CHAPTER 01: FORCED WEDDING

“With the power vested upon me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife,” The priest announced their union as one, like a normal newlywed couple, a flashing smiley and air filled with romance should be happening but Sol’s face was saying that she was not ready and agreed to this.

“You may now kiss your bride,” He removed the veil covering her face, and with slightly trembling hands he slowly caressed her face, pulling her gently close to him. 

“Make it quick,” Sol said, he sighed and kissed her lightly. For him, today was one of those days he could remember, but to Sol, this day was her worst. 

With fake smiles, Sol’s parents greeted them. Though it was fake, he appreciated it, the fact that he was given the chance to prove himself was enough for him.

“I hate this,” Sol uttered, they were sitting on a loveseat in front of the crowd, it was just their close friends and family of them, the wedding was exclusive because Sol didn’t want to draw attention towards her with her career starting to bloom, she needs to keep it clean and should not have any issues, this wedding definitely will affect her career.

He smiled and looked around the venue, he saw his mother looking at them with a smile on her face, she smiled and waved her hand at him, waving his hand back he heard Sol talk. “You look like an idiot,” Sol added, playing with her fingernails not interested in what was happening around them. 

“You look beautiful,” Tyron just said without looking at her, dismissing her words, although it hurt him he should not be moved.

“I am always,” She said, this time, he looked at her with admiration. He loves her, he is sure of that but, sometimes, he wishes she was too. “Remember what we agreed on, make mistakes and this will all be over,” Her harsh reminder of their agreement made him remember what they agreed on.

“I do remember, and I promised to keep it,” He said with a slightly shaky voice. 

The honeymoon was never planned,  it was never an option. He stared at his wife– ah! His wife, how could he not smile with that?  She was sitting in front of the vanity mirror doing her makeup. “When will you be back?” He asked, she paused for a moment and looked at his reflection in the mirror. 

“I don’t know,” She just answered, nodding his head as if he got a proper answer from her. He got up from the bed and prepared for the shower, he still needs to prove himself to her parents and to his wife. 

“Don’t call or text me,” Sol said before leaving him. He was fixing his tie when she left the room. With a heavy heart, he sat on the couch and closed his eyes for seconds. ‘What should I do?’ he mentally asked himself, he scoffed and fixed his tie before getting up, grabbing his suit from the couch. 

He walked towards the door and left the house that her parents gave them. He immediately started his car driving away from the house. 

He parked his car in the parking lot, before opening the door he grabbed his suitcase and walked towards the hotel’s entrance. He felt his phone vibrate, he pulled his phone out from his pocket and looked at his screen he saw that it was his mother. 

He smiled and clicked the answer button, flashing the company card at the scanner before going into the door's office. “Mother,” He happily answered, he sat on the chair and settled the suitcase on his table. 

“Hi, dear,” His mother started. “I was just wondering if you and Sol are available, later tonight?” His mother asked, he could sense her tensed voice. He leaned on the couch before answering.

“I would love to go mother but,” He sighed before continuing, making an excuse not to go. He also knew his mother would be hurt and he didn’t want that. “-- Sol is busy, she has a shooting for her movie, is it okay if I will go there alone?” He said his mother's voice was sad but it was better to go alone than decline her invitation. 

It was a busy day, the hotel is having an event for Valentine's Day and he knew Sol’s parents wanted it to be perfect. “Should we advise the coordinators that there will be a wedding on that day at the grand hall?” The manager asked, he checked the papers and nodded his head. 

“We should, so we would know what to do next, send invitations to our VIPs for the event.” 

His day ended, carrying his suitcase on the way to his car and using his other hand he pressed the button unlocking the door of his car. He entered and started the engine and headed home.

When he opened the door, he could feel the emptiness. Most married couples would love to spend their first week as married together but he remembered that their marriage was different. He sighed and loosen his tie, grabbing a beer from the fridge.

He pulled out the phone from his pocket and stared at the screen, there was nothing. No messages, calls, or anything that could brighten her day, perhaps a message from his wife would be great but the screen is blank, like his day. 

He lifted his hand and glanced at his watch, he remembered he promised his mother that he would go to their family dinner which he almost forgot. He grabbed his keys and put them inside his pocket before walking towards their bedroom. He should at least change into a comfy shirt before going.

He reached the house, it was simple, and homey at the same time. He smiled before grabbing the wine he bought at the liquor store and walking inside the house. He could smell the cheese from the kitchen, making his stomach growl in hunger. 

“You’re here!” His mother enthusiastically said, he embraced her before kissing her forehead. “Here,” He said before handing her the wine he bought at the market before going to his mother’s house. She accepted it and patted his back with a smile on her face. He sat on the chair and waited for dinner.

They talked about a lot of stuff but tried their best to avoid the questions regarding his married life. 

“I guess, she’s busy enough that she could not be here,” His mother said, the atmosphere changed and he slowly dropped his fork on the plate, before looking at his mother with his sad eyes and unsaid thoughts.

He also wishes that they are on the same page, but sadly, it was just a forced marriage. He wanted this, he should be happy. 

Morning came, and still, there are no signs of his wife. He misses her but she changed after that night, he didn't even know what happened after he finished the wine that Sol gave him.

 A clear memory passed him in flicker, he remembered how Sol got drunk that night, and then they had a lustful night, he remembered the way how Sol screamed and gave him the best night of his life but was just as happy as he was, Sol slept and murmured another man's name with her on his arms, lying soundly and naked.

In the morning, everything changed and after that, they were told to get married to avoid disgrace in the family, he agreed because of his love and that was the beginning of it all.

Three weeks later, Sol came to him saying she is pregnant with his child, he was happy and thought that it was a way for him to better and maybe, catch Sol's attention, after she said that she was pregnant with his child, Sol didn't even bother showing up to him, just an update of the child but never did a chance that they talk normally-- like he wanted. 

It was his choice, he was so sure. He knew he will soon regret it but he want to take a chance, he got his chance but it was never given nor earned. He married the woman he loves, and a child coming on its way yet her heart still remains someone else's.

He sighed heavily before standing up, he should get ready. He arrived at the hotel in time. His forehead creased when he saw Sol’s father sitting on his chair comfortably when he opened the door of his office. 

“Father,” He was taken aback but decided to be polite, Mr. Alonso was never the type of person who is friendly and he never visits unless he needs something. He heard him scoff before leaning his elbows on the table and his chin resting on his knuckles, looking at him seriously.

“I heard that one of the VIPs was disappointed with the hotel's services, are you neglecting the responsibility I gave you here Tyron?” His serious voice made him swallow hard. “I’m sorry, it will never happen again,” Instead of reasoning out, he just apologized. 

“You should be, you should be glad that you married my daughter, you good-for-nothing bastard.” His knuckles turned into fists, composing himself as he ignored his insult. 

“I’m sorry father, I’ll do better next time,” He said before bowing his head a little, the old man stood up for his seat, and he could hear his cany’s noise approaching him.

“Do better or you’re done, I don’t need an incompetent man for my daughter, and definitely not in this hotel,” He heard the door slam, he loosens his tie and sat on the couch trying to calm himself.