Chapter 1

On the day we were supposed to get married, I had just finished my makeup when I got a text from the one and only Zachary Reynolds.

"Kate, Hannah and I already got married. You don't need to come."

"She said she wanted to see if getting married really feels as exciting as people say online."

Hannah Joule.

She was Zack's best friend. I once heard that Hannah didn't really believe in marriage, so her mother got really worried and ended up asking Zachary to help Hannah change her mind.

So Zachary gave Hannah the diamond ring that had been passed down in the Reynolds family for generations. the one meant for the family's daughter-in-law. He wanted her to feel what it was like to carry on the family tradition.

He took her to try on wedding dresses, so she could feel what it was like to be a bride.

At first, I thought it was just one friend helping another. Nothing more.

Then, a second later, Zachary posted something on his social media.

[My bride.] He wrote.

The uploaded photo showed their two marriage certificates, and a picture of the two of them kissing.

That's when I realized. This whole "helping a friend" thing had just been flirting in disguise. I was probably set up in the middle of all these just to make things more interesting between them.

I left one comment on Zack's post: [Congratulations. Forever and ever.]

Once done, I searched for Zachary's older brother contact number and sent him a message.

[Trev, weren't you the one who said you'd steal me away and marry me first? Well, no need to go through all that trouble now.]

[Get ready before ten. We're getting married.]

***

By the time I got to City Hall, Zachary and Hannah were still outside, holding up their marriage certificate and taking photos.

Hannah was wearing the same hoodie as me. It matched Zachary's couple's outfit. Nearby, I saw both of their mother, Tina and Cleo smiling warmly.

"Zack spent two thousand dollars on this photographer just for the wedding registration photos. Apparently, he's really good," Tina explained.

"Wait till you see the pictures! Then you'll understand why your Hannah is finally warming up to marriage!" Cleo was busy hyping up the moment next to Tina.

Just yesterday, Cleo was planning the details for Zack’s and mine’s marriage. I remembered asking to hire a photographer for us.

Back then, Zachary's spoke gently despite his firm denial to my idea, "As long as the two of us are happy, that's all that matters. Why waste money on taking a bunch of photos?"

As if on cue, Zachary finally spotted me during a break from the short photo session. His face immediately went stiff before he strided closer to me. "Didn't I tell you not to come?"

"And god! You're actually wearing a matching outfit with me. People could misunderstand, you know!" he groaned in disapponitment.

I laughed and spit a sarcasm. "What? I'm not allowed to wear this? Are you saying that I’m the third person in your little relationship?"

Zachary froze for a second, then rubbed his temple, looking exhausted. "You know.. that's not what I meant!" He continued, "Look. Hannah told me that it wouldn't feel right to register a marriage without matching outfits, so I bought her one."

Soon, Hannah noticed me and rolled her eyes. She pouted, clearly annoyed. "I was actually starting to enjoy this. Why does someone always have to come and ruin it?"

The woman acted angry and puted. "Zack, honestly, I still don't think marriage is worth it. Maybe we should just go back inside and get a divorce certificate instead!"

Before Zachary could even respond, Tina jumped in first, clearly upset. "Katlyn, didn't Zack already tell you not to come? Hannah finally started thinking marriage might not be so bad, and you just had to come ruin it?"

Cleo's eyes went red too. "I only asked Zack to help because he and Hannah grew up together. I never thought it would upset you like this."

I was baffled. How was all that my fault?

Zachary leaned in close and murmured in my ear. "Kate. You know that Tina is close to my family. She’s like my second mother and I simply helping her out. Do you have to make such a big deal out of this?"

Zack conitnued, "We already agreed too. Once Hannah truly believes marriage isn't so bad, I'll divorce her. After that, Tina will find her someone more suitable! Do you really have to embarrass everyone?"

I looked straight at Zachary. "So you think I'm here to ruin things too?"

Zachary didn't answer. Instead, he flagged down a taxi and started pulling me toward it. "Just go. Now."

I yanked my arm out of his grip. "Why should I be the one to leave?"

We weren't being quiet, and people around us registering their own marriages started glancing over. Even the hired photographer noticed the commotion.

He looked at me, then at Hannah, taking in our matching outfits, his expression turning awkward. "Um... who is this?"

Zachary said nothing.

Hannah looped her arm through his. "Well? Who is she? Don't tell me I just got married and I'm already getting dirty looks from some other woman? If that's how this is going to be, I'd rather not get married at all!"

I stared straight at Zack too. He better answer that question.

Two seconds passed before he finally spoke, "She's someone who's been chasing after me. I already turned her down. I have no idea how she found out I was registering my marriage today. She's probably just here to cause trouble."

Then, Zack made an announcement. "Everyone, don't get the wrong idea. Hannah here is my rightful wife."