Chapter 5

Alice looked down shyly. In front of her, Hana Syanaz was busy sorting through and selecting clothes for her to wear later.

Like Ashton's previous statement, today the birth mother of the man came to pick up Alice and even helped pack her belongings. Instead of taking Alice straight home to Ashton's residence, Hana made a detour to one of the famous boutiques.

Alice thought that the mother-in-law of her late stepbrother stopped by intentionally because she wanted to buy clothes or was looking for something.

However, Alice's assumption was completely wrong. As soon as they entered the boutique, she found out that Hana was actually looking for clothes for Alice to wear in the solemnization ceremony.

Yes, Alice had to be aware. Once again, quoting Ashton's words from last night, whether they liked it or not, the two of them had to prepare because the day after tomorrow, they would soon be getting married, as promised to the late Miranda.

"Alice."

"Alice Ashborne."

The baritone voice of the man sounded, greeting Alice's hearing senses that had been lost in daydreams. When she snapped back to reality and looked up, Alice saw a young and undoubtedly handsome man throwing a smile right at her.

"Don't daydream too much," the man teased. "I noticed from inside the car until I got out, you seemed to be daydreaming all the time."

The one who just scolded and protested was El Rumi's figure. The man Alice knew—though not very familiar—is Ashton's younger brother who was two or three years older than Alice. Today, the brown-eyed man was indeed accompanying and even acting as Hana's personal driver.

Actually, there was a reason why Alice was daydreaming. Her mind felt full. There was so much she was thinking about, especially regarding her fate to marry a man she clearly didn't love.

"What are you thinking about, huh? Thinking about the national debt or what? Your face looks so tense," El Rumi asked again, genuinely curious. He seemed quite nosy, asking repeatedly.

"M-me?" Alice pointed to herself with a surprised tone. It was more of a shocked feeling, really, because she was suddenly confronted with a question. "I'm not thinking about anything, really."

"Liar," accused El Rumi. Smart at distinguishing and reading the expressions on his interlocutor's face, the fair-skinned man immediately refuted Alice's answer. "I can tell just by looking at your face. You're thinking about something." El Rumi then brought his index finger to his forehead and pointed to Alice's face. "There's something written here on your forehead."

Alice was stunned. Pulling a puzzled expression, she decided to play along with El Rumi's joke. "Seriously? Is there something written on my forehead?" she asked innocently. She even went so far as to bring her hand, intentionally rubbing her forehead, which was as smooth as a runway. As if the writing El Rumi mentioned had actually surfaced on the skin of her forehead.

"There's writing; someone please kidnap me, so I won't have to get married."

Alice sighed. She finally realized that she had been teased by El Rumi all along. She believed something like that. What a loser.

"Oh God. I thought it was serious. Turns out I've been joking. How silly of me."

El Rumi burst into laughter. His laughter sounded crisp and resonated from his pinkish-red lips.

Since the first meeting and getting to know her, he could predict that the 22-year-old woman was somewhat naive.

"Besides, you're really serious. But, are you really stressed because you're going to marry someone like Ashton?"

"Don't speak nonsense!"

"It's a fact, Mom. If I were Alice, I'd feel lazy to marry a guy as strict as Ashton."

Hana pinched him. After that, she pulled Alice away from El Rumi. It was indeed dangerous if Alice stayed too close to her youngest son. She could be influenced.

"Don't listen to him, Alice. That's just how El is. Now, try on the dress first. If it fits, Aunt will pay for it right away."

Alice nodded awkwardly. Without much protest or talk, she just followed Hana's command to try on the chosen dress.

After all, she couldn't refuse or avoid it anymore. Her name had already been promised and agreed upon. Whether she liked it or not, she had to accept the fate that lay ahead.

Thinking about it, life was like this. Imagine being born to parents who divorced. Growing up with a mother and stepsister. What about her biological father? He abandoned responsibility and went off somewhere.

Now? Just as she was about to experience happiness and pursue her dreams, she had to face an unexpected reality. God's will, Alice really couldn't predict.

"The dress looks beautiful," Alice said after putting on the dress chosen by Hana, then walked towards Ashton's mother to make sure of her appearance.

Hana watched very carefully. She threw a scanning gaze from head to toe while nodding, as if impressed with what she saw.

"Oh my. You look beautiful, Alice. Aunt loves seeing you. And the dress fits you perfectly."

"If you're naturally beautiful, even if you wear a sack, you'll still look beautiful," Hana added.

El Rumi, who was waiting, also commented. Agreeing with his mother's praise for Alice's appearance.

"If I personally say 'yes' to the dress you're wearing now. It looks simple but still gives an elegant impression. And it fits well on you, Alice."

"Mama agrees," nodded Hana. "Alice looks really beautiful in this dress."

Alice blushed. She felt floating and flattered after being praised so much by the mother and son.

"But, isn't this too expensive?" Alice whispered. It was just for one-time use."

Hana smiled and shook her head. Was Alice underestimating herself because she was worried about payment or something?

"It doesn't matter if it's expensive. As long as it fits and you like it."

"If asked if I like it, I do like it."

How could she not like it? The wedding dress she chose was the best design in the boutique.

For Hana, even though Alice was not her son's chosen woman, she still had to treat her well. After all, very soon, in just a few days, this woman in front of her would change her status to a daughter-in-law who, God willing, would accompany her son for a lifetime. Hana should treat her as if she were her own child.

"Since it's already fitting and there's no problem, let Aunt pay for it right away. After that, we can look for other items."

Hana immediately paid for the wedding dress that Alice had just tried on. After that, the three of them briefly stopped by the jewelry store before deciding to go home.

On the way home, Alice remained silent. She was confused about what to say. Even when they arrived and entered the room prepared by the house assistant, she looked visibly awkward.

"From now on, you'll be staying here, at Ashton's house. And for the time being, you'll sleep here," Hana said, deliberately guiding Alice to an empty room right across from the main bedroom.

"Yes, thank you, Aunt, for taking the trouble to escort me to the room."

Hana smiled. Instead of leaving immediately, she chose to engage in a conversation with Alice first. After all, before truly getting married and assuming the role of a daughter-in-law, Hana thought there were some things she needed to convey to Alice.

That's why Hana gently took Alice's wrist. Inviting her future daughter-in-law to sit with her on the bed.

"Come here. Aunt wants to talk for a moment."

Alice politely complied, slowly settling down right beside Hana. And, of course, this made her feel nervous again. Her heart had been abnormal since earlier, beating irregularly.

"What does Aunt want to talk about?" Alice asked cautiously. She felt that Ashton's mother probably wanted to discuss marriage.

"Well..." Hana began the conversation. Gazing at the face of her future daughter-in-law, she seemed to display a serious expression. "Aunt is sure that from the beginning, you must have felt awkward, uncomfortable, and confused because suddenly you have to fulfill the promise to marry Ashton."

Alice's assumption was correct. Faced with such a serious situation, she was convinced that Ashton's mother must have something important to discuss.

"Aunt understands, there must be a sense of reluctance in this marriage. That's why Aunt wants to reassure you to dismiss and discard all those doubts. Just like you, Aunt also initially doubted Ashton's decision to marry based on fulfilling a promise. Especially since there is no love in this marriage. Not to mention, Aunt is worried that Ashton might become neglectful. The downside of not feeling love, then treating you unfairly."

Just as Hana mentioned earlier, Alice had thought about it. There was a fear within her that she might be mistreated in the future because she was not loved from the beginning.

"But, after seeing you for these past few days, Aunt changed her mind. Aunt is now confident that you are the right person to accompany Ashton. That's why Aunt hopes that in the early days of marriage, please be patient in facing Ashton. Even if you need something, never hesitate to ask Aunt for help. Whatever it is, Aunt will do her best to assist."

Alice nodded. She responded positively to Hana's offer. Touched as well because she already felt cared for even before anything had happened.

Initially, she was not entirely willing to accept the reality of getting married so early. However, since there was no choice to refuse and seeing how Ashton's mother supported her, she resigned herself to whatever life had in store for her, entrusting her future path to God.

"Thank you for your assistance, Aunt. Thank you also for trusting me. Please guide me. If I make a mistake, please point it out."

Hana nodded. She smiled, then embraced Alice tightly. Trying to reassure Alice that she would always be by her side.

"Now, just rest so you can be fresh tomorrow and ready to participate in all the wedding ceremonies."