Harieth

"Well, I think that went great so I'll take my leave now," I announced as soon as we stepped out from the room the meeting had just taken place.

Lucas nodded in accordance whilst my husband-be-be made no reaction.

"You did good today Harieth." Lucas praised and the sound of it all brought a smile to my face. He was nice. Why on earth was he described as cold on the internet? Hmm, the media these days just write anything to get attention.

"Thank you, Lucas. That's nice coming from you." I appreciated truthfully and watched as he gave a slight nod before turning to Christian.

"You should take her home." He proposed and Christian's brows slightly raised.

"What?" He questioned and the smile on my face slowly fades.

"Oh no." I interrupted as I lightly tap Lucas on the arm so he could turn back to me and they both did.

"It's okay. I came with my car so there's no need for him to do that. I just have to be present on the wedding day and that's all. His um... well, I don't really need anything else from him so... I'll take my leave now." I blabbed half of what was fully on my mind. I really didn't want to be forcefully close to Christian or something of that sort, especially after last night. I just... distance is best.

Lucas nodded once more in accordance and looking at him just brought a simple smile to my face. He was also so understanding. Why am I get married to Christian instead of Lucas? He seems to be the total package any woman would want. If only... if only he wasn't married.

"Good day." He stated and I nod in accordance while smiling shyly like a fool.

"Good day." I managed to reply as well whilst I watch him walk away. We just can't have it all in this life, can we?

"You didn't have to talk so much in there. You could have made it all worse." The voice of my most hated enemy for the moment pushes me back to reality and slowly, the smile on my face fades so I'm forced to shift my eyes to my dear husband-to-be.

"But I didn't, right?" I question right away in irritation before looking away and back to the direction Lucas had headed out in. Damn it. He was gone.

"Before you leave, make sure you have your email address noted down by my assistant. You'll receive a brief of our schedule and information from time to time."

"Schedule?" I questioned as I turn to him but he was already well on his way without even letting me know he was leaving.

A tiresome sigh escapes my lips as I stare at him walk away. What's the use of marrying a pretty husband that treats me like shit? Seriously, I'm Harieth Gryffin. I shouldn't be going through all this. I shake my head in regret before turning away and heading towards the elevator.

Just like that, time began ticking. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes too long excruciating hours and hours to exhausting days. Days that I had to deal with Christian's attitude. Nothing I did ever seems to please him. It felt like on purpose, he found faults in me. I went wedding shopping without my groom. I hired a great wedding planner for my choice and made sure everything went my way. I attended events alongside him and even wore a pretty smile while I answered their questions and pretended to be in love. It was stressful but my dear fiancé always found a way to spoil my mood at the end of it all.

In the end, a day was left to the big day and a simple family dinner was going to take place. For the first time since we got engaged, I was going to see all his family members in one place. As I stare at my reflection that evening in my room, I could feel nervousness slowly slipping in.

"I can do this. I can do this." I encourage myself once more as I stare hard at my reflection. A strange silence suddenly follows suit and I could hear my own heartbeat and breathing. Eventually, I shut my eyes for a second and as soon as I flicked them open, I stand up on my own two feet and make my way out of the room.

* * *

"...Toast!" Dad exclaims after giving what seems to be a brief and heartfelt speech. Everyone raises their cups and after harmonising a light chorus of the word 'toast', they began clinging their cups with each other. As I drank a sip from my glass, I use the opportunity to scan everyone present at this table. In fact, we weren't much. Dad sat at one end and Lucas on the other. His wife was present and sat by his side. Honestly, I was a little disappointed to see whom he married. She was nothing like I expected. She looked... ordinary. Christian sat directly opposite her and I, by his side. It was a small table, a small gathering involving immediate family members and I guess for him... this was it. Honestly, I anticipated meeting his mother and now I'm a little disappointed to find out that she isn't present. Yet, nobody seems to care or bother explaining her absence. It made me a little curious as to what was going on. Perhaps, I should bring it up.

I turn to Christian and as I thought of an attempt to my present decision, I strangely notice that his eyes seem to be glued elsewhere. Slowly, I follow the direction of his eyes and mine eventually rests on Emerson, Lucas's wife. She was smiling as her husband leaned a little closer to her and began whispering something for her ears alone. My eyes shift back to Christian whose eyes seem to really focus on her and not on the both of them. For the first time since I met Christian, I saw something a little different in his eyes. Something warmer. Something emotional. I couldn't help it as my brows slightly ceases up. What's going on?

For some strange and unexplainable reason, gently, I place a hand on his arm to get his attention. It seemed to work as he suddenly blinks countless times while lowering his eyes away from her in the process. My hand remained on his arm but he barely raised his eyes to me. His face wore a strange look, like that of a guilty person. Why was he guilty? What was he guilty of?

"Excuse me." Suddenly, he pronounces and everyone turns to him. Without barely taking a look at anyone in particular, he gets up to his feet causing me to withdraw my hand and without saying a word more, he walked away. Silence fell in the room for a while as we watched him go. I shift my eyes back to Emerson and her husband. They both wore almost the same guilt expression as Christian had worn on his face. That can't be right. I must be reading this all wrong. As I took a look around, I realise the atmosphere has just been ruined. Immediately, I gulp down at once the wine in my glass.

"I'll check up on him," I commented at once as I got up to my feet and not until I was on my way out did I realise I was being stupid. Check up on him? Why would I do that? Our relationship wasn't that good for me to do stuff like that. I must be losing my senses.

After heading out of the room, I walked a little further down the passage in search of where he might be. Perhaps, it was a good idea after all for our families to rent out the entire venue for the night. Wouldn't have to bother bumping into a stranger and awkwardly apologising. Finally, I caught sight of him in the garden, just standing and staring out into space. I stood for a while, just watching him and wondering why I was doing this in the first place. In the end, I let out a light sigh before taking steps towards him.

"Here you are," I started with much enthusiasm as I draw closer, informing him of my presence. He said nothing even as I stood by his side.

"I can't believe we're getting married tomorrow. This... this finally feels so real." I started before taking one look at him and yet, not a word was uttered by him. I looked ahead as a silent sigh escaped my lips. Do I just walk away? It's obvious this is a lost cause.

"Are you okay?" I questioned before taking one look at him and yet, no reaction or expression was shown. I looked ahead once more.

"Earlier, at the table, I couldn't help but notice just how... how focused you stared at Emerson and for a minute, strange thoughts flew into my head..."

"What are you trying to do?" He suddenly questioned as he turned to me and I shift my eyes up to him. The look in his eyes, on his face, was cold. For some reason, in the first few seconds, I found his question hard to reply. In truth, I actually had no idea what I was doing. I had gone against everything that I represented. My goal in life had always been to care about myself alone and here I am, asking a man I barely know if he was okay.

"I..."

"You seem to have forgotten why you're standing here in the first place... Perhaps, I should remind you. We're getting married tomorrow just because I wish to see my family's company progress further. Therefore, because of the money. For future reference, there's no need for you to act like a wife. Don't ask me questions relating to my personal life and don't try to get close to me. I don't like you now and I definitely won't like you in a few months." With that, he walked away, leaving me to reminisce on his harsh statement.

A crazy chuckle escaped my lips as I try my best not to feel affected by his words. I've definitely heard worse. Lightly, I bit my lower lip before crossing my arms below my chest. I should have definitely stayed away. I caused this. I brought that insult upon myself. In the future, I'll most definitely think of myself alone.

* * *

The pianist played a wonderful piece, seeming so melodious and soothing to the ear that it made me smile. The flowers of my choice had decorated the entrance of the church down to the altar, making the air smell nice. My bridesmaids wore the right dress and my two maid-of-honours smiled as our eyes met. I felt dad's hand lightly soothing mine that clutched onto his right arm whilst we walked down the aisle. I turn my eyes to him and he does the same. As our eyes met, he smiled at me causing me to do the same. As I looked ahead, regardless of my veil, I hadn't failed to notice the presence of the prestigious guests who had all risen as I walked in. In the end, my eyes rested on the man I was going to be tied down to in a few minutes. The beating of my heart slightly accelerates and several thoughts fill my head.

It's not too late to back out.