1 I: Flash Marriage

Her POV

"Alina, today was your wedding day. You should be happy."

I gave a sweet smile. Sweet gestures. And fake happiness. Fake everything. They would really think its my happiest day, 25 years of existence and I'm finally getting married.

But I'm not happy at all. What a painful irony.

"The groom is here. We should finish the ceremony quickly." my father ordered. Even to my wedding, he acts formal.

This isn't the wedding I wanted.

After signing the marriage certificate, I looked at the stranger in front of me. This isn't what I wanted. It's unfair. But unfair doesn't accept rejection. Especially if you have no choice.

I am a celebrity. So my wedding was held secretly with my family as a witness. My husband is from an aristocratic family. The son of the CEO of a business empire.

I walked the aisle half-heartedly. I began to ponder. I never felt this blank. I've watched too many weddings. And attended several too. The crying brides, the dramatic walk. Foolish. Why am comparing? It is their wedding, not mine.

When I was a teen, I dreamt of marrying someone I love. Then we will have a magnificent marriage and everything will be magical. He is a caring gentleman. But I know that's nothing but a teenage dream. Life is far too cruel than what you've expected. It shows you all the good things, then slowly shows you the worst. Little by little. The worst things that could destroy you. Until there's nothing left of you. That's what it did to me.

~~~

Then life went out what they expected.

A loveless marriage. A man and a woman both strangers to each other. Life is easy. The man is rich. So is the girl. In simple words, their clans are both rich.

The girl who was once a bubbly and vibrant girl is now clouded by sadness and confusion. She is an actress,and she's good at it. She covers up all the frustrations ang faces cameras and media all smiles. Days and nights, she work her ass off. Maybe to keep herself busy and to forget the tragedy that has befallen unto her. When she's home, she plays the piano every single night when her husband is asleep. She pours all the emotion into the piano that the whole house goes gloomy every time she played. Then silently, she will weep while playing her song. It would always be an hour. She will play for an hour regardless of the time. It was always midnight, and she will always play for an hour. Her routine for the consecutive weeks is always like that, no matter what. At work she never felt alone. She had the dearest friend, Selena, which is also her manager, she also had the production team. Surprisingly, Selena owns the Nebula Corp., the company she works at, with a net worth of billions. Richer than her.

But she already knew that fate. She expected that one day, she will be tied to a marriage like this. Yes she dreamt of a fairy tale love story but that's only at teenage dream. The more she works at entertainment, the darker it becomes. Although she is not involved because Selena is always there to protect her, she can't help but get disappointed. Rookie actresses using their bodies to climb further, little companies fabricating testimonies and advertisements, some even intentionally involves their artists to scandal to get publicity. While looking at the big circus in her eyes she can't help but think of the thing her mother always told her.

Always see the beauty in things.

That phrase was always her encouragement to continue and to strive further. Cheer up, don't let them lose your light. Thats the reason why she grew with a vibrant personality. People can't help but stare at her, because of that personality. Her beauty also is flawless, she  wouldn't be a big hit if she wasnt pretty. Entertainment industry is cruel. One of the leverage you need is your face. If your face is average, it will hinder you in achieving the top. You need the most perfect face for the most perfect roles, it will serve as a stepping stone. That is why small companies and actresses often fail, either go bankrupt or sued for certain reasons. But one thing's for sure. Before they fail, entertainment industry will strip you naked before ruining you. Your money, talent, dignity and pride, everything.

It was rough for her in the beginning. Since she's pretty, old and ugly rich tycoons always urge to bed her, in exchange of investment. Of course she would refuse. And always did it in crazy fashion, with the help of Selena. She started in modeling. For commercials, magazines and advertisements. Due to her face, it became easy. Because of her talent, work was easier.

Now she has built her own name. Even without her family's help, her net worth would be hundreds of millions. She is proud of it. Always.

But this marriage, she never felt so helpless. Freedom is always what she wanted. Now she's caged.

Being with this man, whose name is Rei. She doesn't know a single thing about him. He is secretive. He doesn't tell me his whereabouts, his family, his job. Anything. And that seclusion, it confuses me. Just what does he want from me? Or maybe its really for business. Most probably. But I can't help but get curious every time.

Ignorance is bliss, she once read. Not saying something doesn't necessarily meant lying. Lying means to  make an untrue statement with intent to deceive. Not saying the truth doesn't mean you lied. It is a lie when you answered a question and tried to cover up the truth. Ignorance is bliss. Not knowing the truth protects us from pain. Reality bites, and ignorance is our fortress. Now, the fortress is tight. She is ignorant of everything about him. Isn't it fabulous?

"Alina, it's already 10 pm and yet you want to do your modeling? Are you crazy?" Selena almost shouted. I smiled at her. "Yeah probably haha. Why is there something wrong with that?" I said in front of them, the production team. Her friend's eyes almost fell from her sockets hearing those words. "Give us a minute." she seriously said to the exhausted workers, they've been working nonstop since 6 am. Of course they'd be tired.

She pulled Alina outside and the moment they're alone, she glared at her.

"I know you don't wanna be home but our production needs rest. Don't make them suffer because of your own problems."

Her POV

Selena, she is the most real person I've ever met. She says what comes to her mind first, without any care. She was usually frank and straightforward.

It is very rare to see her rude. Now that she is rude, that means she's annoyed.

"I know you don't wanna be home but our production needs rest. Don't make them suffer because of your own problems." she said seriously. I smiled and held her hand affectionately.  "Sorry... I uhm... Alright. I will go home now. Don't be mad now alright?" my voice almost cracked but I managed to cover it all up. I'm an actress. A very impressive one. This one's easy. She sighed and shook her head. "Don't smile at me like that. It annoys me more." she said while shaking her head. I sadly chuckled. Yeah that's Selena. She hates fakes. Fake friends, fake smiles, fake feelings.

I can never hide my feelings in front of her.

"You know, if your unhappy, why don't you just tell him? Maybe he could grant you a divorce." she suggested. I smiled and then slowly nodded. "I don't want to disobey my father. I'm afraid he won't like it when I divorce my husband." I answered. The stars and thewhole sky is visible through the glass walls of the building. Beautiful.

"You once said that you don't want to let something lose your light. That's what he is doing to you." she said in a complacent tone.

I silently watched the stars and the moon. I sighed and smiled again.

"I am trying my best." then I look at her in the eyes. "I'm trying my very best to keep my light Selena. I want to do what I know is right... Believe me. But if one day I really can't keep it anymore, I am hoping you will stay by my side and fight for my freedom. Can you stay with me through that day?"

She looked at me intently. I gave her a melancholic smile and and she sighed.

"I will. At any cost." she told me and pulled me into a tight hug.

That's already enough for me. My mood lightened a little. But since we're going home, it made me gloomy again.

"We will drive you-"

She halted when someone opened the door of her office. My jaw dropped. My eyes bulged. Confusion clouded my mind. Why is he here?

"Are you done?" he said in a square tone. What really surprises me is that he had a natural gentle voice, completely opposite from his appearance. His voice is not as deep as what many girls dreamed of, but enough to charm all people present inside the room.

Is this for real? We've been together for weeks and he doesn't even call me... Why is he here now?

"Uhm yes. Were about to go home." Selena recovered fast. While I am still staring dumbly at him.

"Alright. You can go. I will take her home." he answered again.

I woke up from my trance when everyone starts leaving the room, except their eyes were still glued to us. I am still looking at him and he is looking at me. Why? I asked silently. He already knew that this marriage is suppose to be a secret. Why is he here? So many questions. "See you tomorrow." Selena said before leaving. Then we were left alone in this room and suddenly it feels so small.

He turned around to leave and I followed him. This is the most awkward moment of my life. He is my husband but we don't even talk. No proper conversation.

It feels like forever before we reached his car. For the fist time in almost four weeks, he came here to bring me home.

"Rei." I called him. He halted from opening the door of the car. Then he meet my gaze.

"Thank you." I gave him a smile I used to everyone. He nodded and we got into the car. Sometimes I wonder, are we really a couple or just business partners?

We are getting along fine. As husband and wife? Nah. As strangers maybe. It's been weeks. And I'm really confused. Why did he marry me? To expand their business? Is that really my worth?