“Has something happened to you, Elle? Don’t tell mom you married just for money?” he added.

It seems that the bond of a mother and child is very strong. Without anyone telling her, her mother could already guess that something had happened to Ellena, though Briana didn’t know exactly what problem her daughter was having.

“N-no, Mom!” said Elena nervously. “The day after tomorrow I will marry him, I hope you can give our blessing,” he added later.

“But why so suddenly? Are you all right, Elle?”

“I’m fine, Mom. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you the truth later. I beg you, you can bless us,” Ellena pleaded.

“I’m going to catch up with you right now. How can you stay silent, when your daughter will—”

“No, Mom! I promise after the wedding, I’ll see mom, but please keep this all a secret from Keenan.” cut Elena.

“Okay, if that’s your decision. But please, answer my question this time!” Briana asked in a serious tone.

“What, ma’am?” Ellena raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Do you love your future husband?”

Briana’s question this time managed to make Ellena’s heart beat fast. Ellena was silent for a moment, thinking about what answer she would give her mother.

“I-I love him so much, Mom,” Ellena replied with a small laugh, as if she just wanted to show that she was happy with the marriage. “How could I not love a man as good as Mr Lucas,” he added later.

“Lucas?” Brian asked.

“Yes, his name is Lucas, Mother’s future son-in-law,” answered Ellena. “You know? He was very good to me, his family too. I love him very much, Mom,” he added forcefully.

Briana did not immediately respond to her daughter’s words. Even though Ellena was trying hard not to worry her, still she could sense that Ellena wasn’t taking her words seriously this time. Certain. She felt that there was something Ellena was hiding from him, I don’t know what.

“Well, if you are sure of your decision. I will be happy for your happiness. See you soon, after your wedding is over!”

Like Ellena, Briana also didn’t want to show the worry that was churning in her chest. She also tried to hide her feelings, and chose to give her blessing to her daughter’s marriage. In fact, in her heart, she was very worried about Ellena’s current condition.

“Sure, Mom. I’ll see you as soon as possible,” Ellena replied.

Ellena and her mother’s conversation ended. At that moment Ellena again cried with all her might, spilling all the feelings that were raging in her chest.

Happiness does exist, because it means that he will no longer be chased by debt collectors just because of hisll her father’s debt. However, still. Pain and disappointment dominated her heart and mind, thus defeating her happiness.

In fact, because of her crying this time, Ellena didn’t even realize that someone had been watching her in the doorway.

Filia stepped into the room. The sound of her footsteps suddenly made Ellena turn around, looking at him with tears in her eyes. While still walking, Filia looked down at her best friend’s face.

“Oh, God, why did you give my friend such a heavy test? Isn’t it already so much, the bitterness of life that she has tasted? Isn’t that enough for her?” Filia muttered to herself.

Again, Filia embraced Ellena’s body, and they shared tears with each other. Ellena was crying, along with Filia who also couldn’t stand seeing her best friend cry.

After that, Filia only tried to encourage Ellena to remain a strong woman.

***

Two days later.

The wedding ceremony that previously made Ellena’s sobs break has finally arrived. Ellena seemed to be standing side by side with Lucas on the aisle, welcoming every invited guest who wanted to congratulate them.

Both Ellena, and Lucas, they were seen smiling at the invited guests. However, from that smile it was clear that there was a sense of compulsion, not because of happiness.

Yes, it is true. How can they be happy, if their marriage is not based on love. Isn’t it true that love is the main factor to build a family? However, they don’t, because that’s not their goal.

The once-in-a-lifetime wedding that Ellena has always dreamed of. In the end, it will never come true. Because this is her first marriage. I don’t know who will be the real mate, after the agreement with Lucas is over.

“God, how bad is my fate? When other people can marry the person they love, why can’t I?” Elena whispered to herself.

Ellena kept cursing her own fate. She still couldn’t believe that she would feel married to her boss, even if it was only a contract marriage. I don’t know what will happen after this. Is it getting better, or is it the other way around?

“Give them a sweet smile. Don’t embarrass me because of your attitude!” Lucas whispered, as Ellena grew tired of her fake smile.

“W-okay, sir,” answered Ellena nervously.

“Once again disobeying my orders, you will know the consequences!” Lucas said threateningly.

Ellena was forced to pull back the corners of her lips into a smile.

Luckily the wedding ceremony was not exposed to the mass media, so it’s very likely that Keenan won’t hear about the wedding soon. At least this meant a lot to Ellena, as her plan to hide it from Keenan was going smoothly.

Yes, Lucas was deliberately avoiding the mass media, so she did not give permission to anyone who intended to cover the event. In fact, he provides very strict supervision for it.

During this time, the always touted Selena would be his wife, while he married a different woman. If only one of the reporters had managed to cover the event and realized it, it was clear that it would be a big question for them. In a short time it will be the hottest news that will be reported throughout the mass media.

How come? Because of closeness to him , lately Selena’s face has often appeared in front of the reporters, answering every question related to her relationship with him. In fact, maybe all of Indonesia already knows what Selena’s face looks like, who is called the prospective wife of the number 1 businessman in the country.

The wedding ceremony was over. Ellena and Lucas immediately rushed to the hotel room that had been decorated like a real wedding room. If it weren’t for Lucas’ parents, they probably wouldn’t have done it. Being in the same room with people who seem foreign to them. It really made them sick, especially Elena.

Lucas’s parents did not know about Ellena’s real background. Lucas only told them that Ellena’s mother lived abroad, so she couldn’t attend his sudden wedding.

Finally, Lucas’ parents understood that, and didn’t ask too much about Ellena. According to them, his son’s marriage is far more important than his daughter-in-law’s background.

“How long are you going to stand there?”