Take a chance with me : 1. Two Worlds Collide
Epilouge
The church was located in the heart of the city, surrounded by beautiful gardens that offered a breathtaking view of the cityscape. The interior of the church was adorned with large paintings depicting sacred stories, while the high, vaulted ceilings and the light streaming in through the stained glass windows created a dramatic atmosphere, filling every corner of the room. Every detail in this church had been meticulously designed, offering a classical yet majestic impression that still invited a sense of tranquility.
The altar, decorated with fresh white and gold flowers, shimmered under the soft glow of the candles arranged neatly along the sides of the church. Lilies and white roses adorned every table, while tall candles cast a soft light that added to the sacred and romantic atmosphere surrounding them. A long red carpet stretched down the aisle toward the altar, guiding the bride and groom toward their sacred vows before God and all who had gathered.
At the back of the church, important guests from the Tanoko and Aston families had gathered. Esteemed individuals from the world of business, art, and politics were present, dressed in formal attire that reflected their high status. The Tanoko family dominated the crowd, with the elders and older relatives wearing luxurious suits and gowns that signified the wealth and power of the family. Aurelia Tanoko, the family matriarch, sat in the main chair, wearing an elegant black gown with sparkling diamond jewelry adorning her neck and hands. Her eyes were sharp and observant, watching every movement with the meticulous care of a woman who had endured many difficult times in her life.
On the other side, the Aston family, although somewhat more modest in their attire, still displayed grace and pride. Michael Aston Suh, Letisha's father, wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that matched his tall and upright stature. Beside him, Arusha Hong, her mother, wore an elegant maroon gown that radiated natural beauty, despite her age. They sat beside Jonathan, Letisha's older brother, who sat with a serious expression, ready to witness his sister take the altar in a marriage filled with expectation and responsibility.
Other guests, including Tanoko family friends and business associates, wore luxurious gowns and tuxedos, engaging in enthusiastic discussions and admiring the grandeur of the event. Some women, hailing from aristocratic families, wore haute couture gowns adorned with lace, pearls, and stunning gems. The men wore black tuxedos made from the finest materials, with equally elegant bow ties. Everyone was here, not just to celebrate this marriage but also to reinforce the long-standing ties between the Tanoko and Aston families.
"Do you take Letisha Aruan Aston as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" asked the priest.
"Yes, I do," Elliot replied firmly, his voice full of certainty. However, deep in his chest, there was a profound sadness—as if he had just locked the door to a life he had once imagined, a life that should have been different.
The man looked dashing in his perfectly tailored black Ralph Lauren tuxedo, which exuded a masculine elegance. The satin fabric that clung to his body shimmered subtly under the light, making him appear both commanding and gentle. The tuxedo was paired with a black tie that rested perfectly at his neck, and a crisp white shirt with slightly gleaming cuffs that added a classic touch to his appearance. His neatly slicked-back hair conveyed a sense of maturity and control, creating a strong image of a man facing the world, yet beneath that exterior, a deep uncertainty lingered.
However, what captured more attention was Letisha, standing before him, looking like a goddess descending from the heavens. Her wedding dress, a custom-designed satin off-shoulder gown by Vera Wang, was graceful and flawless. The dress gently hugged her body, showcasing her smooth, pale shoulders, while the satin layers fell beautifully to the floor, creating a mesmerizing silhouette. Her long veil, extending two meters behind her, swirled gracefully with every movement, adding a mystical and profound aura to her presence. Her hair was simply styled, with a few strands left to fall loosely, giving an effortless yet perfect touch of elegance.
Her gaze briefly flickered toward the emergency exit at the side of the altar. Beneath her graceful gown, there was an unspoken tension, a doubt only she could feel. Her heart raced, not just because of the wedding, but because of the expectations she was carrying. She glanced at Elliot, the man standing before her— a man who had everything, yet somehow, in his eyes, there was uncertainty. Elliot squeezed her hand a little tighter, a reminder of the responsibility she had to bear as the daughter of the Aston family.
"Do you take Elliot Mark Lee Tanoko as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" the priest asked again.
Letisha hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering once more to the emergency exit, but this time, something changed. There was a sense of calm in Elliot's grip, something that steadied her. Her moral duty as a woman, as the daughter of the Aston family, jolted her back to reality. With a deep breath, she looked into Elliot's eyes, his face full of hope that she knew she had to fulfill.
"Yes, I do," she replied softly but firmly, her gaze unwavering as she met Elliot's eyes.
And with that, their life together as a couple began. As Elliot cupped her face and kissed her lips, the world around them seemed to disappear. The applause around them echoed, but for Letisha, it became nothing more than a background to the deeper feelings within her—unspoken emotions, tears falling uncontrollably. Everything she had felt, everything left unsaid, filled her heart in that moment.
Thus, their lives together began. As Lord Elliot and his Lady Tanoko. A marriage that not only united two souls but also two worlds that conflicted—and now, they must learn to live the life that had been determined for them.
***
(Letisha POV)
I had just finished changing into my attire for tonight's event. Earlier, I met with Mrs. Alaya Hussein, the third wife of a wealthy businessman from Dubai. She shared a lot about her marriage, how her husband had to divide his time among four wives. But she seemed very happy, even telling me that she and the other wives were planning a vacation to Hawaii without their husband.
Hearing all of this, I felt a genuine culture shock for the first time. She also asked about my marriage, and I always responded with the standard answers that Lady Tanoko gives when asked about marriage. It's all in the book How to Become Lady Tanoko 101, so I just repeated it. I joked—there's no such book, but it seems that in this past year, I've gotten better at lying.
"The staff told me to call you Lady Tanoko, it's a shame because you have such a beautiful name, Letisha, right?" Mrs. Alaya asked when we reached the last course of our meal.
"Well, I like being called Lady Tanoko. But you can just call me Letisha, I believe my husband won't mind." I replied. Mrs. Alaya chuckled and pulled out a small black box with a gold ribbon, handing it to me.
"Open it, Letisha," she instructed. When I opened it, I almost choked on the tiramisu I had just eaten. Inside the box was an emerald green lingerie set, which I had to admit was beautiful, and a bottle of perfume with Arabic writing I couldn't understand.
"Lady Tanoko, the lingerie is not even the fun part yet. You see the perfume there? It's a charm, actually..." Mrs. Alaya explained. "My family's tradition, it has herbs that we believe... well, I can assure you that you won't sleep at all if you wear it tonight for Mr. Elliot. The perfume contains something that only a man who loves you can smell. It's different for every man. My husband swears he smells a really fragrant nectarine coming out of me." She added with a raised eyebrow.
Honestly, I was still shocked by the scanty outfit and even more so by Mrs. Alaya's explanation about the perfume. If she knew the state of my marriage, she might have felt awkward giving me such a gift.
"Thank you, Mrs. Alaya. This is very pretty. I will make sure to test it." I answered, smiling, and quickly closed the box. If I kept looking at it, I wouldn't be able to face Elliot tonight.
After changing and applying makeup for my schedule today, the Tanoko PR team arrived to take some photos for my social media account. Then, I waited in my office while watching several Tanoko Cherish employees pass by, since it was already after office hours. I wondered, if I weren't married, would I be like them? Working and chatting over coffee, exchanging goodbyes and joy when it was finally time to leave work?
If I weren't married, would I have a normal life like theirs?
(Elliot POV)
After we arrived home, Letisha immediately took off her heels and walked barefoot into the house. I furrowed my brow. Why was she in such a hurry?
I watched her run to the kitchen, then emerge holding a box, heading toward the backyard. Was she going to eat cereal? Was she still hungry? I had to admit, the fine dining earlier didn't satisfy me either. Letisha ate only a little; she drank more white wine than anything else during our dinner.
I followed her and saw Letisha crouching in the backyard garden. Lily had transformed the area into a home garden that had been featured in AD Magazine this year as the most beautiful home garden. All my guests who came here always praised it, and it was all Letisha's idea. Originally, this backyard was meant for barbecues and to be a basketball court. But now, it had become a place that calmed me after work.
"What are you doing, Isha?" I asked, slightly leaning forward, inadvertently walking closer and crouching next to her. I finally saw what she was doing—feeding the cat that often roamed around our backyard. I knew about this cat, and I had already been informed that we would be moving it elsewhere, but I didn't know Letisha was so fond of it.
"Ah! Elliot, when did you...?" she said, half shouting. Letisha immediately stood up when she realized how close we were. The cat, who had been eating contentedly, quickly hid behind her. "Sorry, I know we're not allowed to keep cats in the house, but I never brought Markie inside. He only comes here when it's time to eat..."
"Markie? That's the name of this chubby cat?" I teased, pointing at the Calico cat that was glaring at me, probably upset its meal had been interrupted. I could see the same frown forming on Letisha's face, mirroring the cat's expression.
So cute.
"The vet said Markie isn't obese, This is the sign of a healthy and well-maintained cat. The name Markie comes from the pattern on its head, like it's been drawn on with a marker," she replied, irritated, pointing at the cat's head.
"Hmmm, so you've even taken it to the vet?" I asked.
"Does this mean I have to get rid of Markie?" she asked, looking down, holding the cat in her arms.
"No, Letisha. You can continue to take care of Markie... I don't mind," I said, gently petting the cat as well.
"Really?" she asked again. I nodded. Letisha smiled, caressing the cat, who seemed very comfortable in her arms. What a lucky cat. I wish I could be looked at with that much affection by Isha.
"Are you going to Lily's opening?" Letisha suddenly asked, staring at me. I smiled slightly, wiping the cat fur that clung to her blushing cheek.
"Floristique, right? This Saturday? Sadly, I'm going to Seoul," I replied, putting on a melancholic face. "For a business trip," I added.
"Again?!" Letisha blurted out. I stared at her, surprised. This was the first time I had heard Letisha raise her voice, and somehow, I liked it.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your work, especially not to mess up the family business... What I mean is... I'll go and represent you later," she clarified, flustered. She lowered her gaze, trying to hide her overly honest expression. But her eyes, which lingered on me for just a moment too long, made me wonder: was she disappointed?
Letisha was always like this—holding herself back. She was so afraid of being perceived as an obstacle to Tanoko's successor's work, and I understood why she panicked just by speaking her mind. Although, I was happy, because maybe she did miss my absence, and if I were to speculate, I might be missing her too.
"Do you like flowers, Isha?" I asked again, and Letisha glanced at me before nodding.
"Sunflowers," she answered, smiling. And what I noticed was that when she smiled even wider, I could see a small dimple on her cheek. Without realizing it, I smiled too.
Alas, that's why there are so many sunflowers in this house.
Markie
A glimpse of their garden
The "Gift"