Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English | NEW
Synopsis
On the day we were supposed to get married at City Hall, I booked the very first slot, wanting to be the first couple of the day.
Jason showed up a whole hour late.
Just as I was about to lose my temper, my best friend, Sierra, popped her head out of his passenger seat, offering an apologetic smile:
"I'm so sorry, Chloe. Jason made a detour to pick me up, which took a little time."
"But come on, you guys are tying the knot! I just had to be here to witness it!"
I gritted my teeth and swallowed my rage, having no choice but to pull a new ticket.
Finally, our number came up.
Just as I took Jason’s arm to stand, Sierra blurted out:
"Wait! My stomach hurts so bad, I need to use the bathroom. Grab a later ticket and wait for me!"
Jason sank right back into his chair and smiled at her:
"Go ahead. I'll definitely wait for you."
My face fell, and I reminded him firmly:
"Jason, we can't wait. The clerk's office closes at eleven-thirty for lunch. We only have an hour left, and we have a wedding dress fitting booked at noon."
Without even looking up, Jason scrolled through his phone, annoyed:
"What's the rush? Signing the papers takes three minutes tops."
His screen was on, displaying a limited-edition necklace he’d just purchased for Sierra.
A necklace I had begged him for multiple times, only for him to claim it was always sold out.
A bitter laugh escaped me. Instead of arguing, I dialed my longtime rival’s number.
"Didn't you say you're madly in love with me? City Hall closes morning registrations at eleven-thirty."
"If you can make it, I’ll marry you."
Silence hung on the line for a second, followed by his low, husky chuckle.
"I'm on my way!"
I hung up and sat back down beside Jason.
He was still scrolling, casually handing me a new queue ticket:
"I pulled another number. Five couples ahead of us. Sierra just texted me saying she’s almost done."
"Relax, we have plenty of time."
I opened my mouth, but Sierra was already hurrying back from the restroom, dropping right into the seat next to Jason.
She leaned against him, craning her neck to peek at the ticket in my hand.
"Is it our turn? How many couples are left?"
I glanced instinctively at Jason.
He didn't pull away; instead, he casually rested his arm around Sierra’s waist to steady her.
"Ugh, still that many?"
"Jason, let’s play a round on mobile. Waiting like this is so boring."
I cut in.
"Jason, don't. Didn't you say signing takes three minutes?"
"There are only three couples ahead. We're up next."
Sierra, however, had already launched the game on her phone, flashing the screen at me with a playful smirk:
"Chloe, you don’t game, so you wouldn't know. A match is super fast. It won't hold you guys up."
She nudged Jason:
"Hurry, hop on!"
Jason nodded, dismissing me carelessly:
"Stop making a mountain out of a molehill. It's just a signature. Just listen for the number and call me when it's time."
With that, their heads huddled together, phone speakers buzzing with combat sounds.
Watching how close they were, my chest ached with dull resentment.
I said nothing more, only crushing the slip of paper in my palm tighter and tighter.
Less than twenty minutes later, the automated voice echoed through the lobby:
[Now serving Ticket Number 9 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]
I tugged at Jason’s sleeve.
"It's our turn. Let's go."
His eyes remained glued to the screen, though he stood up half-heartedly.
"Fine, my match is almost over anyway."
Sierra instantly piped up, yanking him back into his seat.
"Not yet! Jason, focus!"
"Sit down and finish it. They call each number three times anyway. It won’t kill you to wait two minutes. I refuse to lose this rank!"
Jason made a move to sit back down.
My face darkened completely, my voice laced with venom:
"Jason, what's more important? Getting married, or your damn game?"
Catching my tone, Jason finally glanced up at me.
Yet he still sank into the chair, chuckling dismissively:
"Why are you making such a scene? It'll take two seconds."
"Besides, Sierra is your best friend. She asked me nicely, how could I just bail on her?"
The automated voice called again:
[Now serving Ticket Number 9 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]
Fed up, I snatched Jason’s phone right out of his hand, snapping:
"Stop playing. Come with me right now!"
Jason rose sluggishly, scowling at me:
"It's just a game, I don't get why you're having a tantrum."
"Fine, let's go."
The final call sounded over the speaker:
[Final call for Ticket Number 9 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]
Before we even took two steps, Sierra cried out, clinging to Jason's arm as her knees buckled:
"My foot! It's cramping so bad!"
"Jason, it hurts!"
Without a second thought, Jason spun around, dropped to one knee, pulled off her heel, and began gently massaging her ankle.
I stood frozen in place, watching them, suddenly finding it tragically hilarious.
Until the speaker chimed once more:
[Now serving Ticket Number 10 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]
Skipped. Again.A clerk passing by smiled at Jason and Sierra, teasing:
"What a sweet couple."
"A foot massage in public? You're making the rest of us look bad."
Sierra blushed, looking demure.
Jason smiled awkwardly, yet offered no correction, letting the clerk believe the lie.
Without a word, I turned and took my seat.
My nose stung with tears, but I forced them back.
Sierra sneaked a glance at the queue board. Seeing our number skipped, her cramp miraculously vanished.
She pulled Jason up and shot me an apologetic grin:
"Chloe, I'm so sorry. I made you miss your turn again."
Jason helped her settle into her chair, then turned to glare at me with annoyance:
"Why were you rushing?"
"You gave Sierra a cramp from all your hurrying. Couldn't you just wait five minutes?"
Sierra lightly tugged Jason’s sleeve, pretending to take my side:
"Jason, don't be mean."
"Chloe is just excited to marry you... You guys will just have to pull another ticket."
I didn't answer. I didn't even look at them.
I walked up to the ticket kiosk and printed another slip.
The attendant beside the machine recognized me and sighed:
"Honey, you've missed your slot several times now. Don't miss this one."
"This is the last batch of tickets for the morning session. If you miss it, you'll have to come back this afternoon."
I looked back over my shoulder.
Over in the waiting area, Jason was whispering something into Sierra's ear, their shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Got it. Thank you."
Jason, this is the very last chance I will ever give you.
Holding the ticket, I sat back down.
My phone buzzed in my bag. It was my mom.
I answered.
"Chloe, did you two finish signing the papers?"
"You left at eight this morning, didn't you? I’ve reheated lunch twice already. Why aren't you back?"
I stared down at the floor, not knowing what to say.
After a long silence, my mom sensed something was off.
"Is that brat Sierra there with you? Is she causing trouble again?"
A wave of humiliation hit me, tears threatening to spill:
"Yeah. We missed our number twice because of her."
Mom took a sharp breath.
"Chloe, his heart isn't in this. Even if you marry him, you won't have a happy life."
"Put Jason on the phone. I'll talk to him."
I turned and shoved the phone toward him.
"My mom."
Jason was midway through a lively chat with Sierra. Getting interrupted by me annoyed him.
Suppressing his irritation, he took the phone, softening his voice slightly:
"Hey, Mom. What's up?"
"You haven't signed the papers yet, so call me Mrs. Carter. Chloe got up at dawn to get ready and booked Slot 1 just to be the first. You being an hour late was bad enough, but how on earth are you still not done?"
Jason shot me an accusatory glare, answering smoothly:
"Did Chloe complain to you again?"
"It's really no big deal. Sierra needed a moment, so we missed a number. We already have a new ticket. It'll just be a few minutes, nothing is ruined."
Hearing his nonchalant tone, Mom exploded over the speaker:
"No big deal? Missing your own marriage registration isn't a big deal?"
"Jason, you're getting married to Chloe! Why did you drag another woman along to make a mess? And Sierra—what kind of shameless girl inserts herself into someone else’s wedding day?!"
Mom's voice was loud enough to carry.
Hearing it clearly, Sierra’s eyes welled with tears on cue.
She leaned toward the phone, whimpering:
"Mrs. Carter, I'm so sorry..."
"I really didn't mean to. Chloe and I have been friends for years. I just wanted to witness her special moment. I didn't mean any harm."
Seeing Sierra cry, Jason’s attitude toward my mother turned sharp:
"Show Sierra some respect, please. She's Chloe's friend."
"She came with good intentions. It's a tiny issue, there’s no need to blow it out of proportion and scream at me."Hearing Jason disrespect my mother snapped my last nerve.
I snatched the phone back and hung up.
I yelled at him:
"Who do you think you are, yelling at my mom?!"
"She's your elder, asking about our marriage. What's wrong with that?"
Jason’s face turned icy.
"She shouldn't talk about Sierra like that!"
"Was she wrong? If you hadn't insisted on dragging Sierra along, we would've been married hours ago!"
Furious, I laid all my cards on the table.
"We are getting married this morning, or not at all."
"If you delay this one more time, we're over."
Jason stared at me, bewildered.
Then he scoffed, amused by my anger:
"You're threatening to break up with me?"
"It's just a marriage certificate! If not morning, then afternoon. If not today, then another day. Are you really going to throw a psychotic tantrum in public like a crazy woman?"
Right on cue, Sierra jumped in, fueling the fire while pretending to play peacemaker.
She grabbed Jason’s arm:
"Jason, don't say that. Chloe is just speaking out of anger."
"She’s literally at City Hall with you, how could she break up? Please don't fight. It's all my fault for upsetting her mom... Let's just sit down and cool off."
Jason sneered and took his seat.
I didn't bother saying another word. My fingers clenched the queue ticket until my knuckles turned stark white.
People moved through the hall, other couples laughing and whispering affectionately.
Only our corner was suffocatingly dead.
After a brief moment of quiet, Sierra stirred the pot again.
She nudged Jason's elbow.
"Jason, it’s almost noon."
"I'm starving. There's an amazing hot pot place right around the corner. Want to grab a bite first?"
Jason hesitated for a second.
He awkwardly reached out to take my hand:
"Want to come?"
I jerked away violently.
"I'm not hungry. And we agreed to go to my mom's house for lunch after this, remember?"
"She reheated the food twice."
Sierra chimed in with sickly sweet empathy:
"Chloe, Jason just had an argument with your mom. If he goes to your house right now, it’ll be so awkward for him. You have to consider his feelings!"
"Besides, it's too late to drive over. We should just eat nearby."
I remained frozen in my seat.
"This is the last batch of tickets."
"If we don't do it now, we have to reschedule."
Jason sighed with exasperation:
"Can't we just do it this afternoon? Right after hot pot?"
"I have a bridal fitting booked this afternoon. Tomorrow is the photoshoot, and the day after is catering tasting for the engagement party. With this schedule, when else can we take a full day off to sign papers?"
Left speechless by my schedule, Jason was about to give in and sit back down.
Sierra immediately hooked her arm through his and pulled him up.
"No matter how busy, Jason can't starve. How about this, Chloe? You wait here, and Jason and I will grab a quick bite nearby."
"When our number gets close, text us thirty minutes in advance. We won't miss it, promise!"
Jason nodded, finding the idea brilliant.
"Sounds good?"
I shook my head.
"No. If she's hungry, she can eat alone. Why does she need you to hold her hand?"
Sierra chuckled lightly.
"Jason is hungry too, obviously."
"Chloe, don't be like this. Getting married is supposed to be happy. Why do you look so miserable all day?"
Seeing that I wouldn't budge an inch, Jason lost his patience.
He grabbed Sierra’s wrist and started walking toward the exit:
"I don't care if you agree or not. Is eating lunch a crime now?"
"Just text me when our turn is coming up. Sierra, let's go!"I watched their retreating figures, slowly releasing my numb fingers.
I sat alone in City Hall, waiting in silence.
When there were five couples ahead, I texted Jason: [5 couples left. You should head back.]
Jason replied almost instantly: [Sierra and I are still waiting in line, we haven't even gotten our table yet. 5 couples is ages away, stop being so paranoid.]
I locked my phone, feeling the last ember in my heart turn to ash.
Two more numbers were called on the big screen.
I sent another text: [Only 3 couples left. If you don't come back now, you won't make it.]
This time, his reply was agonizingly slow.
Another number was called before his nonchalant text arrived:
[What's the rush? Our food just arrived. Wait a bit!]
When there was only one couple left ahead of me, hurried footsteps echoed behind me.
My heart skipped a beat. I stood up and turned around.
It was Declan.
Our eyes locked, and he offered an out-of-breath grin:
"Chloe... I finally made it in time!"
Almost simultaneously, the automated chime called my number:
[Now serving Ticket Number 21 at Window 2 for marriage registration.]
A smile touched my lips.
I linked my arm through Declan’s and walked to the window.
The clerk handed us paperwork and pens to fill out our marriage application. Peeking sideways, I saw Declan’s hand trembling with pure adrenaline.
Once the paperwork was filed, the clerk asked routinely:
"Have both parties confirmed their decision?"
"I will now officially emboss the seal on your marriage certificate."
I nodded.
Declan beside me suddenly blurted:
"Wait!"
He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine:
"Chloe, are you absolutely sure about this? If you marry me, I'm never letting you go for the rest of your life."
"Even if Jason..."
Before he could finish, Jason’s name flashed across my phone screen.
I answered. The background was filled with noisy restaurant chatter:
"Chloe, let's just do it another day."
"It's almost eleven-thirty, and Sierra and I just left the restaurant. We won't make it in time anyway. Besides, Sierra accidentally drank alcohol thinking it was juice, and she's totally wasted. I need to take her home first. Head back on your own."
A quiet laugh escaped my lips. I was entirely done with him.
"No need. I already got married this morning."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm not even there, how could you get married? Look, I really have my hands full, Sierra is—"
Sick of his excuses, I cut him off cleanly:
"Jason, we're done."
With that, I hung up.
Turning back to the clerk, I said calmly:
"I'm certain. Please stamp it."
Declan said nothing, but his hand found mine beneath the counter, gripping my fingers tightly.
Click-clack.
The gold seal was embossed onto the certificate.
I took the document, snapped a photo, and uploaded it to Ins:
[To spending the rest of our lives together.]
Looking up at Declan, I smiled:
"Let's go. My mom is waiting for us with lunch!"
Across town, Jason had just strapped the drunken Sierra into the passenger seat when his buddy called.
As soon as he answered, cheerful congratulations poured through the speaker:
"Bro, congrats!"
"I just saw Chloe’s post on Ins with the marriage certificate! You guys finally tied the knot! I'm bringing a fat envelope to the wedding!"
Jason froze, asking instinctively:
"What?"
"I'm not even at City Hall. How could Chloe get married alone?"
The laughter on the other end died instantly, followed by a frantic rustling as his friend double-checked.
Then, a shocked curse:
"Holy shit! Jason, something's wrong."
"The groom on Chloe's certificate isn't you. She... she just married someone else!"
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Watch & Promotions
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