Chapter 09

After their long day, Hayley was still sulking at the other corner of their car. She was still mad from what Kenji did earlier and she didn't want to be touched. They were stuck in traffic, and it's even a long way home from the church they practiced at.

"I told you, it's just a practice. Don't tell me you didn't think we'd share a kiss after the priest announces, 'you may now kiss the bride'? You really think it's believable if I kiss you on the cheek?"

"I said don't talk to me, Ken doll. I'm really going to kill you!" she warns.

Kenji glances at her for a moment and back in front. Hayley looked like she was going to eat him alive so he'll let her be for a while. Earlier at lunch, his father had given him a ring to give Hayley. That was why he had not let go of her and they ended up in that cake shop. In the end, he couldn't give the damn diamond ring. 

An engagement ring that costs a lot is necessary for their family's name, for the guests to see. The ring in his pocket will please them all. If he gives it to Hayley, there's a fair chance that she would just sell it to some pawnshop after the marriage. 

"I'm going to be home late," Kenji uttered. He then grabs the handle and pushed the door open and then he steps out, walking away from the heavy traffic.

He has decided to return the engagement ring to his father. Well, it isn't of any use to him. Maybe for Hayley, she can sell it but he won't allow it to be sold just like that.

At the Maledict's mansion, Kenji made his way straight to his father's office. In front of his father's door, he knocked and announced his arrival. When his father, George, told him to come in, he turned the doorknob and enter the room.

"What brings you here late at night, son?" 

"I came to return this." He took the box out of his pocket and strides towards George's table, putting down the box. "Hayley is a simple woman. I don't think she will appreciate the big rock in this ring."

"That diamond is power, Kenji. Any woman would like to have such--"

"Not Hayley," he interrupts. "If we need an engagement ring, I'll buy her one. Something that fits her standard."

George puts down the folder he has been holding and brought his hands together, resting it above the folder. Then he gazes at Kenji with a poker face.

"What are you going to buy her? A corner store ring? Some junk food that has plastic rings as freebies? Do you think love can make those rings better? You two are not even in love."

"Yeah, we are not." He looks away, clenching his hand into a fist. "That's why that ring is unnecessary for both me and her. I'll provide our own ring since it's required with the church. I know Hayley won't care if it ain't made with diamond nor if it's fake."

Kenji threw George a cold stare before turning his back on him. Then he walks towards the door, reaching his hand for the doorknob and opening the door. But before he left he hears his dad uttered something once more. He only scoffed and finally stepped out, closing the door behind him.

"I shall send you out, young master," Carter told him. But Kenji was not in a good mood and he raised his hand stopping his personal butler from following him.

 Kenji went to their garage and he smirked. Aye, he forgot to bring two of his favorite car with him. It has been a long time since he last drove these cars and he knows they will only get old here in the garage.

"You won't mind having a new owner, yes?" He touched his blue car, plastering a smirk on his face. "It's time I drive you to your new taker."

Down to their last practice day and Hayley's nose is flaring, her brows knitted together as she waits for her groom to arrive. Two nights ago, Kenji just left her in the car saying he will be home late, and ever since that, he has not shown up. 

It should be good for her that he is showing signs of backing out but darn, what if she won't get the money because she is not married? It stresses her more! Tomorrow is her birthday, tomorrow is the damn wedding!

"It's okay, dear. I know my Kenji won't back out from this," Shelby assured her, taking Hayley's hand all of a sudden. "I'm sorry Kenji is like this."

"No. It's alright, Mrs. Maledict. I'm sure he just has somewhere to be. He did kind of told me last night that he has something to do, maybe a surprise," she lied, giggling nervously to Shelby. 

Honestly, she just wants to kill Kenji right now and if she sees him, oh she might hurl! Everyone thinks she's worried that her groom will back out. That's not her concern, it's the money! All she cares about is the money.

In the end, they could not contact Kenji at all so they started the practice without him. Then for the rest of the day, Hayley was dragged by her mothers to fit her heavy damn gown again. They were shedding tears, complimenting her as she walks out and show them. 

At the corner of the room, she walks towards the full mirror and smiles at herself. Indeed it kind of fit her and the gown was nice but she was not feeling it. Again she stares at herself and she saw her eyes starting to get flooded with tears. 

"Oh, don't cry dear! The wedding will be perfectly splendid! You are a wonderful bride!" Shelby told her. 

Cassandra also came to cup Hayley's face. Her mother was awed. "You look so beautiful!"

Hayley forced a smile, her tears falling down. Oh damn, she didn't want to cry but she didn't know she was going to be a bride this early. She was going to marry someone she does not love. Her daydreams of a marriage with her knight are crushed.

As she wipe her tears, she noticed her fingers were empty. It's sad, she's marrying and she does not even have a ring but at the same time, it made her feel relieved. At least they are not forcing a ring on her finger. It only means she is free. 

Back at Marie Swan's building after a tiring day, Hayley slouched entering and walking towards the elevator. Although they insisted on her staying at a hotel near the church, she insisted in going home. She came up with the excuse that there's no traffic in the morning and they can pick her up early.

Just when the elevator opens, she got out and walk to their unit. She enters the code and hears it unlock, pushing the door open.  At the sofa, she slumped herself, tossing her bag to the side and taking off her shoes. Then she groaned really loud expressing her frustration.

Some moments after, the door unlocked which made her raise her head, abruptly standing up when she sees Kenji. She marched towards him, her face furious and ready to kill him when he suddenly was down on one knee. It froze her, eyes widened at the sight of Kenji.

"What the hell?" she asked, brows knitted together while she stood there awkwardly staring at him. "Why are you--"

"Oh, shut up and hear me out!" he cuts her off, glaring at her. Kenji then took a deep breath and blew it out. He took something out of his pocket and revealed a box that he opened in front of her. The ring was white gold with diamonds carved. It looks like an untied string design and it's perfect for them. "I know this isn't necessary for me to go down on one knee--"

"Then don't! Stand the--"

"I said shut up and listen!" 

 Hayley looks away, her forehead creased. She doesn't understand why the hell he was doing this. Is he drunk or something? But when she looks at Kenji and sees him trying hard, her face softened. 

"Fine!"

"I know we aren't a thing but I know every bride would want their groom proposing to them. This isn't anything romantic and the ring I have isn't something you can sell in millions but it has worth and this is what I can afford," he said, looking at her eyes intensely. "I don't know if you like how this is designed but I think simple is elegant. And I know you like punching me so a damn big rock would only hurt me."

Hayley could not help but chuckle. He was right though, it will only hurt him and it serves as a knuckle brass. 

"I know you prefer things flat and simple and I think its design is perfect for us-- tied but untied. It symbolizes our soon married life. We marry for us to do whatever we want. I apologize for coming home late. And not like you have any other options but... Hayley Amber Grimroe, will you marry me?"

"It's supposed to be annoying," she sniffs, wiping the tears that run down her cheek on their own. She has been really stressing out lately and somehow this stupid Ken doll proposing to her right now out of the blue just took the burden away. Nodding slightly she answers, "Yes, I'll marry you Kenji Johan Maledict."

Kenji took her hand and slide the ring in her finger, both of them chuckling. Then he stood up, grabbing her hand and pulling her for an embrace.

"Just for tonight, let's not hate each other."

The very next morning, Hayley woke up to Kenji's sleeping face. For a moment, she was mesmerized by how peaceful he was sleeping. She moved her hand to reach his face but halfway she stopped when she saw the ring on her finger. That's when her eyes widened, gasping while pushing Kenji away and he fell off the sofa. 

"Ugh! Why the hell?" he groans, sitting up. 

Hayley blinked a couple of times. It's just the way Kenji touched his head with his messy hair looked different. He looked sexy.

"Yo!" he snapped which got her blinking. "What's wrong with you?"

She was about to answer when her phone rang. From the center table, she snatched it, swiping to answer. Then she hears her mother's loud voice, asking where they were. Oh, jerk! She promised she'd be early. Cassandra continues to scold her which left her no choice but to hang up.

"It's our freaking wedding day, Kenji!" she yells at him. "There will be traffic! We are so doomed!"

"We'll be alright," he yawned, getting up just to sit down beside her. He turns to her and gave her a smile. "Trust me, we'll get there in time."

"How?"

Kenji and Hayley went to the train station. This way, there will be no traffic and it would save them time. But train stations have too many people and so are trains full of passengers. They had to remain standing since there were no seats available. 

The funny thing was, Hayley was short and isn't able to reach the handles for standing passengers. Kenji kept chuckling about it while Hayley throws him a glare. 

"Don't worry, I got you. If it stops, I'll hold you."

"This is your fault! If we didn't drink a little we would not oversleep!"

"Grooms does not have a lot to do at weddings. You, my lovely bride, should have known your schedule for today."

"Whatever," she rolls her eyes at him, turning her back against Kenji. "Cassandra will kill me," she mumbles.

When they finally arrived, both of them hurried to get a taxi to get to the hotel where Hayley should have stayed for the night. As every minute passes, Kenji noticed how Hayley was getting restless, mumbling her mother will kill her. 

Out of pity, he took her hand and hold it, pressing it. Hayley then looks at him and their eyes are locked at each other before she looks away. It seems like Hayley forgot.

The moment they parked, Hayley pulled her hand from his hold and pushed the door open. But Kenji was quick to take her wrist.

"What?" she asked, her voice irritated and her glabella wrinkled. "What is it? I need to go!"

"You forgot something," he uttered.

"Huh?"

"Happy Birthday, Hayley."