The Marriage Conspiracy [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER THREE: THE WEDDING CEREMONY

“What the hell is going on here?” Rachel whispered to Jake. 

 “Beats me,” the latter shrugged and she believed him, as he appeared as confused as she was feeling. 

 A week had gone by since they had their latest discussion.  And their plan had been working perfectly or so had thought Rachel until she’d received a call from Jake.  He’d sounded disturbed and had briefly told her that Devin had summoned both of them. 

 Apparently, Devin was not satisfied with the way things had turned out.  That was maybe the reason why he’d called them.  Too bad for him!

 Nothing was going to change. Whatever it takes, vowed Rachel silently.  They were both prepared for any of Devin’s strategies. There was no way he could manipulate them into something they didn’t want, not for a second time.  Once bitten was twice shy, wasn’t it? And in this case, she couldn’t even count the times they’ve been bitten.

 Nevertheless, Rachel couldn’t shrug off completely the sense of premonition engulfing her as she followed Jake in the study.  Devin was already there, looking as determined as ever.  Tough! That meant they wouldn’t be able to get away without going through hell first!

 “I must tell you, I’m not altogether too pleased about the way you two are behaving nowadays,” he admonished as soon as Jake closed the door behind them. 

 The cheek of the man! thought Rachel. 

 “Dad! It’s none of your business how we live our lives,” Jake retorted harshly.  Stunned, Rachel threw him a look to silently reprimand him.  They had decided that they would not take him seriously and tell him to go to hell as politely as they could.  So why was he getting angry now?

 “I care for your happiness.  And Rachel, you’re my responsibility now after Trevor’s death.”

 “Is that so? Well, I’m relieving you from any responsibility.  I’m grown up enough to take my own decisions,” snapped Rachel and got an approving look from Jake.  He approved?! Well, well! Wonders never cease! It seemed that they would not be able to get out of this mess without telling the old man clearly what they felt.

 “And of course you wouldn’t care about my feelings, would you?” asked Devin with his best-wounded ‘puppy’ look.  Neither Rachel nor Jake would buy it though.  “Ok,” he capitulated finally.  “I’ve tried emotional blackmail and it’s obviously not working.  So I guess we’d better get a little serious,” he said matter-of-factly and moved behind his desk. 

 Motioning them to take a seat, he opened a drawer and removed a file. 

 That was it! thought Rachel slouching her shoulders in defeat.  She should have known better.  Devin wasn’t one who gave up easily.  As if sensing her distress, Jake gave her a reassuring look but couldn’t quite mask his own worry. 

 “These are the papers you’ve both signed in accordance with the codicil.  Unfortunately, it does not certify a marriage yet,” he adapted an aura of diplomacy and professionalism completely different from the one he had before. 

 “What?” exclaimed Jake.  “If we are not really married, what the hell was that all about?”

 “That’s what I’m getting at if you would care to listen.  The paper only certifies that you’ve agreed to a legal and wedding in the near future.”

 “And how near is the ‘near future’ supposed to be?” asked Jake in a sarcastic voice. 

 “Well,” answered Devin cheerfully making Rachel want to wring his neck.  The wreck! “It did precise that you had a ten days’ notice.  I think seven days have already gone by, so mathematically speaking, you still have three days left.”