CHAPTER 3

                           LEO

"Enough with the nagging phone calls!"

My mother just couldn't leave me alone about being late to my own wedding. But hey, I had no choice but to go through with it. Clara, the woman my mother had picked out for me, was waiting in the church, ready to become my wife.

Now, I wasn't thrilled about marrying Clara. There were no sparks, no chemistry. So, in frustration, I grabbed my coat and bolted out of the house. No need for a best man, I thought. I hopped in my car and hit the road.

As I drove down the highway, something caught my eye. It was a young lady in a wedding dress, waving her hands frantically. Why on earth was a bride stranded by the roadside? I couldn't just leave her there, so I pulled over.

She sprinted towards me, struggling with her dress, and begged me for help. I was speechless, just staring at her in awe. She pleaded, tears streaming down her face, to get away from there. Without waiting for my response, she hopped into the car, urging me to drive.

I was taken aback by her boldness. "Who do you think you are, barging into my car like this?" I snapped at her, causing her to flinch.

She apologized, desperately asking me to take her away, promising not to bother me anymore. I looked at her, her heart pounding visible, and decided to start the car and drive off.

I was supposed to be at my wedding, but I couldn't bring myself to care. The guests could wait. I drove deep into town and parked the car. She let out a sigh of relief, grateful for our escape.

"Thank you," she said, attempting to hold my hands. 

"That's not necessary," I pushed her hands away. She nodded, ready to leave, but I stopped her.

"Why did you run away? I'm curious," I asked.

She leaned back, gripping her hands tightly, and explained how she had been forced into marrying an old man. I didn't understand all the details, but an idea formed in my mind.

"I'll help you," I offered, and a bright smile lit up her face.

"But on one condition."

"What condition?" she asked.

I started the car and began driving, keeping her in suspense. We arrived at one of my father's houses in town. She looked out the window, trying to figure out where we were.

"What is this place?" she asked.

I got out of the car, and she followed me like a lost sheep into the house.

"What are we doing here?"

"This is my house. You can stay here for a few days. But, as I said, I have a condition."

She was eager to know what my condition was.

"I was on my way to my wedding, but you just ruined it," I explained.

Her mouth dropped open, and she covered it with her hands.

"I... I'm sorry. You should have told me," she said, genuine concern in her voice.

"Well, I'm not going to the wedding anyway. I'm a runaway groom now, just like you," I confessed, causing her to burst into laughter.

"So, my condition is, you're going to pretend to be my wife. We'll take pictures together in our wedding attire and send them to our families."

"What?!" she almost lost her balance.

"Well, unless you want to end up with the old man," I teased.

She had no choice but to accept. I always carried a camera with me, so I fetched it from the car. We took countless pictures together in our wedding attire.

My phone kept ringing with calls from Clara, but I couldn't be bothered. I turned it off and ignored the wedding. Tomorrow, I would break the news to my family about my marriage to this stranger, and finally be free from my mother's meddling.

In the evening, I turned on my phone, thinking there would be no more calls. But, to my surprise, Clara's name popped up on the screen. I ignored it the first few times, but she just wouldn't give up.

I answered the call but remained silent.

"Leo, what happened to you? Where have you been?" Clara's voice came through calmly, but I knew it wouldn't last.

"The wedding didn't work out, Clara. Just move on," I told her, bracing myself for her reaction.

As expected, she exploded with anger, yelling at me over the phone. That was the Clara I knew.

She let out a sarcastic laugh that could've blown out my eardrums. "That's not going to happen, Leo, you..."

I hung up, turned off my phone again, and tossed it on the table. As I leaned back in my chair, trying to relax, Sarah appeared, still in her wedding dress.

"I need a change of clothes," she said.

I gave her an indifferent stare. "This isn't a boutique, and it sure isn't your house," I retorted, turning away.

"I saw some..." she tried to explain, but I cut her off.

"Figure it out yourself. I'm not your husband," I snapped, storming out of the room.