Page 61 of Fake Fiancée for Dad's Best Friend
A month is a long time, isn’t it? Then why am I not hundred percent happy about it?
I want Vivian to be here next to me for the rest of my life. Dammit. Imagining her away from me, in a city with plenty of temptations, not to mention a young man named Cody right next to her, feels like being stabbed with a knife.
But I have no right to keep her. She’s a wonderful gift that I don’t even deserve. John is right. I am or have been a womanizer. It matters little that if I had a choice, I would choose to be faithful to one woman instead.
I kiss Vivian’s cheek and hold her tighter. I can’t have her forever, but she’s mine for now.
Chapter 26
Vivian
I can’t stop trembling when my dad walks me down the aisle inside Cotillion Room at The Pierre. Alex invited less than a hundred people to the private wedding, so the seats are only half-filled. Nonetheless, it feels crowded.
It took my dad a month to forgive Alex and me. His acceptance of the invitation delights me but at the same time increases my guilt. Although I love Alex, and he probably has some feelings for me, and we can’t have enough of each other in bed, it’s still not a real marriage.
My scattering thoughts come to a halt when my eyes find Alex standing at the altar next to the officiant and the best man. He’s so handsome in his beige wedding suit!
My heart skips a beat, and I nearly stumble. Just then, Elvis Presley’s deep baritone voice filled the quiet ballroom.
Wise men say / Only fools rush in / But I can't help falling in love with you
Oh my God. Tears well in my eyes. I’m not an Elvis fan, but at that moment, I become one. Silly, I blink back my tears and chide silently. It’s just a song. He doesn’t mean it. He isn’t in love with me. It’s just an act. It’s all fake.
I’m suddenly angry when I realize all that. This wonderful, fake wedding is going to remain in my mind for the rest of my life and ruin my future! Why do I agree to this? How am I going to enjoy my next, real, wedding, regardless of when and where it’ll be, and whom I’ll marry? This is crazy. I halt my steps just before I approach the altar.
My dad turns to look at me, sensing my hesitation. I must be panic-stricken because he looks concerned.
But I’m not allowed to hesitate for long because my handsome fake groom steps forward and grabs my hand firmly while his intense blue eyes roam over me greedily. I chose the bridal gown for its simple and elegant style and later regretted it because I thought it looked plain. Now all my doubts vanish because of the sparkle in his eyes. “My God! You look like a dream,” he whispers.
I laugh with tears in my eyes. “Thank you, you too!”
And then he holds me by my waist and pulls me to him. I wrap my arms around his neck, and we hug tightly. And just like that, I don’t give a damn whether this wedding is real or fake. I am the happiest woman on earth. I don’t let go, desperate to hold on to the fairytale moment.
We hear a clear of a throat—it must be my dad reminding us of the presence of all others.
After that, everything happens in a blur, including the wedding vows and the exchange of rings. And then Alex kisses me amid the oohs and aahs. Real or not, I’m now officially Alex Anderson, a fashion billionaire and my dad’s best friend’s wife.
At the reception, Karen and Mike are very emotional. Every time my eyes find them, I see them wiping tears. Even my dad’s eyes seem to be wet from time to time. This doesn’t seem real. Am I really getting married? I mean, am I really pretending to marry? Shit. It doesn’t feel right. I’ve carried it too far.
I have the urge to run because I shouldn’t be playing a joke on myself, Alex, and everyone else who’s attending our wedding. I don’t do it only because Alex is always on my side and assures me by squeezing my shoulder or smiling.
When we dance our first dance, his eyes never leave me. When he dips to kiss me, I nearly melt into a puddle on the floor. We practiced the move so many times in the past few days, but I still can’t do it professionally. I’m positive I moan, although no one can hear me because of the music.
When Alex is speaking to my dad and Lisa during dinner, Trisha, who’s been sitting next to Samantha, comes to me.
“Congratulations,” she says with a tight smile.
Alex invited her to the wedding despite her attempted blackmail. Obviously, she didn’t succeed because of the unexpected wedding. The woman doesn’t even look remorseful. I still don’t like her, and I certainly don’t think she’s sincere, but I smile politely. “Thanks.”
“It’s a nice wedding,” she says, glancing around. “Although small. It’s so unlike Alex to do things in a hurry. Lately, Alex keeps surprising me. First, an unannounced engagement party, and then a wedding on short notice. But I understand he’s just doing it to make his parents happy.”
Ah. There. The venom that I expected. She has just reduced the value of our wedding not so subtly.
I’m angry, but I refuse to let her ruin my mood, so I say, “I’m happy to be his wife. It doesn’t matter the size of the wedding.”
She glares at me, losing her composure. “If you think a marriage can tie Alex to you, you’re mistaken. I am his true love. We don’t need any contract between us. We have each other’s silent commitment. He takes a break from me from time to time, but eventually, he comes back.”
I know the woman is lying because Alex told me he hadn’t been with her for more than two years. But at the moment, I can’t help doubting his words. Maybe they still see each other. If not, they’ll surely get back when I’m out of his life.
