Inked Bonds- My Demon

(15) Contract Marriage

I sat in my wedding dress in front of the mirror, Jihye was applying makeup on my face with expert precision. Yejin, always dreamed of seeing me get married, and today it was going to happen, even if it was in a different way than he could have ever imagined.

Ms. Seo cleared her throat and began, "The first part of the ceremony consists of a processional, bowing, vows, ring exchange, declaration of marriage, celebratory singing, speeches and pictures. The second part consists of the couple's entrance, cake cutting, champagne showers and-"
"Let's keep it short & simple." I implied.
"I just wanted to live up to the expectations of Chairman Park."
"Then let's just simplify it a bit."
"Okay, I'll get back to you ma'am." She went out of the room.

When Jihye finished she placed her hand on mine, "You look gorgeous, Yeona. I feel like a proud sister today. Even though it's a fake marriage, I have a feeling you'll fall head over heels for Gu-won or maybe you've already fallen for him." She added.
"That's not going to happen, this marriage is just for show." I replied.
"You sound like a robot, completely emotionless."
Just then her phone rang and she excused herself from the room, leaving me alone there. I took a deep breath and gazed at my finger, at the ring that Yejin had gifted me.
"Wear one on your index finger and the other on your ring finger. When the time is right, you will know when to pass on the ring from your index finger to your Mr. right."
These words of him echoed in my mind.

"You are finally getting married, Yeona. You've grown up so much." I was startled by a voice, this was the voice that I had yearned to hear since weeks. I turned my head to the side, and there he was, my brother was sitting beside me. Yejin smiled mischievously and pulled my cheeks gently, "You look beautiful, Yeona"
I enveloped him in a tight hug, "Ye-jin, am I making the right decision? Am I ready for all of this?" I asked him.

"Yeona, just trust yourself, you know that I'm always by your side." He smiled.
"I miss you, where in the world did you go? leaving me alone here..."
"I'm in your memory, where else could I be?" He whispered before I could respond he had already disappeared, as if he was never there. A tear escaped from my eye, but I quickly wiped it away.

Jihye entered the room she towards me and asked if I was ready. With a deep breath, I nodded and we made our way towards the wedding hall.

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In the wedding hall, I spotted my family members, they were smiling & greeting everyone, I decided to approach them.
"You really did it, Yeona." Sang-mi said.
"I actually didn't expect that you'd come." I replied.
"We're family after all, how could I miss your wedding?"

Jae-eon grinned, his smile sent shivers down my spine, it uncannily reminded me of someone - the driver who was trying to take my life that day.
"Yejin would be so happy to see you finally getting married today. Congratulations, I mean it." Sang-mi extended her arms for a hug.
"Thank you, I mean it." I hugged her back.

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"Everyone please welcome our bride." The host, Mr. Lim announced.
I walked down the aisle as I neared the stage, I caught a glimpse of Gu-won. He was dressed in a dashing black tuxedo, his eyes met mine and a smile spread across his face.
Finally reaching the stage, Mr. Lim invited us to share our vows.

Gu-won began, "At this hour, I take you, the most beautiful & precious bride, Park Yeona to be my wife."
"At this hour, I take you, the most precious & dashing groom, Jeong Gu-won to be my husband." I said.
"Yeona, I promise to walk alongside you through every joy and challenge, to hold your hand in good times and bad and always put you first."
"Gu-won, I promise to be your confidant, and your biggest supporter. I will accept, request & love you the way you are."

As we finished our vows, the host presented us with the rings and we slid the rings onto each other's fingers. The hall erupted in applause, the sound echoing throughout the room. With our hands intertwined, Gu-won and I turned towards the gathering.

"The bride & groom will now, make their way back down the aisle, taking their first step into the world as a married couple. It symbolizes their vow to walk side by side for the rest of their lives." Mr. Lim announced.

Gu-won leaned in and whispered,
"The rest of our lives? This wasn't a part of our deal."
"It's a customary expression, just play along." I muttered & flashed a smile towards the audience.
"No, as a demon I take contacts very seriously, the rest of my life is extremely long."

With a quick motion of my eye, I gestured towards Mr. Lim, inviting him to join me for a quick conversation.
"Remove the line that says the rest of their lives." I spoke in a hushed tone.
Mr. Lim nodded & stumbled back to the microphone.
"The couple will now, make their way back down the aisle, there's no meaning behind it whatsoever." He announced.
The crowd applauded and my colleagues shouted words of congratulations.

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As we stepped out of the hall, cameras flashed, capturing every move we made.
"Move closer, we need to act like a loving couple in public." I whispered as Gu-won was standing at a distance from me.
He pulled me towards him by the waist, "Is this enough?"
"It's too much. Take it easy."
"You're so picky." He loosened his grip from my waist.

"Kiss him!" One of the cameramen shouted.
"That's private." I laughed trying to ease the situation
"I heard you're only marrying him for the inheritance." Another cameraman added.
"You need to get your sources checked." Gu-won said and he leaned in for a kiss but just as our lips were about to meet, he swiftly placed his thumb over my lips, pretending to lean even closer. I could feel my cheeks burning with heat.

He then pulled away and we exchanged known glances.
"Time for some solo shots, let's start with the groom." One of the cameraman said.
I stepped out of the frame and saw Gu-won posing for his photos, he flashed a charming smile and posed with a victory sign. I couldn't help but smile, admiring his contagious smile.

"You look really pretty today, Yeona." Min-jae approached me.
"Thank you." I smiled.
"I guess I fell short." He said while looking at Gu-won, who was still busy in the photoshoot.

Min-jae was one of the kindest and most genuine person I had known. However, I couldn't help but feel that we were better off as friends. It hurt to reject him, knowing I couldn't reciprocate his feelings.
"No, you're absolutely perfect but to me you are the family I can always rely on." I smiled
"I'm always on your side, Yeona."
"Thanks."
"Even though Mr. Jeong is equally rude to everyone, he's still good to you right?"
"He isn't someone I can simply label as either good or bad."

Gu-won joined us now & held my hand, "Let's go home, babe!"
"Babe?" I looked at him confusedly.
"Do you prefer honey?" He smiled mischievously.
He turned to Min-jae, "Hey you, don't gaze at a married woman with such an intense emotion."
I glanced at Gu-won, surprised by the sudden possessiveness.

"Don't mind Min-jae." I said softly & Min-jae nodded.
Just then, we heard the sound of a honking car, we turned our heads to see a beautifully decorated car making its way towards us. I spotted Jihye waving at us from the window.
"What are you upto, Jihye!?" I muttered.

She parked the car right in front of us and leapt out with a bright smile on her face. She engulfed both Gu-won and me in a warm, tight hug.
"I'm your chauffeur for today, Yeona!" She bowed.
She then turned to Gu-won, "You, if you ever break her heart, I swear I'll break your bones."
"T...that'll never happen." Gu-won nervously responded.
"You don't need to act in front of her, she knows everything." I said.
"Let's go now, Mr. & Mrs. Jeong!" Jihye chuckled & we all got inside the car.