Episode 4

I've been thinking about how things had unfolded, and there was no doubt in my mind that the witch had drugged me. But for what purpose?

"Did she find out that I was getting married today?" I pondered. "But only Joshua, Joshua's friend, Nicolas, and I knew."

Wait a moment, there was someone else who had overheard part of the conversation. They must have told that damn viper, and she traveled all the way here to ruin everything.

"Maximin, what are you thinking?" Joshua said, bringing me back to reality.

"Are you sure your friend will come?" I asked him again.

"Yes, I spoke to her this morning and she confirmed," he replied.

Maybe I should propose to the girl I slept with last night. After all, I had taken her virginity, she deserved some kind of reward.

"Maximiliano, hey man, snap out of it. You've been lost in space all morning. I understand you're getting married against your will, but at least pretend to be excited."

"I'm thinking about the woman in the room," I confessed.

"Don't tell me you've fallen in love at this stage," he said mischievously.

"Don't be stupid, it's not that. It's just that I feel guilty for taking advantage of her in that state. Maybe I should keep the fact that she's a virgin a secret."

"Since when has my good friend become so sentimental?"

"I've always been," I answered.

We both laughed and headed towards the church.

When we arrived, the atmosphere was tense. It seemed like the bride had been stood up.

"Maybe they caught her in bed with her lover," Joshua joked.

I gave him a sour look. I wasn't very sentimental, but it was pitiful how the girl's mother tried to inform her that the groom wouldn't come.

"Maybe he left her because of her tastes, because that dress is horrible. How can women dress like that on the most important day?" Joshua said.

"Stop criticizing and make sure my future wife is here in 10 minutes, with or without a wedding dress," I warned him in a threatening tone.

Joshua immediately took out his phone and started dialing. I walked closer to observe what was happening.

"Damn it, you have to get here on time, Sabrina," Joshua said to his friend.

I imagined that she wouldn't come. Fortunately, she was just running late. As I continued to wait, I walked closer to see the scene.

The poor woman was sobbing inconsolably. I didn't blame her. No one should be left standing at the altar. I don't have a heart for these things, but I felt remorse for what she was going through.

I overheard part of the conversation, and maybe it was the guilt I felt for taking that girl's virginity last night, but I don't know why my feet didn't stop and my mouth didn't stay silent. So, I offered to help her get revenge on that damn bastard.

"Of course, I knew everything comes at a price, so what's yours?" she asked angrily.

"Marry me," I said. I don't know why I did it. I felt this impulse towards her, to protect her, and to make the bastard who did this to her pay.

She seemed thoughtful.

"We're in a church, but if you don't want to, we can do it just legally," I proposed.

For me, that was the best idea. It would be easier in case of divorce. But Joshua insisted that it be a church wedding because it would be more believable. In the end, the contracts would be shown, and the necessary procedures with the church would be followed for the annulment.

"What do you gain from this?" she asked unsurely.

"I need to get married to not lose what belongs to me. It's a condition from my father, nothing that will compromise you."

"What are the rules of the contract?"

"They're clauses, they're already drafted, my lawyer has them. In fact, I was coming here to get married right now, but I don't think my date will show up either," I lied.

"You're not marrying for love, you're marrying for self-interest," she reproached me while crying.

"It's a deal for both parties. The marriage will be annulled, so you can get married again. You'll have enough money to help your mom and make the miserable person who mocked you pay."

"She's my aunt, she's my aunt," she said and then fell silent again. It seemed like she was considering the proposal.

"Can I talk to my aunt for a moment?" she asked, still uncertain.

"Yes, of course."

She moved away, not too far, to discuss the issue with her aunt. At that moment, Joshua approached me, looking concerned.

"Maximiliano, I don't think Sabrina will make it on time, but if you want, we can reserve the church for tomorrow."

"I think I'm going to get married right now" I said, downplaying it.

"What do you mean you're getting married?" he said, surprised.

"To the woman who was left standing" I said, obviously "So bring the contract for her to sign."

Joshua didn't like the idea, but he did as I ordered. He brought his briefcase, and after a while, the girl returned.

"Can I read the contract?" she asked, extending her hand to receive it.

Joshua reluctantly handed it to her and reminded her that she had five minutes before the priest would appear to marry us.

VICTORIA

"Aunt, this is crazy, I don't even know him, but for some reason, I feel confident about it."

"Oh, Victoria, look what just happened with that jerk, I told you I didn't like him."

"Aunt, don't start. Look at the positive side of this, the marriage will be annulled, and I'll be able to find true love and get married later. I'll have enough money to expand my parents' workshop, and I'll be able to get revenge on that idiot Luis Fernando."

I returned to where that strong and handsome man was focused.

"Can I read the contract?" I asked as I extended my hand.

Another man whom I hadn't seen there handed it to me, clearly annoyed.

"You only have five minutes before the priest comes to marry you."

"I know" I said grumpily.

I read a part of it, the contract was too long to read it in five minutes.

"I can't read this in such a short time."

The man who handed it to me chuckled approvingly.

"So, I propose a new deal: I'll marry you, but as soon as the wedding is over, we'll sit down together to discuss the contract's terms, where both of us will benefit."

The man who had laughed became annoyed again, while the boss looked me up and down unfazed.

"You can't just come and give orders to Maxi..."

"Yes, I think it's fair. We'll put the clauses together, although there are some I fear I won't be able to change, so you're taking a risk" he interrupted the other one.

"Perfect, now let me make myself presentable for the wedding" I said and walked away to work my magic with the makeup that had been smudged by my tears.

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