Imagine this: a man you admire suddenly proposes to you within hours of your first meeting. Emma struggled with all her might to keep her composure, her face a mask of pure disbelief.
"Wait... first it was 'do you have a boyfriend,' and now it's 'will you marry me?'"
"Listen first, Emma... lean in," Noah commanded.
Though bewildered, Emma obeyed. She still couldn't wrap her head around this lightning-fast proposal. Slowly but surely, Noah whispered word after word, sentence after sentence.
"MARRIED WHAT? A CONTRA—MMPHH!!"
"Ssshh! Not so loud!"
Noah quickly covered Emma's mouth. It would be a disaster if a fan overheard; it would blow up on the Poinstagram timeline in seconds. Noah explained in detail—from A to Z—why he was asking Emma for a contract marriage, along with his other requirements. In exchange, Emma would be paid double her current salary, and they wouldn't interfere in each other's private lives.
"So? Deal?" Noah asked.
"Wait a moment..."
Honestly, Emma's head had been a mess lately. With rent prices soaring and her status as the daughter of a single mother living comfortably in the village, moving back home wasn't an option. Her pride refused to let her burden her parents.
"I have one more condition..." Emma requested.
"Sure... name it," Noah replied, sipping his coffee.
"I can still work, right?" Emma asked as a precaution.
"Of course, you can. I'm not the controlling type. You can work, and I won't always be home anyway—sometimes I'm at a friend's house playing games," Noah explained.
After they both agreed to the terms, Noah clarified he only needed this for one year. He just wanted his parents to stop trying to find a match for him now that he had just turned 20.
Doubts and Secrets
That evening, as Noah watched the city view from his apartment, he tried to map out the scenario for the next year—to protect his career and Emma's dignity as a working woman.
"Good grief, why does 'marriage' even have to exist in this world..."
"Can I have your autograph!!"
Honestly, he couldn't stop thinking about Emma's sweet and funny words. It turned out there was someone who cared enough to give him a bento, even though they were strangers.
"Heh, or maybe that's just how fans are?" Noah scratched his head. He didn't want to be overconfident; this was the first time in his life he'd received a gift from a fan.
"Ah, forget it. Time for bed."
One week had passed since his meeting with Emma. They continued to coordinate plans regarding dates and times. Emma only needed to show up; Noah handled the rest of the wedding arrangements.
"Come to building ##### at address ####. No need to bring anyone, but if you don't fully trust me, feel free to bring just one close friend—not a gossip-monger or anything like that. See you, wifey..."
The message flashed on Emma's phone.
"I'm... becoming a wife..."
Sizzle... spill... drip...
Without realizing it, the coffee Emma was brewing overflowed onto the counter.
"Emma! Hey! The coffee!" Lily tapped her shoulder. Emma had been staring into space, rambling incoherently.
"Oh! Sorry!"
Emma hurriedly cleaned the table, shaking her head. Seeing this, Lily grew suspicious.
"Exactly who are you getting married to???" Lily asked.
"Eh! How did you know?!"
"You were talking in your sleep while standing up, Emma!"
Caught red-handed, Emma had no choice but to tell her. She knew Lily would haunt her with "Tell me~ don't be stingy" if she didn't. Emma broke the news slowly so Lily wouldn't have a heart attack. But, as women go, gossip is just the spice before the storm...
"WHOA! DID YOU GO TO A SHAMAN?!"
"Shhh!!! Good grief, keep it down!!"
Emma quickly muffled Lily as customers began to give them questioning looks.
"Emma, are you crazy? Why not just get married for real? Ugh, you really don't know how to flirt properly," Lily hissed in a whisper.
"Hey, we aren't that close. But... honestly... being able to see someone I admire every day is a dream come true..." Emma's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah, but what's the point if it's just make-believe?" Lily snapped Emma out of her daydream.
"You know my salary isn't enough for rent. I've sent all my savings to my siblings..." Emma pouted.
Lily felt pity but also pride. Most people would go to loan sharks or become someone's mistress, or worse. Emma preferred working odd jobs despite the low pay. Lily didn't object too much because the contract stated there would be no physical intimacy.
"Emma, listen to me!" Lily grabbed Emma's shoulders with a serious face.
"Eh?! Y... yes??"
"Control your desires. I know you have a weakness for handsome men," Lily added.
#CHECKMATE
"Do I really look that thirsty?!"
"A little bit, hahahaha!"
The Big Day
The day of the fake wedding arrived. Emma stood with her mouth agape at the sight of the venue Noah had rented.
"I don't want to do this... I'm going home..." Emma changed her mind. She was shivering with nerves, her face pale.
#GrabbedByTheCollar
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Ow, my neck! Ack! I'm being choked!"
Before she could take five steps, Noah stopped her. How long had he been standing there? Emma gave up; if she really wanted to back out, she should have told him days ago.
"Is the 'wife' ready?" Noah teased.
"Hmph! Stop it!" Emma grumbled, giving his arm a playful smack.
Meanwhile, in the fitting room...
"Who is she? That's the one marrying Noah Liam Beu? She's not even pretty!"
"Noah should be with someone 180 cm tall! They don't match—she's so short! Noah is 190 cm!"
Emma felt like bolting. The whispers from the staff were stinging her ears.
"Nobody even wants to get married young! Ugh, so annoying!!" Emma cursed internally.
At the same time, Noah's parents approached her, beaming with joy. They were thrilled their son was finally marrying a "good woman."
"You two must really love each other~ Ah, finally, my son is getting married..."
"Honey, stop it, this is Liam's happy day..."
They were moved to see their son's bride-to-be in person. Because Noah was such an introvert who was always glued to video games, they had been terrified he'd be a perpetual bachelor. Their dreams of grandchildren were almost gone.
"Ah... please don't cry..." Emma gently patted Noah's mother's hand to calm her.
"We don't care about her job or education, as long as she's kind and attentive... Thank heavens he chose you..." Noah's mother continued to sob, wiping her tears.
The scene warmed Emma's heart. It was rare to find a prestigious family that only cared about personality and attitude. Usually, families like theirs demanded high education, family background, and wealth.
"It seems Noah got his nature from you, Ma'am... You must love him very much for him to inherit such a kind and gentle soul. I'm very grateful," Emma said with a smile.
Noah's parents were touched. They were moved that their son had chosen a woman with such a soft and kind heart. They both gave Emma a warm hug.
"If Liam causes any trouble, tell us immediately, okay? Don't be shy," his mother said.
"Hehe, of course, Ma'am..."
"No 'Darling'! It's 'Mom', okay?"
"Aha... okay, got it, Mom..." Emma nodded.
The Altar and the "Accident"
Emma, escorted by Noah's father, walked toward the altar. The wedding was intimate, only inviting those closest to them—which made sense for a contract marriage.
"Pst! Look at your bride. Damn, you've got good taste," Miles nudged him.
"Shut up, Miles. I'm focusing..." Noah refused to look back as Emma approached. But eventually, he had to turn to receive Emma's hand from his father.
"Whoa...."
From less than four meters away, Noah was stunned. She was beautiful. While many women were obsessed with pale skin, Emma looked stunning with her olive tan.
Noah's father handed Emma over and stepped back. Noah's gaze didn't break, while Emma looked down. Even through the veil, Noah could see her beauty clearly. The pastor began the vows. No one knew this was all just a contract.
"You may now kiss the bride..."
#BothEyesWideOpen
Both Emma and Noah had forgotten about the "kissing session." They fumbled, neither knowing who should start. This was not in the script. Miles, watching from the guest seats, started giggling—he knew Noah had never had a girlfriend in his life. Noah's parents joined in the chuckling.
"Hey Noah! Just imagine she's ADA WONG!" Miles yelled.
"Emma! Imagine he's BORAN KUZUM!!" Lily screamed, cheering on the flustered couple.
"DAMN YOU GUYS, YOU'RE NOT HELPING AT ALL!!" they both cursed internally.
They both took a slow breath and mustered the courage to look at each other. Noah's large hands lifted Emma's veil and asked for permission.
"May I???"
"Oh god, what is this!!! I know this was on my fine shit bucket list, but not like this! Lord, You've got the wrong idea!" Emma cursed in her heart as the veil was lifted.
Her cheeks flushed. This was the closest she'd ever been to a man—especially one who was on her list of "God's most blessed creatures," just below Boran Kuzum and Henry Cavill. Emma gathered her courage and nodded.
Noah cupped Emma's face and leaned down.
........
#Flashback: 1 Day Before the Wedding
Tucked under his blankets, Noah couldn't sleep. He'd forgotten to tell Emma about the kiss, and he'd only just realized it was a requirement. He'd searched for "how to kiss a bride" tutorials on his phone.
"Well... she's not Ada Wong. How am I supposed to imagine my 'wife' (Ada) when I'm looking at Emma?"
He watched the tutorial intensely, but it just gave him goosebumps. Eventually, he shut his phone in embarrassment.
"I just want to go to Racoon City with my wife..." Noah groaned into his pillow.
#End Flashback
"Wait, it's warm... huh?!" Both whispered simultaneously, followed by a shock. Their faces turned beet red as they pulled away, looking in opposite directions. The guests roared with laughter at the shy couple.
The ceremony went smoothly. From here on, their life of carefully woven lies was about to begin.
#To be continued...