LYNN

“I’m getting married to Nora!”

The teacup I was holding in my hands fell to the floor and shattered into tiny little pieces as I whirled around to stare at the smiling face of my fiancee.

“You’re what?” I asked, my throat suddenly constricting as I struggled to breathe.

“It’s no big deal, I’m just helping her out,” Javier shrugged.

Then just like he hadn't dropped a bomb on me, he walked toward me and grabbed a broom to sweep up the broken cup particles.

“You should be careful, Lynn, I don't want you getting hurt,” he said.

“What… what is this?” I asked, too speechless to speak.

“What do you mean, Lynn? You know Nora is my best friend, I’m only helping her out,” Javier stated.

“Helping her out? How? Why does it involve getting married to her? She's been living off us for months and now you're getting married to her when you should be marrying me!” I snapped all in one breath.

That was when Javier finally looked at me and saw the hurt look in my eyes. He dropped the broom and held my hands tentatively.

“There’s no need for you to get upset, Lynn, I swear I’m only helping her,” Javier said.

“But why?” I asked, my voice breaking at the end, “We’re supposed to be getting married next week.”

Javier nodded, “And we will. Just after one year. Enough time for it to blow over.”

“Blow over? What are you talking about, Javier?” I asked, confused and conflicted.

“Swear you won’t tell anyone, Lynn. I'm supposed to wait until Nora returns before having this discussion with you,” he said.

I frowned, “Since when did you need Nora’s permission to talk with me.”

Javier’s face crumpled into a frown, “You have to be understanding, Lynn. I don't want you to hurt Nora with your words.”

“My words? What about me? You've just dropped a bombshell on me and I’m hurt!” I snapped.

“It's not that deep, Lynn. It’s just for one year, I’m helping Nora protect her reputation,” Javier said.

“But why? What are you protecting her from?” I queried.

I saw the look in Javier’s eyes before he let out a resigned sigh.

“Nora was supposed to get married. She's told all her family but now the guy has abandoned her,” Javier said.

I frowned, “Okay, the guy abandoned her but thankfully it happened before she got to the altar. There's still time to salvage her reputation, you mustn't marry her.”

Javier sighed, “I wish it was that simple, Lynn, but Nora is pregnant for him and you know how it is, being single and pregnant. She would never be able to get married. At least if we marry she can divorce me after a year. That way she will still be able to get married.”

“And everyone will think her baby is yours,” I said before my eyes narrowed slightly and I glared at him, “Or is the baby yours?”

Javier frowned, “Don’t be silly, Lynn. You know nothing is going on between me and Nora. I just don't want her to die out of depression or harm the baby.”

“But what about me? My parents know that I've been dating someone and everyone is preparing for the wedding next week. You're supposed to be introduced to my family this weekend,” I asked.

Javier shrugged, “That’s not a problem, Lynn. We can always move the wedding and introduction. Your family won’t be upset and you have good backing from your family’s money and reputation but Nora has no one. Her stepmother will throw her out on the streets if they ever find out.”

Javier kissed my forehead as he stood up, “It’s just one year, Lynn. Then I’ll get married to you. You've already waited for two years, what’s one more year? I’m sure you wouldn't mind me helping out my friend.”

“Also our wedding preparations have been made for next week so I would love Nora to use the same things. Don't worry next year I will give you a grander wedding,” he added.

My mouth hung open in shock as I watched Javier walk out of the sitting room without giving me another thought.

His friend? Ever since Nora showed up on our doorstep three months ago my relationship with Javier went to hell.

She said she got kicked out by her stepmother and father and had nowhere to go. I offered that we rent a place for her but Javier said the house was too big and could accommodate all of us just fine.

She got closer to Javier more than I did and soon they were doing everything together including working together.

For two years I've begged Javier to let me work in his company but he said he didn't want to stress me. Then the minute Nora showed up she became his assistant.

Two weeks ago she announced she had been seeing someone and would be getting married soon. I was overjoyed that at least I would be getting my life back.

But with Javier’s news, it seemed I would have to wait longer than two weeks as he's determined to marry her without even consulting me first.

My eyes clouded with tears and I wondered if maybe I had finally lost Javier to Nora.

LYNN

“You know.”

I blinked and stared at Nora who had a smug look on her face.

“What?” I asked. The daze that had been on my face suddenly wore off.

Nora was standing before me and behind her I could see it was already dark outside. How long have I zoned out?

“Javier told me that you know about us getting married,” Nora said.

I stared at her, “How could you?”

Nora frowned, “It wasn't my idea. He suggested it.”

“You know how much he cares about you and you know he'd do it that's why you told him, you know we’re getting married next week,” I snapped.

Nora’s face paled as tears rolled down her cheeks, “I’m sorry, Lynn, I didn't mean to upset you.”

I stared at her and scoffed. Now I could see through her cheap tricks. All these months I've pretended to be oblivious to the smug look she’d always have on her face when Javier paid attention to her.

The way she would always talk about things from the past whenever she noticed me and Javier were getting along. She’d talk about memories all in a bid to get me out of the conversation and flow with Javier.

Now that Javier announced this wedding it was like my eyes opened as I suddenly realized that she's been craving her way into Javier’s life all these months.

“You manipulative bitch!” the words escaped my lips before I could think.

The tearful face of Nora suddenly transformed into a smug look as she stared at me with triumph shined in her eyes.

“Fine, you got me but I won,” Nora smirked.

I was shocked to see the look in her eyes as she stared at me with pure hatred shining in her eyes.

“I was wondering when you'd realize that I've been playing a long game called hook, line, and sinker,” she chuckled.

Gone was the petty and naive Nora I’ve known these past few months. Now her eyes were filled with malice and she looked devious.

“Wait until I tell Javier. I'm sure he’d have a lot of things to say,” I said, standing up.

Nora blocked my path and placed a hand on my chest, “You’re not going anywhere and most of all you're not telling Javier anything. But wait… let’s test your theory. Who do you think Javier would choose? He loves me more than you now, he just doesn't know it.”

“That’s a lie!” I snapped.

Nora laughed, “I’m getting married to your husband in everything that was prepared for you. I will wear your dress and you will be my maid of honor.”

“Never!” I snapped.

Suddenly, Nora let out a loud cry and raised her voice.

“I’m sorry, Lynn, I just wanted you to be my maid of honor since I have no one. Please forgive me!”

Then before my eyes, she threw herself on the floor deliberately and let out a painful scream.

“What are you doing?” I asked, surprised.

My answer came when Javier entered the sitting room and ran toward Nora.

“Lynn, what have you done?” he yelled at me, his eyes shining with anger.

“But I didn't…” I tried to say but Nora’s pathetic voice interrupted me.

“It’s not her fault, Javier. She has every right to be upset with me. I just wanted her to be my maid of honor because I have no one,” Nora cried.

Javier cradled Nora in his arms as he stared at me furiously, “You will be her maid of honor!”

Then without sparing me another look he carried Nora's bridal style and walked out of the sitting room. I saw the smug look on Nora’s face as she stared at me.

In a daze, I picked up my bag and walked out of the house, tears stinging in my eyes. The cool night breeze tried to calm my frazzled mind but it wasn't enough.

Then I found myself in a bar as I ordered various glasses of tequila, hoping that getting drunk would be able to numb my pain and the painful realization that Nora was right and Javier didn't love me again he just hadn't realized it.

“Miss, go home. No more drinks for you,” the bartender’s voice sounded, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Go to hell! Give me more drinks, I'm paying,” I snapped.

He refused to listen to me and I stood up, I needed to be fully hammered so I wouldn't recall anything from today. I decided to go to another bar.

However, when I stood up, I staggered and the world tilted around its axis.

“Shit!” I giggled.

I realized I was more drunk than I’d imagined. Gently staggering and swaying on my feet I found myself outside and into the arms of a man who smelt of beer and cigar.

“Hands off!” I slurred, prying myself away from him.

“Come, sugar, let me show you a good time,” he slurred.

“No!” I rejected him, vehemently.

But he wouldn't leave me alone. He held me tightly and tried to rip my dress, dragging me into a desolate alley.

“Help!” I cried, struggling against him but my drunk mind was so foggy it was hopeless.

Just as he ripped off my jacket, I heard a husky voice behind me.

“Didn’t your mother teach you how to handle a woman?”

LYNN

“Go away!” the man snapped at the new voice.

With renowned strength, I pushed the man off me as I staggered and almost fell but strong and muscular arms caught me.

I giggled when I realized I was staring into beautiful green eyes – or was it blue? It was difficult to tell, with how my brain was almost shutting down.

“You’re beautiful,” I giggled, touching his chiseled face that seemed to harden.

“You couldn't just stay away!” the man snapped.

The new guy held me in his arms and shielded my eyes, “I apologize, my lady, this is going to get messy.”

Before I could blink I heard a series of punches and then silence. I looked down to see the man who had tried harassing me on the floor.

“Is he dead?” I asked.

The man shook his head, “No, he's just unconscious. He’ll be fine in the morning.”

“Thank you,” I said, giggling.

“You’re welcome, Miss. Now, where is your house? I need to take you back,” he asked.

I burst into laughter, “My house? My parents are expecting me by the weekend with the man I’m getting married to. But guess what, he left me for his best friend to protect her reputation. Now mine will be ruined when my family realizes I have no suitor.”

I burst into hysterical laughter that slowly turned into tears as the man hugged me and patted my back.

“It will be alright,” he said.

I sniffled, “How? If only I could get married to a random stranger and present him to my family. After all, they've never met Javier.”

I giggled at my foolish thought and suddenly I clamped my mouth, my eyes widening in horror.

“What is it?” he asked me, alarmed.

But before I could speak, I threw up all over him.

“Oops,” I giggled, then swayed slightly and passed out.

***

“Ugh!”

I groaned as I opened my eyes and massaged my temples. The sunlight from the blinds made my head throb as I massaged my temples.

I squinted my eyes open again and my heart raced with fear as I realized I didn't know where I was. I was in a big bedroom with bland decoration, it was obvious it was a man’s bedroom.

“Where am I?” I asked, aloud, looking around before my eyes landed on a handsome man with green eyes and messy brown hair staring at me. He looked like he was a few years older than me but he was still very good-looking.

“You’re awake,” he said.

“Who are you?” I asked.

He frowned, “You don't remember?”

“Remember what?” I queried, checking the bedsheets and making sure I was still clothed.

“You owe me a twenty thousand dollar suit, wife, you threw up all over mine,” the man said.

I frowned, “Wife? What are you talking about?”

“You threw up on me after I saved you from a pervert, then you passed out but not before ranting about how you'd like to marry a stranger and present to your family to avoid embarrassment. When you woke up again you practically dragged me to the only open church and had the priest wed us,” the man said.

I shook my head as I stood up, “No, this is a mistake. Stay away from me.”

“You don't believe me, see the marriage license on the bed and you took pictures because you said you'd have a hard time believing it when you wake up in the morning,” he said.

I stared at the pictures sprawled on the bed with the marriage license certificate, my name and signature in red writing so glaringly.

He wasn't joking, in my drunken state I had married a stranger. I shook my head and grabbed my bag.

“How much do you want? I'll pay you any amount so we can get a divorce and keep this quiet,” I said to him.

His eyes gleamed with mischief as he stared at me, his lips curled in a smirk.

“What makes you think I want money?” he asked me.

“Well, what do you want?” I asked him.

“Maybe I want to stay married to you,” he smirked.

“That’s not possible, you don't even know me. I'll pay you any amount,” I stated.

“Calm down, Lynn,” he said.

I frowned, “How do you know my name? Don't answer it, I have a fiance.”

“The one who is getting married to his best friend? Yeah, that ship has sailed,” he said.

My eyes widened as I wondered what exactly I had told him.

“Who are you?” I queried.

A familiar voice sounded downstairs as I stepped out of the room and stood by the staircase only to see Javier staring at me.

“Lynn, what are you doing in my uncle’s house?” he asked me.

My mouth parted in shock as I stared at him but before I could reply, strong arms wrapped around my waist.

“She’s my new wife, Javier. Is there a problem?”