“Don't think of escaping again, Zainea. This time, finish the wedding without causing any mess. Can you do that?” I rolled my eyes when Zainea's father said that.
How could you let your daughter marry another man when you know that she's in love with someone else? Agreement of the elders? Humph! Don't give me that shit!
This is obviously marriage for convenience!
“How can I escape, dad? We're already here. Unless you let go of my arm.”
Yesterday was Zerro's wedding, but he didn't arrive. He's missing. Maybe he ran away. As for Zainea, I didn't let her out. I know she's heartbroken, so as much as I can, I won't let her feel this burden.
“Your mother is inside. That's the least wedding gift I could give to you.”
“Let's welcome the bride!” the emcee announced.
The door opened. A lot of flash from the cameras welcomed me.
The venue is still here in The Royals. They invited guests and reporters. Maybe to let the world know that Zayden Constello, one of the wealthiest bachelor in the world is marrying Zainea Amadeo, a famous actress.
Zayden is gorgeously waiting for me at the front with his black suit. How could he possess such good features?! He could capture every woman's heart with just his stance.
Zayden reached out for my hand.
“Take good care of her, Zayden,” father whispered.
“Don't worry.”
Father went to his seat. We walked towards the priest.
The ceremony went accordingly. The vows were scripted. They gave me mine this morning, and told me to memorize it, then say it with feelings during the wedding. Gosh, how could they plan this so well?
‘Remember that you should act well as Zainea in front of the media. Don’t ever mention Zerro’s name in your interviews. No one knows about her relationship with Zerro, aside from me, Zayden, and her family. Got that?’
‘Hmm. But why did they keep their relationship a secret? If it’s about Zainea’s career, she could just resign, and live with Zerro. She’s rich, she can pay the fines. They are just making their lives so complicated, huh?’
‘No, that’s not it. Zerro was engaged to Felicity Trouvaille a year before Zainea and Zerro made their relationship official, so they kept it a secret because they don’t want to cause any more issues. They are planning to announce their relationship after finding a way to break the engagement off, but you see, it’s a dead-end for them. Zainea was betrothed to Zerro’s brother from the first place.’
‘Oh. Poor Zainea.’
“I may now announce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said.
What? Just like that? Am I too preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn’t notice the ceremony’s already done?
Zayden lifted up my veil.
“Don’t you dare kiss me,” I threatened him.
“Oh? What will you do if I will?” He held the back of my head.
“I will kick your ass out—hmpf!” Curse him for being so evil!
“The wedding won’t be complete if I will not kiss you, honey.”
Grrr… Just wait, Zayden Constello. I will take my revenge!
The guests clapped.
“Congratulations!”
The picture taking went on. Some actors and actresses congratulated me. As if I know them. Are they even close to Zainea, or they are just being plastic?
Megan excused me from my parents and pulled me at the corner.
“Don’t let Zainea out tonight. Don’t tell Zayden yet about the soul-switching. Find a way to survive until tomorrow. Good luck!”
“What? Will he… will he kill me? What do you mean survive? Gosh, you’re freaking me out!”
She pinched my cheek. “Of course that’s not what I mean! Unless he wants to be on the news headline tomorrow.”
“Can I get my wife back, now?” Zayden interrupted us.
“O-Of course! Of course. She’s all yours.”
“Hey, Megan! How could you—”
“See you tomorrow!” she said and left us alone.
You traitor! Could she at least show some concern and save me from this Zayden? I’m not her best friend, but can she… urgh! I don’t think I can survive a day with him.
“What? You’re now afraid of me? Where is that woman who clung onto me from the first day we met?”
“Hey! Can you stop mentioning that? I-I w-was just… maybe I was blinded…” Blinded by what? By his looks? Sure, it is. But I won’t tell him that. “I mean, I was not feeling well that day. And please, if I know that you are the man I was betrothed to, I will not be that clingy to you.”
He nodded and showed me a smile. An irritating one, saying that I’m being ridiculous.
“Okay. I must believe you, right? Alright. If you say so.”
“You—that’s true! Humph! Why am I wasting my precious saliva with a man like you? Mind you dearest husband, you… me… will live under the same roof, but! We won’t do the things a couple is commonly doing. You hear that?”
Why do I have to be on his shoulder level?!
He touched my hair. I slapped his hand.
“They are watching. Aren’t you a good actress? Show them a good one.”
Some reporters are looking at us, and taking pictures. Artists really don’t have some privacy.
I smiled. “You will be amazed with my acting skills.”
I flipped my hair, wrapped my arm around his waist, and rest on his chest.
I heard him laugh.
You’re underestimating me, huh?
“That’s it? Is this what you can do?” he whispered.
“Of course not. I’ve got something bigger under my sleeve.” Without any more words, I pulled his necktie and kissed him aggressively.
He seemed shock of my sudden action. Hell, me too! Am I insane?! I didn’t want him to kiss me earlier, but now I am the one who initiated the kiss?!
He kissed back. He encircled his arms on my shoulders, and pull away from the kiss.
Flashed from the cameras greeted me. I suddenly felt so embarrassed. Gosh, why did I even do that?! How could I face the world tomorrow if my face is all over the news and internet?! HEADLINE: ZAINEA AMADEO KISSED ZAYDEN CONSTELLO, AGGRESSIVELY. AN AGITATED WIFE INDEED.
I hid my face in his coat. This is all your fault, Constello. If you didn’t provoke me.
“My wife’s a little bit excited,” he said to those reporters who came and filled their cameras with our pictures.
“Excited, your ass. Can you just get rid of them? I will really kick your ass later.”
“My wife’s threatening me, right now.” The reporters laughed along with him when he blurted out those words. You, heartless human being.
“Please, excuse us. We’ve got things to do. Oh, one more thing, don’t leak the pictures you just have taken. I will buy them all. Tristan,” he called someone. It’s his secretary. Ow, so Tristan is his name.
“Yes, President?”
“I’ll leave these reporters to you. Deal with them.”
“Yes, President. Please, this way.” He leads them to the other side.
“How’s the ticket I’ve told you to prepare?”
 
“Ah, here. I’ve prepared all the things you need. All is set. Your flight was re-scheduled one hour from now.” He gave Zayden two plane tickets? Is he going somewhere? Why two? Don’t tell me.
“Good. You don’t need to see us off. Inform everyone that Zainea and I will not attend the party.”
I pushed him. “Who’s not going to attend the party? Hey, Zayden Constello, if you don’t want to attend, I will go. That would be alright. I will just say an excuse for you.”  I don’t know what he’s planning, but it would be best if I don’t spend much time with him. What if he’ll kill me, just because he has a grudge on Zerro? No, no, no. I might really die if that’ll happen.
“We’ll be leaving France for our honeymoon, Mrs. Zainea Amadeo-Constello. I don’t need your permission. You’ll come with me, whether you like it or not.”
Zayden dragged me here at the airport after guarding me while I'm changing my wedding dress. How could I fight him? He's too muscular.
We're at the waiting area. We still have thirty minutes before our flight.
“So—” He handed me a bottle of water.
“What will I do with that? I'm not thirsty.”
“Swallow the whole bottle if you can. Just stop talking.”
“You're nuts. Why don't you try?” I grabbed the bottle and put it in my bag.
He's out of his mind, isn't he?
‘We’ll be leaving France for our honeymoon, Mrs. Zainea Amadeo-Constello. I don’t need your permission. You’ll come with me, whether you like it or not.’