1 1 Forced Marriage

''Here is the bride!''

At that cue, the background music for the commencement of the wedding begins to take place any second and all the attendees stood up ready to receive the incoming princess of the day. ''Let's all stand and welcome the bride.''

''I can't do this after all! I can't and refuse!'' Camellia panic voice murmuring to her companion in a control tone standing on the top of the aisle. Her only companion in this fraud is her senpai, Wan Chu. About to bolt out of the chapel but Wan Chu already holds her in place. Camellia locked eyes with Wan Chu, pleading her in silent but her senpai can only shake her head in denial to let her go. Never in her entire life that she is going to get married like this at all. She was afraid her tears might not hold up any longer that she turned her head up looking at the ceiling hoping to force the tears back in. It isn't the same normal nervousness that she had been having while attending her works as the Wedding Planner. She doesn't even know who is the bridegroom. ''This is serious matters! This is wrong. I can't... I can't get married to some stranger after all. Let other volunteers that we have to do this.''

''If it is that simple as you said. You knew Carol specifically asked for your help,'' Wan Chu shrugged off her shoulder in defeat. For the first time since she met Camellia, she too helpless to lend a hand to her favourite junior. And again, Carol is her niece and also her junior at the University. In this case, she is also the accomplice with Carol's scheme. Wan Chu even offered Camellia her to be her business partner in the Wedding Planner company called WeddingBliss.com if she went through the wedding. She believed Carol already far gone with the real groom by now. How can't she not helping her when she came to her weeping her eyes out as soon as she reaches home after return from her long vacations. Even worse, Carol is pregnant with the groom's baby. This is the only time that the groom can escape from the arranged marriage with another bride from other established family.

From what she was informed before the bride to be was not single. She, too already has her own boyfriend and they plan to elope during this time. Wan Chu scanned around for bride's families members and relatives but no one was in sight. It seemed they already knew this thing gonna happened. All she can see was the groom's back. ''I'm very sorry. On behave of my stupid niece, I sincerely apologies to you." Wan Chu rearranging the tail of the wedding gown. 'I really can't help you with this.' Wan Chu bit her words in silence. The background music of the wedding already played as a cue for the bride to descend down the aisle. Camellia took a deep breath. She can't cry. She silently begs herself to hold it in. For now. She understands her senpai predicament. It isn't her fault these thing is happening to her now but she can't even comfort herself doing this how should she comforting other people. She looked down at her hand. An arranged Eustoma light purple flower which was expensively imported just arrived two days ago are beautifully done by Soo Ki according to the bride instruction. Carol still remembered her favourite flowers. Even the wedding gown that she wearing now was an exquisite masterpiece designed by the in-house designer, Erika. Erika is not here. Erika was invited to be one of the judges in some charity fashion show since three days ago. Should be home by tomorrow. Was Erika aware of the scheme that the boss and Carol had been set up for her all along? Being able to wear it for her wedding day was one of her wishes for her own wedding but not like this. Not this forceful marriage. Camellia closed her eyes in sadness.

A sudden light push from behind had her came back to reality. Camellia turned to seek her senpai but only apologetic sadness stare that she was able to give to her now. Please god, in this holy church I beg You to interfere with this unlawful union. Silent. Or is this the punishment You had for my disobedient. NO. What does that suppose to mean? I just missed a few time of Mass in the past. GOD! Please be merciful. Are you abandoning me too? YES. Camellia was dumbstruck at the realisation. Her feet felt heavy to continue with the journey towards the groom. Camellia walking alone towards the groom reluctantly while gripped the boutiques tightly. She raised her head ahead only to see the silhouette of the groom that she never met before. Well maybe if she can find something good and likeable about this man, she might get through this marriage. Right now, she can only persuade herself to like this man. Maybe... Just maybe he is not as bad as they claimed to be right? What can be wrong right? A sudden memory of what Wan Chu had told her before she can always request for annulment to the marriage if he never touches her. She must protect her chastity. She must. But, Camellia is a devoted Catholic. Raised in the background of that religious before the orphan home being closed and the children were sent away to different orphan home all over South Korea.

Maybe annulment may not be the answer after all. Camellia let out a silent heavy sigh. What she can do now is to accept everything about this man? Try to be a good wife to him? Urgh.. the sound 'wife' so foreign to her ear after all. She forced a gulp of her saliva down her throat in difficulty. She begins to see clearly the back of the groom. What makes him likeable? Alright, he seemed tall or was it because she watches him from this height or due to this high heel they had her wear with the dress. He looks skinny or moderately body built.