It's time for Mason to leave, and I'm anxiously waiting in the room. Riley insisted on helping me get ready.
"It's time to let the beautiful and lively Paige out," she says, smiling.
"Does that mean I wasn't beautiful and lively before?" I ask, trying to make her feel bad.
"Oh, no, of course not. You've always been beautiful, but you didn't take advantage of that stunning figure you have. And as for being lively, no need to answer that," she replies, shrugging off the importance of her response.
"True. Are you sure this outfit looks good on me? I've explained to you that my parents are very concerned about what others will say and about social status," I confess, feeling a bit embarrassed by my parents' way of thinking.
"Stop asking that. I've told you more than ten times that you look beautiful and that it's not too much for someone your age. Now let me apply the lipstick because Mason must be on his way," she scolds me, taking hold of my face to apply the lipstick.
As soon as she finishes, the doorbell rings, and we both know it's Mason who has come for me. Riley goes to open the door; Mason greets her and asks about me. I approach the door to say goodbye to my friend and head to my parents' house. As we make our way there, I clear my throat and look at him. We've been silent throughout the journey after asking each other about our days.
"Listen, I want to ask you a favor. Please don't mention that I'm living in the dormitory," I say, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Don't they know that you're living on campus? Don't they call to check on you?" he asks, surprised.
"Well, they called me today regarding the wedding. Actually, they've been calling for the past two days, but it's not to check on me. My mother has never been a concerned mother. As for my father, he hasn't been the same since I turned eighteen. When I was little, he always made time for me, but that changed as I grew older. They don't know that I'm not staying at the hotel with you anymore, and I prefer it that way. They are very elitist, and they won't be pleased with the idea of me living in a place like this with people from different social backgrounds. It's not something I'm proud of, but I can't change their mindset," I explain, trying to downplay everything I just said.
"Well, you truly are strong for everything you're telling me. I suspected you didn't have a good relationship with your mother, but I didn't know your father had changed in recent years. You're a very strong and brave young woman. I'll support you throughout these years we'll be together. You can count on me as a friend," he responds, taking my hand.
These comments disappoint me now that I know he's hiding something. Why pretend to want to be my friend if he's not entirely sincere with me? It's something I'm questioning every time he says something like this.
"Thank you, same here. You can count on me. The idea is that we're honest with each other so that the years we spend together will be good, right?" I say, hoping that he'll actually fulfill the promise of being sincere.
"Of course, the idea is for us to become friends so that after the three years pass, we can still be friends and continue the friendship beyond our separation. I wouldn't want to lose you as a friend. I like you, and I'm sure I'll grow fond of you, like a sister," he says, smiling.
I don't respond as we arrive at our destination. I sigh, knowing what lies ahead. Before we get out of the car, he tells me:
"We'll keep living at the hotel. If anyone asks, we'll say that we'll consider finding a house to live in later, but for now, we're fine like this."
"I totally agree with that," I say.
Upon arrival, my parents are waiting for us. My mother has invited Mason's parents, something neither of us knew. We smile and greet everyone, then take our seats. Our mothers start discussing dresses, reception, dinner, desserts, cake, and many other things that give me a headache just listening to them. On the other hand, Mason hasn't let go of my hand since we arrived, and he's feeling the same as I am. He squeezes my hand to show his discontent with everything they're saying. I think the four of them forget that this is not a real marriage; they're organizing everything as if we were in love," Mason says, tired of all the things our mothers are saying.
"Of course, I haven't forgotten that, dear. You understand that we can't do something simple, or it will cause a lot of talk. If they already think Paige is pregnant and that's why everything is happening so quickly, imagine what they'll say if we don't do things properly," my mother says, her voice filled with indignation.
"I've never cared about what others say, and it won't be any different now. Mother, you already know that" Mason responds, looking at his mother.
"Darling," Mason's mother says, pleadingly, in response to my fiancé's comment.
"I agree with what Mason says. I don't care about pretending in a wedding where I have to smile for something I don't do out of love," I say, standing up from my seat.
"I think we've said enough. We're the ones who are getting married, so it will be done the way we want," Mason declares.
We leave without even saying goodbye, but they can't blame us. They act as if everything is the most normal thing in the world when we're doing it because of a contract.
As we reach his car, he looks at me and says, "I'm sorry about all this. If it were up to me, we'd get married tomorrow without a big celebration or anything. If you want something different, I can do it," he says, and I believe he means it sincerely.
"I agree with you. Tomorrow, we'll go and get married. No one has to know, just the lawyer, and there shouldn't be a celebration for something we're doing because of a stupid contract our parents made," I reply.
"Do you think we should get married tomorrow during your free time between classes?" he asks, getting down on one knee.
"I accept, my dear," I answer, one hand covering my mouth with excitement, and the other fanning my face to hold back tears.
"Good. Tomorrow, we'll be husband and wife," he remarks, standing up and embracing me around the waist.
For a moment, I think he's going to kiss me, but he only kisses my forehead and opens the car door for me. I get in, and on the way, I realize that we're heading to his hotel, not to my room.
"I don't want to bother Mason, so I grab a piece of paper and write a note.
'Riley has arrived. See you at the hotel restaurant. I won't be held responsible if we start drinking while waiting. Your treat. XD'
I leave it in plain sight and exit the room, heading to the elevator. I reach the lobby, and my friend is waiting, looking at her phone.
I approach her, and we go sit at the bar. We both order a drink to start our conversation.
"How did it go with your mother?" she asks anxiously.
"Not well. That's why I called you. Mason invited his best friend and his wife. When they all arrive, you'll know the reason, and I hope you'll accept what we tell you," I say, smiling.
"You know you can count on me for anything," she replies, winking at me.
We focus on our drinks and laugh when the bartender brings us two glasses that were sent by one of the hotel guests. Riley turns to see who it is and nearly spits out her drink when she sees the sender. Out of curiosity, I look and almost choke when I see a man in his 50s raising his glass in a greeting.
"But seriously, who does that guy think he is? He believes he can be with two girls like us, ha!" she says, still laughing.
"He's got quite the ego," the bartender says, smiling and winking at Riley in response to her reaction.
"I think it's just his ego," I whisper softly, and the three of us burst into laughter at what I said. I'm having a great time, and I think I could do another outing like this with Riley.
"If only he were young and rich, I wouldn't think twice and go with him," my friend says, glancing at the man again with a hint of pity.
We're still laughing when the bartender stops and looks behind us. For a moment, I think it's the man who sent us the drinks, but a hand on my waist shows me that it's not the case.
"Having a good time, love?" he asks in my ear while kissing my cheek.
"Aren't they a beautiful couple?" Riley, the bartender, says.
The bartender nods and smiles. Mason greets my friend and invites us to the table he has reserved. We accept, and the drinks are charged to my boyfriend's account.
As we sit down, it's just the three of us. We still have a few minutes before Ethan and Sarah arrive. I clear my throat; we have to explain our plans to Riley without sounding too crazy.