BLACK AND WHITE

ZOE IS IN no mood to eat something so she only grabbed a glass of wine. She was with Fern as they stand in one corner. The two of them planned to approach Mayor Matthias Axel Giovanna to greet him but there are still people who are surrounding the guest.

She is not surprised that some of her co-models are talking to him now in a flirtatious manner. Besides, he is the youngest leader that became the mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He also got good looks that charms the ladies around him.

Her eyes fell on the man standing beside Mr. Mayor. Wearing the typical black suit with a neck tie, his well-ironed black pants, shining black shoes and how could she not notice those black gloves that flaunts his long slender fingers.

Hans Titus Donovan, everything in him is black, so does the aura emanating around him. He looks gorgeously dark in his undercut style coffee brown hair that is combed back. His piercing sharp gray eyes accompanied by his thick brows makes the ladies put distance around him and the mayor. Zoe always admired his tall pointed nose and thin pinkish lips that is pursed together at the moment.

"Yummy, right?"

Zoe heard Fern whispered and giggled near her ear. She pinched the side of her bestfriend slash manager that made him wince. She then looked back at Hans and studied his features again. She gulped seeing the man's toned and powerfully built body, not too thin and not too muscular. Even in his suit, Zoe can see that he has time for gym and build a body like a statue sculpted by Greeks.

'Yup, yummy,' Zoe thought.

She flinched a bit when the man he's staring at, met her eyes. The people around them already dispersed. She quickly looked away because her heart couldn't handle his intense gaze.

"Let's go, boo. It's our time to shine," Fern said excitedly.

Zoe then felt Fern pulling her hand and almost dragging her to where Mr. Mayor and Hans are. She gets excited and at the same time, nervous, as they are nearing the gentlemen. Her heart goes berserk in every step she took.

"Ouch." She bumped at the back of Fern when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. She has been occupied by her nervousness that she didn't saw that they are already in front of their subject.

She straightened her body and smiled awkwardly at the two handsome creatures right before her eyes. She saw amusement in Mr. Mayor's eyes while grinning.

"Good evening, Mr. Mayor," Fern greeted first, "and Mr. Donovan," a coquettish voice came out from him.

She secretly squeezed the hand of Fern because he is flirting with Hans. Her bestfriend knew that she likes him and this is his way of teasing and annoying her.

"Oh, good evening beauties," Mr. Mayor greeted back, "nice to see you again, Miss Quinn."

The mayor gently took her soft pale hands and bring it near his lips to kiss the back of it. Zoe blushed a bit at the gesture of the respected mayor. Though this isn't the first time that the mayor did it, she still feel embarrassed by it.

Zoe cleared her throat before speaking, "Ah, hope you enjoy the night, Mr. Mayor," she paused and glanced at Hans and smiled sweetly, "and Mr. Donovan."

He bowed a little as a response, not a single word came from his mouth. Zoe felt disappointed. He just stood there coldly and his eyes refused to show any emotion. He is really the aloof butler of their mayor.

Zoe has been acquainted with Mr. Giovanna since she started in the modeling industry but she doesn't really got a chance to have a proper talk with his bulter, Hans. She always initiates a conversation, even fighting her anxiousness, but she only got a nod, atleast. Zoe never saw this man smile at her nor to any other people talking to him.

Sometimes, Zoe wondered why she really likes this cold as ice butler of the mayor. And then she remembered the day she was saved by him and then her heart flutters again.

'Does she knew that I will be her husband?' Hans pondered as he looked at the saddened face of the woman, his arranged bride tomorrow.

Hans doesn't want the marriage planned by his parents for him. He doesn't want a wife for it will only ruin his job and the elders cannot understand this.

He already had an idea about the arranged marriage last week. His parents accepted Mr. and Mrs. Quinn's proposal that he will marry their only daughter. Who could reject that? Being part of the Quinn family will surely boost their company's shares and investors.

Hans had a fight with his parents when he found out that they agreed on it months ago. He was living his life without knowing that he already have a fiancée and they will be married after a week.

But does he have a choice? Not at all. His marriage is final.

"You look stunning in the fashion show earlier, Miss Quinn," Hans thoughts were cut off by the voice beside him.

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor."

Hans saw how her face reddened at the comment of the mayor. He scoffed inwardly. There's no doubt this woman already know about their wedding tomorrow, and she still have the audacity to flirt with other guy. What a shame!

"Mr. Mayor, do you mind if I befriend your handsome butler?" Fern said with a grin.

Zoe looked at him with wide eyes and mouth ajar. Her bestfriend really went all out!

Mr. Giovanna tapped his chin and acted like thinking, "Hmm.. Maybe you should ask his soon-to-be wife."

Both Zoe and Fern were surprised at what the mayor shared. Zoe felt her heart aching but she tried not to show the pain in her face. She smiled and looked at Hans.

"Congratulations in advance, Mr. Donovan," she made her voice as lively as possible to hide her grief.

But the sorrow in her eyes was caught by Hans. Her eyes is like a crystal that clearly shows her emotions.

'She has no idea.' Hans thought to himself.

He opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a ringing.

Zoe took out her phone in her purse and looked at them, "Please excuse us, Mr. Mayor," she spoke respectfully.

When the mayor smiled and nodded, she turned around and answered her phone, pulling Fern with her.

"Zoe, where are you now?" She heard her mother's sweet voice on the other line.

"I'm about to go home, mom."

"Okay, hurry up. You need a beauty rest, sweetie."

"Yes, mom. Understood."

Her mom ended the call and Zoe sighed. It's only 30 minutes after 6 pm. This wedding is a real pain in the ass!

"Come on, boo. I'll drive you home," Fern volunteered.

Zoe smiled and hugged her bestfriend, "Thanks, boo. You're the best."

"Tsk. You're too close, boo," Fern unclasped her hands around him.

She snickered because Fern doesn't want to be hugged but she does want it!

"We should be at the bar now, drinking our broken hearts out because Mr. Donovan is already engaged," She heard Fern dramatically spoke while driving. They are now on their way to Zoe's house.

"Yup. I should be grieving now," She said while leaning her head on the car's window.

They are not really meant for each other. The two of them are in the opposite path of their lives and they have no chances to meet, ever. She will be married to whoever her groom is and Hans will tie the knot to the love of his life. Zoe bet that Hans found a woman that will love him for who he is.

Zoe closed her eyes. It's just an infatuation so this will be easy to forget and move on. She needs to accept the fact that she will be married tomorrow and try her best to be a good wife.

***

MR. AND MRS. Quinn stand beside their daughter who is now wearing a white huge wedding gown. They were standing outside the church and waiting for it to open. Mrs. Quinn wanted the best for her daughter so she chose a church wedding.

They put all their efforts and sweat to make this a special day. While Zoe is busy in modeling, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn together with the groom's parents did all the preparations with the help of efficient wedding organizers. They wanted everything to be perfect!

Zoe feels like she's still dreaming. It's really happening! Her surreal wedding day is happening.

Last night when she got home, her mom confiscated all her gadgets so that she won't see any news about her wedding and her groom.

They really wanted to keep it as a surprise for her. Is that a good thing? Zoe doesn't know.

Her gown. It looks amazing. It fits her perfectly, defining and showing her every curves. It is strapless, white lace ball gown designed with gold embroidery of flowers and it's train stretches 60 inches away from her. It is a real huge wedding gown. She also has a long veil covering her face and a bouquet of white roses held by her trembling hands.

Her racing heart became more intense when the large door opened, revealing what her parents have prepared for her.

Her mouth left open as she saw the extravagant gold and white decorations in the church. She was greeted by the expensive look of the white carpet. The white roses, the gold ribbons, the candles and everything!

"Oh god." She murmured when she saw the large number of guests waiting for her to enter. All in white dresses and suits accented with gold.

'How the hell could they summoned this much people in one night?' Zoe couldn't believe what she saw.

What the bride doesn't know is that her guests, except her close friends and co-workers, received the first invitations a week before. In the initial invitation letter, it is letting them know that there will be a grand wedding happening in the Quinn family and the groom is not yet announced. They asked them to avoid disclosing any information to the media to keep their daughter from knowing it.

It was last night that they sent out the final invitation, unmasking the groom of their daughter.

"Let's go, princess," Mr. Quinn guided her daughter inside the church with Mrs. Quinn on her left side.

"Mom, dad, this is too much," she whispered as they walk slowly towards the altar. Zoe appreciated the efforts of her parents that it overwhelmed her.

"Hush, sweetie. This is for you," Mrs. Quinn is so happy that a tear escaped her eyes, "We want the best for you."

Zoe smiled softly and nod, "Thanks, mom and dad. I love you."

"We love you too, princess," her dad kissed the top of her head and then continued to walk.

Zoe saw her co-models smiling at her so she returned it to them. Her eyes searched for Fern. Zoe chuckled quietly when she saw him standing in front and crying.

"Sweetie, we are here," her mother called her softly as they are nearing the aisle.

Her heart pounded so fast. She literally forgot about her groom! She bit her lower lip and slowly turned her head towards the place where the groom waits for his bride.

Zoe's jaw dropped and she was stunned that made her stop in her tracks.

"What's wrong, princess?" Her dad asked when she refused to move her feet towards her groom.

"W-who is my g-groom, dad?" Her lips are quivering as she stuttered.

Her mom smiled and rubbed her back, "It's Hans Titus Donovan, sweetie."

Zoe felt her legs wobbled at what she heard. She grabbed her father's arm for support. The last thing she want to do is ruin this wedding prepared by her parents.

Zoe took a deep breath and forced herself to walk towards her groom. She can hear how loud her heart beats inside her chest, it's deafening her. They stopped in front of three gentlemen in white suits. Zeke, Mr. Mayor and in between them, her groom, Hans.

Zeke hugged and kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Please be happy, princess."

She smiled and nodded, "I will, brother."

Zeke let go of her and Mr. Mayor stepped forward, took her hand and kissed it, like what he did last night.

"We see each other again, Miss Quinn, or shall I say Mrs. Donovan?" The mayor grinned as he stepped backwards to his spot earlier.

"Uhm, thank you, Mr. Mayor," Zoe doesn't know what to say.

Her heart momentarily stopped when she saw Hans reaching his hand out in front of her.

"Please take good care of our daughter, Hans," Her father said while putting her hand on top of Hans'.

Zoe sucked her breath when their skin made contact with each other. Just like the last time, it sent sparks through her being.

"Yes, Mr. Quinn."

Zoe gripped the skirt of her wedding gown when she heard the baritone voice of Hans. She wanted to cry for help because she is melting! The big hand of him holding her's is not helping.

Unlike last night, Hans wears an all white tuxedo embroided with the same pattern of Zoe's gown, white pants for his long legs, bright white shoes and the white bowtie looks good on him. He looks like an angel fell down from heaven and became her groom.

"Shall we?"

She was pulled out from her reverie by the voice of her handsome groom. Her heart never calmed down and it only doubled when Hans hooked her arm on his and lead her to the altar.

'Is this for real? Am I really going to marry my dream groom?' She bit her lip hard to know if she's dreaming.

She silently cursed herself when she felt the pain in her lip. She's not dreaming at all!

"Dear friends and family of the Bride and Groom, we welcome and thank you for being part of this important occasion..."