26. After The Wedding: Feel Awkward

Arleena was still thinking about the kiss Hugo had given her. After the wedding, Arleena stayed in the VVIP room for the bride and groom. Arleena looked at herself in the reflection of the mirror. To her right and left were two special make-up artists hired by Hugo. While the two make-up artists were cleaning the remaining make-up on Arleena's face, all Arleena could think about was how she would live her married life with Hugo. From now on, Arleena would constantly see Hugo as they lived in the same house. They had been close since childhood, but Arleena still couldn't imagine how it would be to live for months in the same house. Remembering when Hugo kissed her earlier, Arleena felt very strange. What if later... they did... Arleena spontaneously shook her head repeatedly. Her sudden movement made one of her eyes accidentally get hit by makeup cleanser. As a result Arleena stopped moving in shock, gaping while holding her eye. "Oh my, Miss Arleena. I'm sorry. Do your eyes hurt that much?" asked Sherlynn, the make-up artist on Arleena's right. Arleena raised one hand signaling that she was fine. It took a while for her to fan the eyelids that were feeling a little sore. "Oh my, how is this? Are you feeling really sore?" Sherlynn asked again. Her face looked both worried and guilty. "No, I'm fine," Arleena replied quickly. Not wanting to prolong Sherlynn's troubles. "It's not your fault. I was just really unfocused and suddenly moved my head." "You try opening your eyes slowly," Sherlynn instructed slowly. Following Sherlynn's words, even though it was still painful, Arleena forced her eyes open. While blinking slowly, Arleena tried to neutralize the pain in her right eye. "Does your eye need blowing out?" asked Sherlynn, who had tilted her face to watch Arleena more intensely. Arleena couldn't answer immediately. Her focus was still on blinking repeatedly. It was faintly visible because her eyes were watery. Gradually, the stinging in Arleena's eyes had diminished. Arleena remained silent, then gave Sherlynn a shake of her head. "No need. Now my eyes are relieved," Arleena replied, then gave Sherlynn a smile. "I'm sorry for making you panic. I suddenly thought of something earlier." Before Sherlynn could say anything, the sound of the door opening was heard. All eyes moved in unison to stare at Hugo's figure who stopped stepping for a moment. Hugo just flinched with an awkward expression and watched one by one the people in the room. While Arleena looked at Hugo with a confused look. Hugo's appearance made her remember the kiss the man gave her a few hours ago. "Why did you come in?" Arleena asked in response to Hugo's question. Hugo didn't answer for a few seconds. He seemed confused about how to answer. But soon Hugo was able to neutralize the look on his face so he pretended to be casual. "So what, can't I enter this room?" "This room is for brides only," Arleena replied. "Then?" "You're a man. Why enter the bride's private room?" Arleena refrained from looking nervous in front of Hugo. It wasn't that she was in love with Hugo, but that their status was different. They were already married. Arleena was married to Hugo, her best friend since childhood, which was completely unimaginable. The two of them never thought that they would marry each other. "A few hours ago was our wedding reception. Have you forgotten?" Hugo asked. Then he stepped inside while closing the door to the room. Hugo casually folded his arms across his chest. His eyes watched Arleena with an intense gaze. "I don't think you forget things that quickly, Arleena. If we're married, shouldn't there be no-" "A-argh! Oh my. Why does my head suddenly feel dizzy?" Arleena suddenly held her head while closing her eyes very tightly. She deliberately kept Hugo quiet and made the situation between them even more awkward. Hugo immediately turned worried looking at Arleena who closed her eyes like a person in pain. Just as he stepped forward to approach Arleena, Arleena's hands were already pointed forward. "Don't come any closer. I can't... argh, it looks like I really need to rest!" Arleena said pretending to groan with pain. Actually, Arleena did this on purpose because she wanted to create distance between the two of them. Arleena was still unable to adapt to the presence of Hugo as her husband. "Do you need a break?" Hugo asked. Although he was worried, he felt strange. Arleena nodded her head without opening her eyes. As if to show that she did not want to see Hugo. That's why Hugo knew that Arleena was just pretending. "Does your head hurt a lot?" Hugo asked again. Meanwhile, the two female make-up artists on Arleena's right and left were already panicking. They were at a loss for something to do. Also, the look on their faces seemed to be afraid of doing the wrong thing. "Mr. Hugo, shouldn't you leave the room first?" asked Sherlynn with a panicked expression. "It looks like Arleena needs some rest right now. Maybe it's because of the hectic wedding..." Before Sherlynn could continue, Hugo suddenly stepped closer. Sherlynn became confused watching Hugo who seemed to want to do something to Arleena. "Ah, so you need to rest and don't want to see me because your head is spinning?" Hugo grinned while preparing his hand. Neither Sherlynn nor another make-up artist was ready to restrain Hugo. But Hugo had already arrived beside Arleena and suddenly landed a jab on the forehead. Suddenly Arleena squealed in surprise and spontaneously opened her eyes. This time her face actually showed an expression of pain without being made up. Arleena gaped in disbelief as she looked at Hugo with annoyance. "What are you doing?!" Arleena asked in a fierce tone. Hugo smiled proudly after knowing his hunch was right. "It turns out you were really just pretending to feel dizzy," he replied as he waved one hand. "I'm not pretending at all-aw! Are you flicking me off again?!" Arleena was already unhappy. Her voice was slightly raised looking at Hugo more annoyed than before. Hugo stopped waving one hand and put both hands on his waist. He looked at Arleena as if he was fed up with Arleena's theatrics. "You lied to me. We've known each other since childhood, for years, and you think I don't know you're lying?" Hugo gave a series of exasperated sentences. Arleena couldn't answer anything. She just stroked the mark on her forehead. Her lips were already twisted in a whine. "Ah, damn. I forgot that you've known me for years," Arleena grumbled. After rubbing her forehead, Arleena looked at the two make-up artists beside her. Arleena signaled for them to leave the room first. The two make-up artists complied with Arleena's request. After they left, there was only Arleena and Hugo left in the room. "Why did you lie?" asked Hugo, looking at Arleena with interrogating eyes. Arleena looked back at the mirror. Luckily the remaining makeup on her face was not too thick anymore. "Because I don't want to see you. Go away now. We're still close friends, not a married couple," Arleena said without looking at Hugo. Hugo laughed sarcastically. "Am I going to take you as a wife?" he quipped. Hearing that, Arleena suddenly glared in surprise. She just stood up and was about to give a light punch to Hugo's shoulder. But unfortunately Hugo had already run away from Arleena's presence. "I won't take you as a wife, take it easy! Other women are more beautiful!" Hugo deliberately teased Arleena like the teasing from their childhood. Arleena picked up a shoe near the foot of the chair, pretending to throw it at Hugo. Unfortunately, Hugo was no longer visible from behind the door. Leaving Arleena laughing out loud without caring that Arleena was scowling in exasperation. "Why did I ask him as a replacement groom for me?!" Arleena grumbled to herself.