Joy, happiness, and cheerful faces filled the atmosphere of the party room. Every guest who was present in the warm conversation, how this moment they had been waiting for a long time. The marriage of their relative, July Foster, who they thought had no interest in romance.
This celebration is limited to only relatives, close acquaintances, and co-workers of the bride and groom. But there is one different thing, on the invitation cards and party room decorations. There is not a single portrait of the groom and bride, even the names of the groom and bride are can be seen. Every guest could only wonder if it was part of the party concept.
In the bridal waiting room, July anxiously awaits the arrival of Argus, who can't be contacted till now. The waiting room door opened. But what appeared from behind the door was not the face of the person she was waiting for. Her's cousin and her aunt approached with worried faces but tried not to panic. Because they wanted to keep July's heart at peace on this important day of life.
The cousin―Salo, moved closer to July to speak in a whisper to ear. "Where is the groom? Do you really have a groom? Or is this all a hidden prank cam?" Salo is still a girl of high school grade, more younger than July.
"Sshut! Watch your words!" snapped the mother who can still hear what Salo said. The word gets Mary's anxiety. "You're too many watching prank shows! You think marriage is a joke?"
Salo shrunk to a reprimand from her mother, even though she only meant to lighten the mood with a joke. Both in the event room and the waiting room, as time passed, the atmosphere became darker and heavy. All of this is due to one reason, the presence of the groom who can't be found there even though in less than half an hour the groom and bride must immediately enter the ballroom and walk to the altar to take the marriage vows.
"Aunty should just wait inside..." said July feeling guilty.
"No-no, sweety. I'm worried about you." Mary kept squeezing a handkerchief, a gesture of restlessness. "Oh God, I hope nothing bad happens."
Mary's mind could not shake off the thought of a disaster that might happen to the groom on his way to the wedding hall.
Meanwhile July was worried about something else, deep in her heart seemed to have found an answer. Yes, this situation feels familiar. With all those thoughts and memories swallowed herself, not wanting to make things worse. July will only think simply if Argus doesn't appear until the last moment then this marriage will not happen.
There was a knock on the door, then a moment later the door opened, a woman who was visible from the black blazer she was wearing was a hotel employee who handled July's wedding. Come to give the news, "The groom has arrived..."
In front of the door, a charismatic, dashing and stocky silhouette figure with elegant clothes specially fit by designers appeared in front of July, Mary, and Salo who had been waiting.
July gasped and stood transfixed, clearly showing the entire expanse of the graceful and glamorous design of the wedding dress she was wearing. Mary and Salo's faces automatically looking relieved. At the same time, they were amazed by the handsome face of the man chosen by July, which she desperately kept secret of his identity from her relatives and people around till this moment.
"Thank goodness… You managed to arrive without missing anything!" Mary almost cried because of the feeling of emotion and relief.
"I'm sorry, Auntie Mary, my lateness must have made you and all relatives restless." He said who was referred to as the groom.
"W-wait!" Almost without being able to say, only that one word managed to come out of July's mouth. Her brain work stopped as if frozen because of this confusing situation.
"Dear, we can have a long chat later after the event." Mary felt the situation was urgent, she also had to go back into the event room to inform the others who must be waiting as well. "July, Auntie will be back inside."
The soft touch of Mary's hands on July's hair, which is neatly arranged in a bun-up, in the form of a braid. The touch make July more complicated inside.
"Salo, follow me." Aks Mary to her daughter.
Mary or Salo are not observant enough to carry July's facial expressions at this time, in their minds, there is only peace because the groom has appeared. After the two go away, only July was left in the bridal waiting room, a hotel employee and a man who came suddenly claiming to be her future husband.
***
"What is this!" July protested firmly against the man in front of her.
With a calm demeanor, the man only answered July with a finger in his mouth, asking her to remain calm.
"You can leave, we need some privacy just the two of us alone." He asked the hotel staff. Then as requested an employee out of the room, only the two of them were left there.
"First, allow me to introduce myself."
July's face still hasn't changed, confused and annoyed.
"My name is N, an agent who was hired to replace Mr. Argus who is unable to attend today. I am in charge of being your groom at this wedding." He explained with a straightforward attitude as if he was used to it and was an expert.
"Agents? The task of replacing Argus? What nonsense is all this!!" July was furious, she had no time to serve the insane person in front of her. "Wait!"
At first, July thought that the man in the room with her now was entered the wrong room or that he had just insane man at the wedding venue. But Argus's name had just been mentioned a moment ago, what was the meaning of all this?
"Who do you mean by Argus? It is Argus Osborne?"
"That's right, Miss July, your lover Argus Osborne, who is supposed to be marrying you today."
It took July to digest all the information at this time. "Are you fucking kidding me! You said Argus paid you to be his substitute at the wedding?" The outburst of anger could no longer be controlled. "Where is he right now? Tell me!"
Still, with his calm and professional attitude, N faced July. "Seeking or asking him to come now won't help solve the problem, Miss. You should focus on your wedding event which is," N looked at the time on the luxurious watch on his wrist. "there's not much time left to make a decision."
"Decision?"
"Yes, what decision are you choose? Going to continue with this marriage by acting until the end? Or did you reject my offer of a deal and choose to cancel the wedding?"
N's explanation immediately made July come back to her senses. This is not the time to question where Argus is when it's clear he left her. The big problem is how to continue the fate of July's marriage now. But the idea just...
"Of course I refuse!"
Did he think July was crazy enough to accept that ridiculous offer?
"Hm, in this situation with all the risks? Miss, are you sure?"
July didn't need to take any further consideration even though at this time N was trying to convince her.
"I think this plan makes it possible to happen."
July listened to his words with an interested expression.
"As far as I know, Miss did not reveal the identity of the groom to all relatives or extended family also the guest. Therefore I think the groom can be anyone, no one will know the truth. Which is the original or the replacement."
July does this to protect Argus from attacks and rejection by her relatives and extended family. But what now, Argus used that to run away and pass the responsibility on to a substitute.
"Miss you're loss if this marriage is annulled, correct? The environment, the extended family, the image, you will sacrifice too much." Part of N's job as an agent is convincing clients to use his services of course. He had to somehow convince July to hire him.
N's words are true if July thinks about it. All relatives, extended family, and co-workers are in the wedding hall at this moment. July remembered aunt Mary would have told everyone that the groom had arrived. If July cancels the ceremony now, then she will have to face bigger problems than just the matchmaking that Mary arranged.
Once again the hotel clerk knocked on the door, and she came in to announce it was time for the bride and groom to enter the wedding ballroom. July is still undecided with a lot of thought to make a decision.
"How is it?" N stared at the bride intently and determination radiated in every part of him. His outstretched hand waited for July's hand to welcome him.
The image of auntie Mary's face as a substitute for her parents who have passed away is clear in July's mind. How painful and hurt it would be if Mary had to accept July's marriage failed after a long wait. Did July have enough courage to disappoint Mary after all this?
July was forced to have no time and choice, a moment of desperate thought overcame her. Currently, what she has to face and solve is the problem in front of her eyes. So she took the risk, other matters let's think about it later. Right now July is just focused on saving the hearts and feelings of her extended family.
July took the first step as if possessed by something else. She slowly walked over to N and took his outstretched hand. The substitute groom smiled charmingly welcoming his bride. The two of them walked together towards the event room. Throughout life at the age of 31 years, July married a foreign man she had just met for the first time.
July hardly has free time for lunch, because she is too busy and focused on work. The woman is indeed famous for a brilliant career and perfect work, workaholic people around label her. But now how could her aunt make a promise without consent, wasting her precious time on something that July hated the most if she could be honest."But how can Aunty just tell me now after choosing my partner and setting a date?" July protests in a video call connection with her aunt who is quite far apart oversea."I doesn't want to hear protests, defenses, or whatever that's your excuse anymore, dear."There are several reasons and one of them is that makes July deliberately decides to live far away alone. Escape from all the demands of her extended family. Even though it was the sake of kindness and form of love and care for her, July was sick and tired of all that. "You have to come and meet him, I doesn't want to wait any longer for you to get married!"True, the biggest and most pressing issue
July leaned her head back against the steering wheel. All along she didn't mean to say that to Mary when Argus was with her. "W-what did I just hear…" Argus still had a hard time believing it. "July…" His eyes lit up demanding an explanation. Just a moment ago he asked July to marry him but got a cold reaction. It was clear that hopes had soared again. Meanwhile, July felt stupid because it looked like she was licking her spit.Honestly, July has been dreaming of marriage for a long time, but in front of her love, she never shows it. Showing no interest in starting a household, not for no reason. All because her current chosen partner—Argus, whose July's big family relationship and him has a bad history. In other words, it is impossible to get the blessing for their relationship.How could she bring the topic of marriage in front of the whole family by introducing him as July's future husband?"My love July, say it! Am I wrong? It is now I'm misunderstood of anything? Misunderstood
All the members of July's family have gathered, and they are connected in a group video call. The meeting via long-distance is to negotiate July's decision, which will eventually marry but with prior conditions. The problem then arises, why does she have to mention the conditions, even more so, it is very unreasonable to be accepted by the rest family member."Mary said you put a condition on us about your wedding plan July, what is that condition?" Asked her uncle from father side. Compared to other members who are elder in July's family, he is the youngest and thinks rationally in dealing with problems."What does it mean?" The reactions of the elders were different."Condition? Is Mary getting senile to talk like that?" While this time, July's paternal aunt does tend to make harsh comments, even though it's not the intention, just that her genuine way of speaking and attitude."Everyone calm down, please speak one by one." Asked the youngest uncle earlier. Indeed, when there is a f
The car was speeding across the freeway, getting further and further away from the city towards somewhere. In the car the driver looks annoyed with a serious face until he hits the innocent steering wheel to vent his anger. All the agendas that had been scheduled long ago fell apart with just one word of orders from superiors. Even though he feels unhappy, there is nothing he can do but act as he is told. “Hello, dear... I'm sorry, it seems that even today I can't keep you company. Really I felt bad...” Asked Argus panic also feel very guilty. “It's okay Argus, I told you I could take care of everything myself."July replied that she didn't take any issue at all with Argus' absence in preparation for their wedding. Today is their appointment with the WO. There are many arrangements that July has to make with various parties to prepare for her wedding despite wanting to make the party simple. Starting from the wedding hall, makeup and bridal fashion, WO, catering and so on. “Really
July side by side with N entered the wedding hall, the gaze of all invited guests was directed at them in every swing of steps towards the altar that was getting closer. It's the craziest day of July's life, marrying the stranger she just met 30 minutes ago. Who could have thought that July really did the blind wedding according to her original plan. That is, marrying a man whom she did not know at all before. Exactly what is done on a blind date. But that was not the main concern of July at this time, all she had in mind was how the wedding ceremony went smoothly until the end and finished without any obstacles. So the determination implied in the look of July's eyes staring at the wedding altar. Invited guests who see July face expression may think ahe is just tense and nervous because has to say wedding vows. In front of the altar, in the presence of all the invitees July must say a vows to stranger. July experienced a moment of inner struggle when she had to swear allegiance, wh
It happened a few days before the wedding.. In the middle of the wedding preparations July and Argus walked. Although the news of their marriage is a secret from various parties, Minerva can find out immediately because her obsession still cannot let Argus return to July. Argus has divorced her, but the divorce is still process by laws. Minerva refused Argus 'request for divorce before the court, because in the eyes of the law Minerva was still legitimate as Argus' wife. How angry Minerva when she got a report from his henchman who always lurks Argus activities that the man who is still her legal husband was going to marry his ex-girlfriend during college named July Foster. Minerva is determined that no matter what, she must be able to prevent the wedding from happening. And a chance like the blessing of the answer from the goddess of luck appeared in favor of Minerva. Soon she came to Argus excited and confident that she would win against July Foster. Yes, for this reason Minerva b
As much as Argus hated and disliked Minerva, he couldn't let Minerva go after hearing about her suicide threats. Although the possibility of the threat really happened is very thin but for him the word suicide is so scary and haunting him. “I-I'm serious! It means nothing to me to live without you.” Minerva, who had been very confident and arrogant since then, had a look of horror from Argus. Presumably he realized and feared it had made Argus angry. “Does it mean am I alive? In your eyes, right now, all this time be with you? Haha!" Argus laughed weakly with half his sanity left. So senseless was the current situation until his common sense almost worked out of control. “Yes... It's the same way what I feel. It no meaning if I live without July. And you want me to come back to life like a zombie by your side." Argus muttered softly as if say to himself. Minerva can still hear Argus's voice, even though she does not want to understand the contents of Argus's heart scream. Yes, b
Since opening his eyes early in the morning due to nightmares, Argus can no longer be sleeping until the sun begins to reveal its rays. The morning had already arrived, all night Argus considered the best way out he could take in this kind situation. What is certain is that he must be able to prevent his ex-wife from doing extreme things so that another tragedy does not occur. For that Argus must again meet with Minerva, there is no need to make an appointment. He just should came to old house the place where he lived with Minerva throughout their marriage. Don't know what made Minerva stay in their old house all this time alone. If all Minerva had hoped for by staying in the house was to be reunited with Argus, perhaps that hope had worked halfway through. Because Argus didn't expect to set foot in that house again after so long. “Argus! OOOHH.. Why don't you let me know when you'll coming, honey..."Minerva greeted him with a hug as soon as she opened the door. She seemed happy to