We explain to Riley how our parents want to make a spectacle out of our love, but all we want is to get married and be happy without having to share it with people we don't even know just to please society. That convinces her to help us and accompany us tomorrow when we go to get married.
At that moment, Ethan and Sarah arrive, and we introduce Riley to them. Then Mason fills them in on our plans. Ethan is the first to express his support, but Sarah is not so sure.
"I'm sure Emily won't be happy about this, Mason," she says, looking at my soon-to-be husband.
"I know. We were with her and my in-laws earlier and believe me when I say they're planning a circus more than a wedding. You know how she gets about certain things," he says, trying to convince her.
"For my mother, what others say is very important, and I'm sure she has convinced Emily to accept a circus for a wedding. They're inviting people like crazy, and they want the wedding to take place in less than a month. You understand that we're doing this out of love, not for the sake of appearances," I say, hoping to persuade her.
"Love, they're right. Would you have liked our wedding to be something planned by our parents without considering what we wanted?" Ethan says.
"It's true. I adore Emily, but sometimes she can be a bit intense with her desires," he says to Mason.
"Then we'll see you tomorrow as the witnesses for our wedding," Mason says, smiling.
We dine amidst laughter, thanks to Sarah and Riley's ideas. They're definitely a guarantee for a good laugh together. When we realize it's getting late, at least for Riley and me to return to the residence, we say goodbye to the others. I am responsible for driving since my friend took advantage of the free drinks -her words, not mine.
We arrived safely in the room, I told Mason that I begged him to do it to be sure that we arrived safely, because he insisted that we could stay with him, but none of us accepted.
……………………………………………………………………….
The next day, I wake up anxious and nervous. We are going to meet at noon to make our union legal. Riley insisted that I be in the room at least an hour and a half before to do my makeup. I insisted that it's not necessary, but she couldn't get the idea out of her head. She even invited Sarah to make me feel the pressure of accepting this idea.
I check the time and realize that I should already be on my way to my room. I sigh and walk through the university parking lot, knowing that Riley and Sarah are probably waiting for me.
As I mentioned earlier, the girls are upset with my lack of commitment, as they told me when they saw me.
"Look at the time, and you come as if it's not late! Go take a shower while I bring you the clothes to get dressed," scolds Riley.
"Yes, mom," I say sarcastically.
"Change your tone with me," she says, pointing her finger at me as if she were my actual mother.
I shake my head and quickly take a shower, as they keep knocking on the bathroom door every two minutes, urging me to hurry up. I sigh at how these girls are stressing me out as if they were the ones getting married.
For me, today is just a normal day. The only thing that changes is that I'll be signing a paper that will make me Mason's wife for three years. What the girls don't know is that it's a contract. They think it's for love, and that's why they're excited, the excitement that I'm supposed to have. I take a deep breath and look at myself in the mirror, preparing to fake the emotions of a lovestruck bride about to get married.
I step out and force a smile so that they believe I'm excited. I let them do their thing, and when they tell me I'm ready, I realize that the dress I'm wearing is black. I look at the girls, bewildered, and they're holding back laughter.
"Can I know why I was given a black dress? Brides are supposed to wear white!" I say, or rather, shout.
"Friend, we're in mourning. Look at us, all in black. You're leaving the world of singleness, and I have the right to show my grief for that," she says, smiling.
I look at both of them and notice that they're both wearing black. I shake my head at the ideas that come to their minds.
"What do you think Ethan and Mason will say when they see us dressed in black?" I ask the geniuses who hadn't thought about that.
"I don't think they'll get mad. It's just another day, except they're getting married. But they won't mind. I'll handle anything that comes up," Sarah says.
"You'll be responsible if they get mad," I tell Sarah.
After that, we get in Sarah's car and head to the venue where the ceremony will take place. Right now, I'm feeling anxious and nervous. I can't stop moving my fingers and hands. It's not the wedding I always dreamed of. However, it's not for love, so it doesn't count as a real wedding. It's just something temporary.
As we get closer to the venue, I feel worse. My stomach tightens with nerves, my hands sweat, and my breathing becomes faster than usual.
Riley notices my symptoms and takes my hand to reassure me.
"Relax, everything will be fine. And if, by some chance, Mason isn't there, I'll find him just to punch him, so don't worry," she says, thinking she's calming me down.
"Why would you say that if he's not there, you'll look for him? That only makes her more nervous. It's obvious he'll be waiting for you. Don't listen to Riley," a concerned Sarah tells me.
"Your closer friends with him than I am, so I can't guarantee that he'll be waiting for my friend. Sorry for doubting," she responds, raising her hands as a sign of surrender.
Finally, we're here. We're standing in front of the judge who will conduct the ceremony. Everything happens quickly, and I don't even register what the man is saying. Everyone is looking at me, and if it weren't for Mason asking me if I accept, I wouldn't respond. I don't know when I got to this point.
Minutes later, we're "happily" married, and upon leaving, we coordinate with Ethan, Sarah, and Riley where we're going to have dinner. Afterwards, I'll go to Mason's hotel. I can't go with Riley because she would ask why I'm not going with my now husband. To avoid uncomfortable questions, I prefer going to the hotel.
Upon arriving at the hotel, we sit in the lounge and start talking. I want to ask about the girl I saw him with, but I don't dare. That reminds me to call the lawyer to find out if there are any updates on what she was investigating.
Mason starts drinking, more than I've ever seen him. I ask him,
"Are you okay?"
"Absolutely great. Now we're husband and wife, and I think we should celebrate. Because once our parents find out, they're going to want to kill us, lol" he responds cheerfully.
"Cheers, husband," I reply, clinking my glass against his.