Married At First Glance: I Am Not Ugly

As they entered their room, Alexander slumped on the couch exhausted. While Marissa entered the room to change.

Alexander realized that she was quieter than usual and wondered why she was like that. He wanted to ask her, but felt they had agreed not to talk about personal matters, but they had been discussing personal stuff lately which isn’t part of the contract.

So he decided to ask hoping she would tell him.

He got up from the couch and walked towards the door and knocked.

Alexander knocked on the door to Marissa’s room, and she opened it, wearing a comfortable sweater and jeans.

“Hey,” he said with a soft smile, “You seem a bit distant. Is there something on your mind?”

Marissa hesitated for a moment before giving a small shrug.

“It’s just been a long day, you know? Meetings, conversations, and all. I guess I’m just tired.”

Alexander studied her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful.

“Okay, I understand. But remember, we’re in this together. If you ever want to talk or need anything, just let me know.”

She nodded and managed a smile.

“Thanks, Alexander. I appreciate it. But for now, I think I’ll just relax and get some rest.”

“Alright, take your time. We’ve got another busy day tomorrow,” he replied before heading back to his own room, still wondering what might be bothering her but respecting her need for space.

As Marissa closed the door, she stayed behind the door and took a deep breath and then walked towards her bed and sat down.

“Why am I feeling this way? Why was I offended when Alex called me his colleague on the phone to Jessie?” she asked herself. “After all, we were business partners who signed a contract to work together for three months as husband and wife to secure the contract and now the contract will be signed the next day. So why am I feeling this way?” she sighed and rested her body on her bed looking at the ceiling.

“Alexander doesn’t clearly see me in any way romantic, but sees me as a business partner and that’s all?”

“Or do I want something more from him?” she asked herself as she placed her hand on her head, scattering her hair.

“Why am I feeling like this?” she wondered, still unable to put her finger on it. “Is it because he referred to me as a colleague on the phone with Jessie?

But that’s what we are, right? Business partners…”

She propped herself up on her elbow, deep in thought. “It’s just a contract, a facade…

But why do I feel like there’s something more, something unspoken between us?”

As she stared at the ceiling, Marissa realized that maybe, just maybe, she had begun to wish for something beyond the contract.

“Could it be that I want more from him?” she whispered to herself.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

The unanswered questions lingered in the air as she tried to make sense of the complex feelings she was developing for the man who had started as a mere business partner in this elaborate charade.

She then got up from the bed and slapped herself on the face.

“Marissa get your mind out of it. Alexander is your fake husband and this is a business deal and nothing more, alright?” she told herself as she kept slapping herself gently on her face.

Marissa tried to shake off the swirling thoughts by speaking aloud to herself.

“Alright, Marissa, you’ve got to get a grip. This is just a business arrangement, a partnership, nothing else.

No room for romance or any of those sappy feelings,” she muttered.

She continued, her voice growing more animated, “I mean, come on!

This is Alexander we’re talking about. Mr. Arrogance turned into Mr. Politeness, and maybe that’s all there is to it.”

Marissa gave herself a final, more determined slap on the cheek and chuckled at the absurdity of it all.

“There! Now, let’s focus on the contract and forget about any crazy, unrealistic ideas, okay?”

She stood up and paced about talking to herself that she and Alexander can never have anything together and that it was just a contract and nothing more.

Marissa continued to pace and mutter to herself, her inner monologue growing more humorous by the moment.

“Yeah, that’s right. Alexander is like a fine wine that I just need to let age on his own… in his own fancy bottle.”

She chuckled at her own analogy, shaking her head.

“Why even consider the idea that he might look at me with those… wait, no, stop! That’s not what’s happening here!”

Marissa stopped and pointed her finger at herself as if scolding her own imagination.

“Keep it professional, Marissa. This is a business deal, not a fairy tale. So, let’s get back to the real world, shall we?”

With a final nod to herself, she decided to push her feelings aside and concentrate on the impending contract signing, even though her heart seemed to have its own agenda.

A knock on the door brought her back to reality. She walked up to the door and opened it slightly.

It was Alexander again.

“What does he want again?” she asked herself as she looked at him.

“Uh…. do you want to take a walk and get something to drink and stroll around the city with me?” he offered.

Marissa hesitated for a moment, her inner turmoil briefly showing on her face. She had just been chastising herself for having romantic thoughts, and now here was Alexander suggesting a walk through the city. She needed to make a decision.

“Sure, why not?” she replied with a friendly smile, surprising even herself.

Alexander seemed pleased with her response. “Great! Let’s enjoy the beautiful city together.”

“Sure, let me get my coat.” Marissa said and closed the door while Alexander waited in the sitting room for her to come out.

“What are you doing Alexander?” he asked himself as he was standing and waiting for Marissa.

“Why are you trying to get too close to your fake wife? You know this is a contract marriage and if you get too close, it might not end well?”

He paced back and forth while waiting for Marissa and was talking to himself.