The Best Friend's Contract
Chapter 23

Kenna

"You really need to work on your vows," Dimitri says as he takes a seat, cringing at the papers in Aidan's hand-leaving me chuckling.

Aidan and I are currently working on our vows for our wedding, tomorrow. Believe me, other engaged couples would probably work on these kind of things a little bit earlier than we do but there's not much of a choice. In fact, getting married was also not a choice for him. "Come on, they're not that bad." He replies, rereading them.

A couple of hours have passed ever since we started but we haven't came across any less cheesy vows to be said. Most of the vows that are shown online, states how much love and how marriages are an everlasting thing but for some reason, saying that in front of everyone there including our families will be such a lie. A huge one.

Dimitri just arrived an hour ago and has started to condemn everything especially on Aidan's vows. It annoys him more than it should but he's doing a great job not throwing those crumpled papers onto his face which is an improvement on his anger management issues. "Try reading them out loud," Dimitri takes the paper away, "Kenna, would you please do the honour and listen to the vow that your future husband was going to say to you tomorrow but luckily... your second-best-friend came to help and save the day," He smiles. "Fine, give it a go." Aidan sighs, deeply.

Dimitri clears his throat as he starts to read, "You know me better than anyone else in the world and somehow you still manage to love me. You are my best friend and one true love. There is still a part of me today that can't believe that I'm the one who gets to marry you," He continues to look at me, waiting for my respond as I furrow my brows.

"Wait, that's it?" I raise an eyebrow, expecting something more than just simple words to come out of his mouth.

"That was it and that was from the internet," Dimitri replies, causing Aidan to lean back on his seat as he takes another sip of his water. "I mean, it was from the internet-you could've at least put a little bit more effort. Try looking for something more... appealing than just stating the obvious words we all know about your relationship," He scoffs.

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to say!" Aidan points at his laptop, vows and vows listed by other married couples.

"Maybe, something cheeky or funny. You don't need to suffocate people with endless love or words that are worthy of puking. Relate to yourselves... best friends for like what, twenty years and still can't crack a joke? That's lame," He shakes his head before putting the paper down on the table, remaining to look at Aidan.

The two men begin to have a glaring challenge of their own. It's something they do whenever one of them feel a slight displeased and it's not something I've never seen before, after spending years together. They're men and men are sometimes, quite predictable. "Want to hear mine?" I offer, causing both of them to turn and look at me.

"Go ahead because I'm sure yours will be much lovelier," Dimitri replies with a smirk on his face after glancing towards Aidan's direction.

Within seconds, Aidan has already crumple a piece of paper before throwing it directly onto Dimitri's face leaving him trying to protect his face from the impact yet it was too late. Then again, these two has never failed me by their childish acts. At times, I would also join them.

There's just something about Dimitri that would liven up the spirit that once died as puberty hits us. He has this... passion or maybe, it's just his sense of humour that would bring out an undeniably childish attitude within ourselves. It's like he has a second soul because truth be told, he's good in a lot of things.

Women is one of them.

A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I look down at my well-written vows before choosing one to read, "It is clear to me now that everything in my life has led me to you," I look up at Aidan who has both of his eyes focusing onto me, "I think back on all my choices and consider even the bad ones blessed, because if I had done even one thing differently, I might never have met you and

become your wife,"

His eyes are somehow piercing into my soul, leaving me think of how his gaze would affect someone's peace of mind. Yet, there's just something about those brown eyes, something very unlikely to figure out without an explanation, itself.

"On this day, I'd like to admit how

wrong I have always been. Love is not blind, in fact love sees all. I love all of you your faults and flaws cast a beautiful light—like the flaws of a precious jewel. You are my best friend, my joker and I love you for all time." My lips curve up into a smile as I drop the paper down onto my lap, surprised to see both of their reactions.

"Don't you think you should save that for a more genuine occasion?" Dimitri asks.

Both of us laugh, "It's okay because I can always replace more. Thanks to the internet," I reply before looking up at Aidan-seeing him blinking a few times as he looks away from me.

"I need to take this call," Aidan says as he starts to pick up the call before making his way towards the balcony, closing the sliding doors behind him.

My eyes remain focusing onto his back and broad shoulders, seeing him running his fingers through his brown, thick hair carelessly. Even standing there with a tight maroon shirt and grey sweatpants, he seems to look just as attractive as when he's standing in a suit and tie.

There's just something when it comes to Aidan... I've not yet experienced it.

"Are you excited?" Dimitri asks, making me turn to look at him; seeing that he's currently turning one of the papers into an art of origami-something I can never do even if I try to stay focus when learning, he has taught me quite, frankly a lot but I always seem to fail.

He has successfully made a swan.

"For what?" I ask, back.

His eyes meet mine, "Tomorrow. Do you feel anything about it? Maybe, because it's going to change your life... for a year and it's quite a big step. You know, you're going to have to know how to act or what to say in front of his folks to keep your cover, don't want to blow it." He adds.

"Honestly, I'm scared. Not because

of the wedding or being married but because of lying to their faces. Getting married and kissing in front of their eyes, it's like I'm betraying them and not just my family but also his, mutter as I glance down at the papers again, "Even though we are getting married for a year but it's not something that people forget," I say.

"You're having second thoughts," He replies.

No doubt, I am. It's not that I don't want to help my best friend in his 'life-crisis' but there's just something when it comes to lying. Something hurtful to happen in the future that can ruin everything, especially a good and healthy family relationship.

"Well, Dimitri... I'm not you," I continue to speak. "You're the kind of person that takes a lot of chances when you get one while I hesitate and doubt myself for making wrong choices. I know that I won't back out on this because I want to help him but what if things go wrong and take a huge turn? What if I'm not capable of handling that?"

"You're wrong, Kenna. You are simply sitting here and thinking about the future. It's not wrong to do that but it's not confirmed to happen-how can you expect the worst?" He frowns.