6 - Dignity
1836 Words
Dafne White's POV
"We're married, Miss White."
"What?!" I exclaimed, my eyes flying open. This had to be a dream. I patted my cheeks and squeezed my eyes shut. There was no way I knew a Logan Wallace. I met a Bruce who looked like him… and I gave him my cruise ticket. This was definitely a hallucination. I must have fainted from nerves and was now delirious. I pulled down my mask to breathe properly, feeling like I was suffocating.
"What are you doing? I knew you were strange, but this is bordering on insane," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Jesus! It's a joke, right? You love to tease and annoy me," I said, shaking my head.
"I wouldn't joke about something like this. Believe me, I was shocked to find out myself. I only went on that cruise because you seemed fun. Marrying you was never part of the plan. You're quite the handful," he said, frowning.
"That's why you have the ring?"
"You have a ring?" I asked, taking a seat.
"I thought it was a toy. Now I'm not so sure. I should return it to you. This is crazy. How did this even happen?" I tried to calm down.
He leaned against his desk, crossing his legs at the ankles, his hands resting on the wood. "The cruise people told me that since Las Vegas was part of the itinerary and we were on the high seas, it was legal to get married." I slumped into a nearby armchair.
"I can't believe I did something like this. How can you be so calm? I'm a stranger!" I complained.
"We'll get a divorce. It's already in process. We'll sign the papers my lawyer prepares, and that's it. Finding you was actually what I needed to speed things up. It's clear neither of us wanted this," he said, sitting down and regaining some composure.
"It's that simple?"
"As if nothing ever happened," he repeated with relief.
"I'm confused. You lied to me. You said your name was Bruce. Besides, you accepted my ticket. It's not like you can't afford one," I said, narrowing my eyes.
He smiled. "You like to argue, Grumpy."
"Don't call me that."
He sighed and walked towards me. "I didn't lie, dear wife. Logan Bruce Wallace, that's my name. But I like it when pretty girls call me 'Bruce'." He winked, and I frowned.
"You're unbelievable. I'm traumatized. You're my best friend's insensitive boss, and I'm married to you. This isn't real. It's not logical," I said, taking a deep breath.
"So, you're friends with Coleman. Did she send you to cover for her because of her flu?"
"Yes, because she's actually sick, unlike some people who don't care about their employees' health." He shrugged at my accusation.
"Everyone always wants days off and lies. That wasn't her case, and I'm glad for that."
"I don't know what's next, Logan, Bruce… I don't even know what to call you." He walked over to his desk.
"Whatever you prefer, Dafne. Put your number here." He handed me his phone. "I'll send you a message so we can meet tomorrow to talk about the details. Then we'll sign the papers, and we'll be free." I sighed, trying to process this madness.
"Everything sounds super simple." He smiled, his teeth gleaming white.
"It is, Dafne, because we both want this resolved."
"I don't understand why you accepted my ticket if you could buy one." I handed him back his phone after entering my number.
"You offered, and it seemed like a good idea."
"Today I was supposed to cover for Grace, and now…"
"Don't worry, I'll take you home. You don't have to stay." I bit my lower lip and looked at him apologetically.
"It's not necessary. I'll walk. Getting some air will do me good." He ignored me and walked to the door.
"Let's go, Grumpy. I want to know where you live. Wouldn't want you to escape after finding out you're married to the most eligible bachelor in Los Angeles." I rolled my eyes.
"The arrogance is still there, I see." We left his office, everyone's eyes on us.
"You've fulfilled the dream of many." We exited the building, and he led me to a sports car that I wasn't surprised belonged to him. I still couldn't believe this was happening.
"Some people have strange dreams," I muttered.
He opened the door for me to get in and then settled into his seat. I entered my address into his GPS, and he drove me home. Grace was going to flip when I told her about this.
We arrived at my house, and I got out of the car. He did the same and walked me to the door.
"I won't run away, don't worry. You don't have to make sure this is my house," I said defensively.
"I have to be sure. Let's have breakfast tomorrow." I raised my eyebrows.
"To end this properly. You owe me. You made me go on that cruise and got me hitched, Grumpy." I rolled my eyes.
"Fine, but only because I want you to see that I'm not a grumpy person." He grinned mischievously.
"I like you, wifey." My eyes widened.
"Hey, don't call me that." He chuckled.
"I'll pick you up at nine." He winked and walked back to his car. This man was unbelievable.
He wasn't anything like what Grace had described. Sure, he was smug, cheeky, and annoying, but he hadn't been aloof or monstrous.
I entered the house and rubbed my tired face. This could only happen to me.
On my couch sat Grace at one end and Julia, my coworker and ex-friend, at the other. What was she doing here?
"Julia…"
"I just came to talk, Daf—"
"Call her Dafne, you traitor!" Grace spat. "If I weren't sick, I'd pull your hair out."
"Grace, don't worry, I'll handle this." My friend got up and glared at her.
When she entered the room, I crossed my arms and looked at Julia. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry, Daf. I didn't want it to be like this, but I just came to maintain the peace. I know it looks bad, but Ben and I are going to try to make it work. I really want it to work…"
"You want my permission? Seriously, Julia? Is that what you came here for? Look…" She cut me off, standing up.
"I just came to tell you not to try to keep Ben away from me. I know you can't compete, and it will cost you a lot to try. Stop asking him to come back to you because the only reason he's considering it is out of pity. You should know it's not out of real love." This was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.
"When did I ask him to come back?" That rat! How dare he say such a thing?
"Yes, he told me you begged him to come back. But let's not do this, Dafne. Things happen for a reason." I agreed with her on that.
"Get out of my house, Julia," I spat, furious.
"Everyone knows he doesn't want to go back to you. Stop humiliating yourself. Woman to woman…"
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
She walked towards the door, and I was fuming. Not only had she cheated on me, but now she was spreading lies, making me look like a fool. Did he really think I was still crying over him? Damn him!
"Daf… are you okay? What happened?" I ignored them.
"Nothing. Julia's nonsense. It doesn't matter."
"Did that jerk Wallace find you, didn't he?" Grace asked, seeing me all dressed up early in the morning.
"Oh… that." I swallowed. "Remember the stranger from the cruise?"
"The one you had a wild fling with and forgot about?" I nodded, ashamed.
But it was the truth.
"He's my boss, Grace." Her jaw dropped.
"Don't mess with me, Daf." I shook my head.
"I'm not kidding, Grace. He's the guy from the cruise. And that's not all." She looked at me expectantly. "The cruise had a stop in Vegas, and…" I pressed my lips together. "I married him."
Her mouth opened wider, and she was speechless. I bit my lower lip, waiting for her to say something, but she remained silent.
"Grace, say something."
"Daf, you really know how to get over an ex… and… you're kidding, right? Wallace is a jerk." I rolled my eyes.
"He didn't seem like it. Don't worry, tomorrow we'll sign the divorce papers, and that's it. It'll just be a memory of…"
"You hooked up with the guy every woman dreams of! Oh my God! You know what it's like for the female population to just imagine one night with him? Marrying him is… Wow! He's not my type, but still, Daf! Double wow!" I started laughing.
"I don't remember the night, so it doesn't count."
"It counts! My friend is my boss's wife." We both burst into laughter.
"Stop it. It's all over tomorrow. It's been a crazy day, Grace."
"It really has. You're one lucky b***h, my friend." I rolled my eyes.
I didn't believe it. Luck wasn't exactly my thing…
*****
I finished getting ready, and when I came out, he was already waiting for me, leaning against his car. He stood out way too much in my neighborhood. I should have told him to meet me at the café.
"Good morning, wifey." I shook my head, biting back a smile.
"Your jokes aren't funny, Logan." I reached him. "Good morning. I barely slept. Yesterday was a stressful day."
"It ends today. Relax, Grumpy." I chuckled.
"Yes, it ends today. If you had to pay for anything because of this…"
"Dafne, don't worry. I have everything taken care of." I nodded and got into his car.
We drove to a café, and when we arrived, we got out and headed for the entrance. As we entered, he stopped.
"I forgot my phone. Wait for me here." I stayed by the door, waiting for him.
"Daf…" I turned and saw Ben with Julia.
"Dafne, how nice to see you." Julia acted all friendly, and I just rolled my eyes. I ignored them. I honestly didn't care.
"We should go somewhere else. I don't think it's good for Daf to see us together, so happy, while she's all alone, Ben." I raised my eyebrows. Did she really just say that? That b***h!
"I'm sorry, Daf. If you want, we can go somewhere else," Ben said.
As if he even had a choice, the i***t.
"Ready? Here…" Logan arrived, and for a moment, I lost my mind.
In an attempt to maintain my dignity and make them explode with rage or envy…
"Honey, you took so long." Logan gave me a strange look.
I walked up to him, grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket, and, tilting my head up slightly, pressed my lips to his.
- Writer
