"Out of the question." "B-But there's a very high chance I'll fail the interview and you won't get a promotion," I stammered. Loid closed his eyes; he was NOT happy with the discussion at hand, though I felt it was one we needed to have. He took a moment to formulate his retort to me, keeping his eyes shut the whole minute. "Mrs. Forger, I won't even entertain the idea of an annulment. I knew perfectly well what I was doing when I asked you to marry me." "But the interview….." I began but he cut me off. We were having tea at the same café as yesterday; I think Loid thought it a good idea that we be seen together in public around my old workplace, just in case. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and gave me a decided stare. "I already told you, don't worry about the interview. There's still time. Everything will be ready and in order by then." "But what if we're not? We can still….." And he shot me a look which told me to "shut up", though I doubt he'd ever say that to me.

"Enough. I've made my decision; this union stands. This conversation is over," he stated with finality. I sighed, lowering my shoulders a tad. Well, I guess that settles it; he doesn't seem the least bit concerned that the interview most likely won't go smoothly. He did say when we first met that his bosses had been pressuring him to get hitched for a while now. Maybe there's more benefit to our marriage than a simple promotion….. To be honest, I didn't even know why he was so eager to secure an advancement anyway; he already had a really good job and obviously earned a lot of money. What more could he want in his career? More prestige? More political power? I have no clue….

Loid must have noticed me staring half at him, half into space contemplatively. I wasn't really paying direct attention to him anymore, but that changed when he grinned at me. Again, I had yet to see him actually smile, but it was reassuring to see he wasn't mad at me for running out the shop earlier. It was the first place we went as a couple, after all…..

My husband relaxed his shoulders and stirred his tea nonchalantly. "Everything will be alright; you need not worry yourself over this." "But that lady said….." "Forget what she said. I know we'll be ready in time. There's no doubt in my mind whatsoever." "Loid…." I whispered in awe to myself. He's being so nice and consoling; it kind of…. made me happy.

Neither of us caught on right away, but that was my first time calling him by his name. Loid's eyes widened suddenly, and I immediately flinched in realization. What?! Did I really just…..? Well what else am I supposed to call him? "Mr. Forger" just sounds too detached and formal. But….. My heartbeat steadily rising, my clenched hand lifted up to my chest shy and embarrassed. Loid also seemed genuinely startled, as if it never occurred to him that I could or would say his name, at least out loud. We both that there in this sudden aura of gentle awkwardness, unable to meet the other's gaze momentarily.

The palpable tension was released when Loid cleared his throat, purposefully so. His eyes veered away for a second and he began shuffling through his interior coat pocket. "I-I almost forgot….." This was my first time hearing him stutter. The man who is usually so calm and collected was fumbling with his words. It was so charming…. I blinked has he proceeded to pull out a little box. Anyone would know what it is instantly. Still not looking me in the eye, he glanced down at the box in his hand. "I got this for you."

Opening the box's lid revealed a cute small ring inside. There weren't any stones but a simple gold band. I liked it despite its simplicity; there was nothing to hide with its design. It sent a clear, straight-forward message: this woman is married. My cheeks were already colouring.

Loid plucked the ring out of the box and put the box on the table. Then with his free hand he reached over to take mine. His grin returned as he did so, concentrating on slipping the ring onto the right finger. I felt like fainting the whole time, this was so wonderful. The gold felt cool on my ring finger. My husband waited to speak until it was on.

"No more talk about annulling the marriage. Even in sickness, or in sadness…. No matter what hardships await us…" My lips trembled as he put his other hand over top of mine, clasping my left hand in both of his. Our eyes drifted up to reach each other's. If I didn't know any better, I'd think Loid was doing his upmost not to blush himself right now. My whole face meanwhile was a solid beet red. His eyes lowered slightly. "Let us be there for one another."

I said nothing- I could say nothing- merely gawking up at him in pure astonishment. It was probably the most romantic moment in my life thus far; no one had ever talked to me like that before….. or cradled my hand like that. The moment was interrupted by a pair of servers nearby snickering at us. Both Loid and I flinched, like reality was hitting us again, and we looked simultaneously at our caressing hands. Ripping our stares off each other, our heads shot in opposite directions and our hands immediately retracted. My newly banded hand joined the other on my lap, rolled into tight, sweaty fists. My heart was pounding so loud, I could hear it in my ears. So that settles it then; Loid doesn't want to get our married annulled, even though I gave him the opportunity too. We're going to remain married, as husband and wife… My lips curled into an unconscious smile.

Why do I feel so utterly relieved all of a sudden?