Chapter 8 — "The Contracted Vows" 💍💔✨️
Jay's POV 💐🕊️
I woke up to the sound of Zia's voice shouting across the bridal suite.
"Wake up, future Mrs. Watson!" she chirped, way too cheerful for a morning like this.
I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. "Don't call me that." My voice came out muffled.
Because truth be told… I didn't feel like a bride today.
My heart wasn't racing with excitement. It was just heavy. So, so heavy.
Yesterday's argument still echoed in my chest.
Keifer's words. My silence. The way he looked at me like I'd broken something sacred between us.
And now, I was supposed to walk down an aisle and marry him… not out of love, not even forgiveness—but contract.
A one-year contract. A deal between two families.
And yet, somehow, it still hurt like a real heartbreak. 💔
"Jay, come on," Kristin said, adjusting my makeup brushes and curling iron like a pro. "It's your wedding day. You need to smile."
I managed a small laugh. "A business smile or a real one?"
She froze for a second, her eyes softening. "Maybe… a mix of both?"
I nodded. That sounded right. Fake it until it feels real, right?
Hours later, the room was filled with silk gowns, perfume, and soft chaos. Emma zipped up my dress—a golden-white gown that shimmered like sunlight on champagne. The same gown Keifer had seen at the boutique, the one that had made him stare for a second too long before pretending he wasn't impressed.
I remembered his words then:
> "It's a nice dress. But don't get used to compliments from me."
Typical Keifer. Arrogant. Teasing. Impossible.
I bit my lip, holding back the ache.
The makeup artist stepped back. "You're ready, ma'am."
I turned toward the mirror.
There she was—Jasper Jean Mariano, soon-to-be Jasper Jean Watson. Hair pinned perfectly, veil cascading like a dream. A bride who looked like she had everything… except peace.
I forced a smile and whispered, "Let's get this over with."
---
Keifer's POV 💍🔥
"Sir, your tie," Rory said, trying not to laugh as he watched me struggle with it for the third time.
"I can handle it," I muttered, glaring at my reflection in the mirror.
But the truth was, I couldn't. Not the tie, not the day, not this whole mess.
I looked sharp, sure—black tux, cufflinks gleaming, hair styled perfectly. But inside? I was chaos.
I hadn't talked to Jay since that morning when she'd brought me breakfast and left saying she'd lost her appetite. That single line had burned into my mind.
She looked heartbroken that day, and I hated that I'd caused it. But my pride—ugh, my stupid pride—kept me silent.
"Hey," Josh said, clapping my shoulder. "You ready for this?"
"Yeah," I lied.
He grinned. "One-year deal, huh? Don't look so gloomy, man. At least she's hot."
I glared at him, but deep down, his words hit a nerve.
Because that's what this was—a deal. A one-year marriage to strengthen the Watson-Mariano partnership.
One year of pretending to be husband and wife.
One year of shared addresses, dinners, photos, and fake smiles for the press.
And yet, one glance at her yesterday—tears shimmering in her eyes—and I knew this wouldn't be easy.
It wasn't just a deal anymore. Not for me.
The wedding coordinator knocked. "Mr. Watson, it's time."
I nodded, straightening my tie (finally). "Let's go sign my heart away," I muttered under my breath.
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Jay's POV 💐💔
The soft notes of the piano filled the grand hall. Golden petals lined the aisle, and every camera lens was fixed on me as I walked forward, each step heavier than the last.
Keifer was there—standing at the altar in his tux, looking like he stepped out of a magazine. Calm, composed, unreadable.
Our eyes met for a second.
No smile. No warmth. Just silence.
The silence said it all.
> "We're strangers in love's disguise."
When I reached him, he offered his hand out of pure formality. I placed mine in his, feeling the tension in his grip.
The priest began.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Keifer Watson and Jasper Jean Mariano…"
Every word felt like a sentence carved in stone.
I wasn't listening. Not really. My eyes kept darting to his.
He stood there so still—jaw clenched, eyes dark, pretending nothing was wrong.
And when it was time for the vows, we both hesitated.
---
Keifer's POV 💍🔥
The priest looked at me first.
"Mr. Keifer Watson, do you take Jasper Jean Mariano to be your lawfully wedded wife…"
His voice faded for a second. My mind was blank.
Then I said the words that felt more like signing a contract than a promise.
> "I do."
No emotion. No smile. Just duty.
The priest nodded and turned to her.
"Miss Jasper Jean Mariano, do you take Keifer Watson to be your lawfully wedded husband…"
Jay's lips parted slightly. She looked at me—really looked at me—for a moment, like she was searching for something behind my mask.
Then, softly but firmly, she said,
> "I do."
Our voices didn't tremble.
But our eyes did.
---
Jay's POV 💔🌸
When the priest announced, "You may kiss the bride," my heart froze.
Keifer leaned closer—not too close, just enough for the cameras. His breath brushed against my cheek, but he didn't touch my lips. Instead, he whispered just for me to hear:
> "Let's make this deal work, Mrs. Watson."
My breath hitched. I whispered back,
> "A deal it is, Mr. Watson."
And then, in front of everyone, he kissed my forehead instead.
The crowd cheered. Cameras flashed.
To them, it looked like love. To us, it was business.
---
Keifer's POV 🌙💔
When she walked beside me down the aisle as my wife, applause echoing around us, I forced a polite smile for the guests.
She looked breathtaking in gold and white, her hand barely brushing mine.
But every time I looked at her, I felt the sting of everything we didn't say.
Love wasn't part of the deal.
But the ache in my chest said otherwise.
---
Jay's POV 💐✨️
The reception was a blur of champagne, laughter, and endless congratulations.
Everyone called us the perfect couple.
We danced, smiled for photos, played our roles.
But when the music faded and everyone clapped, I caught his eyes again.
And in that silent glance across the ballroom, I realized something:
Sometimes, the coldest vows burn the brightest.
And sometimes… a deal can break you more than love ever could. 💔💍✨️
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🌸✨️End of Chapter 8✨️🌸