Chapter 6: I do

“You’re so beautiful, Ma’am Rose! I’m sure that Mr. Zeno will fall in love with you!” the stylist said.

If only they knew how rude he was, they would not tell that to me. However, since his looks are captivating, I bet that they will not believe what they see and they will eventually defend him rather than the victim. That’s how people think. Once they see how handsome and powerful they are, they will be on their side, even if they are the ones who did something bad or unforgivable.

It’s kinda unfair for us, who don’t possess that kind of status, but what can we do if that is what they want? Funny, right?

“You think so?” I asked, trying to enlighten the mood so people wouldn’t think something about our relationship.

Since he’s the most influential entrepreneur, I can’t taint Rose’s name and my face, of course. I need to ride on their topic because they will surely be on his side once I do something off, so I should make my act more realistic so they wouldn’t sense it.

“Ma’am Rose, he will! Look at you!” she said and placed the mirror in front of me so I could examine my face. “You have an innocent yet beautiful face. You have perfect eyes, nose, and kissable lips and you don’t need to use lip fillers.”

I can’t use my face to tame the most vicious man in this town. I tried my best to make everything okay, but this man doesn’t like this arranged marriage. He’s just doing it because of the contract that Rose’s grandfather agreed to.

Maybe, after a few years, he will file an annulment, saying that our marriage didn’t go as well as we were expecting and he will force me to sign the annulment papers because he’s done with this kind of setup. If that happens, at least, I will make my face become famous by using the other’s name, the actual bride.

Will they recognize me as Annalise or Rose?

Now, thinking about the possibility that they will recognize me with my real identity, they will surely throw hate at me. Saying that I’m using Zeno’s status, that I’m after his money and properties, that I’m desperate. Damn! That will be a big mess.

What kind of situation did I choose?

I took a deep breath, looking at the gigantic door in my front, waiting for it to open. Sweat is dripping from my hands as I hold the bouquet of red roses. My heart is pounding so fast that it’s making my breath unstable. My mind is also so clouded that I can’t even think straight because of fear, regret, and sadness. I wanted to run away, to escape everything, and to go back to where I am, writing novels just to achieve my dream most simply, but I knew it was too late, especially when I saw his face.

He didn’t even dare to look away when the door opened and met my eyes. I didn’t even know if he was clenching his jaw and his eyes became intense, as if he was examining my soul and mind or I was just hallucinating. I’m not sure, but all I did was follow everything in the contract that I’d agreed to.

‘Annalise Ysia Villareal ought to marry Zeno Myer Mercedes and use Rose Vergara as her name since she offered herself to be the substitute bride of Zeno Myer Mercedes.’

“Do you take Rose Vergara as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?” the Priests asked.

Zeno cleared his throat and looked at me with his dazzling and intense eyes. Without thinking twice, he said, “I do.”

He didn’t even look away after saying those words as if he meant that. I’m confused, but I feel my tummy reacting to what I just heard. I know, this is only an arranged marriage, but why do his eyes say something that I can’t even understand but I shouldn’t assume, right? This is a bait. All of this was just an act since all of his relatives, family, friends, business partners, and even the media were looking at us, so why would I assume that all of this is real?

“Do you take Zeno Myer Mercedes as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?” the Priest asked me but I was just looking at the man in front of me, who’s holding my hand and caressing his thumb on my knuckles as if he’s comforting me. He even smiled at me, genuinely, which is hard to believe.

We didn’t have a proper conversation when we were at his house because he always threw hurtful words at me, but why is he acting like this? Why is my heart pounding so fast? What caused my vision to blur when I looked at him? Why are my lips quivering? Why does my stomach feel strange? What is the reason for my suffering?

I can’t understand it. Something’s wrong with me and I can’t figure it out. This isn’t me and this isn’t him. We’re not like this. He isn’t gentle. He didn’t even care about me, so why was he acting like this? Why does he keep giving me mixed signals?

“Rose Vergara?” The priest called my attention because I didn’t answer his question. All of them started to whisper, but Zeno didn’t take his eyes off me. “Do you take Zeno Myer Mercedes as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?”

My lips trembled as my tears fell on my cheeks and said, “I do, Father.”