Ivory (Roses Trilogy #1)

Chapter 01

"Are you sure about this?"

Three years ago, I was staring at the full-length mirror with my wedding dress. It was designed by one of the famous designers that Lori endorsed me with. She's a famous model as well, so it's not surprising that she knew many designers out there. That time, I had the company in my name for one year already. Ever since then, I was already arranged to be married with Reiven but it took a whole year for the wedding to happen because he was repudiating himself to be married.

"You can still back out, you know," my sister said. "Is this what you want?"

I glanced at her and back to myself at the mirror, biting my lower lip. It was so ridiculous to say that I wanted to marry because I had my eyes set on him, even though I knew it was not the same for Reiven. I still don't have any idea why he came to my office unannounced and said, 'Let's get married' and now, I'm here. We are—

"—here to witness and celebrate the marriage of Reiven and Flora. We are all gathered here not just to see both persons who came in this long for a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen the bond that already exists. We..."

Since the wedding day, I doubt anyone can clearly see who's into who. I had my eyes straight looking at him and—him, looking back at me, I saw how much he wanted the day to get over with. The officiant made us repeat words back to each other and every word that came out from his lips has a trace with something I knew that was related to this marriage. They were opposite of what a groom should feel during his wedding day.

Everyone in the room was looking at us like they're witnessing a marriage with love for real. My sisters were looking at me like they wanted to snatch me out of my own wedding and drown me until I got to realize something.

"Groom, repeat after me. I..."

"I, Reiven Cole, take you, Flora Camellia, to be my wedded wife..."

Hearing my name coming from him is one of my favorite things in the world. He spoke it with tenderness, making me feel like I am someone who's precious to him.

"Bride, repeat after me. I..."

"I, Flora Camellia, take you, Reiven Cole, to be my wedded husband..."

We came to exchange rings as well while saying our vows. The only thing I thought of while speaking was the life I will share with him. I don't have a single idea what would happen after this wedding. Will I be able to share a conversation with him at our home? Truthfully speaking, I like him. I like him... a lot. That's why when I heard I was about to be married with one of the Javiers' sons, and I found out that it was going to be Reiven, I only thought for weeks and finally told the family to put the company under my name.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife..."

It was hard as hell to get his answer. To make it short, Reiven doesn't want to get married. I have liked him since then, but it's not an excuse for me to force him. I never pushed myself to him and had to be married. I was the family's match for him, and it stayed that way for a year until Reiven himself came to my office. I didn't date anyone... because I never got interested in anyone other than him.

Before the arrangement, at the university, I tried to push my luck to let him know that I like him, but it never worked. Reiven is smart and I knew that he noticed me already. He just doesn't give a shit about it and it's clear enough that he's not interested in me which also left me with a question. Why did he marry me?

"You may now kiss the bride."

To seal the marriage with a kiss, Reiven took a step forward and gently pulled me to him. His unpredictable face never failed to amuse me. He titled his head a bit and bent down to reach my lips until I felt it. He kissed me and from that moment, I doubted myself and our marriage which I never did ever since I heard about it.