John's POV
The whole church gave a standing ovation as Mr. Andrew walked Hannah, who was draped in a white wedding gown, to the altar. Just like me, Hannah's father wore a black tuxedo. I wrapped my hand around Hannah's when she got to where I stood. Now, we both turned to the priest, who was draped in a white alb.
"Today, we're gathered here to witness the wedding of John Davidson and Hannah Andrew," the priest began. "As we all know, marriage is an everlasting union between a man and a woman. A wedding ceremony is only an entrance into it. The Bible says in Genesis 2:24, 'Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.' We're here to fulfill this commandment. A marriage is built based on the foundation of love. The Bible teaches that three things are very important - faith, hope, and love. Amongst all these, love is the greatest and it's the foundation of marriage-"
The boring lecture went on for a long time. I wondered why people got tutored to a high extent but still opt-in for divorce when things started to fall apart. I was convinced that all we were doing on the altar was telling lies to each other.
All the time Hannah had spent walking down the aisle was accompanied by a huge smile on her face, one that was good enough to convince the large congregation. You would never know that Andrews had so many well-wishers until it was time to do something against my family.
My moment of introspection was interrupted when the priest asked, "Do you, John Davidson, accept Hannah Andrew as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in health and sickness till death do you both apart?"
"I do," I answered, reluctantly.
He turned to Hannah and asked, "Do you, Hannah Andrew, accept John Davidson as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in health and sickness till death do you both apart?"
"I do," Hannah grinned.
The priest was given the rings. He gave Hannah's own to me and my own to her. Then, we both faced each other. Thereafter, he turned to me, "Now, John Davidson, repeat after me as you express your vows to Hannah Andrew."
I repeated as I heard, "I, John Davidson, take you, Hannah Andrew, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow." I placed the ring on Hannah's finger.
He turned to Hannah and said, "Now, Hannah Andrew, please repeat after me as you express your vows to John Davidson."
She repeated accordingly, "I, Hannah Andrew, take you, John Davidson, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death does us part. This is my solemn vow." She placed the ring on my finger.
The priest turned to Richard and his wife and asked, "Do you, Mr. And Mrs. Andrew, do you accept the care of your daughter now falls on this young man, John Davidson?"
"Yes, we do," Richard and his wife answered.
The priest gave a short lecture again before saying, "With the power vested in me by God and with the vows you've made today, I declare you both man and wife." He turned to me, "You may kiss your bride."
For a moment, I looked at the woman I didn't love and kissed her reluctantly. Her lips tasted like honey, one of the sweetest things I had tasted. She smiled when we were done, and the whole congregation erupted in joy.
I held my wife as we walked out of the church, waving to family, friends, and people I didn't know. At least, I was able to fake a smile till the end.
The wedding continued in my house - that one I had always planned to stay in when I finally decided to leave my father's house. The large living room was filled with guests - men draped in suits, and women in gowns.
Louis, my assistant, walked up to me and said, "Mr. Andrew and his wife would love to speak to you in your home office." I dropped my glass of wine on the dining table and followed Louis.
Louis stood at the door while I placed my jacket on the chair and sat comfortably, with Mr. Andrew and his wife opposite my seat. "My assistant told me you wanted to see me. What's the issue?" I asked.
Mr. Andrew cleared his throat and began, "You have fulfilled your part of the deal. It's time for us to do ours," he shuffled a document to me. "That's our agreement. The Andrew and Davidson enterprise will mesh as one. You and your family will have fifty percent of the company - with your shareholders, of course. While my daughter and my family will have the remaining fifty percent. This agreement is only valid as long as the marriage stands. In the case, you withdraw from it, the Andrews will have its wealth, connections, and customers removed."
I swallowed.
"We also have the right to withdraw from it if you tamper with my daughter's happiness," Mrs. Andrew said.
I picked up the document and carefully read every part. It was just like they stated - an imprisonment and a threat. Consumed by sadness, I signed it and gave it to Mr. Andrew.
Mr. Andrew gave the document to his assistant, who stood at the back, and said, "We will send a photocopy so you won't forget the contract you have signed."
They all left the room.
I hissed, disheveling my table.