Feeling a rush of exhilaration was one thing, but deep down, there was still a pang of discomfort. Why did it seem like everyone else had such supportive fathers, cherishing their daughters like precious gems? And why was she stuck with a dad like hers?
Back in her office, Erik lost all appetite and called Estrella to cancel their lunch plans. She sat there, lost in thought until the clock struck two in the afternoon. Then, picking up her phone, she dialed Bryce. "Bryce, my dad's against us getting married. We had a big fight."
On the other end, Bryce chuckled dismissively, "He's just scared you're climbing the social ladder."
Bryce could read Tori like an open book without even having to meet him. After all, Erik had been close with them for so many years; their friendship was like that of kids. But now that he and Erik were talking marriage, it was a different ball game. He knew he had to be cautious.
"I get it," Erik said. "Bryce, do you have your family register with you?"
The more Tori tried to keep her from marrying Bryce, the more she wanted to do the exact opposite. So, she asked Bryce if he had his family register ready.
"On me. I'll head over now," Bryce replied, and they hung up.
Shortly after, Bryce's car pulled up outside Manning International, and Erik got in without a word. Sensing the mood, Bryce drove straight to the city hall.
They parked, and the city hall had just opened for business. Seeing people slowly making their way in, Erik suddenly fell silent, not moving to open the car door.
Bryce, seeing her hesitation, turned to her seriously, "Hey, we're at the doorstep now. Don't tell me you're having second thoughts."
His challenge worked. Erik unbuckled her seatbelt, scoffing, "Who's having second thoughts? I said we're getting married, so we're doing it."
With that, she stepped out of the car and headed towards the entrance. Bryce quickly followed her out.
As they approached the city hall entrance, Erik suddenly stopped. Just after her argument with Tori, she was now rushing to get a marriage license. She wondered if she was being too impulsive.
Bryce intentionally provoked her, "Hey, once this is done, you're officially off the market. Think it through. Don't make a decision in the heat of the moment you might regret later."
Without mentioning Tori, Erik was indeed contemplating her impulsiveness. But the moment Bryce brought up Tori, Erik's mood darkened. She turned to him, "Bryce, are you getting cold feet?"
"Absolutely not, I swear," Bryce reassured her, even raising his hand as if taking an oath.
Convinced by Bryce's sincerity, Erik said, "Well then, let's do this."
So, ten minutes later, they walked out, marriage license in hand.


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