0023

The early morning sun peeped from the horizon, casting its warm yellow hues over the quiet courthouse in downtown States. The lovely couple, Alex and Rosy, could feel the butterflies in their stomachs unwinding as they slowly paced towards the entrance, hand in hand.

Alex could hardly contain his excitement as today marked a momentous occasion in his life. Having fallen in love with Rosy during their university years and passing through different ordeal, he was eager to begin a new chapter with her as husband and wife.

The icing on the cake was that they had decided to hold a secret wedding ceremony in a quaint courthouse, adding a touch of aura of mystery to their love adventure. The air felt electric, surging with the anticipation that enveloped the couple. As Alex gazed into Rosy's eyes that sparkled a wondrous azure blue, he was reminded of the infinite depth of their love.

Rosy's eyes shone just as bright, reflecting the incredible happiness that filled her to the brim. As they exchanged a warm and knowing glance, the noteworthy of the moment struck them. This was it —the day they would become lifetime partners, unified by their love and unwavering passion for each other.

As Rosy stepped across the hall clad in a simple white gown, her breathtaking beauty utterly entrance Alex. Her sleek auburn curls framed her face and cascaded down her shoulders, while her lips were dotted with a faint, rosy brush.

Alex, who looked dapper in his crisp, immaculate suit, was an English gentleman personified. The pair made a dashing couple and their lives were about to become splendid intertwined. Rosy's best friend and yet faraway friend, Carmella , arrived promptly, wearing a flowering, soft lavender dress that fluttered in the gentle wind; she had come to bear witness to their marriage.

"You came, Ella." Rosy uttered with glints in her eye as they sparkled in gratitude for her friend. "You kept to your promise."

"Why won't I?" Carmella cited simply, wearing a smile that was wide enough to reach her eyes. "I have no reason not to attend my best friend's once in a lifetime union, you know."

Her arrival filled the couple's heart with immense gratitude as they knew amidst the secrecy of their spousal, they would have only one witness from among their loved ones.

Sadly, that morning, another place was left empty: that of Alex's mother. Being fervently against her son's relationship with Rosy, she had voiced her disapproval several times before whenever Alex tries to bring up the talk of the two of them getting married and had vowed never to witness such day if it ever come to pass.

"Don't you dare think you will get married to her someday because that day will surely not come —not sooner or someday..." Mrs. Williams' voice was adamant, ruling against Alex's persistent tone.

"But mom..."

She cut him off, probably because she only paused for a few moment. "—and if that day someday come to pass, I'll never honor your union with my presence." She had told him with a fearsome look.

Alex knows she mean every part of her words —holding a secret court marriage with out his mother's consent was never his wish to start with but he has to and also, the public shouldn't be aware either. If it's ever found out that he divorced Lisa to marry another, it might cause a chaos —not only to his mother only but to himself as the new owner of The Williams' company and other assets.

The heartache of her absence was enough to lingered with in Alex's heart, threatening to cast a shadow on this triumphant day. Shakily, he let a tear escaped his eyes, but as he felt Rosy's delicate hand on his shoulder, he braced himself to face the day with courage and determination.

"It'll all be over soon, Alex." He heard her soft whispered which was enough to strengthen his weak self, Alex could only give her a nod in reply as well as a warm smile.

The trio entered the court house and were led into the modest room where they would finally make their lifelong commitment official. They both couldn't wait any longer, most especially Rosy. The judge, an elderly and stoic man, managed, with quiet restraint, to convey a welcoming gentleness as he led them through the ceremony.

Glancing at each other, Alex and Rosy spoke their vows, their voices unwavering despite the raw emotion that coursed through their veins.

"I take you, Alex, to be my wedded husband. To have and hold from this day onward." She uttered, gazing directly into his eyes.

Alex said with a glint in his eyes. "I give you my troth, Rosy..."

The judge then proceeded to pronounced them as husband and wife, as they traded gleaming gold rings and their boundless love with a passionate kiss.

***

Outside the courthouse, the newlyweds emerged amidst a soft showering of rose petals, strewn by Carmella in a wonderful display of warmth and support. The smile on her face was unending as it was wide enough to reach her eyes.

The faint fragrance of roses filled the air, lifting the couple's spirits even more. In that moment, the world seemed to paused, as the two lovers surveyed their small ceremony with profound love and admiration for one another.

Eventually, reality beckoned, drawing them from their reverie as they rushed off to begin their new adventure together.

"Let's take a walk down the street, Rosy..." Alex proposed soon after Carmella left. "We can at least have a normal life and do simple things newly couples enjoy, I'm starting to forget how it feels to take a walk with you."

Smiling, she nodded curtly in reply. "I'll love to, Alex."

They stride through the streets of States, basking in the warm glow of their love, knowing that the rest of their lives lay waiting for them. That evening, the small party adjourned to lavish yet intimate dinner at an expensive suite. Toasting to their newfound union, a heady feeling of bliss overcame them as they raised their champagne flutes in tribute to the couple.

As the elegant crystal shimmered in the candlelight, Alex raised his voice, heart swelling with profound gratitude —the type that his heart could barely contain.

"To our beautiful future together, my dear wife..." He proclaimed, his eyes sparkling brightly with an untold emotion.

He was looking at her differently in admiration. The blazing stares and the not so melting glaciers that used to be in his eyes when he stare down at Lisa weren't there in his eyes anymore —in fact, they look like they were never in his eyes to start with.

"To our marvellous future ahead, my husband..." Rosy replied in reciprocation, a bright and joyous smile illuminated her face as Alex revelled in his newfound happiness, an exquisite sense of wholeness suffusing his spirit.

He knew they was no love powerful than the one they shared and that by making this bold, daring decision, they were truly embarking on a lifetime partnership.

Having overcoming the heavy burden of his mother's disapproval, Alex felt a newfound liberation through his union with Rosy. The boundless potential of their life together kindled a spark of hope and excitement in his soul as they traversed the dimly lit streets of London.

Hand in hand, they embraced the night with abandon, exhilarated by the journey they had embarked upon, as the constellation star above shimmered in agreement. Alex couldn't be more prouder...