Chapter 10

“How long will it take?” Nova asked the personnel in the window.

“Under normal circumstances, it will take three to five working days,” the personnel replied nonchalantly as she typed in the details on the computer.

“Is there a way to make it fast?”

“The fastest would be three days. Are you in a hurry to get married?”

Nova tapped her fingers on the counter.

“Yes. I’m willing to pay more so—”

“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but we’re not allowed to do that,” the personnel said apologetically.

She heaved a sigh and turned in the other window where Aldous was still on queue. Aside from requesting a certificate of no marriage, he also needs a copy of his birth certificate. It would be a hassle for him to go back to the province where he lives just to get his copy. And he planned to go home after marriage. He needed to be there when his mother is recuperating from the operation. Nova thought he was such a good son. His mother was lucky to have a son like him.

“Here’s your receipt. We will message you once your request is processed.”

She picked the receipt from the counter and waited for Aldous near the exit.

As she waited for him, she took her phone out and called Gianna.

“Did Mrs. Roxas show up today?” Nova asked her friend the moment she answered her call.

“Nope,” Gianna responded swiftly. “I think she will show up on our last day and kick us out. You know what? I’m too worried about our situation right now. Where are you now, Nova? I wonder what you are up to. Care to tell me?”

“I’m sorry if I can’t be there with you right now.” She let out a sigh. “I’m busy with the wedding preparations right now—”

“Wait. What?” There was a hint of disbelief in her friend’s voice. “How could you—”

“Gianna, listen to me first, okay.” She went out of the waiting lounge and try to find a spot far from the noise. “I need to get married to claim the inheritance. That’s why I’m in a rush now.”

“But whether you rush it or not, we’re out of time.”

“I know. But I have a backup plan.”

“And what is it?”

“I’ll tell Mrs. Roxas that I’ll buy her entire land. Maybe if I give her a down payment, she will agree to give me an extension.”

“I don’t know, Nova. That woman is somewhat stone-hearted.” She laughed at her friend’s remark. “Why are you laughing? It’s not even funny.”

“Come on, Gianna. Loosen up a bit.”

“How can I loosen up when we’re about to be kicked out?”

“I hope I can transfer some of my positivity in you. Of course, I won’t let it happen. When did I let our babies down?” At the corner of her eye, she saw Aldous walking towards her. Finally, he was done with his agenda. “Call me if anything happens. Bye for now.” Nova ended the call and pocketed her phone before turning in Aldous’s direction. “Are you done?”

“Yes.” He wagged the sheet of paper in front of her.

“Good. Let’s go to the mall then. We need to buy you some clothes. You can’t wear my clothes forever.” She held him by the hand and tugged him out of that place.

But he remained standing on the same ground. She abruptly turned to face him, then her eyes lowered on their hands. Was it wrong to hold him like that?

“I-I’m sorry.” She freed him. “Maybe we should add a clause to our contract that states no other physical contact, except in times of accidents. What do you think?” Nova tried to laugh, and it sounded awkward.

She did not get any response from him.

***

There was this awkward silence between them since they got on her car until they were strolling at the mall. Nova did not know how many times they had been strolling, looking for a stall to buy his clothes. It looked like they were just window shopping. And she could not take it any longer, so she had to speak to him frankly.

“You know what, I think we’re just wasting our time—”

“Let’s go inside the department store. There will be lots of options there.” Aldous walked past her and headed to the place he mentioned.

She remained on the spot where he left her and sneered. As time flies by, they were together, Nova was starting to see what kind of person he was. Just like any other men that she had met, Aldous was somewhat flawed. To her astonishment, it did not bother her. Was it a sign that there are going to click? Well, it better be. Because she has no spare time to waste.

When Aldous realized that she did not follow, he turned in her direction with furrowed brows. She just laughed at that and caught up with him.

They headed to the men’s apparel section. Nova just lets him choose whatever he wants. Not because they were about to be husband and wife, she has the right to do such thing for him. Their marriage was not ordinary. It will be just on paper. They might be living on the same roof, but they will consider each other as housemates, or maybe business partners suit them best.

“What do you think of these?” Aldous asked all of a sudden, pulling her out of reverie.

“E-eh?” She looked at him. He was holding a powder blue long sleeves shirt.

“Do you think it will look good on me?” He rummaged the clothes on the rack. Perhaps looking for another color. “I’m going to wear this on our wedding day.”

They were about to have a civil wedding. Nova already asked a friend’s help who works as a paralegal to help her find a lawyer that can officiate their wedding. It would be better to keep it private and simple. The marriage will only last for a year.

“You better fit that one so I can assess it,” Nova muttered as she ran her fingers through the hangers on the rack across her.

“Ah, right.”

She thought Aldous would go to the fitting room on his own, but he suddenly grabbed her hand and tugged her. She did not pull her hand nor react. There was no time for that because her mind was busy processing why her heartbeat suddenly changed its rhythm the moment his hand touched hers. That little organ seemed ecstatic it hammered hard against her chest. Truth be told, Nova had never felt that way before. The only thing that makes her heart race in the past few years was panic. And even though she was familiar with that kind of feeling, she chose not to give it a name. Ignoring it was the best option because she was scared.

“You can’t bring me inside the fitting room,” she told him when she saw the signage of the fitting area.

He laughed and let go of her hand upon reaching the door. Then, he went inside the fitting room.

Nova sat on a bench, and she waited for him. She kept herself busy with her phone when a pair of shoes appeared in her line of vision. It stopped right just in front of her. She was sure it was not Aldous. With furrowed brows, she raised her head to look at its owner. Nova felt all her blood went up to her head when she saw Jayden. There was this smug look on his face that made her want to punch him so that it would be replaced by a winced or a frown. How dare he show his face to her as though she did not warn him back then.

“Fancy meeting you here, lady.” Jayden tilted his head to the side. His smile grew wider.

Her hands clenched against her phone. She tried to stay calm and managed to do so. Making a scene in public was not good for her. Nova was a public figure, after all. She was a writer, and a lot of people knew her. It would be terrible if one reader caught her doing something scandalous in public. News spread as if they have wings.

Nova rose to her feet and was about to leave when Jayden suddenly grabbed her by the arm. But even before he could utter a word, Aldous appeared and stand in their midst like a sturdy wall with his back facing Jayden.

“What can you say, hon?” he said nonchalantly, acting like it was just the two of them there at that moment.

“Hon?” Jayden chimed in.

That was when Aldous turned in his direction.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

She was beyond surprised that Aldous sounded like he would get his fists bloody for her. Ah, he was such a good actor. She made the right choice.

Jayden turned to her. “Who is this guy—”

“Me?” Aldous grabbed her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. He even brought their hands near his chest to show off. “I’m Nova’s future husband.”

She wanted to burst out in laughter when she saw that look of disbelief on Jayden’s face.

“This must be a joke,” said the mongrel in human form, and that was Jayden. He sneered and gave her a once-over before he finally left them.

Her gaze followed Jayden as he walked towards the sales personnel and returned the shirt that he fitted a while ago. He left the department store with that annoyed aura she did not expect to see in him at that moment. Like, why did he react that way?

“Is he your ex?”

Aldous’s question made her cringe.

“Hell, no!” She withdrew her hand from him. “I’m going to the restroom. Finish shopping on your own. I’ll be waiting for you at the food court on the ground floor.”

She was about to walk away when he grabbed her hand again. “Nova…”

“What?”

His free hand scratched the side of his neck. “Well…I have no money in my pocket.”

“Oh, right. I’m sorry for that.” He freed her hand, and she fished her wallet to get her card. Nova tiptoed and whispered the card’s pin on his ear.