Married in 14 Days

Sasha strutted confidently as she made her way to her company's fundraiser in the five-star hotel. Being one of the first people to arrive, she sat on a table in front. In a few hours, Tom McCarthy, the Chief Strategy Officer, would make the most important announcement of her career; she was about to be promoted from manager to director. For seven years, she had worked hard to earn the promotion, and tonight was her night.

The event scaled through slowly and then it was time for the new Director of Strategy to be announced. Tom McCarthy took to the stage to address the crowd. After his speech, he made the announcement.

"I am pleased to announce that the new Director of Strategy for Golden firm is none other than Mr. Gold Fletcher."

As Mr. Fletcher made his way to the stage, Sasha felt her heart sink. How could this be? Everyone at work whispered that the promotion was hers. Tom McCarthy himself commended her at every given chance. He'd told her he couldn't think of anyone who was better fit for the role. What went wrong?

Disappointed, she walked out of the hotel, fighting back the tears that stung the back of her eyes. A little walk and some fresh air should make her feel better. Luckily, the grand hotel had a lakeside view that spread out in front of it. She carefully made her way to the bridge that curved over the lake and into a garden, using the bright screen of her phone to make her way through the darkness.

As she reached the middle of the bridge, her phone rang. It was her younger sister whom she had told about the promotion. Surely, Tatiana was calling to congratulate her. She thought about ignoring the call because she knew that having to say out loud that she didn't get the promotion would push her to tears, but she decided she would rather get it over with sooner than later.

"Hello?" She said as she answered the call."So?" Tatiana said from the other end of the phone. Her baby could be heard babbling in the background.

"So, I didn't get it," Sasha replied with an air of defeat.

"What?"

"Yeah.""I don't understand," said Tatiana after a brief silence.

"Yeah, me neither." Sasha used the back of her finger to dry a tear near her eye. "I was so sure I would get the promotion, but some new guy who just transferred here got it."

"Sasha, I'm so sorry," said Tatiana."I was really looking forward to this. I really thought that for once Mum and I would have something to talk about other than marriage."

"Don't tell me she still bothers you about getting married," Tatiana said."She never stopped. At this point, I'm considering a fake marriage.

"Tatiana laughed. "You wouldn't."

"No, I'm serious. I'm seriously considering a lavender marriage."

"You can't," Tatiana protested. She could hear the seriousness in her sister's voice.

"Why not?" asked Sasha."I mean...what if