A surprise package.

"Is everything set for tomorrow's wedding?"

"Yes Sir. Everything is in place."

"And Maria?"

"She went for a spa day with her friends. It's part of her bachelorette party."

"A bachelorette party, this early?"

"Yes Sir. I was surprised as well."

Tomorrow was the D-Day. My wedding. It was hard to believe, however the facts before me were too real to ignore. "How many guests are we expecting?" Though it was my own wedding, i was rather passive about it. I had no idea what the venue decor looked like, what suit i was wearing. Heck! I had no groom's men -- Only Andrew. He was my best man. Andrew kept suggesting that we had a bachelor's party; but i strongly refused. That just wasn't my thing. It was times like this that i realized how funny life was. Growing up, i had always imagined myself getting married to a woman i truly loved, in the presence of my family members... My brother being my best man. Life. It sure know how to deal a devastating blow.

"About Seventy five Sir. Twenty of your trusted business associates and Fifty five of Maria's friends and family members."

"I see." I and Andrew had been together in my room discussing arrangements for the wedding since five in the morning. It was past nine o'clock and we were having breakfast when someone knocked on my door.

"Come in." I responded. It was Mr. Joseph, he came in with an envelope he said it was from the city council. He dropped the letter with Andrew before taking a bow then leaving. "Open it." I instructed Andrew. I had been wondering when they would send the contract. Andrew had already requested them to draft a marriage contract for i and Maria. Thankfully it finally arrived. All we had to do tomorrow was put our names on it and sign.

"Yes Sir." Andrew opened the envelope. From it he pulled out a contract. I had a scone in my mouth when my eyes drifted towards Andrew. He looked frightened as he stared at the contract in his hand.

"What's wrong. Is it not the marriage contract?" I asked puzzled by the expression he had on his face.

"It it is isn't S-sir." He stuttered, still staring at the contract with his mouth wide.

"So what is it then?" I picked up the tea cup.

"Sir. This is a certificate. It it." He paused.

'A certificate?'

"Spit it out!" I yelled. I got apprehensive. What could possibly be happening with Andrew. A certificate? You only get a certificate when you're married. What was going on?

"Sir." He flipped the certificate so that i could see what was written on it. "This is a marriage certificate that has already been signed. It has your name on it. You're married to someone Sir!" He rushed his speech.

*SMASH!* The teacup had fallen from my hand.

******

******

"Welcome back Roxi!" My boss and coworkers cheered and clapped as they welcomed me. I had been discharged yesterday and insisted i came to work today. Annie tried to convince me but my mind was already made up. "Just don't over work yourself." That was what she said before finally letting me go.

"Welcome back Roxi." My boss approached me. "You shouldn't overwork yourself. Whenever you're tired, feel free to take a break." He said with a smile. He continued staring at me like that for some moments before Mirabella nudged his back. "Um yeah so i have to go. Take care of yourself." He said with a smile. What a strange man.

"Thank you all for the warm welcome." I smiled. It felt really good to be back. This time, i had learnt my lesson -- no more lying, rooftops or alcohol. I would take my drugs and try my best at work. I got another chance at life and i wasn't going to mess it up.

******

******

"How could this happen?!" I screamed my lungs out. I held unto my hair, my mind going back and forth. 'Me? Married? Not to Maria?How the hell did it happen?

"I can't explain it Sir. But according to the certificate, you got married on the night of your dinner party Sir." Andrew shivered as he held the certificate in his hand. "I guess because they knew it was you, that's why the certificate came in so early. Usually, you'd have to wait a few weeks." Andrew tried to search for a positive. 'Was this some kind of joke.'

"How is that even possible?! You said i was drunk that night!"

"Yes sir but, we did find you opposite the courthouse."

"Courthouse? What crazy person would wed a drunk man?! Are people suddenly crazy?!"

"Sir please relax. We need to figure this out." Andrew stated. 'I am married? But how do I not have any memory of anything?'

I tried to remain calm and think things through rationally, "What is the woman's name?"

"It says here, Janet Jonas."

"Janet? I can't remember meeting anyone like that. Call the court house, enquire about who wedded us that day." I instructed Andrew. Slowly, i sat on the bed and tried to relax.

"Yes Sir."

"Also get damage control on standby, No matter what, on no circumstances must Maria ever find out."

"Find out what.-" Maria cut in as she peered through the door. "What mustn't i find out?" She asked further, approaching me steadily.

My heart skipped a beat. I nearly had a heart attack.

"Haven't you heard of knocking?!" I complained, trying to divert the conversation.

"Why should I knock when this will soon be my room?" She said cheerfully. "So dear husband, what mustn't i find out?"

"Miss aren't you supposed to be at the spa?" Andrew cut in.

"Yea, i had some free time so i decided to check up on you guys. What are you keeping from me." Maria turned her attention to Andrew. I started racking my mind for some kind of excuse. I knew it was hard for Andrew to lie to Maria even for my sake.

"Well we are..."

"A surprise package!" I cut it. "We were talking about a surprise package for you. A sort of wedding gift. So we have to keep it from you."

"Really?" She turned to Andrew.

"Mm-hm. Absolutely." He supported.

"Okay, in that case, let me leave you be." Maria said with a joyful smile before leaving the room. She closed the door behind her.

"Oh my goodness." Andrew let out a sigh of relief. "That was some amazing cover up Sir. Stupendous!"Andrew exclaimed.

"Oh enough form you." I reprimanded Andrew, my hand massaging my forehead. "You know i should just fire you what kind of PA can't lie for his boss." I snapped.

"Sorry Sir. I'll do better." He bowed his head. Sometimes Andrew was too apologetic for my liking.

I sighed, "We need to get this under control before the wedding tomorrow. Go to the courthouse and get the CCTV footage from that night, we need to track down this Janet and terminate this marriage before it gets out of hand."

"As you wish Sir."

******

******

Maria had a lovely smile plastered across her face as she stepped out of the mansion. She got into her car and instructed the driver to take her home. When she arrived at her house, she greeted her father as usual before running upstairs to her room. Alone In her room, she locked the door behind her before running to her bed.

She stated crying.

"What was the meaning of that Ethan? We're not even married and you've started lying to me?" She sobbed.

Maria knew Ethan all too well, that was how she immediately knew he was lying. Ethan would never surprise anyone, not even himself. So him saying he had been talking to Andrew about a gift for her was complete Hogwash! And Andrew. Maria never expted him to follow along with his boss's deceit. He always told her the truth... Why couldn't he do so then? Maria came to a conclusion. It had to be something so serious that Ethan would lie about getting her a gift and Andrew would be forced to coverup for him. Maria shivered, what could it be?

"Hello?" She picked up her call.

"You called Miss". The man on the other side of the call responded.

"Get me my family's private investigator. We have some digging up to do."

"As you wish Miss."

Maria wasn't sure what it was, all she knew was that she had to secure her marriage. No matter the cost.