Grace barely has time to breathe after buying her wedding dress. The very next day, Maria called her, saying she had something important to tell her and that we needed to meet in the evening. Maria asks to meet at a restaurant, and Grace has no choice but to agree. She cancels her lectures and heads out to meet her.
"Grace, get ready to marry on Monday," Maria says, like getting married is as simple as attending a lecture.
Grace's mouth drops open in surprise. "But ma'am, how can I be ready in such a short time?" she asks, her eyes wide.
"You don't have to worry about a thing, Grace. We've already arranged a hotel room for you and hired a crew to handle everything," Maria says, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather.
"Okay," Grace replies, though her heart pounds like a drum. She had thought she'd at least get a month to prepare.
"So, are your parents and friends coming?" Maria asks.
"I don't think my family can make it. But I'll ask my friends," Grace says quietly. In truth, she doesn't want anyone in her family to know she's getting married. It's not a real marriage. If her mom found out she was marrying for money, it would break her heart. Besides, they've already talked about divorcing after a year. What's the point of telling anyone?
"Who's going to walk you down the aisle, then?" Maria's question catches Grace off guard, leaving her speechless.
"Never mind. Let's just tell everyone your father's dead, and your mother's too sick to come. We'll hire someone to walk you down the aisle. Let's say he's a distant relative from nearby," Maria says with a grin, her face devoid of any warmth.
"Okay, ma'am," Grace replies, her voice cracking. She realizes these people don't have any sympathy for someone like her. And really, what's the point of their sympathy? It's not going to heal her mom.
Meanwhile, Dion is out clubbing in secret, like always, trying to shake off his stress. He drinks heavily and dances with girls grinding up against him, lost in the music and the moment.
—-------------
When Grace tells Jade that the wedding is on Monday, Jade is stunned. She wants to ask a million questions, but she holds back, afraid Grace might think she's jealous. Grace looks so confident about everything, and Jade wonders if Grace ever feels suspicious about anything.
"So, how many of your relatives are coming to the wedding?" Jade asks.
"They're not coming," Grace replies.
"None of them? Not even one?" Jade's voice is full of surprise. Her eyebrows, still unplucked, catch Grace's attention. Grace hopes Jade plucks them before the wedding. She wants her friends to look their best, even for her fake wedding.
"One uncle will come to walk me down the aisle. He lives nearby. He's a distant relative from my father's side. My mom's heartbroken that she can't come," Grace says, mixing lies with the truth. "But I don't mind my relatives not coming. If they saw how much money Dion has, they'd probably make my mom sick just to get money out of me."
Jade has so much more she wants to say, but she bites her tongue. How could she ruin what's supposed to be the best day of Grace's life? At least Dion loves her, Jade thinks. So she stays quiet.
—-----
Before the wedding day, Grace goes to the hotel room that Maria booked for her. She takes Jade along. Grace still doesn't know who her fake "uncle" will be, but Maria keeps telling her not to worry about it. Grace feels nervous, but she manages to hide it. Jade is scared for her friend but too afraid to say anything. What if she's wrong? She hopes she's wrong.
A few of Grace's friends are surprised to hear she's getting married, but they promise to come. When they see the name of the hotel on the wedding invitation, they're even more shocked.
"Looks like your fiancé is rich," one of her friends says.
"He is," Grace replies. Now, all of her friends are going to see that her fiancé is actually Angelica's ex-boyfriend. Thank God Angelica isn't one of her best friends, Grace thinks.
—---
"Dad, are you mad? You're sick! Why are you trying to shop for a suit for Dion's wedding? Can't you just wear something you already own? Some of those suits are practically new, and you've only worn them once!" Rita exclaims, her voice a mix of worry and frustration. She can't believe her dad is acting like a toddler.
"It's my youngest son's wedding! Do you want me to look like a zombie on his big day? I want to wear something brand new—a red suit! Yes, red is perfect!" Kostas declares, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
"A red suit? Are you mad, Dad? It's not Christmas! Everyone will be staring at you if you wear that. This is Dion's wedding, not yours!" Rita argues, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Rita, it's my choice! I can already guess what everyone else is wearing, and you'll be surprised when you see them. So you better wear something gorgeous, okay?" Kostas replies, narrowing his eyes into a playful squint.
"Oh, my little birdy, you need to wear something fabulous too! How about we go shopping together for our wedding outfits?" Kostas says, casting a flirty glance at Karen, who just stepped into the room. Karen blushes, glancing at Rita as if searching for an escape.
"Dad," Rita says, giving him a firm look.
"Arrh, Rita, ask my driver to get ready for a shopping spree with me and my little birdy. And get that handsome servant boy to tag along. I like the way he looks! Tell him to get ready!" Kostas says, completely ignoring Rita's protests.
Rita rolls her eyes and stomps out of the room to carry out her dad's demands.
"Mr. Kostas, I really don't think it's a good idea for us to go shopping together," Karen says, her voice laced with anxiety.
"Why not? I'm just buying a sparkling dress!" Kostas insists, waving her off.
"But, Mr. Kostas, it's your son's wedding! We shouldn't outshine them!" Karen protests, her heart racing.
"Oh my! You're absolutely right. But I'm still going to wear a red suit!" Kostas laughs, completely carefree. Karen doesn't argue anymore; she's too busy marveling at how Kostas remains so cheerful and full of energy, even when the doctor keeps saying he's on borrowed time. At this rate, he might outlive them all!
YOU ARE READING
Love on the Dotted Line
RomansaIn a family where inheritance is contingent upon marriage, a father's will requires all his children to be married before receiving their shares. With the clock ticking, the siblings and their spouses scramble to find a suitable bride for their youn...
