The Bravest Bride : Escape The Wedding!

Lunar White gazed at her reflection in the mirror. The dress she wore looked stunning, adorned with white beads. The front of the dress was short, resembling a peacock's tail with its long back. Its length allowed her to walk without worrying about it getting dirty on the floor.

Today was her wedding day with Nico, the man introduced to her by her sister. She had to look exceptionally attractive as she would be the center of attention.

"Finally, my youngest daughter is getting married," her mother's voice exclaimed.

Her parents, accompanied by her father and sister, walked in with beaming smiles. Lunar, on the other hand, had never desired a loveless marriage. She had only agreed to it due to her family's demands.

"Mum, Lunar isn't officially Nico's wife yet. We still have to wait for the ceremony to begin," Sora, her sister, pointed out.

"It's all the same. Whether now or later, Lunar will still marry Nico," her mother replied.

"How can it be the same? We never know what the future holds," Lunar retorted.

Only their father seemed concerned, knowing that his youngest child would soon be handed over to a man she didn't love. However, it didn't change the fact that Lunar's parents were forcing this marriage upon her. For the Lunar family, marriage was the easiest way to shirk responsibility.

Before agreeing to the marriage, Lunar had initially refused, but her family responded with harsh words. Powerless and struggling to find employment, she had no choice but to comply.

Sora had also experienced a similar fate to Lunar's. Perhaps luck was not on the White family's side. However, Lunar's situation was slightly better than Sora's, as she was marrying a young man like Nico. Sora, on the other hand, married one of their father's friends, which was even more tragic.

Sora always appeared content, as her material needs were well met. She would indulge herself by buying various goods every day, satisfying her worldly desires. This was the reason why Sora supported their parents' decision for Lunar. They believed it would bring her happiness.

One thing Lunar couldn't comprehend was how her sister could be content with an older, wealthy man. She wondered how her own life would have been if she were in Sora's position.

Fortunately, Lunar was introduced to Nico, Sora's friend. At least her sister had considered her feelings by not arranging a marriage with an older man. Now Lunar could only hope that her feelings for Nico would eventually grow.

"By the way, where is Nico? I haven't seen him since earlier," Sora asked, wearing a puzzled expression.

Lunar remembered that Nico had finished earlier and mentioned going to the restroom. However, he had been gone for too long, especially with the wedding ceremony about to commence. She couldn't call him as his phone was with her.

"Nico said he was going to the restroom, but it's taking him too long. I'll go look for him," Lunar said, feeling restless and fearing something bad had happened to her future husband.

Lunar searched around for Nico. It had been over five minutes since he had left the dressing room, and she still hadn't found him.

"Ugh!" she sighed.

Could she really be abandoned on her wedding day?

Lunar would have been relieved by that thought before they had made all the wedding preparations. Now, with everyone gathered, canceling the wedding would only tarnish their reputation.

"Nico..."

It wasn't Lunar's voice. She heard it coming from a hotel room with a slightly ajar door. She stood right in front of that door. She tried to compose herself.

"Oh, Nico..."

Lunar was taken aback. She still held onto the hope that the man engaging in intimate acts with another woman wasn't her future husband, Nico. She couldn't fathom how he could engage in such behavior right before their wedding.

She cautiously opened the door for a better view. Unfortunately, her hopes were shattered as she saw Nico in bed with another woman. Her eyes widened in disbelief and pain. She couldn't bear to witness any more, so she shouted, stepped back, and quickly left the scene.

She had reluctantly accepted the unwanted marriage and had chosen Nico as her future husband. Yet, on her wedding day, she experienced betrayal. Why did everything have to turn out like this? It pained her deeply.

"Lunar!"

Her hand was pulled, forcing her to turn around. It was sickening to face the man who had betrayed her, especially since Nico showed no hint of remorse. How could she have been deceived by his kindness all this time?

"I hate you, Nico! Let me go!" Lunar struggled to free herself from Nico's grip on her wrist.

"Stop making a scene."

Nico led Lunar back into the hotel room, tightly closing the door. Now the three of them stood face to face. Lunar's anger intensified as she glanced at Nico, who was only wearing boxers and an unbuttoned shirt. She also noticed the woman on the bed, attempting to cover herself with a blanket. The mess wasn't created by Lunar; it was Nico who had caused it.

Lunar's gaze fell upon the clothes strewn across the floor, further fueling her anger. "Did you sleep with a hotel employee?"

"It was just a mistake," Nico casually replied.

"Just a mistake?" Lunar chuckled disbelievingly at his explanation.

"If this was all a mistake, then I will report it to the hotel and have the employee who seduced you fired immediately." She pointed at the hotel employee without even glancing in their direction.

"I won't allow you to do that," Nico retorted as he buttoned his shirt.

"The wedding will start soon. We need to leave immediately so the guests won't have to wait," Nico continued.

Once again, Lunar laughed at Nico's nonchalant attitude towards marriage after betraying her so blatantly.

"Do you think I would still marry you after witnessing your affair? Don't delude yourself, Nico! I would never marry a man like you!"

Lunar stormed out of the hotel room, ignoring Nico's attempts to stop her. It was no longer about the guests; her priority was to prevent the wedding from taking place.

She hurried to the dressing room to inform her family about Nico's betrayal, causing her parents to become infuriated.

"There will be no wedding today," her father declared, clenching his fist.

"It's not true, Father," Lunar protested.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Nico appeared dressed neatly in a formal suit befitting a groom.

"Lunar just wants to ruin my reputation and cancel the wedding," Nico explained.

Lunar's eyes widened. Nico's statement contradicted the undeniable truth. "I—I saw it with my own eyes, Nico, you were with another woman. I'm not lying!"

"Lunar had initially refused to marry Nico. Perhaps this is her plan to cancel the wedding," Sora chimed in.

"What do you mean? Doesn't my presence here prove that I accepted the marriage?"

Sora shrugged. "Who knows?"

Lunar's legs felt weak, realizing that Sora wasn't on her side and instead sided with Nico, the one who had betrayed her. They were siblings, supposed to support each other, but Sora didn't believe her.

"The wedding ceremony is about to begin. Don't tarnish our good name by giving reasons to cancel the wedding. Hurry up and get ready to embrace your happiness," her mother interjected.

They all left Lunar, except for Nico, who wore a triumphant smile as he successfully deceived the family before departing.

How would Lunar navigate a marriage she increasingly despised? If she went through with it, who knew what other betrayals awaited her? She couldn't endure a life of constant pain with a man like Nico.

Lunar looked around the dressing room; only she and the makeup artist remained. It seemed that everyone had already gathered at the venue.

"Excuse me, can you help me?" Lunar called out to the makeup artist.

The makeup artist appeared confused as she glanced around, realizing that they were the only two left.

"Are you referring to me, Madam?" the makeup artist asked, seeking confirmation while pointing to herself.

Lunar rushed out of the hotel as fast as she could, leaving behind the high heels she had worn to enhance her appearance. They had become an obstacle, making it difficult for her to take each step. Time was of the essence, as the makeup artist was surely stalling for her.

"Lunar!"

She heard Sora's and Nico's voices calling out to her. Escaping from them was truly frustrating. She had no desire to marry a traitor like Nico.

"Oh, gosh... What should I do?"

In the parking basement, she frantically searched for a hiding place, moving slowly and crouching to ensure complete concealment.

Drap, drap, drap...

She could hear the sound of hurried footsteps on the basement floor coming to a stop. It indicated that the person chasing her had ceased running, and the last sound she heard was not far from her current location.

She knelt on the floor and peered over one of the cars to see where Nico and Sora were heading. This way, she could determine where to dodge.

"Lunar, you better come out now. Don't ruin the wedding ceremony. Our family's good name will be tarnished, and Father and Mother will be deeply disappointed by your actions."

Two pairs of legs appeared from beyond the car she was using as cover. Lunar lifted her head cautiously, supporting her crouched body by holding onto the back of the car.

Hearing Sora mention their parents made her ponder. Although she had not chosen this marriage, she still didn't want to disappoint anyone, especially their parents.

But Nico was not the person he appeared to be. If only someone would believe her words and call off the wedding, she wouldn't even consider running away.

She didn't know where to go next. The only place she went to every day was home, where the family gathered. After this, she would be wandering the streets in her wedding dress. People would think she had gone mad for failing to get married.

Having moved to hide behind another car, she was taken aback when the trunk suddenly moved, prompting her to quickly move away.

She was unsure how to close the trunk without drawing attention from Sora and Nico. The sound of footsteps grew closer, and with nowhere else to hide, she decided to conceal herself within the trunk, using a dark cloth found inside to cover her entire body.

She hoped that her location wouldn't be discovered by anyone. No one could fathom how fast her heart was racing at that moment.

The car door opened and closed, signifying that someone had just stepped inside. Lunar expected it to be Sora and Nico, but it turned out to be a mistake.

Lunar was startled when she heard a voice close to her head. There was someone near her. It seemed the person had just placed something, although she couldn't discern what it was exactly.

"Did the blanket open like this?"

Lunar widened her eyes as an unfamiliar voice commented on the blanket she had used to cover herself. Would she be discovered so soon? She hoped whoever it was didn't recognize her. She just wanted to escape from the hotel as quickly as possible.

Simultaneously, the car door sounded again.

"Just put the suitcase down, why is it taking so long?"

Lunar realized there were two people present now—one with a soft voice and another with a deep, masculine voice. It was not the time for her to imagine what a man with a deep voice looked like.

She refocused on the hope that her whereabouts would remain unknown, inhaling and exhaling slowly to avoid arousing suspicion.

"I'll close the trunk of the car immediately, Sir."

A loud noise resonated afterward—the sound of the car trunk being closed. Lunar cautiously peeked out to assess the situation.

She heard the screeching sound of a car, which carried her away. She had managed to escape from Nico and Sora, but now she was trapped in the trunk of a car and couldn't get out!

Her life couldn't end there, not after running away from an unwanted marriage. She had to free herself as soon as possible to avoid a ridiculous demise. But how could she escape from the car trunk?

She slowly felt around in the trunk, hoping to find something that could help her. She couldn't remain curled up for long and survive in the stuffy room. The narrow and dark space made it increasingly difficult to breathe, and her body, unable to move freely, started to cramp.

Desperate, she searched for anything that could assist her. Among the scattered contents of the small suitcase beside her, she discovered an opening. It wasn't clear what was inside, but she could imagine what she was holding. The owner of the suitcase was quite cunning, as it contained women's underwear.

She tried to find a positive aspect to the situation. Perhaps the man with the suitcase had a girlfriend, especially considering the car was parked at the hotel. It was no longer surprising. Though she had no regrets about escaping the wedding, she had mistakenly hidden herself in the trunk of the wrong car.

Besides the underwear and cosmetic tools, she couldn't find anything else of use. In a burst of frustration, she pounded on the trunk lid, hoping someone would hear her and help. She also shouted for the trunk to be opened immediately.

"Are you okay, Sir?" Secretary Ham, who was driving the car, asked.

"Do I look okay?"

Arkan anxiously awaited a satisfactory answer from his secretary, as he felt strange at that moment.

"You look a little pale, Sir."

Arkan cleared his throat and loosened his tie. "Seems like I need to rest a bit," he said, reclining his seat.

When the noise returned, Arkan observed his secretary's expression to ensure that what he heard was not just a figment of his imagination. Secretary Ham seemed focused on driving.

In the end, Arkan managed to ignore the unfamiliar voice that had disturbed him. He gently massaged his ears, hoping the noise would soon dissipate.

A few moments later, they arrived in front of the office building. A crowd of journalists had already gathered, eager to obtain information about his sudden marriage announcement.

It didn't bother Arkan, as he had made up his mind to marry Raya in the near future. Their relationship had been going on for a long time, but he had only recently decided to announce it publicly.

Secretary Ham exited the car first and opened the door for Arkan.

Arkan stepped out of the car and walked toward the office building. But after just a few steps, the journalists swarmed around him. He had to retreat for safety, returning to the car until the situation calmed down.

Once again, he heard a noise coming from the back, even though there was no one there. Were the voices coming from the reporters? It seemed he should check his health after this. The workload might be causing his hallucinations to worsen.

As he glanced out the window, he noticed the previously boisterous crowd suddenly fall silent. Everyone's gaze was fixed in one direction—the back of the car. They began walking toward the trunk. Curiosity piqued, Arkan stepped out of the car to see what was happening.

As he joined the crowd, everyone dispersed. Secretary Ham promptly opened the trunk, revealing the source of the noise. Their eyes widened as they saw someone inside, including Arkan, who was taken aback to find a stranger in his car trunk.

"I almost... died..." gasped the foreign woman, her body drenched in sweat as she struggled to catch her breath. She clumsily climbed out of the trunk, her movements unsteady.

Arkan instinctively caught her body as she almost fell. Avoiding eye contact, he glanced at the scattered contents of his luggage inside the trunk. Secretary Ham quickly closed the trunk, preventing any journalists from taking photos. Then, he helped the woman, who was still leaning on Arkan, to stand upright.

"I—Is this woman the intended wife?" one of the journalists asked after assessing her appearance. Unbeknownst to anyone, this question would lead to a public misunderstanding that would impact the lives of the two individuals involved.

Who wouldn't be surprised by someone emerging from the trunk of a car? Moreover, wearing a wedding dress made the news of Arkan's wedding actually happening, which was definitely not like the original plan.

"You thought of hiding the wedding from everyone?"

Another question was asked to Arkan, and a mini tape recorder was handed to him. Secretary Ham immediately took on the role of blocking journalists from taking pictures or looking for information, holding out his hands in front of Arkan to make it difficult for people to break through.

"Are you going to the wedding today?"

The journalists did not give up easily, turning to question the woman in the wedding dress about the marriage because they did not get an answer from Arkan. They asked the same question over and over again, hoping to obtain some important information about Arkan, a man who had always been the center of attention after taking over managing a major company in the city.

"May we know what your name is, Madam?"

The atmosphere became silent after the question was asked, as if everyone there was very curious about the answer. Lunar looked around with her eyes wide open. Everyone surrounded her and also stared at her without wanting to take their eyes off.

"Lunar."

She thought that by saying her name, maybe she would stop being stared at. Unfortunately, Lunar was bombarded with an endless stream of questions. Journalists asked about her relationship with a man named Arkan. That name sounded very foreign to Lunar's ears since it was the first time they had met.

"I—I don't know a man named Arkan."

Lunar glanced at the person standing behind the man who spread his arms. Does Arkan mean the man who is frowning? She just realized who the person in question was.

The journalists seemed to whisper to each other. Those who heard the confession thought that the woman in the wedding dress was just boasting or it could be a plan to keep the marriage from being discovered. Arkan had tried hard to hide who the candidate to marry was. Now everything had been revealed because they finally found out who the candidate was, according to their thinking.

"Lunar is a potential bride hidden by Arkan. We have to spread the word now."

Arkan was getting angry because the situation was getting worse, so he immediately pulled Lunar into the car with him. That day was a real disaster; all his neatly arranged plans had to fall apart because of the presence of a woman he didn't know. Like annoying pests, he didn't want any troublemakers in his life, especially in his relationship with Raya.

Arkan wanted to take out all his anger on Lunar right then and there, but the journalists were still there, banging on the windows like a flock of crows. Secretary Ham rushed after and sped the car away, leaving a stillinflamed mess in the crowd.

"Where are you two taking me? Drop me!" Lunar shouted, leaning forward to stop the man driving the car, tugging at his arm to make him stop quickly.

"Stop right now!" she shouted again.

Arkan didn't want another disaster to happen and pulled Lunar away from Secretary Ham. Resistance ensued, so he was forced to use force to prevent the chaos from escalating.

Arkan grabbed the woman who didn't want to be silent with both hands, holding back her struggle until Lunar tired herself out. Even so, he didn't let go; Secretary Ham might be bothered again, and it would put them in danger.

"You can get jail time for forcing someone to go with you. This is kidnapping!"

Arkan was even more provoked by his anger because the person who made the mess didn't even think about the mistake he had made. He shrugged his shoulders, making it clear how angry he was.

"You've got me in deep trouble. Were you playing hide and seek and using the trunk of my car as a hiding place?"

"I—I'm just...."

"You must be a crazy woman playing hide and seek in a wedding dress. And why are you involving me in your game?"

Lunar winced in pain as her shoulders were squeezed tightly. She was let go after that and fell backward. It seemed that she had indeed chosen the wrong hiding place. It turns out that she, who intended to avoid Nico and Sora, ended up involving other people's lives.

After the debate, no words were spoken. The atmosphere in the car was so tense with Arkan's anger that it was palpable. Even Secretary Ham didn't dare to glance at the passenger seat, while Lunar could only stay silent and massage her aching shoulder.

Until they arrived in front of a house, Arkan pulled Lunar to come with him, ignoring her rejections. He kept walking until they were in a room. That place was the sitting room that Arkan often used when important guests came to his house. Today he was using that room for a strange woman who had messed up his life.

Now they were alone in there. It was only there that Arkan let go of her hand. He switched to sitting on the single couch without paying any attention to Lunar.

Arkan took out his vibrating cell phone, as if the news about them had reached his father's ears. "Now I'm at home with the woman who made a mess," he said furiously without taking his eyes off Lunar.

Lunar could only look at what appeared in front of her. The man had not taken his eyes off her since earlier, and it filled her with fear, as if she were stranded on a foreign island alone with no one to turn to for help. Where should she look for a safe place to take shelter?

"What? I won't do it, Father." Arkan no longer looked at her. From Lunar's point of view, Arkan looked uneasy. She couldn't hear what the caller was saying, but it seemed to bother him.

Arkan turned off his cellphone completely before long, then placed it on the table before looking at the woman who had made the mess he mentioned earlier to his father. Once again, he scanned Lunar's appearance from top to bottom, dressed in a wedding dress and looking very disheveled.

"Are you a madwoman?"

Lunar shook her head before straightening her halfinclined body. What Arkan had said to her was clearly very insulting. How could she, who was dressed beautifully in a wedding dress and looked extraordinary, be called a madwoman? She was still sane!

"You're the one who's the mad one!"

"Good."

Arkan was very grateful for that, even though his father's decision was still not well received. He couldn't imagine living with a madwoman in the future if Lunar had nodded her head just now.

The tightly closed door to the room suddenly opened completely, revealing the figure of a man whose skin was wrinkled but still fit enough to walk steadily. That man was Damien, Arkan's father.

He walked fast enough to be able to sit in the chair. Damien noticed the pensive woman sitting in the same position he had been in since he entered the room.

"What is the reason you suddenly appeared in my son's life? Do you need money?" Damien glanced at her belly, which didn't look flat. "Arkan got you pregnant?"

Hearing that, Arkan immediately rebutted, "I didn't do that, Dad."

He had only met her a few hours ago. He couldn't possibly have gotten her pregnant, especially since Lunar wasn't his type at all. How did she end up pregnant?

"You can't answer?" Damien didn't seem to want to hear any rebuttal.

Lunar was confused about how to answer this question. She no longer had a home, and of course, she needed money. However, it would be too cunning for her to take advantage of the situation just to get a place to live. She had to remember that her current position was causing havoc in the life of someone who shouldn't have been involved in her escape.

"I ran away from the wedding and accidentally used Arkan's car trunk," she glanced at the person with the name for a moment, making sure that she didn't spell the name wrong, "as a hiding place. Really, I didn't know the situation would get this complicated. I'm sorry for what I've done."

Unexpectedly, Lunar decided to sit on the floor and beg. "Please, don't kick me out. There's nowhere else I can go. I'll do anything, even if I have to be a servant in this house."

Lunar couldn't deny that she really needed a place to live. If she was wandering on the street, she could have been caught by Nico and Sora again. Through the man who seemed to have the power to protect her, it seemed she could avoid marrying Nico. It was fine for her to be a servant as long as she could be free after this. She put her pride aside for a while to secure a place to live.

Damien glanced at his son, who looked very angry. He would be angry if he didn't have to find a solution to the problems that occurred. If he allowed the foreign woman to pass, the media might come to meet her and gather information, and it could be things the foreign woman might not disclose. On the other hand, if he didn't allow it, all the news would die down soon.

"For now, the best option is marriage. You two will get married soon."

"What?! Mmarried?" Lunar's eyes widened.

Arkan, who already knew the decision beforehand, wasn't too surprised anymore. He still didn't accept it because he had already made his own choice for a life partner, and now it was all destroyed in one blow. Did he really have to marry Lunar? Wasn't there a better way?

Damien understood that neither of them agreed to the planned marriage, so he clarified the meaning further.

"It's only for one year until your separation is announced."

It was a final decision that couldn't be contested. They had to get married.

Lunar stood outside the room, waiting for the two men who were still talking inside. She looked around and admired the luxurious surroundings. It was no surprise that the man she was going to marry was wealthy. She had dealt with a prominent businessman in her hometown, and now she found herself in an even more opulent setting.

Earlier, the breathtaking scenery had left her speechless. From the window, she noticed Arkan seeming to protest against the decision that had been made. They were complete strangers, and getting married under such circumstances was unacceptable. But she needed a place to live, so she had to swallow her pride and beg not to be expelled.

Lost in her thoughts, Lunar suddenly realized her attention was diverted. She glanced at her reflection in the window and noticed her disheveled appearance—messy hair, smudged makeup, sweatsoaked clothes, and bare feet without shoes. No wonder people had mistaken her for a madwoman. Her current state was a far cry from how she had looked in the dressing room earlier.

A chuckle broke the silence, and Lunar turned to see the man who had been driving the car earlier. The laughter quickly subsided when the door opened, and the man respectfully stepped aside for the two who had just exited.

Lunar instinctively followed suit, understanding that when asking for a place to stay, she should show respect to the person providing her with shelter. One of the men continued walking while the other stopped. Lunar looked up and found herself facetoface with Arkan, causing her to lower her head in response. Arkan's expression remained unfriendly.

"Follow me," he said curtly.

Lunar lifted her head, surprised that Arkan was addressing her. She glanced at the man who was no longer looking down beside her. His nod indicated that she should follow Arkan. Hesitant, she turned to catch up with him, walking a few steps behind.

They arrived in a room with a bed. Arkan stopped at the entrance, allowing Lunar to enter first. The door closed behind them, creating a space for them to have a oneonone conversation. Unbeknownst to Lunar, there was a looming danger she was unaware of.

As Arkan approached her, Lunar became aware of his presence and averted her gaze when their eyes met. She felt trapped by a man who showed no hospitality, as if she were dealing with a menacing villain. She took a step back, readying herself for selfdefense.

"We... we don't need to get married. I can just be a maid in this house. Please, give me a place to stay until it's time for me to leave," Lunar pleaded.

Arkan exhaled slowly, placing his hands in his pockets. He never took his eyes off Lunar, who looked cornered like a small cat. He despised disrupted plans but didn't want to dwell on his hatred for too long.

"We will get married soon. We'll separate after one year. During that time, do not disrupt my plans again," Arkan stated firmly.

Lunar gazed at his expression, no longer displaying anger. However, what Arkan had just said registered in her mind—marriage. Were they really going to get married? It was not part of her plan to escape the wedding and avoid Nico, who had betrayed her. Now she found herself trapped in another marriage from which she couldn't escape. Was this karma for defying her parents' wishes?

"We don't need to get married. I can be a servant in this house for the next year," Lunar repeated, firmly rejecting the idea of marriage. She had regained her composure, no longer overwhelmed by nerves.

Arkan lifted Lunar's chin with his index finger, bringing them facetoface at a closer distance than before.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying? Don't disrupt my plans with your own. Just sit tight and follow my plan," Arkan asserted.

Arkan observed Lunar's appearance, which he could glimpse. "Clean yourself, you're sweaty and dirty."

Lunar simply watched as Arkan turned around and left the room, leaving her alone. She couldn't deny the truth about her sweaty and disheveled state. She realized that what she had seen in the mirror earlier couldn't be argued with Arkan's remark about her being smelly and dirty.

Lunar approached a door in the room, discovering it was the bathroom. Before entering, she decided to find a change of clothes. She couldn't possibly bathe and then put on the same dirty garments. She approached the wardrobe in the room, opened it, and was surprised to find a collection of clothes, including underwear.

Seeing the clothes reminded her of what she had found in the suitcase. She swallowed nervously, imagining the possible implications. Was her presence in this grand house a result of Arkan's scheme? Was she being sold off or involved in some covert business by the Gray family? Could she be in danger? Panic washed over her. If that were true, she needed to leave immediately.

But first, she needed to freshen up. She couldn't leave in her current state. Taking a hanging garment from the wardrobe, she placed it on the bed. She discarded her disheveled wedding dress, letting it fall to the floor. Stripped down to her underwear, she entered the bathroom.

Lunar took a moment to calm herself, contemplating how to escape this covert business. She must not fall into their trap. It didn't make sense for wealthy people like them to want an ordinary woman like her to become a member of the Gray family, especially when she was about to marry the sole heir, Arkan.

Emerging from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, Lunar turned around after closing the door, only to be startled by Arkan sitting on the edge of the bed. She quickly covered her bare shoulders with crossed arms, retreating to the edge of the door, her mouth agape. Their conversation was over, so why had Arkan returned? Was he about to initiate a plan to sell her? Wasn't it too soon? After all, she hadn't even had a chance to get dressed.

"Who gave you permission to take clothes from the wardrobe?" Arkan asked, his tone reproachful.

Lunar relaxed her crossed arms, momentarily distracted by the topic of discussion. "Weren't those clothes for me? II mean, they were in the wardrobe, and didn't you bring me to this room to live in? That means I can use everything in this room, right?" She quickly dismissed her previous thought about being sold.

Arkan approached, and Lunar tensed, making sure he wasn't looking where he shouldn't be. She refused to let any man see her, especially Arkan.

"Everything in this room belongs to Raya, and I won't allow you to use anything that belongs to her."

"RRaya?" Lunar regained her senses, avoiding a confused question. "Then why did you bring me to this room?"

"To... to talk to you. This is the only place where I can be calm," Arkan replied, his voice wavering slightly. Discussing himself with a stranger was not something he found easy.

Now Lunar understood. She had misunderstood the covert business of the Royal Gray family. She wasn't being sold off, as she had initially suspected. Moreover, she was in someone named Raya's room. Lunar didn't care who Raya was; she didn't want to meddle in the affairs of a man she would only live with for a year. They would become strangers once their agreement was fulfilled, and they were not obligated to be close during that time.

"It seems that Raya means a lot to you, Arkan. Alright," Lunar said, placing her hands on her waist and looking straight ahead with determination.

"I won't use anything that belongs to Raya. Now, can you show me where I can rest? Since we will be husband and wife soon, based on our agreement, you should provide me with a place to live and fulfill all my needs."

Arkan raised an eyebrow, not fully comprehending the woman who had become the center of his troubles. He had married Lunar to avoid any negative rumors about their relationship. Lunar's benefit was that she would have a place to live and all the necessities as a potential member of the Gray family. He hadn't expected Lunar to be so audacious and speak so boldly without any embarrassment. But he couldn't deny it.

"Then let me accompany you," Arkan said, grinning.

Lunar widened her eyes as Arkan grabbed her arm and led her out of the room, wearing nothing but a towel. Many maids were present in the hallway, all staring at her. What an insufferable man! Couldn't Arkan have given her some clothes before they left the room?

Arkan waited anxiously in the car, his mind filled with worry. Just after his wedding plans with Lunar were announced, he received news that Raya would be returning. Today was supposed to be the day they would surprise everyone with their relationship, but everything had taken an unexpected turn. He knew Raya wouldn't easily forgive the decision he had to make.

He left Secretary Ham waiting outside the car since he couldn't be seen in public with other women at the moment. His reputation would only worsen due to his past relationships with multiple women. Being an heir was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated. He never wanted this life, but what could he do when his father asked him to fulfill certain obligations?

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Secretary Ham approaching the car. And there she was, Raya, the woman he missed so much. He opened the car door while still inside, unable to contain his smile when he saw Raya standing beside him.

Raya took off her hat and glasses, revealing her face. They locked eyes, speechless. From her expression, Arkan could tell that Raya already knew about the news spreading. The tension in the air was palpable, a stark contrast to their previous meetings.

Arkan wanted to embrace her, but his hand was pushed aside. "Forgive me," he said softly, unable to look at Raya any longer.

He had hurt the woman he loved, and now he was grappling with the consequences. Was it worth sacrificing something precious for something as futile as this? How he longed to hold Raya and express how much he missed her.

"You betrayed me, Arkan," Raya said, her voice filled with pain.

Arkan bowed his head, acknowledging the immense hurt he had caused his lover. He had indeed betrayed their relationship by choosing to marry another woman, even though it was all part of a fake marriage. The coming year would keep them apart, and it was now on his list of regrets. How could he possibly explain all of this to Raya?

He felt helpless, unable to exert any influence over his current circumstances. He could only submit to his father's decisions without being able to argue. Running away with Raya might seem tempting, but he couldn't rely on a woman for his entire life. Without his father's wealth, he felt worthless.

"You don't intend to explain?" Raya's voice broke his train of thought.

He realized he needed to clarify the situation to clear up any misunderstandings in their relationship.

"II really don't know how Lunar ended up in the trunk of my car," Arkan began, but he stopped himself, realizing how absurd it sounded. How could a woman suddenly end up in the trunk of his car? Would Raya even believe such a story?

"Lunar caused a mess and forced us to get married."

"A mess?" Raya interrupted Arkan's words. "You didn't get her pregnant, did you?"

"Of course not!" Arkan unconsciously raised his voice but quickly lowered it again. "I didn't even know that woman. She just suddenly appeared in my life and caused chaos."

Raya raised a hand to halt the increasingly convoluted explanation. "Fine. Let's focus on this woman named Lunar."

Seeing Arkan nod, she began to process the information she was receiving. "So Lunar suddenly entered your life, disrupted our relationship, and you decided to marry her?"

Arkan nodded again, and confusion washed over Raya. "So you were having an affair behind me?" She drew her own conclusions based on Arkan's actions.

Arkan immediately pulled Raya into an embrace as she burst into tears. "I'm not having an affair behind you," he whispered, soothing her by running his fingers through her hair. "This marriage will only last a year. After that, Lunar and I will separate."

Raya pulled away from the hug, her eyes searching Arkan's. "What do you mean?"

"This is all so ridiculous. I have to marry her, but it's just a sham to maintain the company's image," Arkan explained, taking a deep breath.

Raya fell silent, trying to digest the successive explanations. "So you're not having an affair behind my back?"

Arkan shook his head, his smile widening. Raya embraced him with all her soul, not wanting to let go. In that moment, happiness filled their hearts. Tears streamed down their faces, mingling with the joy that enveloped them.

"Knowing that you were going to marry another woman made me so sad. I caught the first flight and left my work unfinished to come see you," Raya confessed.

Arkan smiled, grateful that Raya understood him. That's all he needed right now—a shoulder to lean on. With Raya by his side, he felt calm and reassured. He had made the right choice in choosing Raya as his life partner.

Lunar descended the stairs and noticed the maids bustling around. Earlier, she had seen a maid coming out of a room adjacent to hers. Arkan had mentioned that everything in that room belonged to Raya. She didn't know who Raya was, nor did she care at the moment.

She headed towards the kitchen, hoping to find something to satisfy her growling stomach. The servants were busy preparing food, and every time she tried to take something, it was swiftly taken away from her. Eventually, she couldn't find any food in the kitchen, despite her stomach rumbling with hunger since she woke up late.

Determined, Lunar searched for some bread. She spread jam on a piece of bread and devoured it, paying no mind to the busy maids around her. She had to make do with a few pieces of bread to stave off her hunger for the afternoon. It was truly unfortunate that in such a luxurious house, all she could get was bread.

"The master, Arkan, has returned!"

One of the servants announced, and Lunar finished spreading jam on her sixth piece of bread. She pressed it against another slice, holding it with her free hand, and started devouring it as she made her way out of the kitchen. She alternated between chewing and biting the bread, all while carrying the jar of jam and the remaining pieces of bread in her arms.

Her steps halted when she saw Arkan with a woman she didn't recognize. She nearly dropped everything she was carrying but managed to keep her composure. Who was this woman accompanying Arkan? Was the game involving the covert business behind Royal Gray finally over? Why was Arkan with another woman?

Arkan took a deep breath, noticing Lunar's presence. "This is Lunar, the one I told you about," he said casually.

"Oh!" Raya exclaimed, embracing Arkan as a sign of declaration. "I'm Raya, Arkan's true love. Nice to meet you, Lunar."

The maids who overheard the conversation were familiar with Raya since they already knew about her. However, the news of Lunar's involvement in the wedding left them uncertain about how to react. Raya was Arkan's genuine love interest, residing in the same house. On the other hand, Lunar was the future wife of the house's owner, someone they were expected to respect.

"Great!"

Lunar heard her name being mentioned once again. She finally realized that Raya was Arkan's girlfriend. It made sense why she wasn't allowed to touch anything in that room earlier.

"Nice to meet you, Raya," Lunar replied, unsure how to shake hands as both her hands were occupied. She resorted to taking a bite of bread so that she could extend her hand.

Raya released her hands and hesitated for a moment before reciprocating the gesture. However, she couldn't shake off the thought that Lunar was only after Arkan's wealth. There had to be something behind this fake marriage involving Arkan.

"You can rest in your room, Raya. I have to return to the office now," Arkan said.

Raya nodded. "I understand." She walked away with a maid, who carried her luggage.

Arkan no longer wanted to be bothered by Lunar's presence. He shook his head, finding Lunar messy and greedy. He couldn't fathom having a woman who walked around carrying a bag of bread and a jar of jam as his wife, even if their marriage was a sham.

Meanwhile, Lunar, witnessing Arkan's departure, hurriedly handed everything she was carrying to a nearby maid, including the unfinished bread. She ran after Arkan, desperate to catch up with him and grab his attention.

"What are you doing?" Arkan looked displeased as Lunar halted his steps.

"We need to talk," Lunar insisted.

"I don't have time for that."

Lunar ignored his rejection, knowing that what she had to discuss was crucial.

"If Raya is going to live here after we're married, won't that become news? Two women living with you?" Lunar questioned.

"Everyone knows that Raya and I have known each other since childhood. There won't be any scandalous news about us," Arkan explained.

Lunar finally understood that she was trapped in another woman's longstanding relationship. "But..."

Arkan, frustrated by wasting his time, brushed aside Lunar's hand blocking his path. Irritated, he managed to get into his car and paid no further attention to Lunar. As the car pulled away from the parking area, he didn't spare her a single glance.

Secretary Ham muttered quietly, sharing his thoughts that had been bothering him. "I believe Miss Lunar has a valid point, Sir. It's not feasible for two women to live in the same house after the marriage."

At the same dining table, the three of them sat in an awkward atmosphere. Lunar didn't stop stealing glances at the two couples in front of her alternately. Arkan didn't stop loosening his tie as if it wanted to strangle his neck. Raya felt uncomfortable having to share the table with strangers when it used to be occupied by only two people.

Arkan was still contemplating what his secretary had said yesterday regarding a house that couldn't possibly be used as a place for two women to live. If given a choice, he would choose Raya. Unfortunately, he couldn't make a choice now. How could he expel Raya, who had been living with him in this house for so long?

Did he only buy one apartment for Lunar to live in? He planned to live with Raya in his current house so that they wouldn't have to face each other. However, his father wouldn't allow the soninlaw of the Gray family to live in the apartment alone. The question of who would stay was extremely complicated. Why did Lunar have to appear in his life?

Arkan brushed aside all the doubts that frustrated him and said, "Soon, Lunar and I will get married. After that, there can't be two women in this house. It will only attract unwanted attention."

Raya listened carefully to his words. She concluded that Arkan wanted to remove one of them from the house. Was she the one who would be expelled? She had no reason to stay there.

There was nothing wrong with Arkan's decision; she felt it was the right one. Two women couldn't coexist under the same roof. However, it seemed unfair to her that she had to leave before Lunar. Why did she have to occupy the house before Lunar? Everything felt so unjust.

Lunar nodded in agreement with the decision to remove Raya from the house. Having another woman in their marriage would only complicate things. The reputation they had carefully maintained would be at risk again. It was enough for them to be trapped in a loveless marriage.

"That's why I decided to buy an apartment, so one of you can live there."

"Ddo you intend to kick me out?" Raya asked, hoping her worst fears wouldn't come true.

Arkan shook his head confidently. "No. I'll ask Lunar to leave."

Raya widened her eyes, surprised because her thoughts were completely different from reality. Even Lunar was shocked to hear this unreasonable decision.

How could Lunar be kicked out of the house where the wife of Arkan should live? Even though their marriage was a sham, it made no sense for the person who was supposed to be the mistress to give in.

"Wwhy me?" Lunar asked.

"Because you're just a stranger, now or even after we get married. Even though you will have the status of my wife."

Lunar didn't know how to respond. She couldn't deny that her presence was a mistake that had to be accepted. They were just strangers living together. No, in fact, now she would live alone in the apartment. The wife of the businessman herself would be exiled to a special place. Wasn't that sad?

But what was wrong with all of that? What made her grieve? They were strangers and would forever remain so. She would be the one benefiting the most from this situation, right? In just one year, she had obtained a shelter and a prestigious status. It didn't matter if she was alone in the apartment. After all, she didn't really know anyone else in the house.

"If you've made up your mind, I can't refuse," Lunar said, hiding her excitement.

"How about we clear up this misunderstanding? Wouldn't that be better? We might face more rumors, but at least we wouldn't have to go through with the wedding," Raya suggested, trying to save them all from this sad situation.

"No!" Lunar and Arkan shouted simultaneously.

The calm atmosphere immediately changed. Raya looked at them with a demanding expression, wanting an explanation. Wasn't clearing up the misunderstanding a better solution? They wouldn't have to go through with the wedding and everything would return to normal, with Raya as the true bridetobe.

"II..."

Lunar was confused about what reason to give for her choice to disagree. If she said she didn't want her whereabouts known, which would only result in her being remarried, she would sound like a woman seeking refuge from someone else's future husband.

"Father has made his decision," Arkan said, holding Raya's hand on the table. "You know how my dad is, don't you?"

Raya lowered her head and took a deep breath. She had only been thinking about her own wishes, not considering how Arkan would be perceived if suddenly two women appeared in his life. Not to mention the questions that would arise about his relationship with Damian, his childhood best friend. She also knew that Arkan didn't want to disappoint Damian if their business partnership would be affected.

Raya pursed her lips and touched her hand to the one holding it. "I understand."

Seeing the relationship between the two couples in front of her made Lunar feel even more awkward. Their existence felt like that of a third wheel, something that was never intended. But what could they do when the situation had become so complicated? It wasn't just Arkan who didn't want to be in this situation; she also didn't want to be trapped in a loveless marriage. There were so many things she wanted to do out there, to live a normal life if it weren't for Nico.

Lunar followed the man's footsteps to their new place of residence. She was sandwiched between two tall and slender men. In the deserted alley, the three of them walked, with Arkan as their guide, while Secretary Ham dragged a darkcolored suitcase whose contents were unknown.

The red carpet she had walked on earlier now seemed like a farewell. She felt a tinge of sadness because she would be alone in the apartment. Back at her family's home, there was always someone to talk to. The conversations revolved around her job prospects and marriage, discussions she had been reluctant to engage in. Perhaps, she just missed her parents.

"For now, you'll stay here in the future," Arkan said.

Lunar glanced at the suitcase that had been brought into the room, its door already open. She didn't immediately pay attention to Arkan's words; instead, she entered the apartment, her gaze exploring her new living space. She had expected a modest place since she was just a foreigner, but the reality exceeded her imagination. Arkan had given her a luxurious place to live.

"Thank you, Arkan."

"No need to thank me. I'm doing all this because you'll have the status of... um, my wife," Arkan cleared his throat awkwardly, as it was the first time he referred to Lunar as his wife. He needed to get used to it since Lunar would soon become his wife.

Arkan noticed the black suitcase Secretary Ham had brought earlier. "For now, you can use the clothes in this suitcase. It's too late to buy new clothes. I'm not someone who can always anticipate your needs."

Lunar chuckled at his lighthearted yet endearing words. "I never expected you to anticipate my every need. I'll stay here alone," she said, turning her head to survey the room before pointing in one direction. "With the flower pots, floor tiles, and ceiling."

Arkan shifted his gaze from the flower pot to Lunar. Lunar would be living alone in the apartment, so there was no reason for him to live with her.

"You'll be my wife. Of course, I'll come to this apartment. People will suspect something if I'm not seen entering the place that will be your residence."

"You'll live with me here?"

"Only occasionally."

"Okay."

Secretary Ham received a signal and immediately handed Lunar a pouch containing a cellphone that would facilitate their communication. Lunar eagerly received the new phone, her eyes sparkling as if she had just received a lifeline.

"I've already saved my number and Secretary Ham's number in there. You can contact me only for very important and urgent matters."

The phone rang, and Arkan had to answer the call. However, the ringing abruptly stopped.

"Oh, so it really is your number."

Arkan grumbled in annoyance. "I told you to contact me only for very important and urgent matters."

Lunar paid no attention to the scolding and busied herself with her new phone. There were only Arkan's and Secretary Ham's numbers saved in it, and she had to decide whose number to save.

As Lunar realized that it was time to say goodbye, she quickly pocketed her phone and pushed Arkan and Secretary Ham towards the apartment door.

"It's too late for a visit now."

Arkan didn't argue because it was already very late at night, but he felt annoyance building up inside him at Lunar's suggestion.

"A visit?"

Arkan grinned, eager to argue, but unfortunately, the apartment door slammed shut right in front of him before he could continue.

"This is my apartment! I bought it! And you'll be my wife!" he exclaimed.

"Ccalm down, Sir," Secretary Ham tried to calm him down, avoiding any unnecessary conflict. He guided Arkan to leave immediately.

For the second time, Lunar wore a white wedding dress compared to her wedding dress when she was with Nico. The dress now is more conservative. If she were to run away in the dress she's wearing now, it would be difficult because she can't walk fast. She just has to be careful so she doesn't fall.

Lunar accepted the offer of a helping hand as she approached the groom. She was carefully brought before the priest, and they stood firmly side by side in front of the witnesses. Only then did Lunar's hand escape from the gently gripping hold.

Lunar thought that the man she was about to marry was both ignorant and arrogant, but she could see a caring side to him today. Like just now, Arkan patiently waited for her slow movements.

Maybe... her assumption was wrong. She had almost forgotten that their marriage was meant to deceive everyone. Of course, Arkan would act that way for the sake of their public image.

The wedding vows had been made in front of witnesses. Cheers of joy immediately filled the room. They were married, truly married. It seemed that their deception had been successful.

Suddenly, Lunar's shoulder was turned so that she faced Arkan. She stared as his face came closer to hers. Unable to say anything due to their close proximity, and with her waist embraced and brought close to Arkan's body, they kissed.

"Stay like this for the next ten seconds," Arkan whispered.

It was a fake kiss. They merely closed the distance between their lips, creating the illusion of a kiss. In reality, there was no kissing at their wedding. Nevertheless, Lunar could feel Arkan's breath gently tickling her lips. Why was her heart beating so fast?

Ten seconds passed, and they moved apart. Lunar saw Arkan's smile after the fake kiss, feeling a mix of emotions from their earlier encounter. Their hands remained entwined. It was all fake.

After the event concluded, Lunar and Arkan returned home together in the same car. During the trip, they were silent, lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at the apartment building, they got out and headed inside.

Lunar furrowed her brows, surprised why they hadn't parted yet. Now Arkan was entering the same apartment with her. She felt an itch in her tongue, longing for an answer as soon as possible.

"Are you staying the night today?" she asked.

Arkan threw himself on the sofa, tired from the pretense he had to uphold at the wedding venue. He took off his tie and replied, "Of course not. I'll stay here until Secretary Ham comes back and says that things are under control outside."

"Then, would you like me to make you a drink while we wait for Secretary Ham?" Lunar offered.

"You don't need to bother. I'll take care of it myself. Just do whatever you want. Pretend I'm not here," Arkan said.

Lunar pursed her lips. There shouldn't be anything wrong with fetching the drinks herself. She lifted her dress to walk, but climbing the stairs seemed difficult. Earlier, Secretary Ham had assisted her, but now there was no one she could ask for help except the man who sat on the couch with his head tilted back and his eyes closed.

"Could you help me up the stairs? I can't walk freely in this dress," Lunar requested.

Arkan, who had opened his eyes, noticed the wedding dress she was wearing and took a deep breath. No one could help Lunar except him. Reluctantly, he got up and approached the woman who was struggling.

Arkan lifted Lunar's body lazily, and suddenly, she let out a scream. Lunar wrapped her arms around Arkan's neck tightly to prevent herself from falling.

"Wwhy are you carrying me? Just help me walk like Secretary Ham did earlier. Help me handle this long wedding dress," Lunar exclaimed.

"I don't have much time to support you like before," Arkan replied.

Lunar frowned, trying to understand what she had just heard. Didn't have much time? Arkan had plenty of time until Secretary Ham arrived. It was clear that he was merely making excuses.

Lost in her thoughts, Lunar was shocked when Arkan suddenly threw her onto the bed.

"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed.

"I already helped you. No thanks needed," Arkan responded.

After that, Lunar watched as Arkan left the room. Trying to forget about his odd behavior, she slowly got off the bed. She unbuttoned her wedding gown so she could comfortably enter the bathroom. Inside, she washed herself with warm water, relieving her muscles as if she were receiving a VIP massage.

Arkan glanced alternately at his watch and cellphone. The absence of any word from Secretary Ham indicated that it was not yet time for him to return home. Apart from that, he had also received no news from Raya since their last meeting. Perhaps Raya was still upset about the marriage, causing her great sadness. He wished he could meet Raya and console her.

His thoughts were interrupted when Lunar walked past him. Arkan quickly turned his gaze away. "How can you dress like that when there's a man still in the house?!"

Lunar, who was heading to the kitchen to get a drink, slowed down her movements. She noticed Arkan's disapproval of her current attire—a nightgown to be precise. So, what was wrong with it? She had even worn a covering garment to ensure it wasn't too revealing.

"Don't come in here!" Arkan shouted, trying to shield his eyes with his hands.

"You bought me these clothes. I'm only wearing what you provided," Lunar explained.

Arkan glanced at Lunar, who quickly drank from the glass, before diverting his attention. "Did you take the nightgown from the suitcase?"

Lunar nodded while muttering. She recalled that night when Arkan had said she could wear the clothes in the suitcase. She hadn't expected to find a nightgown there, but considering the suitcase was filled with clothes, she assumed Arkan had a fetish for women's underwear.

Perhaps Arkan was clueless when it came to choosing the right clothes for a woman. She hoped Raya wouldn't experience the same thing, as Arkan might be perceived as a pervert. Fortunately, their relationship was only that of strangers, so it wasn't a major concern for Lunar to know Arkan's true nature.

"I never bought you..." Arkan began, his mind flashing back to the night he came home after accompanying his father's important business client. That night, he was supposed to help Lunar move into the apartment. He was late, but luckily, Lunar was still awake when he arrived.

On their way home, Secretary Ham reminded Arkan about clothes for Lunar. They searched for clothing stores, but unfortunately, only a few were still open. Arkan, not knowledgeable about women's clothing, left everything to the secretary. He never checked what clothes were purchased, never realizing that Secretary Ham had included a nightgown in the suitcase.

Why did Secretary Ham buy Lunar a nightgown? Did Secretary Ham have inappropriate thoughts about Lunar?

Why was he so concerned about it? And why hadn't he considered how caring Secretary Ham was towards Lunar? There must be something about Lunar that Secretary Ham found problematic, Arkan thought.

The ringing of the bell broke his daydream. Their attention shifted, and Lunar went to open the door, while Arkan observed from a distance. He watched as the apartment door swung open, revealing Secretary Ham. Arkan rushed over.

Arkan quickly made Lunar turn her back to prevent Secretary Ham from seeing what had been blocked from view. The wideopen door was closed again. Arkan pressed his hand against it, preventing the secretary from entering the apartment.

Lunar, her back against the door, was startled by the sudden turn of events. She wondered why Arkan was acting so strangely.

"Let me handle this. You better rest in the room. And remember not to casually open the door, especially in the clothes you're wearing," Arkan instructed.

Arkan opened the door only enough to slip out of the apartment, then closed it tightly. Just a meter away, Secretary Ham stood with an astonished expression. It seemed that Arkan had protected Lunar from the secretary's ill intentions.

"We need to talk," Arkan said in a serious tone. "In private." He emphasized the seriousness of the matter.

Secretary Ham maintained the same expression as he watched his boss walk away. Seeing how Arkan spoke, it was evident that they needed to have a serious discussion. Secretary Ham was filled with anxiety, thinking that he had made a grave mistake that required a oneonone conversation. He followed Arkan's steps, exiting the apartment building.

Was he right in suspecting that Secretary Ham had feelings for Lunar? Could it be that Secretary Ham had an unhealthy obsession with secretly giving away such a revealing lingerie?

Arkan never knows what the secretary's love life is like, including the female character Secretary Ham likes, nor does he ask anything about it. Through the Lunar incident, he discovers that his secretary has extreme tastes when it comes to romance.

"You bought Lunar a lingerie?"

Secretary Ham lifted his head, frowning. Lingerie? What was his boss talking about right now? He thought. Those deep frowns faded upon realizing what was being said. He had indeed put the nightie in the suitcase when they had gone to buy clothes for Lunar.

"Yes, Sir." Arkan furrowed his brows deeply.

"Why? I never asked you to buy it. Do you like Lunar and want to see her in that lingerie?"

Secretary Ham shook his head rapidly, denying what he was being accused of. He had no ill intentions at all, not even daring to think of Lunar in a lingerie. Seeing Arkan looking so angry, Secretary Ham became suspicious. He knew that Arkan didn't want the marriage to happen, so why was Arkan's attitude now as if he didn't want him to like Lunar?

Compared to that, Secretary Ham remembered the moment the apartment door had suddenly closed without him even taking a step inside. "Did your wife wear a lingerie?" He asked, wanting to reconfirm his memory.

Arkan loosened his furrowed brows angrily. That attitude made him think that the secretary had seen nothing at the apartment earlier. He placed his hand on Secretary Ham's shoulder, gripped it, and shook it vigorously. "Tell me, what did you see back in the apartment earlier?!"

Secretary Ham was actually afraid of that anger, but he still replied, "I saw a very beautiful... madam," he said as if he was choking himself. Arkan grabbed Secretary Ham by the collar and pushed him until he hit the car. Meanwhile, the person whose position is being threatened is overwhelmed with how to calm the situation. Secretary Ham might run out if the lingerie issue continues.

"II didn't see it very clearly," said Secretary Ham, squinting the other way. "The lingerie was a gift from one of the clothes we purchased. I could swear that I never thought ill of madam."

Arkan loosened his grip and let Secretary Ham off the hook, though he still wasn't calm. "Then, what did you see earlier? You really didn't see anything?"

Secretary Ham was still sticking his body in the car without daring to move from his place. He just moved his head to the right and left, and even then while squinting. "I only saw the same color lingerie as the one you got, Sir. Before I could see more clearly, the apartment door was closed."

Arkan briefly observed Secretary Ham's expression. After making sure that what he heard wasn't a lie, he pushed the secretary aside so he could get into the car. For him, who already got the answer, he finally chose to end the conversation. Not so apparent for Secretary Ham who feels that Arkan and Lunar's closeness is a loophole for him. He, who was just an ordinary person, was too reckless to like his own superior's lover.

Yes, Secretary Ham likes Raya, whom he has always seen as the best woman. He has kept his feelings a secret, not wanting to ruin Raya's happiness with Arkan. It's just that those feelings have become harder to keep under wraps lately, and he really wants to have Raya.

Secretary Ham opened the front cabin door and sat in the driver's seat before starting the engine. The car accelerated at a moderate speed. It was time for them to go home. Meanwhile, Arkan sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window.

"Does Lunar really suit that lingerie, Sir?" Arkan, who had forgotten the topic of discussing lingeries, immediately caught his attention. Why would Secretary Ham ask about Lunar's appearance?

On the other hand, Secretary Ham saw the anxious look, which made him clear up any misunderstandings that might be in Arkan's mind right now.

"I'm thinking of replacing it if you think it doesn't suit her."

Arkan let out a deep breath, then turned his gaze from Secretary Ham back to the window. He had no intention of answering the question. Even so, what was asked made him think back to the incident at the apartment. Only he saw how the dress fit on Lunar's body.

Secretary Ham, who was stealing glances through the mirror, couldn't help but purse his lips. Arkan's face was now turning red, and that made him even happier. The question aimed at provoking feelings succeeded in letting him know how interested Arkan was in Lunar.

Arriving at their destination, Arkan approached where his girlfriend was. Raya was sound asleep in the room with the lights on. He entered the room very carefully, then stood beside the bed before lowering his body so he could see Raya clearly. He gently stroked her cheek while smiling.

Arkan noticed that her eyes were red, and her eyelashes were slightly wet. Even in the corners of her eyes, tears were falling slowly. His thumb rubbed to wipe them away. Looking at her current condition, it seemed that Raya had not stopped crying over his marriage to Lunar.

He slowly moved away from there, then left Raya's room. He closed the door tightly before letting out a heavy sigh. Even though Lunar no longer lived in the same place as them, Raya still felt the pain. If only he could keep Lunar out of his lover's sight, but he couldn't remove Lunar from his life.

Arkan went to his room and opened the wedding clothes that were still untouched. The hand that was unbuttoning the shirt stopped as he chose to stare at the jacket that had fallen off. Then, he sat beside the jacket, bowing his head. Regrets came over and over again. Raya is suffering the most, unwanted marriages, and their longstanding relationship is damaged because of his incompetence.

Now the wedding they were going to hold had to be postponed for the next year. His current status was also Lunar's husband, and no matter what happened, he had to prioritize Lunar. Raya would undoubtedly endure a lot of pain in the future. How could he let the woman he loved get hurt? On the other hand, he was also unwilling to let Raya find happiness with another man. His life was threatened to fall apart from all sides because of Lunar's presence.

The ringing cell phone broke his reverie and triggered his anger. He immediately picked up the call when he found out who was calling. His father's voice could be heard from the other side, very angry while discussing the matter of Lunar living in the apartment. He had predicted in advance how his father would respond but still insisted on moving Lunar.

"Sorry, Dad. I won't listen to you on this matter."

"Is all this because of Raya? Are you arguing with me? You also insisted on marrying her, and now you dare to kick the Gray family's soninlaw out of the house."

In fact, his relationship with Raya was not approved at all. Naturally, Lunar's position was higher in Damien's eyes because now the woman who had officially become his wife was the daughterinlaw of the Gray family, whose position had to be recognized. In contrast, Raya was only considered as his childhood friend.

"Why are you silent? Return Lunar to her proper position quickly! I don't want to hear any bad news about you again!"

"I can't do it, Dad. After all, the person you should hate is Lunar, not Raya. She's the one who ruined your son's life."

The desires of the father and son were like two different poles. One did not want the business to shake even a little and was too panicked to maintain stability, while the other did not want Raya to be within the scope of her marriage to Lunar. It would only cause more pain for Raya in the future.

"You have to do it."

"No, Dad."

"You have to!" The voice on the other end paused. "Okay. I won't force you to bring Lunar back."

Arkan widened his eyes, unable to believe what he was hearing. His father relented, and it was very rare. But it raised suspicions about an attitude he found uncharacteristic. What did his father really want?

"Instead, you should move to the place Lunar is currently occupying. I don't want to hear any more objections!"

Arkan wanted to refuse but had to stop because the phone call was unilaterally cut off. How else was he supposed to make his father understand? He couldn't imagine what it would be like if he had to see the woman who brought chaos to his life every day.

"As my dad gets older, he becomes more and more annoying," Arkan said alone.

Lunar was surprised when several burly men entered the apartment, even though she had been relaxing while watching television earlier. However, her attention was immediately diverted by the scene where Arkan was being dragged around like a suitcase.

"Arkan, what is happening?" Lunar asked, puzzled.

Arkan finally gave up trying to escape from the grip of the guards his father had ordered. The incident occurred when he was on his way home and suddenly intercepted. Despite his attempts to fight back, he was outnumbered and couldn't rely solely on himself and Secretary Ham. It seemed that his father was determined to keep him and Lunar in the same residence.

Arkan shook his hand roughly, freeing himself from the guards' grip. They left the room, and Arkan sat down, feeling frustrated and unable to vent his annoyance.

"I will have to stay with you," Arkan said.

"Wwhat do you mean?"

Lunar was confused because she knew that Arkan didn't want to live with her. However, recent events suggested otherwise. Moreover, if they were to live together, what would happen to Raya?

"My father won't let us live separately," Arkan said, ruffling his hair in frustration. He didn't know how to oppose his father's wishes. He had previously attempted to escape from his father's men, but this time he was caught.

"If you live here, what about Raya?" Lunar asked, raising her head to look at the man who made her head ache. "Do you think I caused all this trouble?"

Arkan stood up and approached Lunar, clenching his teeth. He gripped her shoulder tightly and stared into her dark eyes. "Ever since you came into my life, I haven't found any peace. My relationship with Raya has also been damaged because of you! The marriage was supposed to be between me and Raya, not me and you!"

Lunar, in pain, struggled to escape from his grip. Eventually, she managed to free herself and stumbled back, falling onto the sofa. She tried to avoid Arkan, who continued to press her, leaving her with no escape. All she could do was endure his angry glare that sent shivers down her spine.

"I don't want to live with a woman like you. Why don't you just leave my life? Instead of shamelessly clinging to other people's relationships," Arkan sneered.

"You ran away from your own marriage, only to become a parasite in someone else's relationship?"

Lunar clenched her mouth tightly, trying to hold back her emotions. However, her eyes were burning with anger. She felt humiliated, publicly kicked out for the second time. With all her strength, she pushed Arkan away, creating distance between them. She quickly got up and moved away, avoiding being cornered again.

"You think I want to live with a man like you? Absolutely not! You're not the kind of man I desire! In fact, you're far from what I want!" Lunar shouted as she rushed into the bedroom.

She slammed the door shut, locked it, and sat on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed by indescribable feelings. Her breath quickened, unable to contain the emotions bubbling inside her.

In this unexplainable state, her heart ached, and tears streamed down her face. She had been holding back those tears since her encounter with Arkan, but now they flowed freely, though she made sure no one outside could hear her cries.

Now she was all alone, with no one to support or listen to her. Despite her desperate attempts to find a job, no one gave her a chance to showcase her skills. She wanted to make her parents proud of her abilities, but sadly, she had no support. She felt trapped in a painful situation, unwanted where she currently stood. She had lost all hope.

After finally calming her tears, Lunar stood up, determined not to stay trapped in that difficult situation forever. She had fought against her parents to avoid marrying Nico and believed she deserved a better life.

She washed her face, trying to fix her appearance that had been disheveled from crying. Once she felt presentable, she took a step forward. The main issue between her and Arkan, their marriage, needed to be resolved.

As she stepped out of the room, she noticed that Arkan was nowhere to be found. Only Secretary Ham lay on the couch. Where could that annoying guy be?

Lunar opened the apartment door, hoping to find Arkan outside, but to her surprise, she was greeted by a line of bodyguards guarding the door.

"Do they intend to guard the door forever?" she wondered to herself.

She closed the apartment door slowly, realizing that Arkan must not be allowed to escape. Determined to find him, she started searching for his whereabouts. Could he be playing Rapunzel and attempting to escape through the window? Where could he be hiding? She couldn't find him anywhere.

She entered a room and noticed it was empty and neatly arranged. Her steps led her towards the bathroom to check if Arkan was there. As she passed by a vertical mirror, she took a step back, realizing her disheveled appearance.

"Did I cry for too long?" Lunar massaged her swollen eyes.

"You've had a tough day because of that man," she said to herself, trying to console her wounded heart. She smiled, but the pain behind her eyes remained.

Curiosity led her to the source of a sound, and she turned her back to the bathroom. She was taken aback to see Arkan halfnaked, standing there. She hadn't expected him to be in the bathroom, as she didn't hear the sound of running water.

"What are you doing?" Lunar asked, annoyed.

Arkan looked at her and approached, standing beside her. "I asked you, what are you doing?"

"We can talk later, after you get dressed," Lunar replied, taking a step back. She didn't want to engage in a conversation with a halfnaked Arkan.

"We will talk now," Arkan insisted, sitting at the foot of the bed, waiting for her to speak.

Lunar sighed heavily. "Couldn't you get dressed first? We can talk once you're not flaunting your muscles."

"I'd rather flaunt them. Consider yourself lucky to have free viewing privileges," Arkan teased.

Should Lunar be grateful for that? They had just argued, and the tears that had swollen her eyes were still visible. At least Arkan had apologized for causing her distress, but now he arrogantly and proudly made inappropriate remarks.

Lunar finally gave in and allowed the conversation to take place in the room. "We should end our relationship," she said.

Arkan shifted his position, leaning forward while maintaining eye contact. "You're breaking our agreement." Their marriage was not meant to last long, as they had made a oneyear arrangement.

"I will accept the consequences. You can spread rumors about me having an affair. That way, more people will sympathize with you," Lunar replied.

"And let you face difficulties?" The thought of the hardships Lunar would endure shook Arkan's beliefs. However, Lunar had made her decision to end the marriage, seeking an escape from the sham they had entered into.

"I have to take responsibility for running away from our marriage. After we separate, you can continue your relationship with Raya," Lunar stated, trying to sound resolute.

"I hope so. Unfortunately, my father won't allow it. Until we reach an agreement, you won't be able to leave," Arkan explained.

Arkan stood up and approached Lunar, who was still standing. He held her hand and made them look into each other's eyes.

"You do have to take responsibility. Do you feel trapped, which is why you're considering leaving?"

Lunar did feel trapped, and her decision to leave was a result of that feeling. "If I'm a burden, why keep me? You'd better get rid of this burden," she responded.

Arkan released her hand and stood upright again. Lunar quickly pulled her shirt up slightly to cover her exposed chest.

"Where are you looking?" Lunar asked, annoyed.

Arkan smiled. "I need to buy new clothes for my burden. But before that, could you leave the room?"

"Why?" Lunar inquired.

Arkan gestured towards the towel wrapped around his waist. "Because the free show is over."

Arkan turned and held Lunar's hand, guiding her out of the room. "You can pay if you want to keep watching."

Lunar's face turned red. Did Arkan expect payment in exchange for her seeing him halfnaked? It made no sense!

"I will complain to Raya about this!" Lunar exclaimed as she rushed out of the room, accompanied by Arkan's laughter echoing behind her.

The laughter of that man!

In one of the big shops, Lunar was busy choosing suitable clothes to wear, assisted by several shop employees to make her job easier. She wouldn't be this busy if it weren't for Arkan, who had asked her to buy as much as she could.

The man had said that he didn't want to wait too long for her to choose clothes. Therefore, kindhearted Arkan had agreed to accompany her, as he had been told in the car earlier. Arkan didn't have any other work to do, as the bodyguards faithfully accompanied them.

"The clothes you're wearing right now are perfect," said one of the employees, showing joy on their face.

Lunar just replied with a tired smile. She was too exhausted to change clothes. She glanced at the clothes still hanging in the employee's hand, forming a long line. She had to try them all on to make sure they fit her body.

But... wasn't this a bit too much? She couldn't hold back any longer at this rate. Could she figure out a way to finish trying on all the clothes as soon as possible? Just seeing the number of clothes lined up gave her a headache. She was busy here, obeying a man who was relaxing over there. It was annoying.

"You can pack them all. Just tell him I've got everything. I'm pretty sure everything suits me. Hurry up and pack them for me," Lunar pleaded while gently pushing the employees one by one.

In the end, all the employees did as their main customer asked. Lunar was getting ready for Arkan's approaching arrival.

"Are you done? I'm tired of waiting for you. You've been taking too long."

Who had caused everything to take so long? If it weren't for her trying on all the clothes, they would have gone home a long time ago. Lunar was really annoyed now and wanted to scratch the face of the man who didn't feel guilty after creating this situation.

Lunar accidentally saw a woman behind Arkan while talking. She immediately turned around, using Arkan as a hiding place.

"Why did I have to meet Sora at a time like this?" Lunar thought.

Arkan was stunned to see Lunar holding onto him and not letting go when he tried to get away.

"What are you doing? Don't waste my time. We should go back."

Arkan, who was about to leave, was stopped by Lunar. She grabbed his arm and led him into the locker room. It would be a safe place where they wouldn't be noticed, at least until Sora was no longer in the store.

"Why did you pull me into this narrow room?" Arkan looked displeased.

Arkan, who was about to leave, was prevented by Lunar's hand holding onto the door. He gulped nervously as Lunar blocked his way with both hands. Was the woman in front of him really crazy? Taking him to a narrow room and trapping him with her hands.

"Ssstt..." Lunar hissed, placing her index finger on his lips, trying to listen to the sounds outside.

Arkan took a deep breath. They were very close, which only frustrated him more. What did this crazy woman want from him? And why was his heart beating so fast? It must be because of the stuffy oneandahalfmeter room, right? No. Actually, this locker room had a special air conditioner. Maybe it was because they had entered the room in a hurry earlier.

Lunar could hear a conversation between an employee and a customer. From where she was standing now, she could hear Sora's voice. Her sister seemed very happy, with a more graceful laugh than what Lunar was used to hearing.

Lunar moved to the other side while observing herself in the mirror. "The customers out there are my sister," she said.

Arkan, who had been relieved, finally stood straight. But what he had just heard clearly troubled him. Lunar had a sister? He had never really known much about Lunar's life because he thought their relationship would eventually end.

"That's great, isn't it? You get to meet your sister."

Lunar smiled briefly before the smile faded from her lips. "I miss Sora and our parents, but it seems the longing feeling can't be cured. They must be very angry and disappointed that I ran away from the wedding. Perhaps, they feel ashamed because of my actions. You would laugh at me if you knew the reason I ran away from the marriage. Nico slept with another woman while we were getting married. Isn't that ridiculous?"

In fact, only Lunar smiled broadly after sharing the pain she was experiencing. For Arkan, what he had just heard couldn't be met with a big smile.

It was unimaginable what it would be like if he were in Lunar's position. The thought of Raya having an affair would hurt him deeply, just like how Lunar felt.

"Don't you know whose wife you currently are?"

Arkan pulled a woman who wasn't too far from his reach closer to him. "You don't need to hide. Take advantage of me during our one year of marriage, just like I used you. At least, I'm more handsome and richer than your Nico, and I can make him regret having an affair behind your back."

Without warning, he led Lunar out of the dressing room. They were immediately confronted by a woman who was most likely Sora. Arkan tenderly embraced Lunar, paying no mind to the stares directed at them.

"LLunar?" Sora was shocked, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Lunar was speechless when suddenly faced with the person she wanted to avoid. She was also surprised by Arkan's treatment. The man held her waist tightly, as if not allowing her to escape. Her eyes widened even more when she saw Nico approaching from behind Sora.

That treacherous man dared to appear before her. She still couldn't accept what had happened on her wedding day; it had hurt her deeply. Only now could she fully comprehend Arkan's earlier words. She really had to take advantage of their marriage to make Nico regret what he had done.

"Aren't you Lunar?" Nico, who had just arrived, frowned.

Lunar chuckled at Nico's words. It seemed that so many women lined up that he couldn't recognize her face. It was truly sad, and it would be even sadder if she hadn't run away from the wedding.

"Yes, I'm Lunar. Are you having trouble remembering me, Nico?"

"What are you doing here, Lunar?"

Sora, engulfed in shock, interrupted the conversation between the former couple. She glanced at the man standing next to her sister, their embrace so tight it only confused her more.

"And who is this man?"

As far as Sora knew, her sister didn't have a close male friend, let alone a handsome man with a neat appearance. She, who had often seen her husband's business partners and had visited famous shops, could tell the difference between an ordinary appearance and a classy one. From her current perspective, it was clear that the man embracing her sister was wealthy. She might not be able to afford what he was wearing.

Lunar stuttered, unsure of how to explain the situation where she was married. Should she say that Arkan was her husband? But if Sora found out, she would surely not stay silent, and their parents would also be surprised by the news of her marriage. What should she do now?

"I never thought I would meet Lunar's sister. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Arkan, Lunar's husband."

"HHusband?" Sora and Nico said in unison.

Sora spoke first, "Lunar, did I hear that right? You're married?"

"Yes, I'm married to Arkan."

"HHow is that possible? We need to talk." Sora pulled her sister away to talk privately.

Meanwhile, Arkan and Nico were left alone. The atmosphere suddenly turned tense as they shook hands. The surrounding employees could sense the tension and refrained from mentioning that the purchases had been wrapped up. They chose to wait until the man finished his business.

"Are you really married to Lunar?" Nico still seemed to struggle to believe the news of the wedding.

"Don't you have a TV or anything? You seem to have missed some important news." Arkan let go of the handshake. "Everyone knows that Arkan Gray is married."

Nico stared. Who didn't know a wellknown business owner in their city? All this time, he had only known the name Damien Gray as someone who was already rich. He had no idea that the man had an heir. How could Lunar be connected to a wealthy family with a sevengeneration legacy?