The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

The day had been a whirlwind of wedding preparations, but every moment felt absolutely perfect. My friends had proven themselves to be incredible planners. In just one afternoon, we had secured everything needed for the ceremony - floral arrangements, catering service, live music, a string quartet for the vows, welcome gifts, the guest list, wedding cake, and most importantly, my dress. Since I wanted something intimate rather than elaborate, the planning moved quickly while still capturing exactly what I envisioned.

We had also coordinated with the officiant that Owen recommended, and met with Father Matthews about the ceremony. Initially, he hesitated to perform the blessing since Liam and I hadn't completed the traditional pre-marriage counseling program. However, Chloe worked her persuasive magic and convinced him to meet with us Friday morning for an abbreviated session. After that discussion, he agreed to provide the religious blessing we wanted.

Stella and Felix had designed gorgeous digital invitations and scheduled them to go out during dinner time, ensuring our parents wouldn't discover our plans prematurely. They had volunteered to handle all the RSVP responses on Friday.

Chloe had completely taken over my Friday schedule with military precision. The day would include the pre-marriage counseling session, which she had already informed Owen to communicate to Liam, followed by a full spa treatment, hair salon appointment, and final dress fittings for both myself and the bridesmaids. I had specifically chosen to let each of them select their own dresses and colors. I wanted them to feel confident and beautiful in whatever they chose, rather than forcing them into something that might make them uncomfortable just to satisfy some bridal vision. I wasn't the type of bride who worried about being overshadowed - after all, I would be the one standing at the altar in white.

My friends were all so different from each other, with varying body types and personal styles. What looked stunning on one might not flatter another. I wanted each of them to feel radiant standing beside me. That's why they each chose their own dress in their preferred color, and I absolutely loved their selections - beautiful, vibrant hues that were all different from each other. It would be perfect, like getting married in a blooming garden filled with different colored flowers surrounding me.

Before heading home to prepare for dinner, Felix asked me to send her my wedding vows so she could type them up and place them at the altar.

"Felix, I'm not writing personal vows," I explained.

"What do you mean? Every modern wedding includes personalized vows written by the couple," Felix responded, as if I was completely out of touch.

"That might be the current trend, Felix, but I want ours to be traditional. The classic and beautiful 'I promise to be faithful to you, in joy and in sadness, in health and in sickness, in wealth and in poverty, loving you and respecting you, all the days of our lives, until death do us part.' It's absolutely perfect! Nothing could be more meaningful than promising love, faithfulness, and respect through good times and difficult times, for our entire lives."

"Oh, Hazel, you're such a hopeless romantic," Chloe laughed.

"Besides, those vows worked beautifully for my parents and for Liam's parents, so we're continuing the family tradition," I said with a smile.

"You're the bride, so you make the rules!" Stella agreed.

When I arrived home, I found Liam looking somewhat grumpy. He informed me that Chloe had mandated he spend the next two nights at Damian's house and couldn't see me again until our wedding day. The guys would use this opportunity to have their own gathering, like an adult version of summer camp. Adrian had promised to organize a bachelor party celebration. I warned Liam that this bachelor party better not involve any female entertainment, which made him laugh heartily.

After finishing my preparations, I ran my hand over my dress while examining myself in the mirror. I wore a hydrangea blue dress that hugged my waist before flaring into a midi-length skirt. The front was modest, but the back featured an elegant low-cut design. A thin fabric belt in matching material was sewn into the waist, creating a beautiful Chanel-style bow at the back. I left my hair flowing loose over my shoulders and completed the look with subtle makeup and nude heels with a matching clutch.

I walked into the living room where Liam was waiting. He looked incredibly handsome, as always, wearing a light gray suit with no tie and a crisp white shirt. When he saw me, he approached with his eyes absolutely glowing.

"You look absolutely breathtaking!" He smiled and gave me a quick kiss. "I'm going to marry the most beautiful woman in the entire world!"

"You're being dramatic!" I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Where is everyone else?"

"They already left. Your parents took Leo with them. They went with the driver and two security guards."

"Well, then we should go too."

"Do I really have to stay at Damian's house? I promise I won't tell Chloe anything!" His tone was practically begging.

"Yes, you absolutely do. Because she will inevitably find out, and I refuse to face her fury," I smiled and pulled him by the hand. He followed with an exaggerated sigh.

When we arrived at the restaurant, everyone was already gathered. Our close friends and both sets of parents were there, along with Miranda, George, and Margaridinha - the nickname Stella had given Dona Fiona that somehow stuck, and now everyone called her that. We greeted everyone and I received numerous compliments on my appearance. Leo was sitting on Damian's lap, enthusiastically telling him about the car movie he had watched that afternoon, and Damian was giving him the same focused attention he would give an important business meeting.

I felt overwhelmed with happiness having all the most important people in my life gathered together. We were assembled in the private dining room, and servers circulated offering champagne. Liam called for everyone's attention and began speaking:

"Friends and family, this week we endured some truly terrible moments, but they brought us even closer together as a group. However, everything that happened made me realize that when we're absolutely certain about something we want, we shouldn't waste time waiting. That's exactly why we're all gathered here tonight. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here supporting us and for welcoming me during the darkest moments." Liam paused to take a breath. "When my parents died, I felt completely isolated and alone in the world, and all of you surrounded me with love and unwavering support. And when I thought nothing could ever bring me joy again, I found the woman of my dreams and my son, and now we're expecting another child. I would like to make a toast to exactly that - to all of you, to family, to my children, and to the most precious woman in the world who filled my entire life with light."

Everyone raised their champagne glasses in a toast and applauded Liam's heartfelt words. He continued speaking:

"I am absolutely certain that you are the love of my life, Hazel, and that I want to spend my entire life with you." Liam took my hand and walked with me toward my parents. "Therefore, Arthur and Serena, I would like to ask you for the tremendous honor of making your daughter my wife. I promise you, and all our friends gathered here, that I will take care of her and love her every single day. I will work tirelessly to give her a happy home and a peaceful life. I ask for your blessing to marry Hazel and I promise to dedicate myself so that we have a marriage as joyful as yours and like my parents had."

"Liam... ahem..." my father needed to clear his throat, and I noticed he was just as emotional as my mother, who was already crying. "You are definitely a man who keeps his word. When I first met you, you said you wanted to date my daughter and that it wouldn't be a long courtship. You certainly weren't kidding." My father smiled and made everyone laugh along with him. "I am a straightforward man, Liam, but I am completely sure you will make my daughter very happy, because anyone can see in the way you look at her just how much you love her. And where there is genuine love, everything can be resolved, faced, and endured. You have our complete blessing. You are welcomed into my family as a son."

I was crying freely, and a member of the catering staff handed me a small packet of tissues that she was already distributing among the emotional guests. My father and Liam embraced, and then my mother also hugged Liam and kissed his cheek.

Liam turned toward me, took a small velvet box from his pocket, and opened it carefully. Inside was the most beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen. It was crafted from white gold with the metal designed to look like delicate branches and leaves, and in the center sat a round diamond, with triangular aquamarine stones on each side connecting to the diamond at its base. The design was absolutely perfect.

"The diamond, Hazel, represents durability and constancy, exactly as I want our marriage to be," Liam began explaining. "Aquamarine symbolizes the quality of being unique, and you are completely unique to me. I want you to be absolutely sure of that. This was the ring my grandfather used to propose to my grandmother. Later, this was the ring my father used to propose to my mother. And now, this is the ring I'm using to ask you to marry me. This ring represents my commitment and my complete dedication to you. Choose me to be yours, Hazel, for the rest of our lives."

"Yes... a thousand times yes... I will say yes to you every single day for the rest of our lives," I said through tears and sobs.

I placed both hands on my fiance's handsome face and gave him a gentle kiss on his lips. Liam removed the ring from the box and showed me the inscription "Maktub" engraved on the inside of the band, which I knew meant "it was already written." This made me cry even more. Liam slipped the ring onto my finger and kissed my hand tenderly. We were officially engaged.

"Oh, before I forget, you'll all receive formal invitations, but our wedding will be next Saturday," Liam announced with a smile.

For the following hour, we explained to my parents and the other guests exactly why we were getting married on Saturday and assured them that everything was already completely organized.

"I won't lie, I'll go home feeling much more relaxed knowing that you are married, that you will have someone providing you support from now on, my daughter," my father said, hugging me tightly after dinner.

My father knew I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself and my son, but like every loving father, he wanted to see his daughter happy beside someone who loved and protected her. I completely understood his feelings.

"Owen, you kept your promise - this dinner was absolutely magnificent. Thank you!" I said, hugging my friend gratefully.

"It was my pleasure, beautiful woman." Looking at Chloe with a mischievous smile, he said, "I want to see you top this!" He challenged her, knowing she was coordinating the wedding preparations with absolute determination.

"Owen, don't activate her perfectionist mode," I pleaded, and everyone burst into laughter, but it was already too late - Chloe had accepted his challenge with gleaming eyes.