Outside the private hall of the District K C-CHAINS hotel stood two couple that complemented each other so well. Their distinctive figures made them stand out.
This wasn't just an ordinary marriage ceremony that was going to take place. It was more like a wedding of the century and this couple weren't there to play but to mock all the people that were now at their feet.
Locking her arm around the man's arm, the two looked at each other lovingly, beaming with smiles and a blissful happiness.
''Are you ready?'' The man asked the woman slyly and she smirked.
''Yes, Thomas. I've waited for this moment all my life.'' This was the moment and Natalie couldn't have wanted nothing more.
As soon as the two-way door was pushed opened, the couple were met with the flashing of the cameras that came from the reporters that were there to capture every moment.
Seeing how everyone's focus was on her, Natalie Jun smiled and thought back on her way to this very point.
''This was the life I've always wanted. Living in the spotlight and getting all the attention I wanted. This man beside me is the supposed love of my life and no, we are not exactly the lovey dovey type except when we have to play the 'nation's favourite' couple in the eyes on the public. The truth is, our marriage is fake, yes, a fake marriage with the most benefits."
"Thomas is the total package, handsome, rich and young. We have been friends for the most part of five years of our lives and with the pressure to get married and take over his father's company we decided to get married. What's in it for us you may ask?"
"Well, is simple. Thomas is not interested in marriage but he wants to be in control of the C -CHAINS GROUP and I want the money and fame in order to get back at my mother who thinks nothing good comes out of me and would rather call someone else her daughter than me. Therefore, we got married and I am totally enjoying our marriage even though it is fake because my husband is simply the perfect husband."
"Our marriage to me is the best of everything to happen to me because I have all the money and luxury things I can ever desire and Thomas has freedom to do whatever he wants. No stress and no drama. So, welcome to my world; Natalie Jun's world.''
.....
C-CHAINS APARTMENT BLOCK.
''Cheers'' Natalie Jun and Thomas Sun clacked their glasses against each other before sipping their wine.
''Today was a success!'' Thomas commented and Natalie smiled.
''That is all thanks to you.'' She replied.
"No, that is all thanks to you. Your smile was so beautiful, I almost thought it was real'' Thomas added. When he remembered her smile, his heart warmed up instantly.
''It was real. True happiness coming from a contented life. I should at least work my worth. Don't you think so?'' Tilting the glass of wine in her hand, she took another sip.
''You never disappoint. Tomorrow we are visiting my parents.''
''I miss aunt but I don't know how she would feel about our marriage. I didn't even tell her before?'' Natalie said worriedly. Her father and Thomas' mother used to be close friends. They even dated once before her father met Natalie's mother. They had a weird relationship, she admitted but it was a good weird one that she didn't mind at all.
''Since when did you care about people's thoughts? Unless you're beginning to like me?'' Thomas teased her.
Natalie gulped down the rest of the wine before tilting the glass upwards and stared at her face through it. ''Have you forgotten, the only thing I like in this world is money.''
''That just broke my heart!'' Thomas touched his heart making a fake painful sigh.
''Oh did I?'' Natalie asked and chuckle. The phone beside her buzzed and she looked at the caller ID named 'headache'.
''Who is calling?'' Thomas asked and leaned over to check. He chuckled shaking his head.
Natalie gave a knowing smirk before answering the call. ''What can I do for you?''
''Big sis, how could you do this to me? You got married without telling me. Do you still see me as your sister?'' Ayoung girl's voice came through over the phone.
''In paper, yes we are sisters I guess.'' Natalie replied teasingly. Her face seemed to have brightened up as she teased the girl over the phone.
''I don't care. You have to appease me!''
''Should I tell my husband to let them remove your name from the cast of your latest movie?''
''You're so wicked. I'm not talking to you again. You must appease me when I return from filming.'' The young girl said over the phone before hanging out.
''Was that Alice?''
''Yes!''
''She must be very mad. She hardly calls you unless is very important. You should show her a little love. She is crazy about you.''
''I told her to not make our relationship known, I don't want her suffering unnecessary injustice because of her connection to me.'' Natalie revealed a bitter smile.
Alice, her little sister was the only bundle of joy in her life, she didn't want to make things difficult for her. She couldn't allow anyone harm her. She was her bottom line.
Natalie came back to her senses when she heard familiar voices coming from the giant plasma TV in the hall. She turned and came face to face with the two people who were a constant nightmare in her life.
Natalie clenched her fingers tightly around the wine glass as she watched the mother and daughter pair been interviewed by the journalist on the screen.
Even if she didn't want to admit it, those two still managed to turn her world upside down each time. Her face turned ghastly the more she watched them with disgust.
''I will change the channel." Thomas picked the remote and Natalie stopped him.
''No, let it play. I would be meeting them sooner or later. If I can't even handle seeing them on screen how would I handle seeing them face to face?'' Natalie's voice quivered as she spoke.
Thomas looked at her with concern before turning to look at the two women on the screen.
Inside the City Hall of District M, an interview was going on. This was an interview that a lot of people had been looking forward to as it concerned two important figures in the entertainment industry.
Smiling at the cameras beautifully, the young girl felt contented. She turned to face the reporter that was asking her a question.
''Miss Song, you and your mother are being referred to as the 'nation's favourite little sister and big sister' and even now you have been casted in Director Zou's upcoming, drama 'Living with a narcissistic brother in law'. What do you have to say about that?''
Smiling as she locked her hands together with the older woman, Mimi answered, ''I am very honoured to be casted alongside my mother. She is someone I'm extremely grateful to because she is all I've ever wanted in a mother. I must have saved this country in my past life to be born as her daughter. I ask that everyone will look upon us favourably and cheer us on."
"This is my first drama with my mother and I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm afraid I might not be up to her level of acting but I promise to not disappoint you, mom.'' She said and looked at her mother.
''What do you say about your daughter, Mrs. Song?'' the reporter asked.
''Whatever I can do, our Mimi can do even better. I hope that everyone will look out for how she grows and improves herself in the industry.'' Mrs. Song smiled and rubbed Mimi's hand tenderly.
''As a mother and daughter pair in the same industry, do you know that a lot of people are looking up to you, especially our young girls? Everyone is so envious of your close relationship and not just that, but each one of you have gone to accomplish so much and contributed a lot to the entertainment industry. Can you share with us some of your secrets?''
''When I'm in front of the camera, there is only one thing that I focus on. I become my character.'' Solace said with a professional smile.
''That's right. When acting, you have to immerse yourself into the role that you are playing.'' Mimi added.
''Let's come to the question that everyone is so interested in. Your flawless skin. This year, you will be 53 years but it seems that not even age has made a number on you, Solace. You still look like you were in your twenties. What is your secret? I suggest everyone should grab a pen and note the beauty tips down, viewers.'' The interview jokingly added.
''I should contribute my skin to my daughter here who takes care of me and makes me less worried about her. Every evening, she would prepare a mask for me to put on my face and reminds me to go to the spa every time.''
''My mother is a natural beauty, she only needs to do little and she will look beautiful. I find it hard living up to her, I wonder if I can still look this beautiful when I grow old.'' Mimi smiled.