her nudging her talkative friend who was busy with the makeup.

"Miss, please ignore my very talkative friend here," the makeup artist apologized to me. I didn't respond, not even a nod.

"Why? What's wrong with my question? Nothing at all. She's just like that," the seemingly innocent one replied. I just rolled my eyes in frustration while they continued to argue.

"Miss, you're done. You look beautiful. The groom is handsome too. You two match perfectly. I'm sure your children will be gorgeous," she cheerfully commented. Meanwhile, I remained silent, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I can't believe it. At the age of 22, I'm getting married.

"Miss, how old are you?" she asked again, and I replied briefly, "22."

This is not me at all. This wedding changed me a lot.

"Are you marrying your long-time boyfriend, Miss? How long have you been together? Since high school? You're so strong, and that's probably why you want to get married quickly because you both love each other so much," she continued, and I shivered at her words. Why is she so talkative? Doesn't she know the word 'privacy'? Tss.

"That's enough. It's over. Let's go gather our things," the makeup artist interrupted the silence. I breathed a sigh of relief at her intervention. She left me, abandoning her chatty friend.

"Why? I was just asking the bride. Tss. You're always against me," she complained to her friend.

"Don't be noisy!" her friend retorted.

"I just want to know! What's wrong with that?!" she snapped back.

I didn't know if she was genuinely innocent or just insensitive.

"Psh! Are you familiar with arranged marriage? Maybe now you know," the makeup artist finally said, seemingly fed up with her friend's annoying behavior.

Because of what I heard, it seemed like they were rubbing it in my face that I was getting married because of an agreement.

The entire room was filled with silence. Not a single soul dared to speak, even the hair stylist, who looked at me with pity.

A twinge in my chest made me uncomfortable. I didn't want to be pitied for my situation. Throughout my life, many people had pitied me, even my friends. My whole life, I've been obedient to my parents, never once defying them. I worked hard to become an honor student to make them proud, but it wasn't enough because they changed almost everything about me. From my actions to my hobbies and favorites, they dictated what I should like and how I should behave. Because I'm a girl, I should act according to my gender. I'm fed up. I'm fed up with their actions, but because I love them, here I am, doing what they want, even if it goes against my will.

As the two large doors opened, it was the moment everyone in the church had been waiting for—the entrance of the bride to join the groom who awaited.

But wait. It seems that all things have limits. Everyone has a breaking point. That's why...

"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad. I can't do it," I immediately pulled away from their embrace and ran out of the church.

I no longer cared if many people witnessed my escape.

"OMG! What is she doing? This is a disgrace to their family," I overheard one of the guests say. But that didn't stop me from running.

All I want now is to run away. To go to a place where no one knows me and be alone.

I know this is a big embarrassment, but I can't bear to be pitied for my situation. I've had enough of feeling pitied throughout my life.

I stopped running when a car honked at me. It's Kyle!

"What are you waiting for? A red carpet? Get in!" he grumpily greeted me. Without hesitation, I hopped into his car.

I need her now. I'm thankful for having her.

"Sorry if I'm late for your wedding. But I'm thankful because I wouldn't gain anything if I were on time since you're apparently a runaway bride. Haha, my tardiness still worked out perfectly because I saw you running like a fool in a wedding gown. Haha. You still look beautiful even as a runaway bride," he rambled on, thoroughly amused by my actions. I responded with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, bestie," I expressed my gratitude.

"It's you! I love you, after all. Haha. But I really couldn't imagine you doing this. You didn't say anything to me. So, was it planned? Or was it unexpected?" he asked in disbelief at what I had done. I just laughed at his question. Even I don't know how I managed to do this.

"Do you believe in signs? Well, I don't. So yesterday, I prayed to God. I said, 'Lord, I don't believe in signs, but here I am asking for one. Please give me a sign if I'm going to do this wedding.' I prepared everything I needed just in case. So this morning, the makeup artist and the hair stylist argued about why I was getting married so early, and that's when it started. I realized something and now I ran. I think that was the sign. Pity the hair stylist because because of her, I realized something I never did before," I said with a wide grin as I shared my story. I could see the joy in his face.

"Haha, so you mean you realized because of that stylist. While I, who constantly tells you things, didn't make you realize anything? What? Is this some kind of planned event? Or is it truly unexpected?" he sarcastically replied. I just chuckled at his bitterness.

"Of course, it's a different person. Don't be jealous. Besides, you never made me realize anything. It's always about guys you want me to consider because I'm 'old enough to be courted.' I don't need my parents' approval because I'm an adult, not a baby. Poor Markuz has been waiting for you for so long, and you just ignore him because your parents don't like him. Can't you see the difference? So, don't be jealous, okay? I love you," I playfully teased him. We continued to laugh on our way to the hotel where I booked a room and had my suitcase delivered.

I'm grateful to have a best friend like her. A best friend who is always there for me, no matter what happens.