Chapter 3 Punishment for Foolishness

Janice and Julian's wedding preparations are almost complete. For the last week, Janice was busy taking care of everything. From the building, the wedding dress, and the guests. Julian only contacted her once to convey the concept of marriage that he wanted. A simple wedding attended by only the nearest family. Only one or two friends may be invited to join the witnesses to their wedding.

At first, Janice was pleased to hear the concept of marriage that Julian wanted since her dream of marriage was practically the same one that Julian had chosen. But two weeks before the wedding, Janice got that Julian wanted to change the concept. He wants a fancy wedding with thousands of guests. There must be luxury buildings with plenty of food, and their wedding clothes must also be beautiful and elegant. Not a simple wedding, but they're going to get a big luxury wedding.

Although she did not fully agree with the concept change, she can't protest what Julian has decided. She keeps doing everything Julian wants, including taking a different schedule for bridal fittings.

"What's wrong with the bride? Why choose a different schedule? You want to give him a surprise wedding day?"

A middle-aged woman, commonly called madam Gia came to check on the results of the wedding dress ordered by Janice. She was a boutique owner who had been serving Janice since her first visit to the boutique.

"We're too busy to synchronize our schedule." Janice answered lightly.

"You're getting married soon but still keeping busy?" She looked at Janice with a twinkle in her eye.

Janice patted her shoulders softly. There is no more reasonable reason than the busyness of the work. Everyone in the boutique knows who the man is to be her future husband—a businessman whose name is quite well known for possessing such luxury properties as a 7-star hotel in the city center. Because of Julian's popularity, everyone also came to know about the background of Janice's family from a prominent family that owned the property business.

"It's so much better than having an unemployment partner." A woman who was measuring Janice's waistline shared in the comment.

"Let's not meet fate. All marriages have their weaknesses and strengths. In this world, no one is perfect. But when you decide to get married, make sure you're prepared for all the consequences." Madam Gia spoke softly.

"Yeah, no one is perfect," one of the servants again measured Janice's arms, "but if you could please maintain your perfect body. Don't let your weight get any thinner." She smiles.

"I'm so sorry," Janice look at her with an apologetic smile

Janice's wedding dress was almost done, but suddenly she lost weight, so they had to do a do-over to minimize some of the parts.

"It's okay if you lose weight before the wedding. You must be having a hard and busy time."

Janice raised her gaze, trying to remember the hard things she had experienced during the past week.

After Janice confirmed the news of their wedding, Callista pulled out her hair and called her a slut, a shameless ungrateful person. Callista also brought back memories of Janice's past mistakes, a story that immediately led Julian to divert his gaze from hers.

As if every curse and curse spoken by callista was not enough, her mother said the same thing. She said she wouldn't have come to Janice's wedding with Julian, if she had been forced to come, she vowed to bring her harm right away.

What Callista has done just makes Janice physically hurt, but her mother's vow is much more painful.

"This dress will be finished in less than two days. We'll send it straight to your house, so you needn't bother to come here anymore." Madam Gia smiled at Janice and wrote a note in her book.

"Madam?"

"Yes? Anything else you need?"

"Could you send the dress to my apartment instead?" Ask Janice.

"Don't you live with your parents?"

Janice nodded her head. Only a few people know that Janice had decided to move out of her house and live in her private apartment.

Janice didn't want to think badly of it, but Callista was always so bold when she was upset or angry. Janice wouldn't want her wedding dress to be one of the victims of Callista's anger.

And it seems that madam Gia noticed Janice's uncomfortable expression, so she said quietly, "I'm sorry," she smiled for a moment, "please write down your address.."

***

Jenice looked at the rest of her apartment, looks almost empty since some of the stuff had been moved to Julian's house on the edge of town. Although Julian spends much of his time working in the city center, he prefers a quiet environment right next to the city's mountainous border. Janice has never been to Julian's house, but from the description of her father, Julian has a beautiful home. There was a large yard that was blank so that Janice could grow flowers in the yard. According to her father, it may be best for Janice to start cutting back on her time at the flower shop and focus more on managing her household.

For a moment, Janice pondered while listening to her father's advice. Janice still remembers clearly her father's happy look when he had just returned from Julian's house.

"You won't be lonely anymore, Janice. Julian's home will be a nice place for you." Her Daddy said with a happy smile.

Janice smiled and nodded faintly.

Of all the people who heard about Janice and Julian's wedding, only her father responded favorably. When everyone thought she wasn't good enough to be Julian's partner, her father was the first person who gives her a hug. Encourage her and give her support.

"I never feel lonely. You don't need to worry." Janice gave him the cup of tea she had just made.

"This apartment is the only place you can feel like yourself. Even if dad is with you, don't try to become another Janice. I understand how you feel right now."

Janice is sucking on a smile. She tried with all her might to hold back her tears.

"I've always been myself." Answer Janice.

"Janice, I had no right to run your life after you got married. But you know that I will always be there to help you."

Janice nodded her head again. Her father has been the best father ever. Who never left Janice even when she was at her lowest point, who never blamed her even though he knew his daughter's faults were too difficult to forgive.

"I'm glad you're married to Julian. I'm also very happy because you both finally rise from the sadness in the past," her father spoke with a smile, "I knew that Julian had feelings for you all along. You've hurt each other enough. It's time to start a new life."

Janice bit her bottom lip. It was overwhelming to see her father's smile, which looked so happy. Without him knowing, the wedding was the beginning of the punishment Janice has to accept.

Their marriage is not about loving or needing each other, but Julian's attempt to heal his suffering. And Janice doesn't mind if she should be an object of Julian's revenge. Janice's mistake was too big to forgive, there was no other way to get rid of the mistake than by revenge.

The sound of Janice's phone ringing made her think of a conversation she had had with her father a few hours ago disappear. She turned her head to the phone on the dresser. A number that has contacted her for the past few days has become the name on the screen.

"Yes, Julian?"

"Have all your stuff arrived at my house yet?"

Janice sent over some of her important stuff, but she still doesn't know if it's there yet.

"I don't know. They still have not given me any news."

"How about the wedding preparations?"

Janice's heart was racing when Julian asked her about their wedding preparations. Even if they had married out of revenge, Janice still couldn't hide a speck of happiness that bothered her.

Anyway, they will get married.. And Janice is the kind of person who believes in the sanctity of marriage. One marriage for the rest of her life.

"Everything was going well. I will immediately submit to our wedding preparations to you. I've also finished fitting the clothes. They're waiting for you to do a final check. I hope you're not too busy to come to the boutique tomorrow or the day after."

"I'm leaving for Japan."

Janice wrinkles her forehead.

"Japan?"

"With Callista." he continued.

Janice shut her eyes. What is going on? Why would her fiancee go to Japan with her sister?

"Do you have the same job, so you both go together to Japan? But we're getting married in a week, Julian." Janice feels that her voice is starting to tremble

"I'm on vacation with Callista."

Janice was in her tears.

She just turns out that revenge has already begun, even though they're still not married. Was a vacation with Callista one of Julian's revenge plans?

If yes, that means the plan is working. Because Janice is convinced that her heart is throbbing now.

"Julian, what are you doing? I've been waiting for you!"

"I'm calling Janice."

"Ah, your future wife? Do you really want to go through with your wedding plans? My sister's not the kind of woman you want to mess with."

"Stop flirting with me, Callista. You know what I want to marry your sister for."

"She's like a fool for getting pushed around. She should know what our relationship is. She thinks she can get you after she marries you?"

Janice undid the call unilaterally.

Her breathing became irregular when she heard Callista's voice on the telephone.

With all her might, Janice drew her breath. Trying hard to calm her own tears.

As it turned out, even though Janice was used to wounds, she was still hurt when she got back. Janice thought she was numb, but she was wrong.

Maybe tonight she should go back to her guilt trip. A mistake that led her to the point too far.

Janice had made some foolish mistakes in the past, and even though she regretted those mistakes enough times, nothing changed in her life. She still has to live with the consequences of her mistakes. Maybe this time, the retaliation for her foolishness is just beginning.

For the past five years, the abuse that she received was just the beginning. And now she has to face her true punishment.

But after everything she has received, should she go back to making the foolish decision of letting herself dwell in pain and grief? Should she repeat painful times that fill her with tears? Should she give up her life to pay for her past mistakes?