Jessica smiled at the sight of her classmate and soon-to-be wife, Taeyeon, who was completely avoiding from looking at her and only having her eyes on the ground. Whenever she caught her gaze, the latter gave her nothing but a cold leer. It was disappointing but she understood the reason she was being like that and she didn’t have the right against it. She should be getting used to it by now.

It was a forced marriage, but Jessica preferred it called as an arranged marriage. Well, she didn’t want to assume this marriage as something that hurt her. After all, she had promised to love Taeyeon with her whole heart and being. No matter what happened. No matter how much Taeyeon hated her. She will keep her promises and fulfil them no matter what it took.

It was their third meeting outside the school after the first time where they met for the official meeting between their families, and the second one where they went to obtain their marriage license at the municipal registry office. It was weird, yes.

Actually, they had never talked to each other at school or even in the class either. It wasn’t because Jessica had never tried it, it was Taeyeon, who tended to be cold towards other people who weren’t in her circle. In other words, they were just merely strangers.

It was fascinating how they were destined to get married without having to work hard to get to this phase of life. Nevertheless, Jessica knew that they must strive to learn to love one another despite it seemed impossible for the other girl to do so.

Jessica and her father stood alongside Taeyeon and her father at the starting line of the aisle, waiting to be called by the priest to advance to the platform.

Mr. Jung noticed that his daughter was a bit tense through the way she held his arm so tightly. Her palm was sweaty and she was shaking. “Baby, are you okay?” The man asked in concern.

Jessica turned her attention to her father and flashed her sweet smile, nodding her head.

Mr. Jung returned her smile with his fatherly. “Be a good wife.”

“I will.”

The priest lifted his microphone and greeted the guests before he begun to read his script to start the ceremony.

“Please stand up and greet our happy couple.”

Jessica and Taeyeon walked arm in arm with their respective father. Together, they were walking down the aisle, accompanied by applauses and cheers from both of their left and right sides. It only took a few steps and they finally arrived in front of the priest.

“You may be seated, thank you.”

It was finally the time for Mr. Jung and Mr. Kim to renounce their daughters and let them stand next to each other instead as they left their spots with heavy hearts.

“The couple may put their arms around each other.”

Taeyeon made room in her right arm for Jessica, inviting the latter to hook her arm with hers.

Jessica can’t help but to giddy inside because Taeyeon actually made the first move even though she knew it was because the brown-haired girl solely didn’t want to mess with the event where hundreds of eyes were focused on them.

The marriage was a boon for the greed of their parents in other to strengthen their cooperation in business dealings. And as the daughters without the ability to protest, they could only obey.

Timidly, Jessica hooked her arm around Taeyeon’s. It felt good. Her heart was pounding and she was smiling at the feeling. She knew she was already in love with Taeyeon since the moment she saw the latter put on the same wedding dress that she chose for both of them.

For Jessica, it was more than enough. Even if it seemed impossible for Taeyeon to love her, at least there was a moment that she can cherish to reminisce the good times they shared together.

“Before we begin today, I would like to acknowledge the presence of some fine individuals, the lovely parents of our beautiful brides. We feel their presence with us today, and take joy in the knowledge that they would all be thrilled to see their daughters with so many admirers in attendance.”

“Kim Taeyeon and Jessica Jung are taking a brave step forward in their relationship. Today they will make the ultimate commitment to each other, a commitment which is the ultimate expression of love. They have decided to commit themselves to one another’s hearts, to share in all of life’s incredible moments, and to help assist in making each other’s dreams realities. That sounds like an awful lot to take seriously, but there’s a good reason for it. Once you find somebody who makes every single day of your life better, who makes every single day more enjoyable, by golly you have to hold on to that person.”

Jessica smiled at the speech. She loved to hear it even though she knew it was completely planned. She thought that whoever set up the script would be blessed forever.

Listening to the speech, Taeyeon can’t help but to hate this marriage even more. Anyone who knew the script falsehood will certainly laugh at them. And she hated the thought of it.

“Wedding’s rings are a symbol of commitment and love. The rings are circular, like their love, with no beginning and no end. They represent what has been and what will always be. They are made of solid, sturdy material which is meant to survive years and years of hand-holding, washing dishes, swimming, painting, high-fiving, fist-bumping and tender caresses. Couples wear their wedding rings every day as a symbol of their love, and to make all of their single friends jealous."

At that time, a woman in a suit approached them with an a small box on top of a beautifully decorated pillow with a pair of matching rings. She stood behind Taeyeon and Jessica before the girls turned to face each other and finally made their first proper eye contact.

“Kim Taeyeon, you will go first. Please place Jessica Jung’s ring on the tip of her ring finger and repeat after me.”

Taeyeon picked one out of the two rings. She personally lifted Jessica’s left hand before and gently put the ring on the tip of her ring finger without looking into her eyes.

“Jessica Jung, I love you. My heart is in this ring. My love is in this ring. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to be your faithful wife, to love you when the sun shines and when the rain falls, in sickness and in health, when you look at this ring, think of me and remember that I love you always.”

The priest finished reading the speech that Taeyeon needed to repeat and say to Jessica.

Jessica found herself looking at Taeyeon with her eyes filled with hopes. She tried to give her the courage through her eyes, but then the latter’s eyes had gone astray.

Taeyeon found it difficult to say and promise the things that she didn’t plan to fulfil. It took her a while before she finally managed to open and repeat the speech given.

“Jessica Jung, I love you. My heart is in this ring. My love is in this ring. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to be your faithful wife, to love you when the sun shines and when the rain falls, in sickness and in health, when you look at this ring, think of me and remember that...” Taeyeon felt hesitant to process her speech. She turned her gaze to her parents, who were silently begging through their eyes. She took a deep breath and continued. “I love you always.”

Jessica gave a soft smile and nodded lightly. She fixated her eyes toward her ring finger and watched as Taeyeon slid the ring all the way onto her digit with the feeling of contentment clearly written on her face at the sight. If only Taeyeon can do it with sincerity.

“Jessica Jung, your turn.”

Jessica nodded. She took the other ring and placed it on the tip of Taeyeon’s ring finger, which was already raised by the latter herself.

Jessica surreptitiously looked at Taeyeon, who had her eyes on the ring. It felt like she didn’t want the ring to be on her finger. In fact, she didn’t want to continue this marriage.

“Kim Taeyeon, thank you for my beautiful ring. I love you. My heart is in this ring. My love is in this ring. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to be your faithful wife, to love you when the sun shines and when the rain falls, in sickness and in health. When you look at this ring, think of me and remember that I love you always."

Jessica cleared before she repeated after the priest’s speech. She drew in a deep breath and readied to pronounce those promises.

“Kim Taeyeon, thank you for my beautiful ring. I love you. My heart is in this ring. My love is in this ring. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to be your faithful wife, to love you when the sun shines and when the rain falls, in sickness and in health. When you look at this ring, think of me and remember that I love you always.” Jessica started her words and ended them with sincerity and without any doubt, keeping the promises deep in her heart.

“It has been my honour to officiate your ceremony today. And now I get to say something you’ve been looking forward to hearing for a long time. By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss your wife.”

A step closer.

Jessica slowly wrapped her arms around Taeyeon’s neck and beamed a small smile before she gently pressed her tender lips on the latter’s, pouring her love and feelings into the kiss.

It was a one-sided kiss.

Taeyeon stood still without making any movement nor respond to the act. There was nothing for her but a feeling of resentment that was building inside her against the female.

She hated it and she wished the world could understand her.

A bead of tear ran down Jessica’s cheek as she closed her eyes tightly.

She knew from the moment onwards, she should be prepared to be hurt like this for the rest of her life.

And yes— she was ready to be hurt by her other half, Kim Taeyeon.