Chapter 5. Arleena's Groom-To-Be

"So Miss Arleena and Mr Justin want to cancel the wedding plans?" Mardeline, the person in charge of the Wedding Organizer who will take care of Arleena's wedding, is shocked to hear of the bride's decision.

A meeting between the Wedding Organizer and the two families of Justin and Arleena was held today. Arleena had made up her mind to cancel the wedding plans. Even though in yesterday's discussion at the family gathering, Justin's family strongly denied this.

"I didn't expect you to be so stubborn," Justin commented, laughing sarcastically.

Arleena doesn't care. He kept a firm look at Mardeline as if indicating his decision would not change. While Mardeline at that time looked a bit awkward.

"Arleena, why are you still making decisions like that?" Justin's mother's voice was heard, answering. He seemed unable to accept Arleena's decision at that time.

After Justin's mother answered, Arleena's gaze shifted. He smiled with a look of firmness on his face.

"Then what decision should I make, Mrs. Katherin?" Arleena asked back without showing any fear at all.

Katherin immediately looked away, laughing unexpectedly. "Didn't we discuss this yesterday? We have agreed that your and Justin's wedding plans will not be cancelled."

Arleena immediately smiled. "Yes, we've all discussed plans for an irrevocable wedding," he replied, then turned his gaze to Mardeline. "Your wedding organizer can't return the wedding funds that have been paid, right?"

Mardeline nodded her head despite the uncomfortable expression on her face. "Yes, Miss Arleena. We are very sorry for not serving a refund when the wedding plans are only one week away. The preparations are 95 percent."

"Ah, the preparations are 95 percent..." Arleena nodded her head, still looking calm. Then he turned his gaze to Justin. "Wow, did you hear that? What an asshole for ruining wedding preparations."

Justin didn't react. But he didn't feel guilty at all. Arleena was well aware of the slight smile that briefly appeared on the man's face, making her heart grow furious.

"You can't call Justin an asshole," Katherin replied. "If you curse him now, why do you love him and choose him as your future husband?"

This time it wasn't Arleena who answered, but Albeena—her mother, "Hey, it's not my son's fault that he loves a man like your son. If your child understands how to respect women, he won't do something as low as that."

Katherin immediately looked like she didn't accept Albeena's words. "Why do you say that, as if my son is someone very lowly?"

"It's true, you must admit," Albeena answered, tossing her hair with both hands. "My son has worked hard to spend his money to pay for wedding plans, but his future husband has betrayed him."

Immediately the atmosphere in the meeting room of the wedding organizer's office suddenly became tense. Everyone became awkward because of the argument between Albeena and Katherin.

Just as Katherin was about to answer, Justin suddenly held her shoulder. Justin shook his head to signal to stop arguing.

"No need to continue, the atmosphere in the room is uncomfortable," Justin said quietly, but Arleena's ear could still hear him.

Finally Katherin obeyed Justin. Even though the meeting room was air-conditioned, Katherin pushed aside the hand fan and fanned her neck. He didn't want to look at Albeena.

"Arleena," Justin called then. He changed his sitting position towards Arleena at the side. "I wish you had thought more seriously. What are you going to do if they don't allow refunds?"

Arleena looked thoughtful for a moment. Little did Justin know, he actually had a plan in mind all night. After the shocking incident of her kissing Hugo, Arleena knew she had to make a tough decision. Even though his plan was very sudden and risky to fail.

"Actually, what I didn't mean was to cancel the wedding plans completely," Arleena retorted, sending everyone in the room bewildered. "That's why I gathered all of you because this is an important matter. I decided to cancel..."

All eyes in the room immediately looked at Arleena curiously. Including Mardeline who was waiting for the continuation of Arleena's words.

"... the future groom," Arleena continued, ending with a smile full of satisfaction.

silence.

For a few seconds, Arleena only saw the look of astonishment on her face, especially from her parents. Arleena watched them all one by one, then her gaze stopped on Mardeline.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Arleena.

Mardeline chuckled with her awkward expression. "You're not saying anything serious, are you, Miss Arleena?"

Arleena frowned. "It turns out that what I said was less convincing," he answered, deliberately putting on a sullen face. "I will absolutely cancel the grooms and substitute with another man!"

The whole room still couldn't believe Arleena's words. Especially Justin who seemed to demand an explanation from Arleena with a confused expression on his face.

"Arleena ... what are you talking about?" asked Albeena, Arleena's mother, who came closer and whispered. "How did you find a new groom?"

On the other hand Arleena was a little worried. But he did not want to show.

"He will come here."

"What?!" Justin immediately reacted excitedly. Then, he laughed at Arleena. "Why do you want to replace grooms? Did you think replacing grooms could be that easy?"

Arleena really felt humiliated hearing Justin's mocking laugh. I don't know why his pride is scratched now. Was Justin deliberately undercutting him?

"Do you think, you're the only man in the world?" asked Arleena. "I didn't know you were this narcissistic. Of course I can replace the groom. It's not difficult."

Justin still looks in disbelief. While Arleena was quietly checking her cell phone in her lap when Justin and the two men's parents looked at each other with a petty smile. They were clearly mocking Arleena on purpose.

"Arleena, how are you going to find a replacement groom?" Albeena whispered back to Arleena, her face showing embarrassment.

Arleena made a reassuring gesture to Albeena and Lucas—her father with one hand. Several times Arleena checked whether there was an incoming message notification or not from someone.

A few hours ago, Arleena had sent someone a message on an important and serious mission: Hugo, don't forget our last night's appointment at my apartment. However, until now Hugo had not replied. Just read the message only!

What if Hugo doesn't come?

What if Justin and his family laugh at him even more?

Arleena couldn't stop thinking about the worst until her feet repeatedly hit the floor. Nervous. It's really thrilling. Why-

"I'm sorry, I came late."

The deep voice that Arleena had been waiting for finally sounded. The entire room immediately turned simultaneously towards the entrance, including Arleena who immediately arched a big smile.

Hugo's figure in a neat black suit walked leisurely. His steps moved closer to the table where everyone in this meeting room was. Hugo was not the least bit awkward, even stopping in his tracks and giving his formal smile.

"I will take the place of Miss Arleena's groom-to-be. She will marry me." That was how Hugo said in full firmness.

Everyone was stunned, but Arleena jumped up from her chair and approached Hugo enthusiastically.

While standing beside Hugo, Arleena said to everyone in the room, "Everyone—except mama and papa since you guys already know him, introduce, he's Hugo. I told you finding a replacement for you wouldn't be hard, right, Justin?"