Chapter 3 Wedding Kisses

~~~It's not the flowers wrapped in fancy paper, it's not the ring I wear around my finger. There's nothing in all the world I need when I have you here beside me, here beside me. So you could give me wings to fly and catch me if I fall or pull the stars down from the sky so I could wish on them all, but I couldn't ask for more 'cause your love is the greatest gift of all...~~~

-Your Love (Jim Brickman)

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Ting... Ting... Ting...

That's the sound of the clinking glasses that made my jaws drop and hold my breath in discomfort. I looked around me and saw that almost everyone was doing the same thing. And do you know what that means? They just want us to kiss, I mean, me and my annoying husband who seemed to enjoy resting his palm on my lower back

-'Who the hell invented such a custom at the wedding reception? Seriously? I just hope they all know we were just pretending.'- I sighed mentally.

"Kiss... Kiss... Kiss..." They all screamed in unison.

And when I turned to my husband, the annoying smirk on his lips was the first that came before my eyes.

"Can't you hear their cheering? They want us to kiss."

"Huh!" I snorted, but just like what happened earlier in the church, I didn't get the chance to form any words as he suddenly pulled me closer to him and kissed me. And when I thought it was just a simple kiss like what I thought earlier, well, I was wrong for the second time as he didn't let my lips go immediately

My body seemed to enjoy his assault. I can feel the tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach and all of a sudden, I found myself reciprocating the movement of his lips. I sensed how it surprised him but he didn't stop, instead, he pulled me even closer and deepened the kiss.

I don't know how long we have been in that position, the only thing that pulled me back to my sanity was when I recognized Jace's voice near us.

"Get a room you two!" He yelled, followed by loud applause from the other guests.

That was just when I pushed him, but instead of being embarrassed, he had the arrogance to raise his wine and ask the people for a toss.

"Cheers, sweetheart, cheers everyone," he smirked before drinking the remaining contents in his wineglass.

"Wow! You seem to be enjoying all of this, sweetheart," I whispered, sarcastically close to his ear. "You seem to be enjoying kissing your wife tonight, huh? Remember, it's just for a show," and then I gazed up at him, he has the same expression as mine.

"Of course, it's just for a show, besides..." He pulled me around my waist. "You're not my type!" And he whispered an inch from my lips that I smelled his minty breath mixed with the scent of wine he drank.

Then he let my waist go and because I was hit by his words, a stupid idea came to my mind that made him suddenly change his expression for the rest of the night.

"Ohh, of course, I know that," I shrugged, pretending to be okay despite the twinge that crept into my heart. "But don't consume too much of my energy tonight, especially my lips... let others try it too."

Those words came out of my mouth without even thinking about it. I was just teasing him just like what he was doing, but it changed his mood and the atmosphere between us.

"Listen here! I'm warning you, Rafi, don't you ever try to disgust my name or even think of having an affair or I won't hesitate---" he stopped in the middle of his sentence, gritting his teeth.

"You won't hesitate to what?" I asked, despite the rage showing in his eyes.

"I won't hesitate to put you and your other man in the right place that I'm sure no one would ever want even you!"

After releasing those words, he walked away without even looking back and totally left the venue. And there, I was left confused and speechless.

"What happened? Why did he suddenly leave?" Jace instantly came to my side, but my mind was busy with its own thoughts.

"What the hell had happened to him?" Paul also ran to me and asked. "What did you talk about? He seemed so furious."

-'Yeah, what the hell had suddenly happened to him? I thought we were just exchanging sarcastic comments then why did he walk out?'- I asked myself not realizing that I had asked those questions loud enough for the two to hear.

"You were what?" The two asked in unison but I was still in a daze.

-'Why do I feel like he seemed jealous than furious? Or is it just my mind thinking? Because in the first place, why would he get jealous when the exact words came out of his mouth? I am not his type!'-

"Rafaela!"

"Rafi!"

"Huh?" I suddenly came back to reality when my parents and in-laws came in front of me.

"What happened, sweetie?" Asked by my mother-in-law, the worry was evident in her voice. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah," I nodded, not knowing what to answer.

They all asked me one by one... no... actually, they all asked me at the same time.

"Why did your husband leave?" It was my mother, who took both my hands and turned me towards her.

"I-I don't know," I shrugged, shaking my head. "Honestly, I don't know,"

"You can take rest, for now, Rafi, and I'll be the one to talk to that jackass!" Mr. Vincent Clarkson patted me on the shoulder. He's Liam's grandfather... the reason behind all of this and why we ended up tying each other in front of the altar.

I felt a pair of arms embrace me from behind and I know from the warmth it brought me those were my mother's.

"I'm sorry, honey,"

I immediately turned around and took both her hands with a smile.

"Mom, why are you apologizing?"

"Because we didn't stop you from agreeing to this marriage. I'm sorry if you had to go through it because of your father's property---"

"Hey, Mom..." I interrupted her, wiping her tears. "We are family, so it is our property," I emphasized that the word our.

The property she was mentioning was our house and the 20 thousand square meter lot where our house is located and which the title of the said property was used as collateral when my grandfather, Robert Rodriguez borrowed a huge amount of money from Liam's grandfather when he was still alive. And that money worth 30 million dollars and the friendship of our grandfathers made everything happen.

She pulled me into a hug and I thanked God that it's just an intimate wedding... only the two families and a few close friends were invited. My in-laws hired four private photographers to capture all the details and since this happened, we don't have to worry about what the media would say about this chaos, especially about their reputation.

***

The moment I got into the car, tears started forming around my eyes. This is me again. This has been me from the beginning pretending to be strong in front of everyone, especially in front of my parents... forcing myself to smile and pretending to be happy.

I admit I was hurt when Liam walked out and left me speechless earlier. Even though it's just an arranged marriage, he still made me feel what a real wife should feel in his every kiss. But what made me confused even up to this point was his reaction when I told him to don't consume my energy and let others try to kiss me too. It was just a joke and we were just exchanging sarcastic comments, but why did he walk out like a furious and jealous husband?

"Ma'am Rafi,"

"Hmm?" I looked in the rearview mirror when I heard Bob's voice. He said he was the one Liam assigned to be my personal driver. And even though I'm not used to having a personal driver as I always drive my own, I have no choice but to agree since I didn't know where his house in.

"We're here," he smiled at me and I nodded, returning his smile.

-'Whoa!'- but a slight gasp escaped my lips when a three-story villa came right before my eyes.

We entered a huge black gate with four security guards complete with rifles and other equipment that can be used for killing

unauthorized people entering the premises --- Oops! I mean, it can be used to kill birds, flies, ants... ohh, and other poor insects.

Bob helped me with my things. Actually, I only have two large suitcases as I didn't pack all my stuff and kept them in my apartment with Paul and Jace. Yes, we were sharing an apartment before Liam told me three days before the wedding that I should pack my things and start living with him.

"Good evening, Mrs. Clarkson," I was greeted by the maid who opened the entrance door. She was smiling widely as she approached me.

"Oh, hi, good evening," I greeted her back.

"Oh, my God! You are so beautiful, Mrs. Clarkson!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction when she stood in front of me, covering her mouth in surprise. I haven't washed my face yet since earlier at the reception, so I still have my makeup on.

"You can just call me, Rafi, Mrs. Clarkson is a way too old." I winked at her.

"Oops, I forgot to introduce myself, by the way, I'm Jenny, Mrs. Clarkson----I mean, Rafi." She smiled but then suddenly stopped in her tracks and stared at me, frowning.

"Why? Is there dirt on my face?" I asked confused.

"No," she shook her head. "You just looked familiar,"

"Maybe because I have a common beauty," I shrugged, smiling at her. I remember that's the same reaction I got when Liam's grandfather first met me.

"I'm not sure but I think I've seen you somewhere before."

"Really?" I asked and she nodded. "I'll tell you why in some other day," I just told her.

She excitedly agreed and helped me bring my things inside the house.

"Huh!" My mouth hung in mid-air as soon as my feet entered the huge living room. "Whoa!" I uttered in surprise as it is double the size of our apartment, take note it's just a living room.

I wandered my eyes around and let them please with the spacious modern living room with light wood and linen upholstery. Illuminated by a cacophony of circular pendants and designer table lamps that added elegance and sophistication to the room.

"You would want to close your mouth,"

My breath hitched at the sound of his voice and I turned around to see him walking down the huge and wide staircase... the Greek God himself and my husband, Liam Samuel Clarkson who left me at the reception on our wedding day. Well... it's just an arranged marriage, so what do I expect?