A/N: Inspired by a Buzz Feed video about single people getting married for a week xD so ya... it's basically a story about Karma and Manami getting married as pretty much complete strangers to each other and then maybe... eventually... falling in love with each other xD Prepare for some border-line M rated moments, a little bit of fan-service here and there, and ALL THE AWKWARDNESS of getting to know each other (the characters that is) xD
I hope that you enjoy this story xD
The Married Life
In the twenty one years that I have been alive, never have I once even been interested in someone of the opposite gender - in a romantic, or sexual way that is. But I'm not into girls. Trust me, my friends have tried to set me up with girls and boys before, and failed. For some reason, it's like I have this immunity against all of those mushy, warm and tingly feelings that come with a little something called 'love'.
And now.. I am getting married to a man who I don't even know. It was my father's idea to arrange my marriage to his old high school friend Akabane's son, Karma. Of course, father convinced his friend that this marriage could tie their families together, allowing the Akabanes to manage the financial area of my father's hotel company, giving them a fifty percent profit.
It was the perfect deal. Both get a new 'heir', and business partner while becoming rich off of each other while still actually finding the other person pleasant outside of business, therefore fortifying their trust with an almost 0 percent chance of betraying each other and going separate ways.
If only I could be happy, and not scared shitless of this mysterious man I'm marrying. I've only seen a picture of him so far. He's got fiery red hair, and piercing copper coloured eyes. From what I'm told, his name fits him all too well. No one will tell me anything more than that. I can only assume that he's all about trouble. A bad person.
Mother wouldn't let me marry someone she thought to be bad. That's all the reassurance I need to go through with this. Because it's what they want, I just have to suck it up, repeat what the pastor says, say I do, suffer through a kiss in front of everyone I know and- oh god I'm terrified.
"You look beautiful!"
I jump, opening my eyes, blinking a few times at my reflection in the mirror. Behind me is my mother, and a few bridesmaids, my best friends Yukiko and Akari. My mother is dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, smiling proudly. "You're getting married! Oh, are you nervous?"
"Mm, just a little bit." I smile, turning around in my chair.
Akari is doing my hair, pinning up curls with bobby pins and rearranging them again. Yukiko finishes painting my nails on one hand, and then moves onto my other hand. Today is the special day, and my best friends are going all out, making me look like a princess and gushing over how beautiful I'll look once I'm in the dress.
The dress. I grimace, thinking about how I'm going to have to put it on, and put on.. heels. Those pointy little stilts that slip onto a ladies feet, meant to test her sense of balance and pain endurance. Ugh.
"Don't worry, before you know it, the ceremony will be over, five years will have passed and you'll have a little one running around your house!" Mother sighed, smiling at me. "You used to be my precious little angel - you still are, but now you're leaving the nest and building your own with your husband-to-be Karma."
"Right," I smiled cheerfully. "I can't wait!"
Actually I could. But..to put a damper on my own mother's good mood would be absolutely horrible. So I'll just act excited and bubbly for now. Who knows, maybe this man will be the one who makes my heart flutter?
Yeah right.
"There, hair and make-up done!" Yukiko and Akari giggle, turning the chair around, so I once again faced the mirror. My hair's been curled, and put half-up, and my make-up is really light.. pretty.
"Thank you," I smile at them both.
"Oh, let's put you into the dress now!"
"How much time do we have left?"
"An hour - maybe two."
Oh boy, now comes the dress.
A pure white dress, strapless with a heart shaped top covered in sparkles, while the bottom is a ball gown style with silver silk stitched in the hem. Matched with a pair of white, three inch heels, diamond earrings and a veil of course.
By the time I've finished getting into my dress and the horrible heels, it's almost time for the wedding. The girls get their bridesmaid dresses on, light blue dresses, short with heart shaped tops as well, and a tulip bottom, meant to compliment their figures. Lastly, we have the flowers - white carnations.
"Come on, it's time to go!" Akari exclaims excitedly, grabbing my hand. "We need to go downstairs, and meet with the groomsmen."
The girls giggle, chatting away as we exit the room and walk down stairs to just outside of the chapel. My father is waiting there, and he smiles at me, offering his arm. He looks happy, but I can't help but feel that he's sad as well. I wonder what he's thinking?
"Count to five after Nagisa and I go through the doors, and then make your entrance! Just like we've practiced." Akari whispers, giving my hand a squeeze. She stands beside Nagisa, a blue haired man, the groom's best man, and they go through the doors.
It's starting already, and I hardly even noticed. Oh, now I've got a sick feeling in my stomach. It's like when you're on a roller coaster, as you reach the highest point the tension rises as you just wait for the fall downhill, and there's just a slight pause before suddenly your insides are trying to catch up with the rest of your body... Ugh. I want this roller coaster ride to end quickly and painlessly.
Father and I are walking down the aisle now, and the people in the pews stand, and the groom at the alter turns around to face this way. He's rather tall - taller than father, and has brilliant red hair slicked back. His eyes are even fiercer than I imagined, they're lively, and more golden than coppery - or maybe it's just the sunlight pouring through the windows that makes them appear that way. His smile... it's wide, forced, passive maybe?
Father let's go of my arm, and now I'm standing beside this guy. No, tension building, roller coaster, waiting for the drop.
"Do you, Akabane Karma take Okuda Manami to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
Oh god his voice.
His voice is smooth, low, gentle. It sends shivers down my spine.
"-your lawfully wedded husband?"
Crap. Paying attention now.
"I d-do."
Shit, now I am stuttering. I got rid of that habit years ago, and now it's resurfacing at the worst possible time. Ok, slow down. Pay attention, say your words slowly. Take a deep breath, and forget about the two hundred people watching you. Easier said than done.
"Repeat after me,"
And now we're repeating vows to each other.
"In sickness and in health,"
"In sickness and in health,"
I take my turn and repeat those over-used vows, put on the rings and then..
"You may now kiss the bride."
He lifts the veil, and he kisses me.
I've got to say, that it was nice. Soft, warm. Kind of weird, because it's my first time trying it. But I think he clearly knows what he's doing, because within seconds I feel dizzy and breathless as he pulls away.
Pretty soon he's taken my hand is running down, dragging me along beside him.
Holy crap, I am now married to a guy I don't know.