บท 20: Serial killer

[Marriage Registration Office]

It had been fifteen minutes since Andrew and Rachael arrived outside the marriage registration office to sign the papers, but neither of them stepped out or said anything. They were just quietly sitting inside the car, panicking internally.

Initially when she agreed to get married with him on the same day, she didn't feel anything. Though she felt a little anxious, it was manageable. But now when they were actually outside the registration office, reality hit her like a truck.

She was actually going to get married. After signing those papers, her life would completely change. She was going to be someone's wife. She was freaking out.

Andrew was also in the same place as Rachael was. He knew she was nervous and anxious because he was too. He just didn't wanna show it as that would make her feel more nervous.

He woke up in the morning thinking it would be the same normal day like always but who would have thought that was the last time he had woken up as a bachelor.

Looking at her, he asked, "Nervous?"

She nodded. "A little—"

"Rachael—" He grabbed her hand. "If you don't wanna do it or you have your doubts, this is your only chance to back out. Because once we sign those papers, I won't let you go anywhere." And it was true. Andrew would never let her go.

"So it's okay with you if I chicken out?" When he nodded, she fired another question at him. "So you don't care at all?"

He was taken aback from the sudden verbal attack. Who said he didn't care? He definitely cared more than she did. But before he could defend himself someone knocked at the window.

Letting go off her hand, he pressed the button to roll the window down.

"Boss, we are ready—" Ben informed them. He had been waiting for them to step out of the car for the last fifteen. But when they didn't, he finally decided to knock.

"Give us two minutes." Andrew had to clear the misunderstanding before they could move forward with the scheduled plan.

Giving the couple some privacy, Ben stepped away.

"Where did you get that from?"

"I don't have to get it from anywhere, it is so evident," Rachael frowned. "You are agreeing with everything I have been saying since this morning."

"So you want me to disagree with you?"

"No."

Andrew was dumbfounded once again. She had a problem with him agreeing to everything but she would also have a problem if he disagreed. Nothing made sense to him.

"Listen, it's not that I don't care. It is a very important decision of my life and I do care. But above everything, I want you to feel comfortable. I just wanted to let you know that you shouldn't feel pressured to sign those papers just because we are here."

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you." she sighed. "I am very anxious and nervous."

"Me too."

After taking a deep breath, Rachael stated, "Alright, let's do it. The more we think and stay here, the more nervous we will get so let's just finish it off."

….

[Outside]

When Rachael stepped out of the car, the first to approach her was Tina.

"Rach—" she yelled and ran towards. "I was so worried when I couldn't find you."

"I was talking to Andrew—did you get the documents?"

She nodded and waved the file at her. "It's right here—" Inching closer, Tina whispered, "This weird guy kept asking for it but I didn't give him. He even knows my name."

"Madam, the documents—" Ben approached them.

"He is the one," Tina muttered.

"His name is Ben, he is Andrew's assistant." She gave him the file. "I told him to take it from you when you come."

"Oh—" Waving at him, Tina smiled, "Hi Ben and sorry."

Without saying anything, Ben frowned at her and walked away.

"He looks mad, what did you do?" Rachael asked.

"I called him a creep and asked him to f*uck off."

"Tina—"

"Forget about that—" she grabbed her hand. "On my way here, I did some intense google research about Andrew and he seems a little shady. We barely know him, what if he turns out to be a serial killer who marries innocent girls and locks them in the basement?"

"I am not a serial killer but I do have a basement in my house."

…..