Amelia POV
The morning sun shone gently on the church as I stood at the entrance, my heart racing with nerves. Today was the day I would marry Alexander, a man who was chosen to be my groom in our arranged marriage. Within a week of meeting him, I noticed his bad attitude, which made me question whether agreeing to this wedding was a good choice. Getting to know Alexander erased my initial positive feelings about the marriage, and his arrogance, with only a hint of kindness or guilt, heightened my doubts about him.
The church smelled of fresh flowers, their bright colors standing out against the serious stone walls. The gentle wedding march started, and I breathed deeply, prepared to start the next part of my life.
As the doors opened, showing the aisle to the altar, I felt a rush of feelings. At the end of the aisle was Alexander, looking handsome in his suit, his eyes meeting mine serious , making my heart skip a beat
As I walked down the aisle, soft music played, mixing with guests' whispers and murmurs. Their happy faces, smiling and twinkling, warmed my heart despite the bittersweetness. This wasn't a love-filled wedding; it was an engagement ceremony, a promise of our future. Yet, my friends and family remained spirited, refusing to let the absence of vows dim their joy.
Beside me, my parents walked proudly and tenderly. My mom's eyes sparkled with unshed tears, but her smile radiated warmth and love. As for my dad, his chest swelled with pride, his smile full of unspoken affection. He leaned in close, his voice barely heard over the soft music.
"You're no longer my little one," he said, his tone gentle yet filled with emotion. "You're beginning your new journey, my dear."
His words touched my heart, reminding me of time passing and the road ahead. Unable to speak, I just smiled and hugged him tightly. His embrace was familiar and comforting, keeping me present amidst my swirling emotions.
As we neared the altar, my dad let go of me with a gentle pat on the back. With one last proud smile, he placed my hand in Alexander's, his touch sending shivers down my spine. It was a symbolic act, passing the torch from one man who had guided and supported me to another who would now share that responsibility.
"You look stunning, Amelia," he whispered, his voice barely heard over the soft music.
The ceremony started, the priest speaking in the church about marriage and the commitment we were making. I paid attention, my heart beating with his words, each one carrying meaning.
"It's not just two people coming together," the priest said seriously, "but two souls, connected by destiny."
His words touched me, echoing the path that brought me here. It wasn't the fairytale romance I imagined, but our story, two souls brought together by fate, circumstance, and choice.
As we were about to exchange vows, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. I took a deep breath to calm myself before speaking the words that would unite us in marriage.
"Alexander," I started, my voice trembling slightly with feeling. "Though our families set up our marriage, please understand that my commitment to you today is sincere. At first, I was scared and unsure about our arranged marriage, not knowing what lay ahead. But getting to know you, I've learned that it's what we do, the decisions we make, that will define our journey together."
I paused, gazing into Alexander's eyes, feeling reassured and confident in their sincerity.
"I promise to honor you," I went on, my voice getting stronger with each word. "To listen to you , to learn with you, and to grow alongside to you as we walk this path together. Though our marriage was arranged, my feelings for you are genuine and deep. I promise to support you, to stand by your side unconditionally, and to face all of life's joys and challenges together, hand in hand."
As I spoke, I felt the importance of my words, the seriousness of the promise I was making to the man standing before me, my partner in this journey called life.
Alexander's eyes stayed fixed on mine as he began to speak, his voice filled with honesty and determination. Am I seeing things correctly? Or maybe I'm just mistaken? It's weird.
"Amelia," he said, his words embracing me like a warm hug. "Since the first time I saw you, I knew that our union was destined to be something more than just an obligation. Getting to know you has proven that our marriage is more than just a setup, but an opportunity to discover a love that exceeds all predictions."
He stopped, his look becoming gentler as he reached out to hold my hand in his.
"I promise to work hard every day to be the partner you deserve," he continued, his voice steady. "To stand by you through life's highs and lows, to be your support in times of doubt, and your beacon in moments of darkness. Though our journey together may not have started with love, I vow to treasure and respect our bond, to safeguard and cherish you for all my days."
As his words filled me with warmth and gratitude, I felt a sense of reassurance and appreciation growing in my heart, realizing that I wasn't alone in this journey, but that I had discovered a good companion in him.
"Our meeting was not by chance, but by destiny," Alexander continued, his voice full of certainty. "And I promise to cherish and comprehend you, to be your partner in all of life's escapades, to rejoice in your successes and aid you in your challenges. Today, and for all the days ahead, I vow to stand by your side, to love you, and to treasure you through all of life's occasions, both big and small."
As we swapped rings, a symbol of our commitment, I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, this arranged marriage would guide us to a love that was surprising, but still beautiful.
"And now you may kiss the bride," the priest's words echoed through the sacred halls of the church, marking the end of our wedding ceremony.
As I heard the instruction, I felt a sudden jolt of nervousness mixed with surprise coursing through me. It was the moment every bride dreamed of, the symbol of sealing our bond with a kiss. But for me, it was a moment filled with both surprise and anxiety.
Should I move away, letting Alexander take the lead? Or should I stay put, meeting him halfway in this special moment of affection?
As I paused, unsure of what to do, Alexander's eyes connected with mine, silently reassuring me. With a confident step, he came closer, his hand reaching out to touch my cheek softly.
Time seemed to freeze as our lips finally touched, the gentle touch of his mouth against mine sending a shock through my body. But it wasn't just a simple kiss; it was a passionate kiss. As Alexander deepened the kiss, his tongue gently probing my lips, I felt a surge of warmth in my stomach. My initial impulse was to pull back, to maintain some sense of propriety in this sacred space. But as his lips moved against mine with an intensity that set my nerves on fire, I found myself unable to resist.
With a gentle breath, I surrendered to the intensity of his kiss, opening my mouth to invite him in. The feeling of his tongue brushing against mine sent tingles down my spine, sparking a surge of passion that threatened to overwhelm us both.
As we finally separated, our breaths mixing in the air, I felt a wave of shock. It was my first kiss and he just took it away like that. That wasn't how I imagined my first kiss.
As we faced our families, their applause filling the room, I realized that this was just the beginning of our journey together. And as I gazed into Alexander's eyes, filled with surprise and determination, I hoped that no matter the challenges ahead, we could face them together, united by our respect and commitment to each other.