"How much will the surgery cost?" Ashley asked, her voice filled with concern and determination to help her best friend. Valerie looked into Ashley's eyes, her own brimming with tears. "Ashley, the doctor said the surgery will cost thirty thousand dollars," Valerie replied, her voice trembling with a mixture of desperation and sadness.
Ashley gasped, her hand instinctively covering her mouth. "Thirty thousand dollars? Where are we going to find that kind of money?" she exclaimed, her mind racing through the possibilities.
Valerie's shoulders slumped, and her tears flowed freely. She felt overwhelmed by the weight of the situation, not knowing how they could possibly come up with such a significant amount of money. Ashley moved closer, wrapping her arms around Valerie in a comforting embrace. She gently patted her back, trying to offer solace amidst the storm of emotions. "It's okay, Val. We will find a way, I promise," Ashley assured her, her voice filled with sincerity.
Tears continued to stream down Valerie's face as she pulled away from the hug, her voice choked with emotion. "But how, Ashley? I don't know where to turn. Aunt Betty needs the surgery, and time is running out," she sobbed, feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the situation.
Ashley held Valerie's hands firmly, looking into her eyes with unwavering support. "We will figure it out together, Val. We won't give up on Aunt Betty," she said, her voice filled with determination.
Valerie's tear-stained face brightened slightly as a flicker of hope ignited within her. "There might be a way," she murmured, almost to herself. Ashley leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, Val? What way?" she asked, eager to explore any possible solution.
Valerie took a deep breath, steadying herself as she gathered her thoughts. "My mother, before she passed away, left me a fund. It's meant to be accessed only when I'm married," Valerie explained, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and determination.
Ashley's eyes widened in surprise. "But you're not getting married anytime soon, Valerie. How can you access that fund?" she asked, her mind racing through potential obstacles.
Valerie's lips curved into a small, mischievous smile. "You know me, Ashley. I'm never getting married," she said with conviction. "But what if... what if I register for a marriage certificate?"
Ashley's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Valerie, you can't be serious. How can you register for a marriage certificate without a groom?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with both concern and incredulity.
Valerie placed a calming hand on Ashley's arm, her eyes shining with determination. "Calm down, Ashley. I won't be marrying anyone for real. All I need is to register a marriage with fake groom's details. It won't be real, just enough to obtain the marriage certificate," Valerie explained, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.
Ashley's brow furrowed in contemplation as she processed Valerie's idea. "But, Valerie, how do you plan on achieving that? Won't it get you into trouble?" she asked, her concern still evident.
Valerie embraced Ashley, a grateful smile playing on her lips. "You worry too much, my dear friend. Trust me, I've thought it through. The groom's details will be completely fake. There's no way it will lead to any trouble. We just need to be smart about it," Valerie reassured her, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
Looking at Valerie, Ashley asked, "So do you have any name in mind?". Valerie shook her head, pulling Ashley she said, "Come let's go grab a seat." Ashley nodded and followed her to the reception.
Valerie's mind raced as she and Ashley sat at the reception, brainstorming the details of the fictitious groom. She wanted the name to sound plausible yet not overly common. Ashley suggested "Clark Dean," but Valerie felt it lacked uniqueness. She racked her brain, searching for the perfect name that would pass as real.
Suddenly, Valerie's face lit up with an idea. "How about Nick Norman?" she suggested, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
Ashley's smile widened. "That's the name," she agreed, sensing the authenticity in the combination. Valerie nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief that they had settled on a suitable name for the fictional groom.
"Now, what about his other details?" Ashley asked, eager to continue building their fabricated story.
Valerie pondered for a moment, wanting to create a backstory that sounded plausible yet didn't raise any suspicion. "Let's say my supposed groom was born In June 25, 1989, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.," she suggested, her voice filled with a mix of confidence and uncertainty.
Ashley nodded, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "That sounds real enough to me," she replied, a sense of satisfaction evident in her tone. Valerie couldn't help but feel grateful for Ashley's unwavering support and willingness to assist her in this unconventional plan.
"You know, it would have been better if you had a real groom," Ashley teased Valerie, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Valerie let out a dramatic sigh, placing one hand on her chest while raising the other as if reciting her country's anthem. "Stop that already, Ashley. I have told you countless times that I, Valerie North, would never get married," she declared, feigning a serious expression.
Ashley couldn't help but burst into laughter at Valerie's theatrical response. "Oh, come on, Valerie. It's not that deep. I was only teasing you," she said, attempting to stifle her giggles.
Valerie softened her expression, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Well, you should know by now that any teasing involving marriage is an insult to me," she playfully scolded, emphasizing her point with a mock sternness.
Ashley's laughter subsided, and she held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry for pulling your legs," she said, her voice laced with sincerity.
Valerie couldn't help but crack a smile, her playfulness returning. "You'd better be sorry," she teased in response.
But Valerie, after registering your marriage, tomorrow you won't be a single lady anymore," Ashley playfully teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Valerie glanced at Ashley with a playful side-eye, a smirk forming on her face. "Seems like someone wants their face to be beaten," she said, stretching her hands as if preparing for a mock fight.
Ashley raised her eyebrows, feigning surprise. "Oh, really? You wouldn't dare," she challenged, her tone filled with playful defiance.
In an instant, Valerie stood up from her seat, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. Without a second thought, she lunged forward, playfully chasing after Ashley, who let out a startled squeal and darted out of the reception area.