Married At First Glance: I Am Not Ugly

She had always wished for a better life, and this offer seemed like a miracle.

“Just three months?” Marissa asked to make sure she heard right. “And then I’m free?”

He nodded, looking confident. “Exactly. After three months, we will go our separate ways, and you can live your life.”

“And I won’t get to see the likes of you.” Marissa thought about it. This was a strange and unusual idea, but it might be her chance to escape her problems. After all, she had less than 48 hours to come up with the funds for her brother’s surgery.

This was insane, but where would she even get the money to pay for the surgery when she had no means of getting it.

And it may be the Creator of the universe who had shown her so much mercy by bringing this arrogant, selfish prune her way to help her financially.

It is just marriage on paper which means she doesn’t have to sleep with him and after three months she would return back to her life and forget this whole thing ever happened and her brother would be healthy again.

She turned to him with a smile.

He furrowed wondering what she was thinking.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.

“Okay.” Marissa said.

“I’ll marry you for three months.” She smiled, like she had won a prize.

“Good. To make it look real, we’ll set some rules, and my lawyer will write up a contract.”

“No no no no no no.” she said.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Do you really think people would believe you if you told them you had gotten married after you showed them the marriage papers?” she asked.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

“I’m talking about your friends or family who you are trying to convince that you are married now. Do you really think they would believe you?” she asked.

“So what are you suggesting?” he asked.

“Uh.. a wedding.” she revealed.

“A what!”

“A wedding to convince your family, friends that you’re married.” she said.

“Never gonna happen.” he said.

A wedding wasn’t part of his initial plan, and he had concerns of his own. This wedding might complicate things.

And he doesn’t intend to tell her that he has a girlfriend, she might probably ask him why he didn’t ask her to marry him instead.

So it’s best he keeps it to himself. If Jessie found out about it, she might not be happy or worse she might break up with him which he doesn’t want.

“A wedding would make our arrangement appear more authentic. We can’t risk anyone doubting the legitimacy of our marriage on paper.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said.

“Why not?” she asked.

“I can’t tell you the reason. I just can’t do that.” he said.

She looked at him with a suspicious gaze. What could he be hiding and why would he just propose to a stranger without even thinking?

What could he be searching for or in need of? She thought in her mind.

Marissa persisted,

“C’mon sir, think about it. A wedding would make this whole thing look real to everyone. It’s not just about us; it’s about convincing your family and friends.”

“I don’t need to convince anyone. Our marriage is just gonna last us three months and we are done.” he said.

“I know…. but do you think they would believe that? I mean you’re an arrogant person who would want to marry you?” she said.

Alexander shaked his head.

“No, girl, I can’t do that. This was never part of the plan. It’s just a paper marriage for three months. Nothing more.”

Marissa was frustrated, her voice raised.

“But we need it to be believable! Do you want people to doubt our marriage?”

Alexander was resolute.

“I don’t care what people think. I’m not marrying a stranger in a big ceremony.”

Marissa crossed her arms, determined not to back down.

“Well, then, how do you plan to make them believe it’s real?”

Alexander paused, realizing he didn’t have a convincing answer.

“I… I don’t know.”

Marissa leaned in, her eyes fixed on him.

“See? We need a wedding.”

Alexander sighed, feeling cornered.

“Fine, but it has to be small, private, and quick. No big celebration.”

Marissa smiled, satisfied with the compromise.

“Deal. We’ll make it believable, and then after three months, we’re done.”

“So I will call you tomorrow to give you the contract so that you can sign it and then we start. Is that fine?” he asked.

“Sure, but do you have my number? And besides, we don’t know each other’s name. What’s your name?” she asked.

“Do I have to answer that? Just give me your number and I will call you where we would meet tomorrow to sign the contract.” he said.

“Nope! You have to tell me your name first before I give you my number.” she said standing her ground.

Alexander sighed.

What an annoying woman she is! He said to himself.

“My name is Alexander Shim.” he said, after much hesitation.

“See? That wasn’t so hard. Why do you have to be all rude and annoying when you can just be nice.” she said.

“Well, I’m not nice and I don’t pretend to be nice.” he said, his face serious.

“Whatever…..” she said.

“Anyways, my name is Marissa Preah.”

“Alright, Marissa. I’ll contact you tomorrow with the contract details.”

“Okay, Alexander. I’ll be waiting,” Marissa replied with a mischievous grin.

“Alright then.” He said, as he called his driver to take them out of there.

“His driver entered the car and zoomed off leaving Marissa in surprise at how things had turned out.

As Marissa walked home, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of disbelief.

“I can’t believe this… Is this real?” she muttered to herself.

Passersby glanced at her oddly as she continued talking to herself.

“I mean, a rich stranger proposes to marry me out of the blue? This has to be a dream.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“It just can’t be real.”