Please! Marry Me!

Ivy Hughes

"Praise my soul, the king of heaven," The cathedral choir sang as I prepared to walk down the aisle. I furrowed my brows uncomfortably because that wasn't the hymn I chose for the bride's procession. I paid little attention to it and assumed there must have been a mix up.

I will be getting married to my best friend today. I stepped out of a red range rover with my wedding dress stung on my body like I was born with it. The dress was designed by a popular designer and it costs a fortune. Many thanks to my soon-to-be husband, Ryan, I was able to look elegant on my wedding day.

The man I will be tying the knot to is one of the A-list actors in New York. I am also an actress but hardly recognized by anyone. I will be deceiving myself if I classify myself as a D-list actor. My grade is lower than that.

"Where is Evelyn?" I asked my sister, Kayla.

Evelyn is my best friend and my bridesmaid. She left the hotel we lodged last night because of an emergency and hasn't arrived since then.

"Dunno! I tried her number, but there was no pick," Kayla answered, checking her simple makeover in the car's mirror.

"We can't wait anymore. Let's go on without her. I am sure she had her reasons,"

Kayla nodded and smiled at me. We have learned to cherish each other since we lost our parents a few years back.

She clasped her hand with mine and we footed toward the church's entrance, putting on the cutest smiles ever.

Our faces were struck with shock as soon as we took a step into the church. The congregation in the church was more than my expectations. However, that was not the case.

Another wedding was going on in the church and Ryan, my soon-to-be husband was the groom and there was a bride beside him. Which definitely wasn't me because I haven't even walked down the aisle.

"I hereby present Ryan Austin and Evelyn Desmond as the newest couple in the world,"

The priest announced and I felt my world crashing. I was oblivious to the shouts and joyful screams that were going on. The last statement the priest made echoed in my ears.

Did Ryan get married to Evelyn?

Was that the reason she left the hotel last night claiming there was an emergency....?

"Arrgh!" I shrieked.

The shrill garnered everybody's attention and they all turned their heads, fixing their eyes on me.

Their stares were piercing into my skin. I felt like there were needles all over my body. I prayed earnestly to God to let the ground eat me up. My legs were transfixed. Thinking of the next thing to do was a problem because my head was aching badly.

The betrayals' lips were curled up victoriously. There was neither guilt nor remorse on their faces. It only meant one thing. It has been planned out, but I trusted them so much as not to suspect them.

I pushed the brimming tears back and looked at the congregation faces one after the other until my eyes landed on a man. His amber eyes were shining like a star and his cold expression did nothing to my body but gave me an idea.

I walked into the church, surprising everyone. Kayla tried to stop me by holding my hand, but I jerked her hands away. She thought I was losing my mind or maybe I was.

I stopped in front of the man with amber eyes, and in front of everyone, I asked him to marry me.

"Will you please, take me as your bride?" I asked, garnering another whisper from the congregation.

My mind was trying to chide me to stop, but my head wasn't comprehending that. All I wanted to do was to save myself from the disgrace and shame they had both planted. The man stood up from his seat and looked into my eyes. I felt shivers in my spine as he pierced his beautiful eyes into mine.

I was praying to God and hoping he wouldn't say NO.

"Okay... Let's have a wedding," He agreed and I forced a smile from my lips.

He took my hands and walked me down the aisle.

Ryan and Evelyn gave me their last glances and walked out of the church, majestically.

"Ivy, you are not in your right senses. You don't even know the man you are getting married to,"

Kayla spoke while shaking my shoulders, but I have made up my mind.

"Start the vow, priest," I instructed, looking at nowhere in particular.

"The groom should say after me,"

The priest began and we were asked to exchange vows. There was no ring and it was time to exchange the rings. I removed my veil and tore a little part of it. The man collected the torn part from me and split it into halves. He tied one to my finger and I tied the other to his. All these actions took place with a bright smile on his face. He looked like a man who has been in love with the woman in front of him.

"People of God, I present to you, the newest couple in town," The priest announced.

The church was as silent as a graveyard, a clap could not be heard and that was none of my business. The only thing I wanted to do after the wedding was to go home.

I gave the man a last smile and footed out of the church hurriedly, Kayla opened the car's door, I hopped into the car and she followed suit. The driver drove off.

The tears I have been forcing back moved freely out of my eyes. Ryan and I started from scratch. We'd been dating since our college days before he chose acting as his career and everybody knew us as a couple. Even if I was expecting to be betrayed, it wasn't from him. I wasn't expecting to be betrayed by them.

The car stopped in front of the mini flat I stayed with Kayla, but I was still sobbing. She circled her arm around my shoulders and patted me softly. These gestures were supposed to make me stop crying but they increased my tears instead.

We entered the small living room and Kayla helped me settle on one of the single couches.

She turned the lights on and helped me remove my shoes and veil. She flung them and took a seat in front of me. Of course, I knew it was time to listen to her endless nagging sadly, I wasn't in the mood for that.

"Ivy, why did you do.....,"

She started but I cut her off.

"Spare me that, Kayla. I am not in the mood for that,"

I stood up and strolled into my bedroom weakly. I just want to shut the noises in my head.

Ivy Hughes

The sounds of the bustles in the kitchen made me open my eyes weakly. I tried to sit up but a heavy headache sent me back.

I had cried until midnight, it would be impossible to wake up hale and hearty.

It was a habit to always keep a jug of water and a cup beside the bed. Fortunately, it was helpful. I poured myself a glass of water and emptied it in three chugs. I must have paid no attention to my thirst yesterday.

"Ivy, are you awake?"

Kayla shouted. I could hear footsteps coming closer to my bedroom. I jumped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom. I don't want her to see my swollen face.

"Are you in the bathroom?"

She asked when she didn't meet me in the room.

"Hmm... yeah. I will join you after having a quick bath,"

There was a brief silence and she left the room afterward. I sighed after hearing the bang of the door.

My face was all swollen in the mirror. I must have really lost it yesterday.

"Yesterday... yeah... yesterday... Who was the man from yesterday? He was so calm and he got married to me without asking me any questions," I mentally asked and shrugged the thoughts away.

He was gone and I will pretend nothing happened between us.

I had a quick bath and walked into the bedroom, creamed my body, and got into a baggy, short dress.

"I thought you were trying to hide from me,"

Kayla spoke up as soon as I stepped out of my room. She dished the breakfast and pushed it in front of me.

I chuckled and had a bit of the sandwich. "You know I can't do that,"

"I know. I just want to see you try hard," She chuckled.

"How are you, Ivy?" She asked, putting her food aside and looking so serious. I knew the moment I had been running from is here. How can I forget Kayla wasn't the type who give up so easily?

"Erm... I... can we not talk about this?"

My voice was getting shaky and I couldn't dare to look at her. I might burst into tears again, which I don't want to.

"How long do you want to keep running away from the truth, Ivy? We can't......,"

A knock on the door stopped her. I breathed a sigh of relief and mentally thanked whosoever was at the door. That person is a lifesaver. She glanced at me and threw me a questioning look, I shrugged my shoulders instead, I wasn't expecting any visitor.

"I will quickly take the door,"

She stood up and ran to the door. I lifted the cup of coffee and took a sip. I felt my nerves relaxing. Kayla doesn't know her coffee does wonders to the body.

It was past few seconds and there was no sound from Kayla. I turned my head to look at her and I found her, standing and holding the door handle. Her body was frozen like she had seen some ghost.

"Hey, girl! Why are you so quiet like a ghost is at the door?" I asked with a chuckle.

"This would have been better if he is a ghost,"

She replied absentmindedly. Her eyes were still fixed on whatever she had seen. I got up and moved to the door.

My heart skipped out of fear and my eyes almost removed out of the socket.

The man smiled brightly. I swear this man in front of me had the cutest smile I have ever seen, his eyes could testify because it seems he was also smiling with his eyes.

"I was so eager to see my new bride but it seems she doesn't want to see me,"

He uttered, jolting us out of our shocked state.

"Ah! Sor... What ar... Pl... Please come in,"

Words were finding it hard to be formed. I moved aside and pointed at a couch as a gesture for him to have his seat. My head was lowered and my eyes were staring at nothing. The situation was awkward and dumbfounding.

"I will be in my room. Let me know if he tries nonsense with you," Kayla asserted, putting her hands on her ears as a signal. She took a last glance at him and left us alone in the living room.

The man chuckled lowly and said, "Your sister sounds like a gangster,"

"Don't call my sister a gangster," I retorted, raising my head and my eyes met with his as soon as I did that.

I quickly lowered my head and mumbled a question, "Why are you here?"

"Is that supposed to be a question?" He asked but I was mute.

"Okay, I am here to see my wife. I miss my wife even if she doesn't miss me,"

My head was raised and lowered almost immediately at his statement.

I shut my eyes tightly and slowly raised my head. I summoned courage and opened my eyes unhurriedly.

I almost bowed my head with the way his eyes were pricking into mine but I controlled myself.

"Mr. .....," I emphasized it, waiting for him to tell me his name but he wasn't flinching. He was not ready to let me know his name.

"Mr., I really appreciate the fact that you saved me from getting embarrassed yesterday and I wouldn't dare take it for granted. I had to do what I did yesterday because I wasn't thinking straight and we can't even be called a couple,"

I explained gently, trying to make him see my point of view.

"Why do you say so? We were made husband and wife. We exchanged vows in front of 200+ citizens and in front of God. We have been blessed by God and the priest,"

"Sir, you are getting this whole thing wrong. Yes, we had a church wedding but it was only a facade. It wasn't real. I don't even know you and you don't know me too,"

I uttered, already getting annoyed by his stubborn attitude. He is a clown for taking what happened yesterday at the church so seriously. He is an adult and old enough to know I only got married to him because of the betrayal.

"Oh! You think you don't know me but you do. Everybody knows me and I am sure you will be so glad you got married to me if you found out about my identity," He bragged.

My brows creased at his statement. I was confused even though I paid little attention to it.

"I don't think there is anything we need to talk about again. I hope you will leave a broken woman like me alone and let me go. Please, pretend as if nothing happened between us. Thanks for your understanding,"

At this statement, I stood up and wanted to go and open the door for him. He held my wrist, I missed my steps as I wasn't expecting the action from him and was about to fall. He pulled me to himself and I fell on his lap. My ass pressed against his already hard dick and my face became flushed. I lowered my head, embarrassingly.

"I wish this never ends," His cold voice echoed in my ears. I was jerked out of my dirty thoughts. I got up from his lap snappily and rushed to the door.

I was about to turn after opening the door when the door slammed unexpectedly. I almost jumped out of fright.

I turned my head and saw him behind me, I got frightened and faced him properly, resting my back on the door.

"Wh...wh...what are you do... d... doing?"

My heart skipped at every step he took. He finally halted, leaving no more than a half inch between us. We were so close that I could feel his hot breath. And my heart was racing shamelessly at the scent he was emitting. I prayed mentally that he doesn't move closer so he would not hear my heartbeats.

Our faces were so close and any movement from him was going to make his lips press against mine. I shut my eyes, terrified of the dirty thoughts in his head.

A few seconds passed but there was no movement, I opened my eyes slowly and he laughed.

"Hey! So sad I have to disappoint my wife. I am not here to do what you crave. Maybe I might consider you when you move home," He mumbled, Still giggling

I bit my lips and bowed my head, shamefully.

"I wasn't craving anything," I retorted with a tone mixed with disappointment.

"I know right, your voice says it all," He teased

"Stay safe and be good, my love. Husband has to go and work for you,"

He patted my head lovingly and I felt my body getting calm. How can my body be this shameless because of this man?

I moved away from him but he laughed. He opened the door, gave me a wink, and walked out. I fell to the closest couch immediately after I heard the slamming of the door. I didn't know how many minutes or seconds I had been holding my breath but I found myself trying to catch up with my breaths. I hope he never comes back.

Dillon Long

I have been restless ever since I got married to an unknown woman yesterday. I couldn't concentrate even when I got to work from the church.

I instructed my personal assistant never to mention what happened to my family, especially my mother. She is going to create a fuss if she learns I got married to a random woman.

"Send everything about her to my phone in the next 20 minutes. I want to know from the smallest and meaningless information," I instructed before strolling into my house.

Ezekiel has been my personal assistant since I joined the HORSE group as their CEO and he has been faithful. He is computer literate and a professional researcher.

Looking for that woman was a simple task to him.

My phone beeped and lit up before I finished removing my clothes. "I trust him," I mumbled. A cute smile appeared at the corner of my lips.

I picked it up and read the message on it.

"Ivy Hughes. A graduate of theater art and an upcoming actress. 23 years old, an orphan with only one family. She stays at Block 49, Crescent Way, New York. The last room by the right,"

I dropped the phone after reading and flopped on the bed, facing up and resting my back on the bed. A mischievous smile crept out of my lips, I couldn't wait to see that woman's face again.

I spent the whole night thinking about her and imagining what it would feel like to have her on my bed. It was almost noon by the time I woke up the next day. Thankfully, it was a free day for me.

I got off the bed and ambled into the bathroom to get ready for the day's activities. I couldn't help grinning as I put on my suit while staring at myself in the full-length mirror. I guess this is what all newly married couples feel. I can't believe I am married. The country's most eligible billionaire bachelor is married to a random woman.

My cook, Mrs. Smith, was cleaning the living room when I got downstairs. She stopped what she was doing as soon as she sighted me, stood upright, and lowered her head in respect.

"Good morning, Mr. Dillon,"

She greeted me and I replied with a low hum.

"I will set the dining table again,"

She turned and was about to step into the kitchen but I stopped her.

"Do not bother,"

I strolled out of the house and entered the already-opened Toyota Venza. I can't wait to see my wife. Waiting to eat was going to delay me.

The door to her flat opened before I could knock the second time and Kayla's face popped out. She was bewildered to see me. I was already losing my patience when she looked like she wasn't ready to regain her senses but Ivy spoke up. Her calm and refined voice sent butterflies in my belly. She was already beside her sister before I could control myself and her face was covered with shock.

I don't know what she thought about our wedding but I am definitely not letting her go. She is married to me and she is mine.

* * *

Ivy's flat

Kayla rushed out of the kitchen and dropped the popcorn she was eating on the table. "What! He really said so?"

She slumped on the chair with a stiff face.

Ivy nodded and cupped her face with her hands, and rested her ankle on her lap.

"I warned you, Ivy!,"

"Not again, Kayla. You don't have the right to judge me. I did what I had to,"

"Don't, Ivy. There are so many ways you can handle yesterday's scene but you chose getting married to a stranger,"

"I never got married to a stranger, it was a fake wedding,"

Kayla stood up and placed her hands on her waist.

"Oh! Fake wedding it is but who are you going to explain it to? Are you going to explain to the man who insisted you are married? Or to the people who were present on that day?"

"Stop it!" Ivy ordered with a croaky voice. Water has welled up in her eyes and nothing is going to stop them from falling if she shakes them.

"Kayla, it was unavoidable. I was betrayed by them but I was the one taking the blame. They made me do what I did. They fucking pushed me to this. I fucking did that to save my face,"

She screamed and tears flowed down her face freely. She had kept it in for too long. She wanted to cry out. She needed to let it all out. It was eating her up.

"Ryan and Evelyn are at fault. I didn't do anything. I was faithful to Ryan. I took Evelyn like a sister. They messed me up, Kayla. I didn't do it. It wasn't me,"

Her voice tone decreased as she made each statement. The tears were making her voice faint.

Kayla sighed and walked up to her, she sat beside her and hugged her tightly.

"I am sorry, sister. I was just concerned about you," She whispered and kissed her hair.

The two sisters were in that position for three minutes before they heard a knock on the door. Their hearts raced, they thought it was Dillon.

They were both looking at each other and were still thinking of what to do when they heard another knock but this time, it was louder and it looked like whoever was fiddling with the door knob.

"I will take it," Ivy spoke up.

She stood up and went to open the door. She creased her brows after discovering she had seen the face nowhere.

The lady at the door looked at her with scrutiny, shoved her aside with her body, and walked into the house majestically. Ivy shook her head, slammed the door, and followed her.

"How may I help you, ma'am?" Ivy asked, walking to her sister and she stood beside her. Kayla hits her gently with her shoulder, questionably raising her brow and Ivy shrugs her shoulders.

"Whoops! I can't believe Dillon stepped his feet into this filthy room and sat on these low-budget chairs," She spoke up.

The two sisters glanced at each other, shocked and confused.

"I think you have got the wrong room. No Dillon came here," Ivy explained calmly.

"Wow! It's interesting. You even have the nerve to lie to me. I thought I heard wrong when I was told Dillon got married to a girl yesterday but everything makes sense when I secretly followed him here. So, are you the so-called wife?"

Ivy swallowed hard when she realized where she was driving. She peeked at her with scrutiny, with one glance, one could tell she isn't just an ordinary lady. She must be from a rich home or a celebrity and she might be the man's girlfriend or wife.

She forced a smile and held her dress tightly, trying to suppress her anxiousness.

"I think there is a misunderstanding, I am not married to him. It was a fake wedding and everything has been dissolved this morning. That was what he came to do this morning," She expatiate, inspecting her reaction so that she could know if it was good to continue or not.

"So, do you mean you guys have nothing to do with each other again?" She asked, eyeing the sisters for any suspecting moves.

"Yes, be rest assured,"

"Well," The lady started, coughing to clear her throat.

"You better be careful because I don't joke with my fiance," She added and footed out of the house almost immediately.

Ivy's leg gave way as soon as she slammed the door and she fell to the floor, trying to catch up with her breaths. Balls of sweat formed on her forehead. Kayla bent to her level and embraced her. She knew at that moment that all she needed was a coax.

A loud thump on the door made Ivy jump out of fear. Kayla rushed toward the door angrily, ready to blast whosoever was at the door.

She opened the door, hissed loudly, and banged the door to their faces.