UNWANTED BRIDE

HUNDREDS OF GUESTS gathered together to witness the union of a Quinn and a Donovan, families of prosperous and wealthy living. The church's seats are all occupied by families, friends, business colleagues and even big people from different cities to celebrate the grandiose marriage.

But Zoe doesn't care about the large number of people watching her back. Her full attention was on the man beside her who is standing tall with his chin up and looking straight in front.

Zoe forgot how many times she gulped just to ease her nervousness. Standing this near with her groom made her smell his heavenly and manly scent that gave butterflies in her belly. She wanted to stop herself from observing Hans from the corner of her eyes but even the slightest move he makes have an effect on Zoe. The way his chest slowly rise up and down every time he breathes and how his long eyelashes flicker when he blink is so flawless!

Zoe needs to stop this! She should focus on the ceremony and make this day a memorable one. The day she shared the same surname with the man she wanted the most.

Hans can feel the tensed woman beside him. He gets distracted by her constant gulping and small movements of fidgeting. He can see how Zoe took short glances at him and he knew that the woman is not listening to what the priest is saying.

Hans is not paying attention, too, he just stood there but doesn't listen. His mind is not in the present but somewhere dark and dreary. He thought that listening makes no sense when he doesn't really wanted to be married with the woman arranged by his parents. He never wanted her and will never be.

"You may now kiss the bride," he heard the priest announced to end the ceremony.

Hans coldly turned to face his unwanted  bride and took the veil covering her face. He saw how red her face is as she bite her plump lower lip.

'Does she really think that I will kiss her? No way,' there's mockery in Hans thought as he saw anticipation in Zoe's eyes.

With that, he cupped the cheek of his bride and slowly leaned down to reach her face but before their lips meet, he put his thumb in between that prevented their lips to touch each other.

Zoe was stunned at what Hans did. Her eyes wide as her heart suddenly throbbed in pain. She didn't expect that her wedding kiss will be this bitter.

'Doesn't he wanted me? Does he hate me for seizing his freedom?' There are many questions that ran in Zoe's mind.

'Maybe he's not yet ready, Zoe.' Said her other mind to justify the action of Hans and she accepted this reason.

The guests clapped their hands, unknown to them what really happened since Hans shifted her in an angle that they will not notice the thumb between their lips.

Hans pulled back and Zoe cannot hide the bitter smile that showed in her face. Will this turn into a one-sided love marriage? She will not let it happen. She has been dreaming of Hans to be hers since then and now that she carry his surname, she will make sure that the man will reciprocate her love for him.

They were asked to take a photo together. Zoe forced herself to smile genuinely despite her unpleasant thoughts.

She felt Hans held her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her heart raced again when her body was pressed against his husband. She looked up at him and saw how dull and impassive his facial expression is. But he still looks astonishingly fine and attractive. Her heart is so weak for Hans. She adored him like she wasn't hurt by him earlier.

A bright camera flash made her looked back in front and smile widely. She saw the delighted faces of their guests.

Happiness is an understatement to what Zoe's parents are feeling when they saw the joyful face of their daughter. They will make sure that Zoe will have all the good things in her life. She is their princess after all.

Zeke stared at her little sister. She is happy and he can see it in her eyes. He thought that Zoe will not like the planned marriage of their parents but it's the opposite.

'Did she like Donovan even before this?' Zeke thought as the fondness showed in Zoe's eyes as she looked at her husband.

No matter what, Zeke will always protect her little sister. He knew in himself that he could kill if Donovan will hurt his precious sibling.

Hans' gaze turned to his parents as both of their families approached the front to congratulate and take a photo with them. He saw the satisfied look on Mr. Timothy Donovan and Mrs. Hyacinth Donovan, his parents.

'Finally being linked to the second richest family, huh?' Hans couldn't help but thought a bitter comment to his parents.

He knew his parents' intentions, to be part of the Quinn family and acquire shares from it. They don't really consider Hans' standpoint in different matters, all they care is about money. They decide for Hans and always use him for their own benefit.

"Call us Mama and Papa, okay?" Hans heard his mother talked to Zoe in a sweet voice while hugging her.

"Yes, Mama." Zoe replied shyly.

"We always knew that the two of you is a perfect match for each other!" Mr. Donovan's voice is full of life.

Hans interrupted, "I think we should take the photo now and head to the reception." He wanted it to be over as soon as possible.

"Oh son, you're such in a hurry," his Papa chuckled.

"Of course, he can't wait to be alone with my daughter," Mr. Quinn added.

"Dad!" Zoe can feel the heat rose up in her face and she bet her cheeks are red as a tomato.

"Gentlemen, please behave and face the camera so we can leave this two newly weds alone already," Mrs. Quinn scolded the two fathers.

Mrs. Donovan just giggled while watching the scene in front of her.

Zoe can't believe her parents and in-laws. She almost face palm at what they are saying. She glanced at her husband but she can't see any emotion in his face like he is not affected by the teasing of their parents.

Does he hide his emotion or he really doesn't care about what is happening at the moment? Zoe wanted to know more about Hans. He is a closed book full of mysteries, and Zoe will do her best to open that book and understand him more.

Hans took Zoe's cold hand to lead her out of the church after the picture-taking that felt like eternity for him. He felt the woman stiffened when he was about to walk. When he looked back at her, he saw how flushed her face while looking down at their hands. Hans then realized that he intertwined his fingers with Zoe's.

Zoe doesn't know what to do seeing their fingers interlaced together. She wanted to scream out her elated heart and she can't contain the wide smile that formed in her lips. Even in this simple gesture of her husband can make her heart swoon in happiness.

Hans cleared his throat to get Zoe's attention that made her glance at him. Her smile never faded and her eyes are bright as the twinkling stars in the night sky.

"S-sorry. Let's go," Zoe was embarrassed because she knew Hans saw how she smiled like a crazy woman.

Hans nodded and lead her out the church, still holding her hands. He needs to act like a good husband in front of this many people or else his parents will blame him for bringing humiliation in their family.

When they reached a white Lamborghini, Hans opened the door of the passenger's seat for Zoe like a gentleman and even covered the top of her head.

'So this is how it felt to have a husband that works as a butler?' Zoe crack a smile as she is now inside the car and waiting for Hans to enter the driver's seat.

A deafening silence engulfed the two newlyweds as they went their way to the hotel where the reception will be held. No one spoke nor initiated a conversation. Hans drove quietly while Zoe looked straight in the road.

Zoe noticed the change in Hans' mood while they were in the car. If there is no emotion seen in his face in the church earlier, Zoe saw how Hans clenched his jaw tightly, eyes glared with eyebrows furrowed as he looks in front and his grip on the steering wheel was so firm that made his knuckles turned white.

"H-hans-"

"What?!" Hans snapped at her that made her flinch.

"N-nothing." Zoe chose to shut her mouth. Hans furious voice scared her. She doesn't want to infuriate him further because he is driving and who knows they can encounter an accident.

Zoe swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked away the tears that are threatening to fall. She always has a sensitive heart. A single yell at her can make her cry, how else if it is her husband that shouted at her. But she need to learn how to hold back her tears and avoid showing her vulnerability in Hans' eyes.

What was that sudden change of mood? She didn't know if she had done anything to make him angry. Zoe can't understand her husband because he is so unpredictable.

The car stopped in front of Hotel Gio that is owned by Mr. Mayor Giovanna. It is the tallest building in their city with 122 floors. The reception hall is located at the 3rd floor and Zoe guess that their visitors are already waiting for them.

Zoe was eyeing the skyscraper out of the window's car when Hans unfasten her seatbelt that caused her to sprung back in surprise.

"T-thanks." Zoe keep on stuttering when talking to Hans.

She was about to open the car when Hans spoke coldly.

"Stop. Wait for me to open it."

Hans got out of the car without letting her say a word. In a few seconds, Hans opened the door and lend his hand to Zoe. She hesitated to take it because of his attitude towards her minutes ago. She looked at his eyes but all she saw was emptiness.

Eventually, she decided to put her hand on top of Hans'. He helped her out of the car and they walked together towards the entrance.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Donovan. Please follow us to the reception area," an usherette greeted them when they entered the hotel.

It is not long after that they arrived at the 3rd floor and as soon as the elevator opened, it were Mrs. Quinn and Mrs. Donovan's smiling faces that welcomed them.

"Here you are, our sweet newlyweds!" Mrs. Quinn hugged Zoe and Hans.

"Let's go meet your visitors. They are waiting for you!" Mrs. Donovan pulled her son and daughter-in-law excitedly.

"Mama, slow down. You two go first, we're after you," Hans said calmly and let the madams lead the way.

Zoe stayed quiet beside her husband. Her arm was hooked on Hans as they made their way to the reception hall. She is trying to understand things. Hans is all and gentle towards her when there are people around, but so indifferent when it was only the two of them.

'Is this all an act to protect his family's name?' Zoe can't help thinking.

She felt upset that Hans was never sincere of the sweet gestures he did in the presence of the crowd. It was all a show.

She realized that Hans doesn't really want her. But it also doesn't mean that she will let her husband feel that way towards her forever.

She was never born as a quitter. Hans will like her back.