Marrying

The staff in the city hall was impressively efficient; it took under ten minutes for the two to wrap up their marriage registration. 

The only glitch was Matthew’s unyielding frown, which made the staff suspect he was being forced into marriage, prompting them to double–check his willingnessa few times. 

This made Valerie wonder, ‘Does this guy ever crack a smile? But her curiosity was short–lived. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As they stepped outside, ominous clouds rolled in. Remembering the maming’s forecast of a small typhoon hitting Kranson City, panic set in about the laundry she had left hanging out, particularly her pricey work clothes. Splurging more this month was not an option. 

“Let’s swap WhatsApp info, Sir. I’ve got an emergency to deal with. Can we text if anything comes up? Valerie said in a rush. 

Matthew didn’t hesitate, and they quickly exchanged numbers. It hit Valerie that she didn’t even know his name. And just like that, they were legally husband and wife. 

“Um.Valerie began, a bit sheepishly 

As if he knew what she was about to ask, Matthew’s piercing blue eyes locked on hers. Tm Mathew Grant, your husband.” 

His intense gaze made her heart skip a beat “Alright, Mr. Grant it is,” she replied. 

Mr. Grant What, playing hard to get Matthew thought, labeling her as cunning. He replied curtly, “I’m swamped with work. I can’t drive you” 

“That’s fine. I appreciate you making time for this Valerie replied cheerfully, waving him off. “See you, Mr. Grant! She then dashed off to her 

scooler. 

Manhew half–expected her to reveal her true colors now that they were married. Is she after my money or something else! Surely, it couldn’t just be for a marriage license, he wondered. But Valerie just left without looking back. 

Watching her scooter away, Matthew felt oddly used. 

His brow furrowed in irritation. “What is this, some new kind of seduction tactic 

The ring of his phone broke his reverie. It was his secretary reminding him of an important meeting 

Business always brought out his serious side. After the call, he tossed his phone back in his pocket and headed back to the office. 

As CEO of Grant Group, Matthew had always been the golden boy, groomed to lead and control everything. Yet today, Valerie had thrown him for aloop, and he had gone and married her on a whim. 

She better not have other schemes, or I could make her life in Kranson City a living hell he thought darkly. 

By the time Valerie got home, a fierce wind nearly whisked away the clothes she had hung outside. She quickly gathered them and decided to clear out the accumulating delivery boxes on her windowsill, heading to the recycling center before the rain could render them unusable. 

Growing up, Valerie never received an allowance from Ruth. In her most strapped times, she could endure a scorching 104 F to hand out flyers, her skin peeling from sunburn, just to scrape together enough cash to buy a few workbooks. Having known the pinch of penniless days, she now valued every hard–earned dollar, regardless of the effort it took. 

After tidying up, Valerie found over twenty missed calls from Julian on her phone. She could ignore Ruth’s lectures, but not Julian’s worries. 

With the forecast giving her a two–hour window before the rain, she grabbed her marriage license and headed to Clutvale Estate. 

That morning. Valerie had dropped a bombshell about her pregnancy and marriage, leaving Julian stunned. They shared almost everything, and he knew Valerie wasn’t interested in dating despite having suitors. 

‘How the hell did she skip straight to marriage and kids? Julian was flabbergasted. But when he saw the marriage license from city hall, legit and unmistakable, his disbelief was momentarily paused. 

Valerie, realizing Julian might notice the registration date was today, quickly snatched the license back with a laugh. “Come on, Julian, you have to believe it now. We’ve been together for a while, and it’s really good. He treats me well, don’t worry.” 

Julian still couldn’t accept it. He hadn’t met Matthew and felt uneasy about entrusting Valerie to him. “Valerie, marriage is huge. How could you rush into this without even talking it over with me? And he doesn’t seem easy to deal with How old is he? Where’s he from?” Julian’s concern was evident. 

Stunned, Valerie flipped open the marriage license again to check Matthew’s birthdate and address. After a quick mental calculation, she responded calmly, “He’s 29, born and raised right here in Kranson City” 

12:15 PM cr 

“What’s his family like! What does he do? Does he own a house? Bought outright or is it mortgaged?” Julian fired off more questions 

Now Valerie was overwhelmed, thinking. Jesus, Julian, you’re really drilling down here. I don’t even know all that 

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