To keep their marriage a secret

"Why would we be plotting against you? We are just having a lovely discussion about the future" Juliana replied but Xander didn't believe her. He knew his mother never ran out of tricks, who knows what she's telling their hosts.

"So, how was your talk?" Annabel asked curiously. She couldn't wait to know what they had both decided. 

Both Winter and Xander went back to their previous sit and joined the rest of them. "The talk was nice and we've decided to get married" Xander stated, looking at Winter who nodded. 

"Really? Seriously! You both are getting married?" 

"Yes, but it wouldn't be so fast. We need to go on at least three dates In order to get to know one another better. So, I propose the we make it a month from now on" Xander added, looking at Winter to see if there was any form of rejection in her expression, but there wasn't. 

Annabel and Juliana looked disappointed that the wedding wouldn't be soon, but they accepted it, after all, a month wasn't really that far. 

"Can I add something?" Winter asked and they all gave her a go ahead. She took in a deep breath because of what she was about to say, she glanced at Xander, nervously.

"Just say it, it's your marriage after all, so we'll do as you wish" Her father urged her. 

"Can we keep our marriage from the public for the time being?" She requested, which made everyone look at her in surprise.

Since her Mother didn't understand why she was saying so, she asked "And why is that?" 

"The fact that he's married can be revealed but can we keep the the person he's married to a secret?" She paused as she took a look at everyone then stopped on Xander, then she continued to explain why. "He's a public figure and I'm someone who dislikes public attention. If I'm revealed as the wife, my social life would be disrupted this early. But if we wait for some months before I'm revealed, maybe by then, I would already be prepared for it because now I'm not" 

"Okay, I got your point. But the means you both wouldn't be having a wedding" Juliana says as she thought about what they could do.

"Why not? We could just have a small wedding" Xander replied her with a shrug but his mother shook her head.

"Never, your wedding has to be the wedding of the century. I'm not allowing a small wedding for both of you" She had even started planning on how to rent the most expensive hotel in the country and here, he was talking about a small wedding? Not on her watch. 

"They could get their marriage certificate for now and have the wedding later, how about that?" Annabel suggested.

"That's what I thought about too. Everything is settled then" 

The discussion went for about an hour more before Juliana and Xander decided it was time to leave. The Lawsons followed them to the gate and watched as they got to their various cars.

"Remember your first date is in two days, you both should clear your schedule for that day" Juliana reminded them for the nth time and Xander had to shake his head at his Mother's behaviour.

"Good night and thanks for having us" Xander saluted then after his Mother had gotten into her own car.

"It's our pleasure, do visit from time to time" Annabel told him and he nodded with a smile. He was about getting into his car when he suddenly remembered something. Since Winter was still standing there, staring at him, it was easy for him to ask her.

"I just remember that I don't have your contact details yet" Winter's eyes widened at the realization that they don't have each other's contact details. 

"Good night then" He wished her before getting into his car. 

"Good night, Xan" though her reply wasn't audible. She smiled before going back into the house. 

*** 

"Wow!! That would be one of the biggest plot twist in your life" Tenley said as she hugged Winter's pillow close to her chest. 

She had been told last night by Summer what had happened and couldn't wait to hear the full story from her friend, so she had visited early in the morning because she couldn't hold back her curiousity. Fortunately, it was a Sunday and they didn't have to go to work, so they had the whole day to slack off.

"I still can't believe it happened. Imagine my shock when I opened the door and he was standing there in flesh. Someone who had always been in my imagination" Winter sat cross legged on the bed with her hands palming her cheeks, still in disbelief about what she had experienced the night before. 

She had woken up this morning, thinking it had all been a dream until Tenley arrived and started discussing the matter. Who knew one day, she was going to marry her longtime crush. 

"Let's say your loyalty to him paid off. So, you are gonna be the Boss lady of CJ, uhn?" Tenley wiggled her brows teasingly.

Winter smiled "Except Xavier is the Boss of CJ and not him" 

"Who cares who is the main boss, both brothers are the ones running the Empire. Win, I'll have to stick to you so good luck can find me too. I want the boss of an empire too" Tenley grinned which made Winter roll her eyes. 

"Enough of this discussion, I haven't completed my work and I have to submit it to Joycelyn early tomorrow" Winter climbed down the bed and went to the mini couch in her room. There was a table in front of it which she makes use of whenever she wanted to work. She grabbed her laptop in order to start working. 

"You are going to be the Boss lady, you don't need to work so hard anymore. If anyone bullies you, just tell your hubby" Tenley grinned. 

Winter shook her head at what Tenley said but still focusing on what she was doing "Then he'll get bored of me easily. Why would I be complaining to him when I can easily handle them? Is there really anyone who can bully me?"

Tenley thought about it and realised there wasn't anyone who would dare bully the witch. "True, with the way people stay clear of you, there's no one. But still, you shouldn't always act strong in front of your man, you should have to let him handle things for you once in a while" 

"I'll think about that"

The door suddenly opened and Annabel came in "Winnie, aren't you supposed to go shopping for your date tomorrow? Or are planning to wear one of those outdated dresses in your wardrobe to see your date?" She asked with her hands crossed over her chest, narrowing her eyes at her daughter's nonchalance. 

Winter Sighed "I have some dresses that are new and beautiful enough to pass for a date, though" She had gone shopping with Tenley about three weeks ago and there were dresses that were good enough to even attend a royal ball. 

Annabel raised a brow "Really?" She didn't believe her so she started walking towards her closet to check if she was telling the truth. 

 She skimmed through the dresses in the closet and finally found rows of dresses which were kept separately. 

"Oh, you were saying the truth"

"You should believe she's saying the truth this time, after all, she's having a date with her crush, she would definitely not want to embarrass herself in front of him" Tenley put in, walking towards Annabel, to check the dresses there. 

"And trust me, I'm going to make her the loveliest date ever" 

"I trust you, honey. I know you will understand the assignment"