Certificate

Erena’s eyes fell on William, who looked at his father with wide eyes before averting his gaze to the plate in front of him, jaw clenched.

Erena peeled off the glove on her hand, scratching her index finger. “How are you making a deal like this without telling me?”

“Erena!” Janet hissed at her.

“We’re telling you now, dear. I’m sure you’re both okay with it.”

Erena’s chair scraped against the floor. “I’m not—”

“She's okay with it, Sir Gerald.” Alister cut her off, smiling at Gerald before glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “Right, Erena?” His voice was cold.

Erena felt the familiar lump in her throat creeping up, her vision getting foggy. “But I—”

“Sit down. You’re tired from travelling.” Alister fully turned to her.

Erena sat back down, digging her nail into the open sore on her index finger, blood trickling from it. Fuck this…

Dinner continued. Conversation flowed, and plates were emptied, except for the two in front of Erena and William.

“Erena dear, William will pick you up tomorrow to apply for your marriage license. Get ready, okay?” Elsie held Erena’s gloved hands as they were leaving. Her burgundy gloves were darker at the index finger.

“Okay.” Erena avoided eye contact, her face blank.

The car ride home was tense. Janet fidgeted with her hands, and Alister’s grip tightened around the steering wheel.

The moment they stepped out of the car, Alister turned to Erena. “What did you think you were doing?” He asked, his voice trembling.

Erena froze at the sight of his eyes. “I-I don’t want…” Her throat closed up, her hands clenching the dress at her sides.

I need to say something!

“I don’t want to get married…” She blurted out, watching Alister's reaction.

“You don’t want to get married?” He tilted his head, taking a few steps towards her.

“Yes…” She took a step back. His expression was mostly obscured by the darkness of the night.

“Is that so?” He stood in front of her.

He’s not angry…! This is my chance!

“Yes—” He suddenly grabbed her by the face and pulled her forward. “You’re going to get married. I’m not telling you this again.” The hot sensation of his breathing hit her face, causing her to turn her head.

Her eyes darted to her mother, but she avoided her gaze.

No… Please…

His fingers dug into her cheeks, forcing her to look at him, eyes wide in terror. Her knees bent forward slightly, trembling.

“Do I make myself clear?” There was nothing but rage in his eyes.

“...Yes.”

Alister released her face and walked past her inside the house. Janet followed him inside, leaving Erena standing there for a while before she walked inside as well. The strength seemed to have left her body the moment she closed her door, her legs giving out.

Looking around the room in a daze, she leaned against the door, hugging her legs and burying her face in her arms. Her whole body trembled.

…..

The sun shone in through the white curtains, basking the room in light. Someone knocked at her door, jolting her awake.

“Miss, come downstairs for breakfast.” A woman spoke through the door.

Her eyes fluttered, adjusting to the brightness before stretching her arms. Her entire body felt sore.

I slept on the floor last night?

She stood up and paused mid-stride toward the closet at the sight of herself in the mirror. She stroked her cheek and stopped. Both cheeks were purple in the reflection. She silently stared at it before walking away.

She got ready, hid the bruises with foundation and went downstairs for breakfast. The table only had her plate. Her phone buzzed with a text from Janet. “William is on his way. Get ready.”

Erena exhaled through her nose when she saw the message, putting down her fork.

The food was left untouched.

Honk! Honk!

Erena stepped out of the house. William was outside his car, waiting for her in the shade of a tree when she got out.

“Good morning.” Erena could only make out his polite-looking smile beneath his cap as he greeted her, opening the passenger door for her.

He also wore a full-sleeve leather jacket.

Why is he dressed like this in this heat? “Good morning.”

He took off the cap when he got in the car and started driving, both of them quiet.

This is awkward.

The car came to a stop under a bridge.

“Why’d we stop?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll check the car.” He got out of the car, and she followed. A tire was flat.

William crouched down, inspecting it. What’s he doing?

“I think a tire flattened…” He looked at her standing behind him and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

She looked at the tire, then him and back at the tire.

I think? It’s obviously flat.

“Do you have a spare tire?” She sighed.

“I think I do.”

They both stared at each other in silence.

“What are you waiting for? Change it.” She said after a few seconds.

“Oh…” He looked away from her, fidgeting with his hands. “I don’t know how to change a tire…”

“Wait, what do you mean you don’t know?” She raised an eyebrow.

His ears turned red. “I’ve never changed a tire.”

“How do you drive without knowing that?” She studied him.

He buried his face in his hands. “Please don't look at me…”

Her eyebrow twitched before she burst out laughing. She laughed so hard she turned away from him, holding her stomach. “I’m so baffled I don’t know what to say!”

“Don’t laugh!” He sprang up so fast it made her laugh harder.

“Get the tire… I’ll change it…” She sighed, wiping tears from her eyes.

He brought her the tire, and she changed it, showing him how to do it. “Do you understand how to change it now?”

He nodded, looking embarrassed. “How do you know how to do it?” He asked, getting back to the car.

“Because I learnt.” She replied, fastening her seatbelt.

“Makes sense.” He started the engine.

They arrived at city hall minutes later, and the cap was back on William’s head.

“Welcome!” The lady at the register greeted them.

“We’d like to apply for a wedding certificate.” William smiled politely.

“Oh, congratulations on your marriage! Your official documents, please.”

Erena scratched her index finger. She handed the lady her documents, and so did William.

“Please fill out this form and pay the fee.” She slid them a paper.

“I’ll pay the fee.” William offered, and Erena nodded, filling out the form as he paid.

William watched as she filled it out. They then left the building, and William stopped walking, watching the sun before letting out a long sigh.

Erena stopped when she noticed that he wasn’t walking and looked back at him a few feet away.

“We’re really going to get married, huh?”

______________