Chapter 81

I am overwhelmed when the big door of the church opened in front of my eyes. I was met by so many people and all their attention was on me. At the same time, a romantic instrumental tune that I requested from Charlotte as the theme song for my walk down the aisle.

I slowly took a small step. I hold the pink and gold bouquet in my hand. I can now feel people's eyes on me, but I can't give them a look because my eyes are only fixed on one person.

As I watched the man at the end of the aisle, it still hadn't sunk in to me that the day had come when we would marry each other. That the wedding that I have been dreaming about since I was a child is really happening today. It seems like the other day I met him but now I'm getting married to Jaxson Madrigal. If I was saying that I would marry the man who only met me three days ago, I don't think that it is really a short time. I feel that those three days were too long for us. A lot has happened between the two of us, and if you ask me, that's enough to know Jaxson. In the past few days that I was with him, I almost went crazy with the roller coaster feeling that he made me feel.

It seems that as I stare into his deep eyes while I slowly approach him, I can't help but flashback to everything that happened since the two of us met.

I was just casually listening to that at the nightclub because I didn't have a customer yet, then Jaxson was so lost in his problem that it seemed like there was no hope of recovering from himself. I will never forget the nervousness I felt the moment he approached and stepped closer to me. I'm even annoyed with him because of what he did to insult me. After that I thought that was our last meeting. Little did I know that fate had carved something else for the two of us. Who would have thought that I could marry the man I met one night. But, as I said, my understanding of him deepens with each passing day.

I will never forget the crazy emotions I felt the moment Jaxson put the ring on my finger in front of people. I felt like my heart was going to explode because of the strange emotions I felt. Even when my knees softened the moment his lips touched mine at the same time as his hands crawled over my waist.

If I'm going to think about it, I will almost be trapped in his traps. Especially the moment he was drunk and that hot incident in their kitchen. I never imagined having that bizarre sensation with someone. But I insanely did it because of him.

But I didn't just have all the positive moments with him, there was also the time when I felt hurt because of what he did. Especially when I found out that the real reason for this marriage is not really for him to withdraw his face to people and get the name of their company, but also for people to think that he already loves someone so they won't suspect his affair to his ex fiance. If I am being honest, I am still hurt because of what he did. And I am mad because he is so stupid and weak. That's why no matter what else Gunther tells me about feeling that I am starting to develop for Jaxson, I shouldn't think about it anymore. I would prefer that my brother Charles get well soon and finish one year of our contract immediately so that I can leave the Madrigal and Jaxson with no hard feelings. It's up to him if he still wants to make a fool of his ex fiance. At the end of the day, Daniella cheated on him and he will have a child with his step brother. And as for me, I am just his contracted wife. Nothing more, and nothing less. No hard feelings.

I'll seriously bury myself if I ever fell in love with Jaxson Madrigal.

[THIRD PERSON POV]

Like almost all the people inside the wedding venue, Jaxson was also stunned by Cattleya's appearance when she was spit out by both large doors.

He was mesmerized by her beauty and could not take his eyes off Cattleya. It seems that the more he stares at her, the more memories of his mother come back to him. He can't deny the resemblance of Cattleya and his mother. This is also the reason why just seconds after his eyes landed on Cattleya, the young woman grabbed his full attention. Her hair, her body, her eyes. She almost looks like her mother reincarnating from the past. But Jaxson knew that it was impossible. However, the more he denies it, the more Cattleya reminds him of his mother.

The way Cattleya talks, smiles, and jokes around, they really resemble each other.

As Cattleya got closer to where he was standing, he couldn't understand the pounding he felt in his chest. Even his successive scarce gulps that almost hurt his throat.

When it finally got close, Jaxson couldn't move as he was stunned by Cattleya's beauty. He is already aware of her mesmerizing beauty. It does think that she is so attractive that almost every man that she encounters falls for her.

When Jaxson extended his arm with a smile on his lips, Cattleya showed him only plain emotions.

She gave him a feigned smile because no matter how hard Cattleya tried to herself, she couldn't be plastic in front of him and show him that everything was okay after what he did to him.

Finnley, on the other hand, frowned. He was next to Jaxson and acted as his best man, that's why he was close to Cattleya and he felt the traces of bad tension between the two. Finnley always thought that Jaxson and Cattleya were meant to be. That's why he treated Cattleya so well. He likes her for him, and he is good at dealing with people. So he is very certain that Cattleya is being genuine and he knows that she can take care of Jaxson. Just like what he always wanted to happen. He wants to find someone to take care of him, so he won't do it anymore. But even though he is one of the closest people to Jaxson, he is still not aware of what Cattleya had seen inside his office.

The two walked together to the altar where the priest was waiting for them to bless them and lead the wedding.

While the wedding was going on, Cattleya and Jaxson had only one thing in mind. That the wedding they planned and the contract they signed is now really happening in front of hundreds of people. And the real challenge now is how they can manage to be together for a year.

While Loren was far away, he couldn't stop his tears from falling while watching his best friend get married.

"So you're crying as her best friend, huh? Why are you not even her bride's maid?” Richard Sol whispered softly to Loren as his eyes went to Jaxson's older cousin.

"Aren't you gonna cry too because you have no hope?" Loren teased Richard. It's a good thing that they were positioned at the very back because those in the seats were packed with tall individuals, so they couldn't hear them.

"What do you mean I lost a chance? Are you really serious about insisting that I like Cattleya?” He raised an eyebrow as his eyes once again locked on Cattleya. "I mean, you're not entirely wrong. She's an amazing person.”

"I knew it!" Loren shouted in a whisper following the laughter. "So, if Catt and her husband break up, you'll be there to catch her?"

Richard Sol took a long time to answer before he moved his eyes to Loren. "I don't even want to wait for that. If only I can grab her arm and kidnap her from that Madrigal, I will.”

"There is no way you are serious." Loren calmly uttered with her eyes drawn back to Cattleya. "All I want is for Catt to have a happy ending."

"Wedding is not a happy ending, unfortunately."

Loren did not answer and then just shrugged his shoulders while shaking his head.

"Jaxson Madrigal, do you take Cattleya Santos for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." Jaxson answered quickly while trying to find Cattleya's eyes that were still avoiding him.

"Cattleya Santos, do you take Jaxson for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"Y-Yes... I do..." Cattleya answered under her breath as her chest heavily moved up and down because of the bizarre feeling that she was experiencing.

"Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church." The priest said as the younger members of Jaxson's family slowly walked up to the stage with the ring they would both wear.

Cattleya's lips drew a bitter smile again as her eyes were fixed on the rings. This is what she always looks forward to. Choosing rings with his fiance for their wedding. But now, all she can do is wonder who picked the wedding rings.

Jaxson picked one of the rings and gently held Cattleya's hand. She almost melted as if electricity flowed through her hands the moment Jaxson held it with a deep stare straight into her eyes.

"It's my parent's wedding ring. This is what they wore when they swore to each other to also stay together until death…” Jaxson muttered with a trace of bitterness on his lips. "I, Jaxson Madrigal, take you, Cattleya Santos, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

Cattleya barely managed to make a strange expression on her face aside from a fake smile. She almost feels like being tortured in lies. Everything that revolves around her now is all a lie. It's very different from how Cattleya Santos, the virtuous woman, lived before.