CITY A,

"Where are you, Ethan? We all are waiting here for you." Jordan, Ethan's one of his closest friends, asked him.

''Corridor'' Ethan said shortly.

"Good. Come, we have opened good wines for us to enjoy" Jordan said and hung up. "Hey, Isaiah, Ethan is coming. Ask these girls to leave now, or he won't step in this room", Jordan said to his friend, who was leaning his head back on the sofa with one woman on his left and one on his right.

"Hm. Get out now and ask the guard out to come with sanitiser spray," Isaiah said.

.

Ethan holding his coat in his hand, walked slowly towards the room when he suddenly stopped hearing a familiar voice coming from the next corner.

"You are hugging and kissing me here. Don't you fear that Ethan will know and will get over with you," David said, kissing Diana's neck while roaming his hand all over her body.

Diana holds his hair and digs his head deeper into her neck, "That's his business, and he has been a good dog all these years for me. He won't say or do anything. Even if he saw or heard something, he'd just say his old lecture,'' Diana said, unbuttoning David's shirt.

Ethan stood there behind the wall hearing their conversation.

"It's his good luck that I have not yet him aside and I am willing to let him be around me"

"You are something, Diana. He has been taking care of you and your life for 5 years but still couldn't find a place in your life"

Diana laughed after kissing his lips and cupping his face, "He has nothing aside from little money and his face that doesn't disgust me"

"Sure. You are still the boss" David said and started kissing her all over her body.

Soon, the corridor of the club was filled with sexual gasps and sounds despite the sound. It was particularly clear to Ethan who clenched his fist and jaw tightly with his eyes red.

He has been looking after Diana and taking care of her day-to-day needs, providing her with everything she wants and defending her when someone provokes her but now what?

All his indulgence and carefulness turned out to be a dog's behaviour in her eyes. He can't put his finger as to why she can't be with him.

.

BANG

Jordan and Isaiah looked at the door that was opened with a kick, a strong kick and Ethan walked in before sitting on the empty couch and drinking from the bottle only without saying anything.

"What happened to him?" Isaiah leaned towards Jordan and whispered, looking at Ethan, who came banging on the door and started gulping the wine from the bottle.

"I am not sure but I can guess. It is related to that woman out there. She is the reason most of the time for his bad mood," Jordan said, looking at the dark face of his friend, a little helplessly.

He has been telling Ethan to not be so indulgent towards Diana. Anyone can see that she doesn't give a damn about him, always use him and leaves no chance to take advantage of him before ultimately insulting him but only this blockhead doesn't stop or change his ways?

He'll stop after running into a wall. Jordan thought and sipped his wine, looking at his friend.

Isaiah scooted close to Ethan, sitting beside him, slowly saying, "Hey, don't find me noisy but did you see Diana making out with her boyfriend David while coming here?" This sentence successfully hits the nail on Ethan's head, and Isaiah gets a glare from him.

"Don't misunderstand me. I went to the bathroom not long ago and saw them being honky-ponky with each other!! Yuck! They don't even mind the smell of the bathroom. They sure are impatient, or did you freeze her credit card, and she has no way to rent a room?"

Jordan smacked his shoulder, hushing this big mouth from ruining things.

"What do you two think of my situation?" Ethan finally opened his mouth and asked in a hoarse, deep voice. The reluctance to talk was visible on his face and body language.

Jordan and Isaiah exchange looks with each other before looking at Ethan in sync.

"I know you are very grateful for her help at that time, but this should not be the right way to repay someone. You are a good man who wants to repay good with gratitude, and you have been good to her for five years, but... I don't think she deserves your immense patience and understanding. Since day one, she has been taking advantage of you; she has no motive for her life; she is wild and parties every night with her wild friends. She was even arrested twice, and you helped her out, but where was her gratitude?"

"Furthermore, you need to be clear about one thing: her helping you was something you should be grateful about, but just express your gratefulness when she is in trouble. You don't have to be on her call, clear her mess behind her, and let her treat you as some second-generation rich son with lots of money. You have your life. You need to think about yourself now."

Isaiah listened to everything, and after looking at Ethan's not-so-dark and angry face, he also coughed and said his opinion.

"If you think from another side, it's good that she takes Ethan as some second-generation rich boy with no job and just a handsome face, or we don't know how long she'll leech onto him if she knows. Then, Ethan, you'd be pestered by someone like her for the rest of your life. Missing out on a good virtuous wife."

Ethan gulped down the last drop of whiskey, got up from the couch, took his coat and rested it on his shoulder before walking away.

Jordan and Isaiah also got up and followed him out to the parking lot.

"Hey, isn't he Ethan?" David looked at Ethan getting into the car and said to Diana.

Diana looked but did not say anything or walk up to him.

"He must be having a party with his friends," She said and sat on David's lap.

"Don't you fear that he'll stop financing you?" David asked.

"He won't. It's been five years and it's not like we have any relationship. It's all from his side so he should have seen it beforehand. The one who gives in first is bound to lose"

.

Jade Garden,

Ethan got out of his car and strode inside the mansion. All the servants and housekeepers have already gone to sleep. There was darkness from the living room to the upstairs. No one is here.

Ethan walked to his room and turned on the light before sitting on the floor against the bed while looking at his phone.

It's not like he is some kind of lovesick man who doesn't know what's right or wrong. Although Diana saved him twice and one time she almost lost her life, her character is also not that good. She has no aim, and her family conditions are good; they are always worried about her, but she refuses to listen to anyone, indulging in nightclubs and gangs.

He just wanted to be with the girl who saved him and fought against others when he was in danger; he just didn't know how the girl, from his impression, who was bold and courageous, changed into someone like today.

After being dazed for a long time, Ethan raises his phone and drops a message in Daina's inbox.

【Let's get married tomorrow. I will be waiting for you at 9 AM.】

This is the last chance I am giving to you and to myself also. After this....I don't own you anything. Not even my life.

The next day,

Ethan sat on the bench with the receipt in his hand. He came here before the bureau was opened. His receipt number has been called out twice, and whoever came after him has long walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau with their marriage registration and certificate.

''Hah''

Ethan sighed tiredly before getting up to walk out. This was the last chance and he meant it. He gave her five years, gave her this chance to start anew, but he was in the delusion that he could start anew with Diana; maybe she'd change her way of life and be serious after their marriage, but….

I think too highly of myself.

''Mr. Ethan?'' A woman's voice called him in a gentle steady tone.

Ethan raised his head and saw a woman dressed in a light yellow floral print mid-knee length dress paired with black heels. She looks refined and beautiful as if walking out of the picture. Her clear blue eyes stare directly at his face with a hint of familiarity.

''Long time no see''

''Ms Genesis'' Ethan called her name as a way of acknowledging her identity.

''I am glad you still remember me even after so long.'' Genesis smiled lightly at him before her eyes travelled to the marriage receipt in his hand with his documents in the plastic folder.

''You are getting married?''

Ethan looked at the stuff he was holding silently with his heart clenched. Was he getting married? Only he seems to be hanging on such an emotional attachment like a fool.

Ethan was about to answer when he saw Genesis holding the same stuff as him, but when he looked around, there was no one with her.

''Are you also?''

''Huh?''

''Did your partner not make it here, or did he stand you up?'' Ethan, misunderstanding her response, asked further.

Genesis curls her lips subtly, looking at his face; she is getting how deeply he is misunderstanding, but….

''What if I say, Yes''

''Then let's get married today''

''Eh?'' Genesis was taken aback by his offer to get married today and that too, with her. She was just pulling his leg a little, seeing this man after so long, but...

Is he being serious? He can't joke around with marriage.

Genesis contemplates before saying, ''If you are looking for a fake marriage or contractual marriage partner who can help you with your family pressure then forgive me, but I will only get married to be a real couple with my husband, with whom I can enjoy my life, share my sorrow and joy and be with him till our old age''

This isn't a lie. I know he misunderstood a little seeing me here with these documents and receipts, but... What I am saying is true.

Ethan gave a slow nod, understanding her point. No woman wants to be in a fake relationship and Genesis Rodrigo will never do this.

He met her three years ago through his mother as she asked him out for lunch where Genesis was also there. He knew his mother's intentions for introducing him to Genesis but his mind was just filled with Diana.

''You can rest assured. I won't joke about my marriage. If I am getting married then I am willing to be a real couple, a husband who can be with his wife for life-long.''

Genesis slowly laughs amusingly before saying, ''Ok. Keep your promise then''

''Don't worry. I have given you my promise and I will do as I've promised. After marriage, only my wife can be in my world and eyes''

''Shall we go inside?'' Ethan asked carefully looking at her.

''Sure. Let me make a call before that''

''Take your time. I'll be inside'' Ethan said and walked inside sitting in the same place as where he stood to left.

Genesis turned around and made a call, ''You don't need to come here today for the marriage registration. You can get married tomorrow''

''WHAT? WHY?''

''Cousin, I spend so much time and money to ask for a date and if I get married today, I'll be super happy for the rest of my life. You....you can't snatch my happiness''

''10 million has been credited to your account as your wedding gift''

''Just a certificate. I'll take it tomorrow. No problem''

''Good,'' Genesis said and hung up.

''Who was that? Your cousin?''

''Yes. Cousin said that today is not an auspicious occasion for us to get married. We are in love so let's get married tomorrow. Nothing big''

''Gina, you abandoned our marriage registration just for 10 million,'' Steve, Gina's fiancé, looked at the phone screen and the transaction message before saying with a tight smile.

''Aiyo!! This is my cousin's love for me, her blessings. She is so educated and has immense knowledge. I can't ignore her words if she said. Truly'' Gina sincerely smiled with two fingers raised and sworn.

Steve scoffed with a doting look still in his eyes before knocking her forehead, ''Swear with three fingers at least''

''hehe''

.

CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU,

Ethan and Genesis walked out of the building. Genesis takes a good look at the certificate, especially at the man who is beside her in this photo. She suddenly feels good.

''Let me keep it for you'' Genesis takes the certificate book from Ethan's hand, placing it in her bag neatly.

"I'll keep it safe in case you need but forget where you kept it."

"No problem" Ethan replied.

"Happy marriage, teacher and teacher's husband. Happy marriage'' Cyril, Genesis' student, only 20 years old walked towards them with roses and a big smile on his face.

No wonder the teacher asked me to make a copy of her documents and send them in a hurry here. She finally got enlightened seeing a man and decided to take him down on the spot. Tsk, I never knew my teacher, who can only love her study, thesis, and laboratory, would be so quick to take action. Good, I have a strong heart, or I'll be under IV.

"He is my student, Cyril" Genesis took the flowers from him and introduced him to Ethan.

"Hello, teacher's husband. I'll be in your care from now on. You can ask me anything if you need to. I am very reliable." Cyril smiled and proudly said.

Ethan nodded, looking at the sunny boy in front of him and then at his new wife, thinking that she was pretty impressive to have a disciple under her at such a young age.

Genesis turned her attention towards Ethan and looked at his side profile before speaking, "Should I shift my stuff to your place this evening?" She asked waiting for his answer.

Ethan paused before looking at her, "Sure. I'll be there to pick you up."

"Ok," Genesis smiled lightly hearing him. She'll be waiting for him to come pick her up.

"Are you going to University?"

"Yes. I still have a class this afternoon."

"Come, I'll drop you there"

"Sure" She agreed without hesitation.

Cyril looked at his teacher's rare good mood and behaviour and was sure that his teacher had found her real love. Why would she speak so much to him if she did not have him in her heart?

"You can drive my car to the campus and arrange the PPT after reaching there" Genesis gave her car keys to Cyril when Ethan left to bring his car.

"Sure teacher. Leave everything to me and don't worry. I'll handle it" Cyril said and ran towards the parking area and left for the university.

.

"Are you living in the Jade Garden?" Genesis asked, looking at the man in the driving seat.

"We'll live there now that I am married. The apartment where I used to live can be small for us." Ethan said, turning the steering wheel with one hand.

He has been living in the apartment in the Feather Garden instead of his Jade Garden, but now that he is married, he will not continue to live there. He has made up his mind to change everything including his way of life and living place.

Genesis looks at the front view, the morning feels especially good today.

"I have no problem living in the apartment"

Ethan turned to her when she said this but she was already looking at the outside view from the window.

He doesn't know if his decision to get married so suddenly to her is right or not but he knows that she isn't the wrong person.

His family has been asking him to settle down and not be with Diana and his mother was the one who introduced Genesis to him first, so he knows that no one in his family will say anything about this marriage with Genesis.

"Hm" After a while, he gave a soft, slow reply.

.

"Are you free for lunch?" Genesis asked before getting out of the car after Ethan stopped the car at the university gate.

"Hm. I am"

"Then let's have lunch together"

"Fine. I'll come to pick you"

Genesis walked inside the university building, and Ethan also drove away after her figure faded from his eyes.

.

"What are you thinking so much?" Jordan asked looking at the dazed Isaiah.

"About Ethan's marriage. Why are you not worried about him? He told us that he'll get married today and that too, with that wild woman with no class. I don't know how can anyone be with someone like her. She has no merits at all and always finds faults with everything."

Isaiah frowned, "Do you remember I told you that I saw her arguing with her mother? Her mother was telling her to go home and learn business to help her dad, but that woman pushed her mother rudely, saying that she didn't need her lecture. She did not even turn back to see how her mother was. It was good that a kind woman held her up from falling or Mrs. Gomez would have hit her head."

"I know."

"But we can't interfere too much with his decisions. Ethan knows what to do better than we do. This marriage is a way out for Diana and the last way he has given himself"

"What do you mean?" Isaiah asked.

"Ethan has devoted his five years to Diana because of her help when he was 18. He has given in to her in everything even changing boyfriends as she wished. This is the last chance he is giving her and himself. If she chooses to get married, then they'll live as a couple, and she ought to stay within the limit and not be so wild, but if she didn't...." Jordan did not complete but Isaiah understood his point.

"Then Ethan will stop caring and cleaning her mess for her, right?"

"Right," Jordan smiled.

Click

Jordan and Isaiah looked at the door, only to find Ethan walking in and settled down on the big couch placed in the cabin.

Isaiah immediately got closer to him and even Jordan stood up from his chair, descended the steps and sat across him.

"How'd it went?" Jordan asked.

Ethan crossed his legs and leaned back with one arm resting on the top of the couch and one on his thigh. He was dressed in a black pair of trousers and a black fitted shirt with two buttons opened.

He looked at his two friends took out the certificate from his pocket, and placed it neatly on the glass table before regaining his leaned-back posture with silence again.

He asked for his certificate from Genesis before dropping her because he knew he had to show this to his friends.

"NO WAY!! YOU REALLY GOT MARRIED TO DIANA"

"My Lord!! Ethan you are going to handle a drunken stupid troublemaker woman for the rest of his life" Seeing the certificate on the table

Jordan took it and opened it to take a look and he was surprised to see the woman in the picture.

"Look at this" Jordan pulled Isaiah back from the dead state and showed him the picture.

"Wait a minute, You did not get married to Diana? Then who is this woman in this photo? Did you just have a flash marriage with the woman who was dumped by her boyfriend at the doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau?" Isaiah said, snatching the certificate, carefully, zooming his eyes, and scanning the photo of the woman beside Ethan as if he had an ID scanner fit in his eyes and could find her information just by looking deeply at her photo.

"Look at what you are talking about. All nonsense" Jordan said.

"It's the famous plot of a few dramas I have seen recently. This is what happened in them." Isaiah said.

"I'll invite you two tomorrow to have dinner at home and meet her," Ethan said looking at them.

"Fine"

"Ok."