As the limousine stopped in front of the church where her wedding will be held, Stella felt very anxious because she didn't expect to get married to someone she had just met in the hotel room.
They didn't know each other yet she accept his money just to turn her life back, and now she's in front of the church to marry the playboy yet billionaire man in the city. She can even see a lot of cars outside the premises that cause her to feel more anxious.
"Are you ready, Stella?" Kathy asked her, she was sitting beside her because she asked her to be her mother.
Because she doesn't want her mother to know what problem she enters to bring their life back and hopefully, her mom wouldn't know about it.
"I don't know. I felt like I want to throw up, these unexpected circumstances made me anxious," she answered.
"I understand what you feel. That's what I felt when I got married to my husband because he is the man I wish for, I have the same reaction as yours before."
"Really?"
Kathy nodded, "Yes, I walked on the aisle with no doubt to myself because I want them to see how beautiful I am on my wedding day."
"Do you think they won't judge me?"
The lady held her hand to comfort her and that is enough to ease her nervousness, she wishes Kathy was Elton's mother so she doesn't need to swallow Linda's judgments.
"You can do it, Stella. Show them how lucky he is to be your husband, and I wanted you to lift your chin full of confidence."
Kathy smiled, "It's a waste of your gown if you don't show how beautiful it is. You should show them that you can keep up with rich people like the ones inside."
"I'm afraid, what if I don't meet their expectations?"
"You'll never know if you don't try," that's the only answer she received from the lady.
Suddenly the door next to Stella opened and that was the signal for her to come out. She glanced at the lady for the last time, before getting out of the car she was riding in and was greeted by the sound of a bell and a cool breeze.
She also felt the lady approach her before they started walking towards the door of the church. Stella can't deny the nervousness she feels but she's thankful that Kathy is by her side, so somehow the nervousness is lessened
The door of the church opened, together with the appearance of smiles that he did not expect to see. all the guests who attended their wedding had sweet smiles on their lips, so the nervousness in his heart increased even more.
But that wasn't normal nervousness because it was proof that he had a wrong idea about rich people. Stella started walking while secretly looking around, almost all the guests were happy to see her.
Until her gaze landed on a man she's about to marry. His gaze is looking at her which means Kathy was right, if she starts walking down the aisle everyone will never let their eyes out of her. The music added to the atmosphere of the church, which made her tears fall.
Their eyes are locked together until she found herself standing in front of the young man. She smiled as he start blinking three times as if he saw a ghost.
"You're stunning," He praised causing her to chuckle softly.
"You look good in dark blue," she praised him back.
Elton lend his hand which she accept quickly, and then, they face the priest together and the guest seated in their respective seats. Stella is very nervous but when he held her hand, she suddenly felt relieved for no reason.
The ceremony started and her mind remained occupied at that moment, she wanted to marry the man she dream and her mom is one of the crowds watching her getting married. But that is never gonna happen because that wedding is just part of the act.
She couldn't help but sighed and felt his gaze when he heard it. Stella didn't look at him and even peak a single glance because if she did, it might the reason for her to run away.
"This isn't part of our plan, and I know you are against this marriage. But like I promise you before, we're getting divorced after this," Elton whispered to her so the priest wouldn't hear it.
She immediately looked at him, "You need this so I need to participate in your game. We can't just divorce after getting married because they might think I'm a fraud."
"We better do this than lose your inheritance because you might lose your last chance..."
"I'm sorry," he muttered.
That word made her stunned because that was the first time she heard him say sorry, even though he yelled at her in the hospital. She bites her lower lips just to avoid herself from smiling.
"We will witness the union of two people who love each other very much. They are in front of us to prove and witness their unparalleled love."
She wanted to laugh and tell the priest that the marriage was just a big sham, but she suddenly remembered that they were in the middle of lying.
"Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to join this man and this woman in matrimony."
The priest looked at him, "Elton Richards, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
Elton take a deep breath and said, "I do."
And then, the priest glance at her which mean it's her time to say her vows, "Stella Hamilton, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
Stella looked at him, she doesn't need to think what answer was best for them because it only have one answer to speak.
"I do," she answered.
"Repeat after me."
"I, Elton Richards, take you, Stella Hamilton, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart." The priest and Elton said in chorus.
"I, Stella Hamilton, take you, Elton Richards, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart."
"Elton, place the ring on her finger and repeat after me."
He place the ring on Stella's finger and uttered, "I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith, and abiding love," Then, he finally put it on her ring finger.
Stella do the same and uttered, "I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith, and abiding love," and put the ring on his finger.
The priest asks them to join hands and declare, "By virtue by the authority vested in me under the laws of the state of America, I pronounce you husband and wife."
He nodded at Elton, "You may kiss the bride."
Elton lifted her veil, he slowly move his head to her until their lips meet. Stella tastes something sweet on his lips or maybe it's just her illusion because from now on, she's the playboy's wife officially.