The Wedding

It had been days since Marianne didn't hear from Nate and Felix. She thought that they give up on her and finally setting her free. 

"Finally! I'm free!" she shouted with joy as she strecthed her arms. 

"What happened? You seemed happy," Ethel narrowed her eyes while looking at her, but Marianne just give her a wide smile. 

Marianne maintained her broad smile and replied, "I haven't heard from Nate and Felix in days. I thought they'd given up on this whole charade and finally released me from this 'Bride for Rent' nonsense."

Ethel's eyes widened in realization, and she chuckled, "You think they've given up? Are you sure that he's just gonna give up after what he had done to save you and your mother?"

Marianne's smile wavered as she considered Ethel's words. She hadn't thought about the lengths Felix had gone to help her with her mother's medical bills. She started to feel a pang of guilt for jumping to conclusions too soon.

As they were about to go enter the house, a luxurious car parked in front of them, causing Marianne's eyes to widen when she saw Felix and Nate went out.

Marianne's hopeful expression transformed into one of surprise and slight panic as she saw Felix and Nate stepping out of the luxurious car. Her heart raced as she realized that they hadn't given up on their arrangement after all.

Ethel raised an eyebrow and gave Marianne a knowing look. "Looks like they're not done with you yet," she remarked.

Marianne's heart raced as Felix and Nate appeared before her, shattering her momentary hope of freedom. Ethel's knowing look stung her conscience, reminding her of the sacrifices Felix had made to help her and her mother. She took a deep breath and nodded, trying to maintain her composure.

Felix's serious demeanor left no room for questions. "We need to go," he stated firmly.

"Where are we going?" Marianne inquired, anxiety creeping into her voice.

Nate chimed in, "It's something important. We can't discuss it here."

Marianne exchanged a worried glance with Ethel, who simply nodded, indicating that she should go with them. With a reluctant sigh, she followed Felix and Nate to the awaiting car.

Inside the car, Marianne looked at them and rolled her eyes, "Where are we going? What are you doing? You just can't take me anywhere."

"I can," Felix stated. 

"Why?"

"Because you're my wife," as soon as she heard that word, she fell silent. Marianne's eyes widened at Felix's declaration. She had gotten used to the idea of being a "Bride for Rent" on paper, but hearing him refer to her as his wife took her by surprise. She sat in stunned silence, her mind racing to process this unexpected turn of events.

Nate tried to ease the tension in the car, saying, "Look, Marianne, we didn't come to make your life difficult. We need to discuss something important with you, and it couldn't wait. You two should get married now!"

Marianne's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She had never expected this sudden twist. The thought of marrying Felix on paper was one thing, but the reality of becoming his wife, even if only in name, was an entirely different situation.

"But... why now?" Marianne finally managed to ask, her voice shaky with uncertainty.

Felix sighed, his eyes showing a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "Marianne, there's a lot at stake here, and I can't afford to lose any more time. This marriage, even if it's just for show, will help us achieve what we need to."

Nate added, "We've been through a lot to make this happen, and it's the only way to secure what's important to both of us."

Marianne looked at both of them and sighed, "Alright. Let's do it."

Later that day, Marianne gazed at herself in the mirror, the stunning wedding dress emphasizing her beauty. It was a dress she had never imagined herself wearing, but circumstances had taken her on this unexpected journey. She couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions, from nervousness to a strange sense of curiosity about what this day might bring.

As Marianne took a deep breath, she wondered how her mother would react if she knew the lengths to which her daughter had gone to secure her medical treatment. Would she be proud or worried? Marianne wished she could talk to her mother about it, but that option was no longer available. 

She was still inside the dressing room when Nate went in. As he looks at her, he was stunned as he saw another woman standing in front of him. A gorgeous woman-wearing a wedding dress. 

Nate stood there, momentarily captivated by Marianne's transformation in the stunning wedding dress. He had never seen her look so radiant and beautiful. The soft lighting in the dressing room enhanced her features, and she radiated an air of elegance and grace that was entirely different from the woman he had come to know.

Marianne felt a bit self-conscious under Nate's intense gaze. She fidgeted with the lace on her dress and asked, "Do I look okay? I mean, is this dress too much?"

Nate snapped out of his trance and quickly composed himself. "You look absolutely breathtaking," he admitted, genuinely impressed.

Marianne's cheeks flushed with a faint blush at Nate's compliment. She hadn't expected such a reaction from him, and it was slightly unnerving. "Thank you, Nate. I appreciate your kind words," she replied with a shy smile.

"Are you ready?" he asked, and Marianne nodded her head with a deep breath. 

Marianne took a final look at herself in the mirror, adjusting her veil and taking another deep breath. She was about to become Felix's wife, at least in name, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety.

As they left the dressing room, Marianne walked down the aisle towards Felix, her heart pounding in her chest. The anticipation and the weight of the moment bore down on her as she took each step. As she drew closer, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Felix, who stood there in his impeccable suit, his expression a mix of seriousness and determination.

The atmosphere in the room was charged with emotion, and the guests watched in anticipation. This was not a typical wedding. It was a secret marriage, born out of necessity, and Marianne couldn't help but wonder how it would change the course of her life.

As she reached the altar and stood beside Felix, she stole another glance at him. His eyes met hers, and in that moment, she could see a hint of vulnerability that he had rarely shown. It made her realize that this marriage meant something to him beyond their initial arrangement.

The officiant began the ceremony, and the words about commitment and unity washed over Marianne. She tried to focus on the ceremony itself, but her mind kept drifting back to the events that had led her to this moment. Felix's solemn vows and her own echoed in the small, intimate room.

"I promise to support you and your family, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live," Felix said, his voice steady and unwavering. Marianne repeated the vows, the gravity of their situation settling in with each word.

As they exchanged rings, Marianne's gaze met Felix's as he slid the ring onto her finger, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. She knew that it was just an act. An arrangement that both of them agreed on to get what they really want. 

"I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife," the officiant stated, "You may now kiss your bride," he continued. 

As the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Marianne couldn't help but feel a surge of mixed emotions. This secret marriage was nothing like the fairy tales she had imagined as a child, yet here she stood, bound to Felix for a purpose far more significant than any romantic notion.

Their exchange of vows had been solemn, and now, it was time for their first kiss as husband and wife. Marianne's heart raced as she met Felix's intense gaze, a myriad of thoughts and feelings swirling within her. She had expected a simple, symbolic peck, but Felix surprised her.

With a sudden, confident motion, Felix drew her closer, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. Marianne's breath caught in her throat as their lips met. It was a kiss that started with an air of formality but quickly deepened into something more.

Marianne felt a flutter in her stomach as Felix's lips pressed against hers, gentle yet insistent. His kiss was warm and filled with a quiet intensity that left her momentarily breathless. For a moment, they were caught in a world of their own, despite the guests and the circumstances that had brought them here.

As the kiss continued, Marianne's initial resistance gave way to a surprising sense of surrender. She felt herself melting into the moment, letting go of the skepticism and apprehension that had clouded her thoughts.

"Am I falling for this man? No, this can't be!"