In a luxury car, a young man was sitting, dressed in winter clothes — slightly loose trousers, boots, a warm beanie, and over it, a puffy jacket. He glanced at the girl sitting beside him. She wore a long brown coat, trousers that were neither too wide nor too tight, black winter boots from which her socks could be seen, and a knitted warm scarf wrapped around her neck. Her eyes looked innocent.
He looked at her with a cold face.
> "If you tell anyone about us, you can't imagine what will happen to you. I'll get off before you so no one will suspect anything."
Then he spoke to the driver:
> "Just drop me off here."
Before she could say a word, he had already stepped out. She watched him leave and waved her hand behind him in a small "goodbye" gesture.
A few minutes later, the same car stopped in front of a large university — Arcannova University. She got out, feeling excited. The weather was cloudy, and the ground was wet.
The driver said,
> "Azilya, take an umbrella, my dear. It's going to rain today."
She replied with energy and cheerfulness,
> "It doesn't look like it will rain. Go home safely, and don't come back for me, because I'll be going out with my friends later."
She started walking, but only a few minutes passed before two hands suddenly turned her around.
One belonged to a girl dressed in a boyish style — wide jeans, a beanie, and a leather jacket. Her hair was so short that the front fell onto her forehead like bangs. The other girl wore a white winter skirt, a white sweater, and a pink winter hat. She had long black boots and was wearing a bit of heavy makeup. She looked very feminine.
Azilya stood between them, dressed in clothes that were neither too girly nor too boyish.
The girls exclaimed excitedly,
> "Tell us quickly what happened!"
Azilya raised her hands to calm them.
> "Calm down first."
Then, with a straight face, she held out her hand in front of them and said,
> "I got engaged."
The girls screamed, grabbed each other's hands, and started shouting until they realized everyone was staring at them. Embarrassed but smiling, Azilya tucked her hair behind her ears, put her arms around their shoulders, and they walked toward the lecture hall door.
As they reached it, Azilya said,
> "Wait for me when I'm done. I'll tell you all the details."
---
Two hours later
The girls were waiting outside her lecture hall. Azilya looked at them and smiled. When the professor dismissed the students, she ran out quickly, making people turn to look at her. She came up behind them and wrapped her arms around them.
> "Let's go quickly to the cafeteria. We'll eat and talk about what happened," she said.
The short-haired girl said,
> "You're engaged to the CEO of Novalux, and you still take us to the cafeteria?"
The other girl smacked her on the head.
> "You only think about food."
Then, smiling, she added,
> "You're taking us shopping, right?"
Azilya pushed them forward,
> "I got engaged to him, not to his money. I'm still poor."
---
They reached the cafeteria, got their food, and sat down. The girls leaned forward eagerly.
> "Tell us what happened."
Azilya looked at them with her innocent eyes.
> "My mother used to work at Mr. Koto's mother's house. I don't know what happened, but his mother wants me to marry him. I had no idea until yesterday, when she told us, 'You two are getting engaged.' After I finish my break and he completes his doctorate at the end of the year, we'll have the wedding — and it's happening this week."
The short-haired girl frowned.
> "That's strange. What was his reaction?"
Azilya's eyes grew tired.
> "He refused. He said he didn't want to marry me at all. But his mother gave him a choice — marry me, or she would never speak to him again. What do you think, Misa? Will he love me and accept me over time?"
Misa (the short-haired one) teased,
> "Of course! If he doesn't love you, who will? Where would he find another beautiful, smart girl like you? What do you think, Karla?"
Karla wrapped an arm around Azilya's back.
> "Of course, our beautiful, smart daughter will win his heart. He's lucky to have you in his life."
They all laughed together until Misa's phone rang. The caller ID read Laurent. She hung up without answering.
A moment later, someone pulled a chair and sat down.
Karla asked,
> "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."
Azilya smiled,
> "Hi, Laurent."
Misa frowned,
> "Why did you come?"
Laurent smiled at Azilya,
> "How are you?"
Misa, teasing, replied,
> "None of your business. Hahaha."
Karla sighed,
> "Don't start again."
Misa asked casually,
> "Where have you been these past few days? So much has happened while you were gone."
Laurent looked at them curiously. The girls smiled at each other. Azilya lifted her finger,
> "I got engaged."
Laurent froze in shock. They told him what happened.
Just then, Azilya's phone rang. The screen said My Husband. She smiled shyly, and they leaned closer to listen.
His cold voice came through:
> "Come quickly. I'm waiting next to the university gate."
She grabbed her bag, kissed them on the cheeks, and hurried off. They smiled as they watched her leave.
---
Outside, she found the car waiting. She quickly got in. He was still sitting in the same position, wearing a formal suit.
Without looking at her, he said coldly,
> "Stop with these childish acts. I'm busy. I have work. Next time, come home with the driver. Don't make my mother call me again."
She gently placed her hand over his.
> "I told him there's no need to pick me up. I can come home by myself."
He pulled his hand away and started driving. She looked at him warmly.
> "Did you finish your studies today and then go to work? You're so hardworking. I wish I were like you — I study for just a few hours and get tired."
He replied calmly,
> "Be quiet. Don't bother me."
She smiled.
> "Sorry."
Then she turned to watch the heavy rain outside.
---
When they arrived home, they were greeted by a slightly older woman who still looked youthful. She came with a smile and hugged Azilya warmly. Azilya smiled and hugged her back.
> "Where were you, Azilya? I was worried when you didn't come home on time. I thought something happened."
Azilya smiled.
> "Sorry, Aunt Sora, I was with my friends."
Then she leaned closer to her ear, grinning.
> "I told them about our engagement."
Lady Sora laughed and lightly tapped her shoulder.
> "Good, good. Let's get out of the cold."
---
One week later
Azilya sat in a hall wearing a bright white wedding dress. The bodice was sweetheart-shaped, decorated with fine bead and pearl embroidery that sparkled with every movement. The sleeves were sheer tulle, embroidered and ending halfway down her arms. Her waist was cinched with a thin crystal belt, followed by a wide skirt of layered soft tulle that flowed to the floor with a long, elegant train.
Her friends entered excitedly, with Laurent behind them. Karla wore a long pink strapless dress with bold makeup, while Misa was in jeans and a black blouse. Azilya smiled nervously, her hands trembling, and hugged and kissed them.
Misa smiled,
> "Take a deep breath. Don't be scared. Everything will be fine."
Karla teased,
> "Today, he's going to eat you alive."
Azilya's eyes widened in shock, and her cheeks turned red. Karla and Misa burst out laughing.
Blushing, Azilya said,
> "Stop it. Don't say things like that."
Laurent jumped in to save her from more teasing,
> "So, the youngest of us is getting married before anyone else. One of us is leaving the group."
Azilya gave a bright, warm smile.
> "Don't worry, I won't—"
She didn't finish because Misa grabbed his ear.
> "Shut up. Who said we're splitting up? We'll stay together until we all die."
They hugged again.
Then a woman's voice called,
> "It's time for you to go out, miss. The groom is waiting outside."
Azilya looked at her friends who had supported her. She walked out the front door, while they went out the back.
In front of her stood Koro, dressed in black. He didn't look at her, while she stared at him and said,
> "You look handsome."
He didn't respond. They went straight inside, where everyone clapped for them. They reached the signing table and completed the marriage papers. The crowd cheered happily.
Then they started chanting,
> "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
He looked annoyed, grabbed her by the wrist, and walked out — leaving everyone shocked.
Lady Sora tried to ease the atmosphere,
> "He's just eager to be with her. You know how young men are these days."
People laughed, except for Azilya's friends, who were still surprised by his behavior.
In a large apartment, Azilya was taking off her shoes while Koro removed his tie angrily, tossing aside his jacket and shirt. He walked over and grabbed her wrist.
With cold boredom in his voice, he said,
>
"Do you really think after our marriage we'll be a happy, normal couple? I told you to back out. I warned you many times. You're the one who wanted trouble — so deal with what's coming."