The Bravest Bride : Escape The Wedding!

At the same dining table, the three of them sat in an awkward atmosphere. Lunar didn't stop stealing glances at the two couples in front of her alternately. Arkan didn't stop loosening his tie as if it wanted to strangle his neck. Raya felt uncomfortable having to share the table with strangers when it used to be occupied by only two people.

Arkan was still contemplating what his secretary had said yesterday regarding a house that couldn't possibly be used as a place for two women to live. If given a choice, he would choose Raya. Unfortunately, he couldn't make a choice now. How could he expel Raya, who had been living with him in this house for so long?

Did he only buy one apartment for Lunar to live in? He planned to live with Raya in his current house so that they wouldn't have to face each other. However, his father wouldn't allow the son-in-law of the Gray family to live in the apartment alone. The question of who would stay was extremely complicated. Why did Lunar have to appear in his life?

Arkan brushed aside all the doubts that frustrated him and said, "Soon, Lunar and I will get married. After that, there can't be two women in this house. It will only attract unwanted attention."

Raya listened carefully to his words. She concluded that Arkan wanted to remove one of them from the house. Was she the one who would be expelled? She had no reason to stay there.

There was nothing wrong with Arkan's decision; she felt it was the right one. Two women couldn't coexist under the same roof. However, it seemed unfair to her that she had to leave before Lunar. Why did she have to occupy the house before Lunar? Everything felt so unjust.

Lunar nodded in agreement with the decision to remove Raya from the house. Having another woman in their marriage would only complicate things. The reputation they had carefully maintained would be at risk again. It was enough for them to be trapped in a loveless marriage.

"That's why I decided to buy an apartment, so one of you can live there."

"D-do you intend to kick me out?" Raya asked, hoping her worst fears wouldn't come true.

Arkan shook his head confidently. "No. I'll ask Lunar to leave."

Raya widened her eyes, surprised because her thoughts were completely different from reality. Even Lunar was shocked to hear this unreasonable decision.

How could Lunar be kicked out of the house where the wife of Arkan should live? Even though their marriage was a sham, it made no sense for the person who was supposed to be the mistress to give in.

"W-why me?" Lunar asked.

"Because you're just a stranger, now or even after we get married. Even though you will have the status of my wife."

Lunar didn't know how to respond. She couldn't deny that her presence was a mistake that had to be accepted. They were just strangers living together. No, in fact, now she would live alone in the apartment. The wife of the businessman herself would be exiled to a special place. Wasn't that sad?

But what was wrong with all of that? What made her grieve? They were strangers and would forever remain so. She would be the one benefiting the most from this situation, right? In just one year, she had obtained a shelter and a prestigious status. It didn't matter if she was alone in the apartment. After all, she didn't really know anyone else in the house.

"If you've made up your mind, I can't refuse," Lunar said, hiding her excitement.

"How about we clear up this misunderstanding? Wouldn't that be better? We might face more rumors, but at least we wouldn't have to go through with the wedding," Raya suggested, trying to save them all from this sad situation.

"No!" Lunar and Arkan shouted simultaneously.

The calm atmosphere immediately changed. Raya looked at them with a demanding expression, wanting an explanation. Wasn't clearing up the misunderstanding a better solution? They wouldn't have to go through with the wedding and everything would return to normal, with Raya as the true bride-to-be.

"I-I..."

Lunar was confused about what reason to give for her choice to disagree. If she said she didn't want her whereabouts known, which would only result in her being remarried, she would sound like a woman seeking refuge from someone else's future husband.

"Father has made his decision," Arkan said, holding Raya's hand on the table. "You know how my dad is, don't you?"

Raya lowered her head and took a deep breath. She had only been thinking about her own wishes, not considering how Arkan would be perceived if suddenly two women appeared in his life. Not to mention the questions that would arise about his relationship with Damian, his childhood best friend. She also knew that Arkan didn't want to disappoint Damian if their business partnership would be affected.

Raya pursed her lips and touched her hand to the one holding it. "I understand."

Seeing the relationship between the two couples in front of her made Lunar feel even more awkward. Their existence felt like that of a third wheel, something that was never intended. But what could they do when the situation had become so complicated? It wasn't just Arkan who didn't want to be in this situation; she also didn't want to be trapped in a loveless marriage. There were so many things she wanted to do out there, to live a normal life if it weren't for Nico.

***

Lunar followed the man's footsteps to their new place of residence. She was sandwiched between two tall and slender men. In the deserted alley, the three of them walked, with Arkan as their guide, while Secretary Ham dragged a dark-colored suitcase whose contents were unknown.

The red carpet she had walked on earlier now seemed like a farewell. She felt a tinge of sadness because she would be alone in the apartment. Back at her family's home, there was always someone to talk to. The conversations revolved around her job prospects and marriage, discussions she had been reluctant to engage in. Perhaps, she just missed her parents.

"For now, you'll stay here in the future," Arkan said.

Lunar glanced at the suitcase that had been brought into the room, its door already open. She didn't immediately pay attention to Arkan's words; instead, she entered the apartment, her gaze exploring her new living space. She had expected a modest place since she was just a foreigner, but the reality exceeded her imagination. Arkan had given her a luxurious place to live.

"Thank you, Arkan."

"No need to thank me. I'm doing all this because you'll have the status of... um, my wife," Arkan cleared his throat awkwardly, as it was the first time he referred to Lunar as his wife. He needed to get used to it since Lunar would soon become his wife.

Arkan noticed the black suitcase Secretary Ham had brought earlier. "For now, you can use the clothes in this suitcase. It's too late to buy new clothes. I'm not someone who can always anticipate your needs."

Lunar chuckled at his lighthearted yet endearing words. "I never expected you to anticipate my every need. I'll stay here alone," she said, turning her head to survey the room before pointing in one direction. "With the flower pots, floor tiles, and ceiling."

Arkan shifted his gaze from the flower pot to Lunar. Lunar would be living alone in the apartment, so there was no reason for him to live with her.

"You'll be my wife. Of course, I'll come to this apartment. People will suspect something if I'm not seen entering the place that will be your residence."

"You'll live with me here?"

"Only occasionally."

"Okay."

Secretary Ham received a signal and immediately handed Lunar a pouch containing a cellphone that would facilitate their communication. Lunar eagerly received the new phone, her eyes sparkling as if she had just received a lifeline.

"I've already saved my number and Secretary Ham's number in there. You can contact me only for very important and urgent matters."

The phone rang, and Arkan had to answer the call. However, the ringing abruptly stopped.

"Oh, so it really is your number."

Arkan grumbled in annoyance. "I told you to contact me only for very important and urgent matters."

Lunar paid no attention to the scolding and busied herself with her new phone. There were only Arkan's and Secretary Ham's numbers saved in it, and she had to decide whose number to save.

As Lunar realized that it was time to say goodbye, she quickly pocketed her phone and pushed Arkan and Secretary Ham towards the apartment door.

"It's too late for a visit now."

Arkan didn't argue because it was already very late at night, but he felt annoyance building up inside him at Lunar's suggestion.

"A visit?"

Arkan grinned, eager to argue, but unfortunately, the apartment door slammed shut right in front of him before he could continue.

"This is my apartment! I bought it! And you'll be my wife!" he exclaimed.

"C-calm down, Sir," Secretary Ham tried to calm him down, avoiding any unnecessary conflict. He guided Arkan to leave immediately.