Marriage (1)

At the Civil Affairs Bureau…

Inside a luxurious black car, parked in front of the building, James stretched and yawned, his eyes barely opening. He asked in a drowsy voice, "What's the time?"

Greg, who had his head resting on the headrest, legs crossed and hands folded on his chest, replied languidly, his eyes shut. "I'm your boss."

James flared, his sleep disappeared and his voice raised, "What boss wouldn't let his employee have a good sleep?!"

"Me," Greg replied nonchalantly in a calm voice.

"Hah," James sighed in exasperation. He took calming breaths, trying hard not to lose it, otherwise he might choke the life out of his boss. "We've been waiting here since 5 AM. The sky is clear now; can I return home to have a good sleep?" He cracked his neck, left and right.

"Are you on holiday?"

James paused and gritted his teeth and clenched the wheel. 'Breathe in, breathe out…' he repeated in his mind a couple of times before he replied glaring at his boss, who was at the back seat. "I've been quite exhausted for the past months; I need a vacation."

"Am I a robot? I'm more exhausted than you are, yet I don't ask for vacations."

"Hohoho…whatever, Mr. Sinclair!" James didn't want to talk too much; he knows how to get what he wants. He turned to look at his appearance in the rear mirror and he screamed in shock at the face staring back at him. "Ahhh!"

His hair was like a bird's nest, he had dark circles around his eyes, and he looked pale and unattractive in his printed pajamas! "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Hope no woman saw me this way when I was sleeping? Fuck! I'm dead!" he began to frantically arrange his hair with a bitter look on his face.

Greg had woken him up from sleep and told him it was an emergency; he needed to hurry over to his house. James didn't think before dashing to his house as early as four, only to be given the car keys and ordered to drive.

"You know what, after today, I'm resigning!" James yelled. He had tried to put his hair in order but he couldn't achieve that fine boy look he was thinking.

Greg said casually, like he'd die if he exerted a little bit of strength in his jaws. "5693."

"What?" James paused to stare at him, not getting his point.

"The 5693rd time you've said that in the last 25 years." He didn't even care if he would be caught exaggerating.

James pulled his hair in frustration. This man! Why did his father choose to work fir a family filled with psychos? Why did God allow him to become Greg's playmate and assistant from when Greg was ten? James felt like crying.

"Why are you picking on me? Did I perhaps wrong you and forgot to make amends?" James asked pitifully. Only that Greg was too lazy to open his eyes to see that.

"Do you ever go a day without wronging me? Besides, why are you nagging? Aren't I here too?"

"Hoo!" How much more shameless can he get? "You were not forced to be here, Greg! You chose to be here; it's your marriage, not mine!"

"I couldn't fall asleep. Moreover, you ought to be here early; you might find a forsaken bride…" opening his eyes, he added, sounding serious, "You should also get married."

"Hahaha…" James laughed for a long time, "Says the man who made a path with priesthood until six years ago, the irony."

"At least, I'm about to get married. That's the difference."

"Are you sure you won't be getting divorced a few minutes after your marriage?" James raised a brow, his lips curled into a satisfied grin when Greg's face fell at his words.

"Aren't you being too comfortable with me?"

"I'm just saying…you don't have a low-cost apartment; where will you take your wife and daughter? To your penthouse in the most expensive part of the city, your villa in the outskirts of the city… Or perhaps, the Sinclair estate?"

Greg cursed under his breath. "James, are you seeking revenge?"

"Pfft, revenge? Of course not! You're my boss; how can an assistant seek revenge? I still love my job, Mr. Sinclair." He chuckled lightly as if he were sincere, and continued with a serious tone. "I know a few college friends who can help us get a perfect place, but I'll only do that on the condition that you let me go on a vacation. What do you say?" James winked and smiled.

It was his time to shine.

Greg stared at him, unsure of what to say. "Are you threatening me?"

James shook his head, "Not sure that's what it is, but maybe?"

Greg sighed in resignation; time was of the essence. He could always revoke his vacation plans. "Fine, three da–"

"Three months," James interjected.

Greg glared at him, "Four days!"

Ignoring his glare, James increased his bargain, "Four months."

"Have you lost your mind?"

James shrugged, "Who knows?... I have a solution to your housing problem though," he beamed.

Greg smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Fine, seven days. No more, no less."

James threw a victory punch in the air, smiling from ear to ear, his eyes disappearing into his smile.

"The house," Greg cut in, rolling his eyes at James' excitement. As if he'd allow him to go on vacation.

"Ah, yes, I spoke to my college friend; he already agreed to lend us his place for as long as you want. I gave him some cash to get a new place yesterday. I also spoke to the landlord, so you're good to go." James maintained his blinding smile and hurried out of the car. Standing by the window, he added, "You're welcome."

Greg stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. So, the matter of the housing had already been solved, and James had conned him out of his permission!

Before he could open his mouth, James beat him to it, "Don't even think about revoking my vacation plans. I can always tell my college friend to move back to his apartment."

Greg tried to speak, but words failed him. "Alright, you win." He got out of the car and glanced at his watch; it was almost 9 AM, and Valerie would be there any moment.

"Greg, are you sure you want to marry Miss Valerie with a hidden identity? Do you think about what might happen if she finds out? I'm sure it won't take long."

"Do you have a better idea?"

James shook his head, "No, I don't."

"Then glue your lips and get the car away from here before she arrives."

"Roger that…I've made thorough arrangements for your honeymoon. You're going to love it," James beamed. With that, he zoomed off.

The word 'honeymoon' sent a bolt of electrifying sensation through Greg's veins. Scenes from that night invaded his mind again, but before he could dwell on it, a cab pulled over ahead of him, and the door flung open to reveal Valerie and Ruby.