Bab 8: Bridal Boquette
Zion did not reply to Monique. His line of sight focused on his assistant's direction. It astounded him at what stunt he had pulled.
What if they have a problem later?
How dare his assistant come up with such ideas without consulting him?
These are the things on his mind.
Now, he is giving him a severe headache.
Lemuel senses his boss's questioning stares. He looked up and met his gaze. He ignored the irritation flashing in them but winked instead.
His action caused his boss's mouth to twitch, constricting his pupils. Seeing that, a chill runs down his spine, thinking his boss must now be plotting to throw him into the cold ocean as punishment—b*tt naked.
'Boss, please don't doubt my capability!' Lemuel hurried to type on his TAB.
Zion's phone chimed shortly, and he read his assistant's text message.
[Signor, no worries! I kept Signorita's documents before I threw the purse in the garbage!]
Zion's brows furrowed. He isn't sure whether to feel amused or irritated at his assistant's endless scheme with the poor woman.
She is now weeping like there's no tomorrow awaiting her.
Anyway…
Who would have thought that the best excuse his assistant came up with for Monique to stop looking for her purse was to show her a video of a garbage truck shredding the content in the trash bin it collects?
This garbage will be mixed with cement, forming rocks around it and being used as barricades around the island shoreline.
On this island, there are many parts where the waves become enormous at any time of the day, especially when there is a hurricane. Thus, they keep filling the closest ocean floor with rocks, and the solution they came up with is to utilize the island's trash by adding them to the walls.
They also combined these wastes to build dikes or rift raps at necessary places on the island.
Zion peered at the pitiful woman slumped on the floor just a few steps away. He was still in disbelief that his assistant had gone to great lengths to prepare such a drama!
"Signora Monique, please stop crying. Look into your eyes. They were swollen and red!" Lemuel is afraid that the boss will grow irritated listening to Monique's sobs, so he comes forward and comforts her.
Monique wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, leaving redness on her delicate skin.
"How could I calm down?" Monique sniffed. "I don't want to go to jail, sir. What should I do now? I can't hide from the Immigration Police!"
"Well…" Lemuel glanced at his boss. "There is a quick solution to your problem, Signora, and that is if you want to hear me out."
What Lemuel had said earned Monique's interest in listening; she lifted her head and looked at the man anxiously.
The former rejoices when he succeeds in getting the lady's attention.
"Do you mean that?" What she means is that—is he truly willing to help her with her predicament?
"Yes, Signora." Lemuel nodded with a smile. "The Immigration Bureau will stop chasing you once you secure citizenship."
"And how could I obtain that in just a couple of days?"
"Well, that is! Once you marry a Miranda citizen, it will grant you plenty of time to obtain your new identity and receive legal documents such as a residency card for being foreign!"
Monique's eyes widened—shocked, to be exact. "Where could I find a groom willing to marry me for free? I mean…"
There is no such thing as FREE in this world!
Also, she knew no one on this island!
Who will marry someone like her through an act of kindness?
And the question is: Can she find a decent man who will sacrifice his freedom?
What if that person sells her to a club instead of making money?
Isn't it no different from being imprisoned?
Monique was lost in thought.
"Don't worry, Signora. It happens that I know someone who is looking for a nominal wife."
Monique snapped out of the daze. She scrutinized the man, as she wanted to make sure he wasn't joking. "Are you serious when you said that?"
"Yes, Signora."
"Could it be one of the bodyguards outside?" Perhaps they aren't that bad, and they are actually lovely people. She must be only having wild thoughts and scaring herself.
Eventually, she knew nothing of these people. All she had were wild guesses.
"Can they be trusted?" she added, just at the thought of how they effortlessly dragged her on this floor. She has second thoughts.
Lemuel almost burst out laughing. He coughed coolly to calm himself. He glanced at his boss, who now had a grim expression. 'Oh, no!'
"You have nothing to fear, Signora; my boss is not only noble but he is an extraordinary individual as well!"
Monique dropped her mouth open, listening to him. She turned her head toward the silent man behind the wooden desk. Their eyes meet, and instantly, her cheeks blush. She looked away from where she was staring and shifted her focus to Lemuel.
"You must be kidding me." Monique did her best to lower her voice, which still reached Zion's ears.
Watching the changes in her emotions somewhat amused him. Zion coughed and asked, "What's wrong with me looking for a wife?"
"I…" Monique was in a daze as she tried to process everything that had happened that day. She must not be choosy, but her concern is that—
This man was too mighty for her to match his status. She felt she was not worthy of being in the same room as him.
During the wedding ceremony, she heard rumors about this man. They said that his family's standing in this country is almost the same as that of the Royal family because of their success in the business world. Therefore, the women around him attempt to flirt with him.
With the information she heard, she held onto that and thickened her face to plead for his help.
Never in her wildest dream would she ask this man to marry her instead. Could it be that she had become like those women? To use his wealth and influence?
Monique clenched the fabric of her bridesmaid dress to borrow strength and courage.
"Sir, are you willing to marry me? I have nothing to offer you, and besides…" Monique swallowed the rest of the convincing words she wanted to say. She has a boyfriend who is supposed to marry her, but he's nowhere to be found.
She contemplated whether she should reveal anything about Leroy.
On the one hand, she was afraid no one would marry her if she did that.
She was a damsel in distress, needing Prince Charming to save her from being jailed merely because she lost her documents!
~~~
PRESENT TIME
"I'm sorry, Leroy. But I have no choice."
After the conversation, she has no option but to grab the great opportunity to earn her citizenship.
She isn't sure what awaits her. But she'll worry about that after her predicament with immigration is resolved.
"Are you ready, Signora?"
At the door, the stylist who helped her change her bridesmaid attire into a wedding gown handed her a bridal bouquet.
"Lilies!"
Lilies are her favorite flowers. She dreamed of carrying it when she walked down the aisle and married her prince charming.
Her wedding dream on Grace Island comes true. However, the groom waiting for her at the altar is not the man she loves dearly.
"Signora, the door is about to open. Please smile." The stylist, Narida, noticed her in a daze again. "You are so beautiful, Signora. It was such a waste if you would cry in the middle of your wedding. Although, understandably, the bride and groom become emotional, it's a joyous celebration!"
Monique looked at the stylist and smiled shyly. With the veil covering her head and face, no one notices the sadness flashing in her eyes.
The wedding is a joyous event in one's life. An occasion that is worth celebrating. However, no one is happy to marry someone you don't love but a complete stranger.
"Wait…" Something dawned on her at the last minute. "Could this bouquet be the bride's from this morning's wedding?"
"You're right, Signora! And you caught this bridal bouquet!" Narida's eyes glimmered with excitement. "Signora, can I ask a favor?"
The woman seemed shy and, at the same time, excited to present such a request.
'Are they beginning to curry favor as their Signor's wife? As if I have power or influence in this household.'
"Well, I am uncertain if I can be of help…"
"Don't worry, Signora! I merely wanted to make a request… Could you throw the bouquet in my direction? I believe this bridal bouquet brings fortune and romance! I want to experience the luck of love!"
Monique was surprised. Most of the ladies in this period wanted to avoid marriage or being tied to a man.
'Luck in love, huh?'
She'd realized she was once delusional about having a perfect love story.
"Oh, well…"
The wedding march had finally echoed inside the wedding hall, interrupting Monique.
"It started, Signora!"
Monique tightened her grip on her bouquet.
A chuckle escaped her lips upon recalling that this morning, she walked down the aisle as a bridesmaid for Dalia, and her assigned partner was Zion.
Now, they are getting married on the same day!
What fate awaits her in the arms of a man she knows nothing about?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone