Scarlett Mila Rodriguez

Rowan's holding a welcome speech since it's his ball. I watch him from a few feet away.

"And finally, I would like to make an announcement." He starts looking at me. All eyes turn to him.

I know what's coming so I make my way to him. Smiling the whole time.
"Many of you have been waiting for this, and I won't keep you in suspense any longer." He says, his eyes sweeping across the room.

"I would like to announce my engagement to Scarlett Mila Rodriguez. She'll be my wife." He says. His voice steady.

There's a brief, stunned silence before the room bursts into applause. There's no turning back now.
I'm actually doing this.

Before I can second guess myself I reach out and grab Rowan's hand, lacing my fingers through his. The gesture is simple, but enough to send a massage.

He glances down at me, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. For a second, I wonder if he's surprised by the gesture.

"What? I told you I'd play the part." I say keeping the smile plastered on my face.
His eyes linger on mine for a second longer before he straightens up again, still holding my hand as he addresses the room.

And so, for the whole evening I smile. For the guests, for our fathers, for everyone watching, waiting for us to fail.

Because as long as I keep playing the part, I'm alive.

***

The silence in the taxi feels heavy, thick with the weight of what we just did.
This is all so sick.

"I can't believe this!" I blurt out, breaking the silence. "We're putting on a show for everyone, lying to them and they're just eating it up."

Rowan doesn't respond immediately, but I can feel his gaze shift to me. He's been silent for most of the ride, which is fine with me. I don't want him to talk with me. Not now. Not after what we have just done.

I scoff. Shaking my head. "Does it bother you at all? That we're pretending?" I ask.

"It doesn't matter what I think. We both know why we're doing this." He says, his voice calm as usual.

I whirl around to face him. "That's not an answer." I say.

"We're both stuck in this, Mila. You're not the only one who hates it." He says.

I bite my lip, the weight of his words settling in. "Why me?" I ask my voice sharper than I intended.
"Of all the other girls why pick me? The outcome would've been the same no matter who you choose." I say.

"You're the only one who isn't constantly trying to get my attention." He says flatly.
"If I had picked one of the others, I'd have to deal with them hovering around me, demanding time, expecting me to care. I don't have time for that." He says.

I blink, taken aback by his bluntness. He continues, his tone cold.
"I don't want a wife, Mila. I don't want love, or affection, or any of the nonsense that comes with it. You stay out of my way, and I stay out of yours. We both get what we want, and we don't need to talk unless necessary." He says.

He doesn't want me, not really.
Which he shouldn't, but still, hearing it feels...different.
He wants the silence, the space to keep doing whatever he's been doing all this time without anyone bothering him.

"I guess that makes sense." I say.

***

The morning feels heavier than usual, even before I open my eyes. It's the day that Rowan and I officially sign our names, to get married. It's just ink on paper, but it feels like so much more. For some reason I never thought I would marry this way.
I wanted to marry for love. I guess life had other plans for me.

I sit up staring at the wardrobe, my mind running blank as I consider what to wear. Rowan made sure to get me new clothes. I'm sure he's not the one who took the time to buy it all, but these ones are so much nicer than the ones my mom packed.
I run my hand through the fabrics. In the back I find a white dress. It's simple.

Long sleeves.

That's nice.

I put it on. Of course, I ended up choosing the one dress that makes this whole thing feel more real. Like a real wedding.

There's a knock on the door just as I smooth down the front of the dress.

"Scarlett?" Rowan's voice is low and familiar, but still, it startles me.

"I'm ready!" I call out, even though I don't feel it. I open the door to find him standing there, his eyes sweeping over me quickly before returning to my face.

He raises an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. I knew he would find the dress too wedding like.

"White?" He asks, half amused. "Fitting." He adds.

I scoff, crossing my arms. "It's just a dress."

His smirk lingers, but he says nothing as he steps aside to let me pass.
The hallway feels too quiet as we walk toward the room where the officiant and his father are waiting. My heart is beating a little too fast, my mind racing as I try to ignore the absurdity of this whole situation.

We reach the room, and Alessandro is there, of course. He's standing by the window, looking smug as ever. The officiant is already sitting at the desk, papers spread out in front of him.

"Finally." Alessandro says, turning toward us. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" He adds.

Rowan doesn't respond, just moves toward the desk. I follow, trying to keep my expression neutral.

The officiant clears his throat. "If you're both ready..."

Ready? I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for this, but I nod anyway.

The pen feels too heavy in my hand as I take it from the desk. I stare at the paper for a moment, my eyes locking on the line where I'm supposed to sign my name. It feels surreal. Like someone else's life, not mine.

Rowan glances at me, and I catch his eyes for a second before I sign my name.
Rowan steps forward next, taking the pen from me. His fingers brush my hand as I let go of it.
He doesn't hesitate, just signs his name in that smooth, effortless way of his.

The officiant nods flipping the paper over, and closing the folder.

Well...now I'm Scarlett Mila Marino. I need to get used to the sound of it.

"Congratulations." He says. His tone professional.

I glance at Rowan, but his face gives nothing away.
Alessandro claps his hands together. Breaking the silence. "Well done both of you. Now we can move on to more important matters."

Rowan completely ignores him, already moving toward the door. "Common Mila. We're done here." He says.

What was that about?
I try not to think so much about it as I follow Rowan back out. He turns to me and I almost crash into him.

"I'm going to handle some business, go do what you want. Take the guards with you." He says as he leaves me standing alone in the hall.

What I want? God finally.

I grab my phone that I got back last night. And call Asuka.

"Oh my god! Scar! I've been worried sick for you!" She yells through the phone.
It's so good to finally hear her voice again.

"I'm fine, there's a lot I need to talk about. Tell Anthony, we're meeting at the park." I say as I hang up, and walk to the front door. I get in one of the cars that's outside.
I tell the driver where to go and he starts driving.

They are going to freak out when they hear the news.

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