CHAPTER THREE: WEDDING

ANNIKA'S POV

It all happened so fast. I didn't even have time to grasp everything and yet, reality is sinking. I'm going to marry my boss! The one and only Caspian Timothy Ferrer who is every woman's dream.

“Wow, this dress sure looks gorgeous!“ Jade didn't hide her amazement.

I held the soft fabric of the white dress in my hand. It was a silk dress in tube style. It was long enough to reach my ankles. There were beads and sequence adorning the dress, and it hugged my curves perfectly. It looked so simple, yet so elegant.

Caspian took care of everything. From the dress, to the shoes, the legal documents and the venue of the wedding. It's not grand, it was actually rushed and only those who are close to us were invited. On my part, only Jade will attend since Mom is still in the hospital.

True to his word, Caspian transferred Mom to a private hospital, and hired the best doctors and nurses to watch over her. He also started looking for heart donors, and has provided for everything we needed in the hospital. And while it may take so much from me, I couldn't feel even an ounce of regret, knowing that I'm doing this to save my Mom. Her life matters more to me.

“I'm nervous, Jade.“ I blurted out.

We're currently staying in a hotel booked by Caspian. Tomorrow is the day that will finally change my life. I know it's only temporary, and I made it clear with myself that I should never fall for him because I will only get hurt in the end. He doesn't love, and he is not ready for serious commitment. And that's why he hired me because he will never fall in love with someone like me.

“I'm just here for you, Annika. I know you're doing this for your Mom. It'll only be a year, and after that, you'll be free,” she said.

I nodded my head. I already knew that. Yet, I couldn't help but to feel nervous. I don't have any experience with men, while Caspian is an expert when it comes to women. I may not admit it, but I'm afraid I might break his rule or that I might not be able to satisfy him because of my lack of experience. After all, he's got good looks that women had been dying for and I'd bet he's also good in bed.

“Thank you, Jade. I must admit, there are times when I almost thought of backing out. But whenever Mom's face crosses my mind, I am reminded of the main reason why I had to do it. It's the only chance for me to save her, and I wouldn't want to waste it. If I don't grab this now, I might not have another chance again,” I replied.

Jade then walked to me and gave me a tight hug, reassuring me that everything will be okay. And I believed her.

I woke up early the next day. Our breakfast was served in our suite. I took a hot shower and put on some robe while waiting for the make-up artists sent by Caspian. I haven't seen him in days, and I couldn't help but to feel excited no matter how I try to stop myself.

It was eight in the morning when the make-up artists arrived. We had just finished eating our breakfast and now, I'm sitting in front of a vanity mirror. My hair was braided on the sides with a bun at the center. My make-up was simple. It was light, almost complimenting my soft features. As I looked at myself in the mirror, my mouth gaped open. I almost didn't recognize the woman who was starting back at me in the mirror.

“There, you look lovely, madame! Mr. Ferrer was right, you don't need too much make-up on your face. You're already beautiful even when you're bare faced,” Cornelia, the make-up artist, said.

I blushed. “Why, thank you.“

“You're the loveliest bride I've seen today,” she added, making me more conscious of myself.

I smiled at her. Now that she mentioned it, my heart started racing fast inside my chest. It's beating so wild, I almost thought it would burst. I looked at Jade, and saw her dressed in her carnation pink dress in halter style. It fit her perfectly. Her hair was done in a waterfall braid. And her silver plumps accentuated her outfit perfectly. She smiled at me.

“You look gorgeous, Annika. I'm happy for you,” her voice cracked a little.

Even though we both know this marriage is just a show-off, I still think of it as a once in a lifetime experience that I will probably never forget. In a few hours, I'll be Mrs. Ferrer. The thought alone made me tremble, and my heart skipped a beat.

As I looked at Jade again, I noticed how tears began to form in the corner of her eyes. My heart clenched and a lump suddenly formed in my throat. The corners of my eyes heated, and it felt like my tears would fall anytime so I looked above to stop it. I held her hand and gave it a soft squeeze.

“You look stunning as well,” I said.

“I can't believe you're getting married. I'm excited and happy for you, Annika. You deserve it,” her tears fell.

I looked away because I may not be able to stop myself from tearing up. We've been together for years. We've talked about our dreams, and our wishes. We've talked about getting married, and having a family. It made me feel sad that this fairytale isn't really true. That just like Cinderella, this life has a timer. And when the time is up, all of this will disappear. The fancy things, the happiness of having a family and a loved one. Everything will be back to the way it used to be before Caspian offered this marriage to me.

“Hey, stop crying. You're ruining your make-up,” Jade said, and wiped my tears softly.

“Thank you for being here with me, Jade. I just can't help but to wish that Mom was here too. I missed her really bad,” I said.

“You know I always got your back. We're sisters,” she replied with a smile.

A few minutes later, we were inside a car on the way to an exclusive resort where the wedding will take place. The ceremony will be a civil one, and it didn't really matter to me, knowing that this whole thing is fake. The presiding judge was a good friend of Caspian.

Jade and I walked inside, to the function hall where the ceremony will take place. My jaw dropped, seeing the beautiful decorations adorning the whole place. Rose petals were scattered on the floor, while there were more flowers on the aisle. Caspian stood in front of the judge, and beside him was the best man and his best friend, Hunter.

I couldn't take my eyes off Caspian, as he stood there looking so serious and intimidating. He didn't smile, but his stoic face surprisingly made my heart race.

He was dressed in a three piece suit, and his hair was a little bit messy. He looked like a real hot, bad boy with a dark look on his face. I gulped, and suddenly felt nervous. Contrary to him, Hunter was all smiles and his eyes were teasing. It's my first time meeting him, and I could tell he's a friendly one.

A soft song began playing in the background, and my heart thump inside my chest as I walked towards Caspian. Jade held my hand. I walked slowly, not taking my eyes off Caspian. All the time I was walking, he looked at me and for a moment, I thought I could see admiration in his eyes. I quickly shrugged the thoughts away. It's impossible.

He took my hand from Jade and placed a kiss at the back of my palm. I blushed, and started shaking a little bit. He smiled at me.

We sat in front of the judge, and soon the ceremony started. I listened intently to the judge. I took every word in my heart, as if all of it were true. For once, I allowed myself to live in this fantasy. To believe that this marriage is real. I didn't have any experience with a man, but I always dreamed of being married. And this may not be how I pictured my wedding, but this is more than I could wish for. And though we've only married for the wrong reasons, I find solace in the thought that both of us will benefit from this marriage.

“Caspian, do you take Annika Reign Dela Cruz to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?“ The judge asked, pulling me out of my trance.

Caspian looked at me and said, “I do.“

The judge then looked at me and asked,

“Annika, do you take Caspian Timothy Ferrer to be your husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and to honor him all the days of your life?“

I was silent for a moment. I looked into his eyes, and my heart started beating wild again. I smiled at him and whispered, “I do.“

The judge then looked at us and smiled.

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.“

Caspian pulled me close to him. His hand held my chin, and tilted my head to meet his eyes. And before I could think of anything, his face lowered down and our lips touched in the softest and most sensual way I could ever imagine.