Marrying The Guy I Hate

II: The Groom and His Own Concealment

                Clarence took a sip of what might have been his 15th glass of wine. He had lost count, actually.

It had made him a bit dizzy. At least he was still able to maintain his composure though he was bugged deep inside.

He has got to find a way out of this.

As desperate as it is, weeks ago he had asked his closest cousin to help him scam ways that could void the marriage.

Something like a rational enough reason that could lead to a hiring, divorce or whatever, just anything that would serve as an escape would be fine with him. He had expected that much since his cousin is one of the top law student in his university. He had agreed. He knew his cousin would.

But until now he hadn't heard anything from him.

Just a week ago he and his father had gotten into small arguments regarding this matter. First of, who the hell still gets into such arranged marriage these days? He kept pointing it out. Obviously enough, it just seemed senseless.

He and Melody had never even once had a romantic relationship. If he were even to describe the relationship they have, it would even be odd to consider it as “friendship.” They may have known each other for a very long time but being a couple never had been an option between them.

During their younger years, they just always end up with situations like them being pissed with one another or more like Melody being pissed. There was always mockery thrown during those occasional times they happened to be together before. It had always been platonic and nothing more. Add it with the fact that they have just seen each other again just a couple of months ago after Clarence’s family moved back after their five year residency abroad.

Just two months and who would have thought a wedding would come at hand? To him it really seemed blurry. And now he wondered yet again as to what kind of dilemma have gone destructing both his and Melody’s dad unto putting up this stupid arranged marriage. It’s not like because they happen to be best friends, then viola! Their offsprings will be like soul mates.

Clarence grimaced at the thought. It was even his father that had enthusiastically persuaded the whole idea of an arranged marriage. His and Melody’s family had gone through so much that it almost seemed as if the other was an extension of the other.

And by now it was definite enough that it hadn't been a joke whenever they were teased as future husband and wife during their younger days. Could it be that his father wanted the bond to be legally secured? Maybe. Yet to him it still sounded crazy. The word “crazy” itself complemented well on his father. There had been random times that he had caught Clarence off guard with his ideas and decisions –must have been the effect of too much creativity his father has from being a well known architect in the country- but this one’s just over the edge. Mind you, his father knew very well the kind of women Clarence had gone with, they were liberated, mature and model like thin... unlike Melody.

A crazy idea and a girl he doesn’t quite like put up together, sure enough it would lead to chaos, he cautiously predicted. The worse thing though, is that he somewhat ended up agreeing to the whole thing. And what had triggered it was the cowardice of being disowned.

Clarence continued maintaining his cool composure when inside he kept pondering on things.

This arranged marriage had brought him a handful of distress days before it even took place.

It was bad enough that his dad took back both his corolla altis and Lamborghini which happened to be his birthday present when he turned 24.

Worse, he also took hold of his credit cards and driver's license just so he won't even think about buying a new car.