Only On Paper [ K.TH FF]

Chapter Three

                       *After a week*

"Get up!", I felt a sharp pain on my butt , as I sprang up on the bed. I quickly rubbed it to ease the pain as I whined, " Why are you hitting me early in the morning?"

Grandma pulled me out of the bed and pushed me inside the bathroom saying," It's your big day today and you're sleeping like a pig. Come on, get ready or we'll be late."

My big day. The feeling is still foreign to me. I had imagined my wedding when I would be in my late twenties, with a job and stability in life. Love was always secondary to my career for me. A career which I had let go for my grandmother, for love. How ironic. 

"It's just signing the marriage certificates and nothing else.", I grumbled as I went on with my morning routine.

"Whatever. If you are getting married today, it's your big day alright. Get dressed and come downstairs.", Grandma chirped as she clapped her hands. 

She looked so happy and seeing her so had only made me agree to this contractual loveless marriage. Loveless for now but who knows, it may blossom into something more. Even though I didn't like this arrangement, I wouldn't shut off that small possibility. Let's enter this new phase of life with an open mind and an open heart.

I got into the shower and washed up thoroughly. I am just 21 and I'm getting married. I have mixed feelings about it. Grandma's very happy and she is the sole reason I agreed to go with it in the first place.

I hadn't heard anything from Taehyung since the last time we talked that night. I only got emails from his secretary. That is the way I found out about my enrollment letter from the Seoul University. But there weren't any messages or calls from him, personally. And when I tried to reach him, his secretary told me he was busy.

I was grateful to him for helping me out but it felt uncomfortable how everything looks like it's business and it was his way to thank me for agreeing to the proposal. Or was I over assuming things?

I am still in an emotional turmoil about this wedding, so I am convincing myself that it's just for a year.

Wrapping the towel around my wet body, I stepped into my room and unpacked the boxes to find a beautiful white lace gown with accessories.

Everything screamed 'Filthy Expensive'! It was burdening since I wasn't used to all this luxury. Why do I feel like I've been bought?

The gown fit perfectly, accentuating my curves in all the right places and for the first time I felt beautiful. I applied  minimal make-up since make-up always made me look even weird and ugly. I don't really know why.

I have a naturally tanned complexion and so I never really found cosmetics which would compliment my skin tone.

When I came downstairs, I saw the entire neighborhood crowding the living room, which was bustling with sounds of chattering and laughing. It looked festive. Everyone was happy except me.

When they spotted me, they all rushed to hug and congratulate me. I haven't even signed the papers yet! All the middle aged ladies felt it was a huge accomplishment for me to get myself a rich, young man. They thought I secured my future. They think stability is achieved only through marriage, only through a man. They think so wrong.

I was feeling giddy and nauseous by the time we reached the court, by the posh limo that Kim Taehyung had sent.

When the chauffeur opened the door and led me outside, only then did reality sink in. I was going to get married but I wasn't ready. I want to run away and hide somewhere. There was still time. I could just throw these heels and run, right? Right? 

Before I could catch my breath, I was being ushered inside the court. But something in me calmed down as soon as I laid my eyes on Kim Taehyung, my soon to be husband, standing near the registrar's desk, looking so sophisticated and gorgeous. He looks so dashing in a formal suit.

As I made my way towards him, his attention landed on me. His eyes slowly taking in all of my appearance. I suddenly felt naked under his gaze. I saw him smiling to himself as I stood next to me. Usually, I was a person who would observe each and every tiny little detail, read the environment and read people. But in no time, all the formalities were over and  we were already signing the papers and exchanging rings.

With trembling hands, I glided the tip of the pen against the crisp paper marking it with my name next to his and sealing my life with the man named Kim Taehyung. The ink soaked on the papers kind of finalizing the fact that I was now really married. There was no turning back.  My small, trembling hands nestled delicately in his big, warm hands. The small gesture giving me a sense of comfort and security as we walked outside towards his car. He is my husband now.

At that moment, I somehow knew he would even walk me to my death like this and I would follow him.

I was now Kim Taehyung's wife. But only on paper.