Accidental Bride

Chapter 1:

The basket of roses felt heavier than usual as Lena Morisawa stepped into the mirrored glass lobby of Lumina Corp. Her plain white blouse and brown skirt felt embarrassingly out of place under the sterile lights and marble floors. She shifted her weight, clutching her flower basket like a shield.

"So this is what money looks like…" she muttered under her breath. "A robot hospital."

The receptionist glanced up, startled, then immediately alarmed. "Are you here for the delivery?"

Lena nodded. "From Morisawa Flowers."

The woman leaned in, voice low. "Okay, listen. Go up to the 15th floor to collect your payment. But please—try not to be seen. If Mr. Shade notices someone in… that"—she gestured to Lena's outfit—"I could lose my job."

"Yes. Now go. And make it quick."

 She shoved a black hoodie across the counter. "Put this on. Be invisible."

"Lena tugged the hoodie on, heat rushing to her cheeks. Invisible? At least she wouldn't be remembered as 'the poor girl in the brown skirt.'"

Earlier That Mornin

The Morisawa Flower Shop smelled of fresh daisies and simmering tempers.

"Less talking, more cleaning!" Paige snapped from behind the counter.

"Yes, Chef," Lena said with a grin, sweeping dust into a neat little pile.

Her father sighed. "Let her breathe, Paige. Customers won't come if you look like you've chewed glass for breakfast."

"Customers?" Paige scoffed. "This shop has more flowers than customers these days. If Lena had gone to college like her brother—"

"Mom."

Lena tied up the bouquet in her hands. "It's fine. I like being here. One day, you'll see—this little shop will save us."

Before the argument could grow teeth, the phone rang. Paige snatched it up.

"Yes, Morisawa Flowers… Yes, we can prepare that… A large event? At Lumina Corporation? Yes—yes, we'll deliver right away!"

She slammed the phone down, her expression transformed. "Lena! Big order—get the lilies and roses! We're delivering to Lumina today!"

Lena blinked. "Wait… the Lumina Corp?"

"Go. Now!" This is big. Today's our lucky day."

Back at Lumina Corp – 15th Floor

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Lena stepped out, hugging the basket to her chest. A clerk handed her an envelope without a word.

"Wait—this is double what we charged," Lena said, brows knitting in confusion.

"Those were the instructions," the clerk replied flatly. "Do what you want with it."

"…Generous," she mumbled, tucking it away.

As she turned to leave, a faint murmur caught her ear—voices, cameras, tension. She hesitated, then followed the sound.

Peeking around a corner, her eyes widened. A full press conference was about to begin: rows of journalists, flashing cameras, and at the front, her flowers.

She smiled softly. So this is where they put them.

But one red rose was leaning, wilted at the edge of the bouquet.

"Oh no," she whispered. "You're not even breathing."

Without thinking, she walked in, crouched beside the stand, "They overpaid… I can't let it wilt now." She gently adjusted the stem. She didn't notice the room had quieted… or that every camera was now facing the center stage. 

On Stage – Moments Before

Will Shade leaned back in his seat, jaw clenched. "You dragged me into this circus to comment on rumours?"

Jin, his assistant, spoke softly beside him. "Sir, it's affecting the stock. If we don't address the actress's claims—"

"The actress is irrelevant," Will snapped. "I'm reshaping Europe's economy, and they want to know if I'm in love?"

But sir," a reporter pressed, holding up a phone, "is it true the actress Leeann called you her soulmate?"

Will's jaw flexed. "Soulmate? Tch. You people wouldn't know love if it hit you in the face."

Someone whispered, "He has no heart."

"Has he ever dated anyone?"

"No wonder people don't trust him."

Will scanned the room. "No heart? Fine. You want a fairytale?"

His eyes locked on a girl at the back—a florist crouched over a bouquet, hoodie pulled up, hands dusted in pollen.

"You." He pointed sharply.

Lena froze, her fingers gripping the rose.

"You want warmth? A wedding? Fine. I'll marry… her."

Silence.

Dozens of heads turned toward Lena.

"M-me?" she squeaked, pointing at herself with wide eyes.

She wasn't on the delivery list. But now, apparently, she was the CEO's fiancée.