The long-awaited day finally arrived.
Sitting opposite the vanity mirror, Lariette wore the sapphire teardrop gold earrings. She styled her luscious chocolate brown hair to a simple half-updo, letting the rest cascade behind her back.
Lariette wore the white dress she picked at Annelle Style. It was simple yet, the perfect one in her eyes.
The high neckline, connected with a gathered and slightly puffed top, covered her dainty neck. The semi-transparent balloon long sleeves of the dress added a refined vintage flair.
The matching white belt accentuated Lariette's slender waist. As she slowly rose from the vanity chair, the lower part of the dress cascaded down gracefully, and the hem fell just below her knees.
Curling up her red lips, Lariette's sapphire eyes glinted with anticipation.
"Time to meet my future groom."
Lariette brought along a handbag in a shade similar to Ruediger's blue suit. She opted for a pair of white kitten heels to finish her look.
Heading out of the apartment, Lariette's heart flooded with excitement. She initially thought she would feel more nervous about marrying a man she had just known but, she was not.
Perhaps, this heart-fluttering excitement would be a thousandfold if she actually harbored feelings for her groom.
Chuckling to herself, Lariette hurried to the lobby. Madeline had arrived, waiting for her there. Her friend offered to drive her to the courthouse.
"We'll meet Mr. Turner there. You and Rudy will sign the contract before registering your marriage. It's clear, isn't it?"
Madeline explained to Lariette the steps before she and Ruediger formalized their marriage. The former managed to get her mother's attorney to help, the perfect person to keep the contract hidden from the outside world.
"Lari! You're a pretty bride!"
Lariette laughed when Madeline suddenly yelled once she got inside the car. She playfully pinched her friend's arm, earning laughter from the latter.
"Hehe, thank you," Lariette smiled, her face beaming with delight, "No matter what, I need to dress up on my marriage day, don't you think?"
"Hehe~ Yes!"
Madeline pulled Lariette in for a hug to which the brunette responded with the same gesture. Lariette's smile softened as she felt her friend gently stroking her back.
"Wow~ My friend will be someone's wife soon. Lari, I wish you happiness."
Lariette chuckled, amused by Madeline's wish. Her friend talked as if this was a normal marriage between two people in love.
"Thank you, Maddie. I can't do this without you."
What began from her impulsiveness to spite her family turned into something Lariette looked forward to. Ruediger might be her contract husband but, she hoped to nurture a friendship with him.
"Let's go now. Rudy's waiting for us."
Madeline released Lariette from the embrace. Holding the steering wheels, she glanced at the rearview mirror and the side before slowly pulling away from the curb.
"Did he really camp outside the courthouse?" asked Lariette teasingly while buckling the seatbelt. She recalled the joke Ruediger told her before.
"Well~ Who knows?"
Madeline purposely played wedding songs on the radio, amusing Lariette further. They even sang to the familiar songs, adding a merry vibe inside the car.
The ladies reached the courthouse in twenty minutes. The clock showed a quarter past eight in the morning. The day was still early.
"Oh, there's Rudy and Mr. Turner."
Madeline pointed in a direction. Lariette spotted Ruediger dressed in a light blue suit talking to a middle-aged man. The gentlemen stood near an executive van, most likely belonging to the attorney.
"Rudy! Mr. Turner!"
Hugging Lariette's left arm, Madeline waved and called for Ruediger and Mr. Turner. The two men heard her, leading them to look away from each other.
Lariette smiled, following Madeline's steps before she momentarily froze.
"..."
Ruediger's emerald eyes collided with Lariette's sapphire ones. There was something in his gaze that made her heart skip a beat.
He was always a warm and approachable man but, she thought she saw tenderness overflowing from his gaze as his eyes met hers.
These feelings reminded her of that particular time when they chose their wedding rings.
"Lettie, you're lovely."
Carving his lips into a beautiful smile, Ruediger's tone seemed to brim with affection. The breeze carried his voice to her. Lariette's face flushed, her cheeks blooming in a rosy color.
"You look charming too, Eddy," replied Lariette quietly, hoping Ruediger didn't notice something was strange with her.
The gentleman laughed, his whole face beaming. The breeze blew through his crimson strands, adding more allure to his charms.
"Mr. Alvord and Miss Elsher, should we proceed with the signing now?" asked Mr. Turner once he greeted both Madeline and Lariette, "Let's get inside the van."
Ruediger and Lariette exchanged a glance before nodding. All of them entered the van, the morning sunlight showering on their backs.
Mr. Turner let Lariette and Ruediger read the clauses again before any signing was made.
Madeline quietly watched from her friend's side, sensing how serious Lariette was. Ruediger was also the same.
"I agree with everything," uttered Lariette after checking the document. She looked at Ruediger, "How about you?"
"I'm the same," Ruediger chuckled, his eyes flickering in delight, "Nothing to change."
Mr. Turner nodded, "Good. Please sign the contracts."
Lariette and Ruediger signed copies of the contract. Their signatures were side by side, signaling the start of their contract marriage. Still, they had to register at the courthouse to legalize their union.
"Time for us to get married," Ruediger smiled at Lariette. Arching his brows, he jokingly asked, "Do you get cold feet, my bride?"
"No," Lariette smiled confidently. She gestured to the outside of the van, "Shall we go now?"
"Yes."
Ruediger offered his right palm to which Lariette readily accepted. With their hands linked together, they walked to the courthouse. Madeline and Mr. Turner followed from behind.
"They look good together, don't they?" asked Madeline while silently capturing photos of Lariette and Ruediger from behind.
"They are," Mr. Turner smiled, feeling happy for Ruediger as someone he had known for over one decade, "It might be a contract marriage but, Mr. Rudy looks genuinely happy."
Madeline's smile softened. She earnestly wished this contract marriage would serve as a way for her cherished friend and beloved cousin to nurture their relationship into something more.
As for when Ruediger revealed his past connection with Lariette, only time could tell.