Days After You's

Chapter 1 - Marriage

I looked at the woman who was slowly stepping up to me, in a simple white dress without any striking lace or diamond ornaments and her face covered by a semi-transparent scabbard, she walked alongside her father. The two walked down the aisle between rows of chairs filled with two large families that will be united today.

The woman who walked while clutching her father's arm was named Stella, the son of my father's business partner who for something and other things ended up being betrothed to me. A woman who is innocent, not so beautiful, not prominent, and tends to be simple for someone who is born into a family like her class. Before today I had only met him once, although I heard he had been to our house several times but I don't remember ever seeing him. I only remember our brief meeting at one of the restaurants three months ago arranged by our two parents.

That day, I was late because the meeting at the company was finished later than scheduled, and Stella waited there for a longer time.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Miss Stella. The meeting's over longer than it should."

"O-oh, it's okay. I just got here too. Please sit down."

There was no way I would believe what he said after finding him again about to order his second drink at the same time when I arrived just now, but I didn't say anything about it. I think he just wants to be polite but he's not good at lying about it. Really.a plain woman.

Nothing impressed me with him other than the fact that he was so different from what I had in my expedition. Don't blame me, but I'm also a man who has his own taste for a woman. When dad said he was going to match me up with Mr. Wesley—'s son one of the branch directors of my family group company— I imagined a graceful woman, a beautiful woman, beautiful and classy as I used to meet at business parties. A woman who can balance my arguments and who seems independent.

Stella, on the other hand looks similar typical of spoiled women who are not so smart and will always depend on the people around her from the way she dresses that is childish and ungraceful. He was quite careless with his hands and sometimes spoke too small for me to hear clearly. I was nervous when I imagined having to spend my life with someone like him. Thankfully a phone call from my assistant Rio reported that there would be an impromptu meeting to discuss some of the company's asset issues saving me from that boring encounter.

"Luiz, how was your meeting with Stella? You will soon get married, often meet him at your leisure so that you can get to know each other better," said my father at the end of the meeting, but I did not pay much attention to him other than giving my proper response to him. The second time I met Stella was today.

I don't like Stella. I was convinced long ago and still am convinced until today. When Stella and her father arrived before me and I reached out to grab the tiny palm from her tearful father, I secretly made a pact in my mind to end this bond sooner or later. Four years. That should be enough time to satisfy our family and convince them that this marriage is not the best for us.

Stella almost fell down the stairs because she stumbled on her own dress and my hand reflexively held her tighter. I flinched and immediately put aside the previous thoughts in my mind. Stella's body feels much heavier than it looks or maybe it's because of her dress? I don't know.

"Be careful.." I whispered.

"...Ah, thank you, sorry I'm so nervous," with a nervous laugh, Stella lifted the scabbard that covered her face to look at me. I could hear my mother's call soon after telling her to cover her face again and she who was shocked immediately pulled her horse to the point of making the crown at the top of her head tilt at it.

Some invitations laughed and I could only sigh while helping Stella stand next to me. Suddenly his body became very tense and stiff when the procession began. My arms that were held a little too tightly by her also felt a little uncomfortable. I hope this ends soon.

The unexpected wedding procession passed quite smoothly, except from Stella who had time to say a promise and almost dropped the ring, everything went as planned. I behaved like a nice guy and looked as relaxed as possible, even when we had been declared as a legal married couple and I was welcome to kiss the bride, I still looked calm.

Stella looked at me so fixedly, her eyeballs grew as my face approached hers. I was reminded of the cat video I had seen because my assistant Rio accidentally sent it wrong to me first and I really wanted to laugh about it.

"...Close your eyes."

"O-okay."

Stella closed her eyes tightly, but instead of getting better, her expression became twice as laughable with her brow bent and her cheek inflated as if she was holding her breath with all her might. Jesus, now he looks like a bloated fish.

I couldn't stand it, I whispered again, "You don't have to hold your breath until it's like that, you know?"

"Aah?"

Afraid that my expression would look strange as well, I immediately landed my lips against hers. Simultaneously, cheers from the family were heard filling the church but my attention for a moment only focused on Stella's soft lips. I counted to five before releasing my link. Stella smiled faintly with a flushed face and I could only reply with the same smile because for some reason my face was warm afterwards. She doesn't look that pretty or as charming as that in her wedding dress, but she's still a woman and this is the first time I've had such close contact with a woman.

On the same day, Stella and I also went through a series of reception parties that were so tiring. I told you not to invite too many people and make the party more private but of course my family and Stella did not listen to it and instead invited two hundred more people who also included ordinary acquaintances or an office worker I never knew. As a result, Stella and I had to stand up and greet hundreds of guests who came until sore.

"My eyelashes are so heavy" I overheard Stella muttering.

According to the plan that I had prepared from a few days ago, on this first night I brought him to speak together about the contract that I was about to propose. Like at our first meeting, Stella heard everything I said carefully. He would nod when I glanced at him as if to indicate that he was still listening to what I was saying.

"Since you and I are both victims of family matchmaking and do not love each other, I would propose we would only be husband and wife on paper for four years. I won't interfere with your personal life and neither will you with me. When divorce later I will give money or property as written as compensation to you..You agree?"

Stella looks at the contract in her hands. Long enough to make me wonder what he was thinking.

"I don't mind.." said Stella finally, I've guessed she also wants to end this forced relationship, proved she didn't protest with my idea, "But, it seems this property division is more profitable for me?"

"Hm, it doesn't matter, after all you were dragged into this situation by my father and grandfather."

"On that, my father was also involved in dragging you."

I nodded, "If you don't have any more objections, you can sign the letter."

Stella grabbed the pen and just wanted to scratch the surface of the paper, when she suddenly looked up again. His round eyes look right at mine.

"Is there anything you want to ask me again?" I asked, a little uncomfortable with the way he stared.

Stella nodded, looking hesitant for a moment before finally asking, "That's...can't I call you Luiz?"

Huh huh?

"Can I call you Luiz?" Maybe Stella thought I didn't hear her question, so she repeated it again but with a larger volume. His cheeks were red but his eyes widened with great anticipation.

My mind was empty for a few seconds. Luiz is my nickname and I don't really care if she wants to call me that name or not. I just don't understand why Stella suddenly came up with this question when I was clearly talking about our marriage agreement. Maybe he's just that kind of person and I won't be able to understand his mind completely.

"As far as you go."

A smile soon broke on Stella's lips and she lowered her head again to sign the sheet on the table.

"That's all? There's nothing else you want to ask?"

"No more," he answered, raising a fleeting face with the same smile.

He's very carefree. I felt like I had just married a young girl even though we were only three years old. She was neither beautiful nor graceful, but she was clumsy, a little unpredictable and sometimes careless.

As expected, he and I don't fit in.

I don't like it. I can't imagine myself liking it.

My marriage for the next four years, I don't know what it's gonna be like. I hope at least there won't be much trouble.

Ah, I should have made a two-year contract.