Sitting inside her office, Alina tapped a pen on the table repeatedly as she saw Andrea leave.
On her face wearing a very satisfied smile, Alina was really happy with the conversation she just had.
After she revealed her marriage certificate to her grandmother, she obviously threw a fit, saying she couldn't accept a marriage like that. It was really absurd, coming with a marriage certificate on the next to next day after the old woman asked her to marry. Alina admitted that herself, but since she had already given her her word, her grandmother had no choice but to agree to give her the position back.
That, and when her secretary quickly ran a background check on Andrea, that old woman was very taken aback—it was really astonishing for her wife to become a director without any support, solely on her ability.
Though her grandmother agreed to give her the position, but of course, at the end she managed to attach a condition.
She first asked to have a child, which Alina refused right away. Since, as a newly appointed director, her partner needed to take her job a lot more seriously, and Alina didn't forget to add how ambitious Andrea was. And of course, they didn't even talk about Alina herself carrying a child.
Then, she asked for her attendance at every family function and special occasion, including a wedding reception with only family, since Alina already told her that she wanted to keep their relationship a secret. Imagining how the rumors would spread, it wouldn't take a moment for Andrea's accomplishments to turn into nepotism.
With all that, her grandmother gave a serious warning at the end that if Alina had just married her because she needed to and was trying to deceive her, then she would take everything back.
Alina wasn't worried about that, as the relationship was even more fickle than a flower and wouldn't take much time to break apart, but it would be better if she were done with it once and for all.
So, she tried the fall-in-love approach and instantly failed, but she was actually happy with that because, in desperation, she had told her grandmother that her wife was actually better than any of her cousins' spouses.
Alina chuckled as her conversation replayed in her mind.
"I think she will fit right in."
She didn't know, but she was actually enjoying the situation and couldn't wait for when her family met with her wife.
***
My steps were heavy as I came back from the Ceo's office.
I admit, that was my total defeat.
The secretary tried to ask me something, but I ignored her completely and came straight to my own office.
Though I managed to reduce the three hundred sixty-five to just one hundred—it wasn't an easy feat, though—but when I thought about how she was a hundred times better than me, I couldn't help but feel lost.
Yes, now, I wouldn't have to be her wife for one year but for just a hundred days.
"Miss—ah, Director? Bride..."
What?
I stumbled as I was walking, huffing and puffing, when suddenly I heard someone calling me and then "bride"? Though, there were something else but I sort of missed those. But what were they saying? After looking, they were my subordinate who now became the employee under me.
"Sorry?"
My face was a surprised expression that I couldn't be able to hide even a little.
"See? Even the director is surprised."
"That's something that doesn't happen often."
I was lost for words.
Those were the deputy manager and the chief manager with the team leader, who was at the center with an embarrassed expression.
"W—what are you guys saying?"
It was obviously impossible for them to know about my condition, but it didn't take me long before I realized that it was the team leader who was at the center of all attention.
"Team leader is going to be the bride... She is getting married."
The breath that got stuck in my throat finally escaped, but seriously, they should have started with that. Why did they have to say that "bride" word?
I quickly shook my head and looked at the embarrassed team leader and congratulated her.
"Congratulations, Sabrina. When is the wedding?"
At that she smiled awkwardly and gave me the wedding card. Seeing the card, it reminded me how I didn't invite any of my colleagues to my wedding.
Thank God.
It would have been a disaster if they were and then saw my wife to be their new boss.
Anyway, the team leader was a few years younger than me and was twenty-five, I guess? It was the perfect age to get married.
In the society, it was considered to be ideal to get married at that age—especially if they were alpha or omega, since their cycle was a chore and it only became more active in this age.
The wedding was in four days, and it seemed it was her last day before her marriage leave.
She was taking a leave almost a week before? And here I was, working even until the last day and late at night.
I couldn't help but let out a laugh, but it was hardly noticeable, and no one heard it.
"Now that I think about it, when are you going to get married, Director?"
Just then, I looked at Deputy Manager Shaun, who wouldn't hesitate to ask personal questions, and as for his answer? Well, because I was already married, but I couldn't say that for so many reasons, of course.
Ah, my head hurts. I just came back from...all that, and now I have to talk about this again?
It was true. The day had only just begun, but I felt like I had already worked overtime.
Anyway, after thinking and nothing coming out in my mind, I just said whatever that was already there.
"That's a very unusual question, don't you think?"
Yes, please. I begged him internally to not ask me these questions. But at that time, the chief manager, Zoey, who was the oldest one present, nodded and started to speak.
"Director's right. How can someone get married just because it's time? Marriage is different from all other things because it involves feelings, and how can someone force those feelings on their own?"
It appeared Chief Zoey misunderstood, but I was more than happy for her to be, but what she had said hit straight to my heart. Though I liked my fiancée very much, I too know that I pushed the wedding on her.
"But still we have to start at some point, and I was asking about that."
After deputy chief manager Shaun said that, Zoey clicked her tongue. Though uncomfortable, I didn't say anything and quietly let them be. I didn't want to come across as a person who would avoid marriage talk, and it wouldn't take long for someone to dig up my history. Besides, there was someone who was getting married.
"Tsk tsk, let me tell you something, my friend."
Zoey put a hand on Shaun's shoulder as she looked deeply in his eyes.
"Love is something that came to you, not the other way around. So you can't just start looking for it just because you feel like it. So, in a way, you need to look for it as soon as you become aware of what it is. Because who knows when your time will come?"
There was a distance between her and me, but I felt like she was saying that to me other than Shaun, and I let out an awkward laugh.
"Senior, is it too late to cancel my wedding now?"
Just then, a shy-looking team lead, Sabrina, spoke while looking at Chief Zoey.
"Huh? Why? What happened?"
Then, the conversation started to diverge from a certain topic as Zoey and Sabrina started to talk by themselves.
"I think I have fallen for you just now, and it might be harder than my fiancé."
"Sorry, no can do. I am already married, you see."
Zoey let out an exaggerated sigh as her shoulders slumped down. Everyone in the department knew how Zoey, despite being married, hated her married life—or pretended to—no one really knew, actually.
"What do you think, Director? About marriage?"
After laughing for a bit, Sabrina turned—somehow managing to shake all her shyness away—and said to me.
And here I was thinking I was feeling relieved.
Anyway, it was only a week ago when they were calling me by my name, but now it was director? It wasn't that I didn't like it, but I felt like it created some distance between us.
"Hmm?"
I frowned my brows as if I was thinking deeply and replied.
"I don't know. But I do know that we have to complete the project that is supposed to launch at our new Ceo's advent."
At that, everyone flinched as their faces darkened. It was true—we had too much work instead of talking leisurely right now.
I felt relieved after seeing them getting into their own station as I left for my new office. Just then my phone vibrated from a new text, and after seeing it, a twisted smile formed on my lips.
"You are late, Ella..."