“Why should I? He’s disabled. So? I know some disabled people who are rich, successful, and handsome.”
Ashley sighed. “True.”
“And there are those who know the truth.”
“True. But I bet their jaws are going to drop when they see my brother,” she said proudly. “So, what are you going to do? I don’t like any of them in that family. I’d prefer we had no business with them.”
“No, if anything, I’m speeding things up.”
“Huh?”
“We’ll have the wedding in two days.”
“What?!”
“I need to call my husband,” she said as she stood up and excused herself, leaving Ashley with her mouth hanging open.
“Why are you so happy?”
“I love you so much,” he kissed her all over her face.
“What’s going on?” Patricia asked, looking worried and confused. By the time she arrived, Sharon had left, and she was so concerned, not knowing what had happened or why she wasn’t around. She had also threatened Clarisse, telling her she’d go through hell if the marriage fell through.
“You’re confusing me. What happened?”
“The Percy’s family said…”
“That?”
“They’d love the wedding to be in two days,” he said, giggling like a baby.
“What?! Are you sure of what you’re saying?”
“Hundred percent. I couldn’t contain my excitement, which is why I rushed home to shower you with my love and affection.”
Patricia blushed, smiling. “Well… what are you going to do?”
“Anything you want, my love, name it.”
“Hmm… anything?”
“Anything, but first, I’ll need to start giving it to you from the bedroom,” he teased, causing her to laugh and blush.
“C’mon… you’re still naughty at such an old age.” she said shyly.
“Old? I won’t defend that, but you can testify that my joystick never gets old,” he winked at her.
“Hey!” She hit him, blushing deeply.
“But honey…”
“What did you do to Charles’s wife? How did you manage that?”
“Hmm… well… just this and that, woman to woman, we know how this thing works.”
“Ohh, my beautiful wifey,” he scooped her off the ground into his arms.
Patricia giggled as Ferdinand carried her toward their room.
“I need to hasten the signing. There are some urgent matters I need to attend to,” a tall man standing by the curtain said while staring out at the city through the transparent glass.
“What urgent matter? The construction deals aren’t the only ones we’re sealing. We should chill before your wedding day.”
“I told you I have no time to chill.”
“You’re such a workaholic. You won’t have the time or chance to do all this again. This is your only opportunity.”
“I guess we’re done talking about business. Goodnight.”
“Hey, hey, hey, calm down, bro. Fine, I’ll get the AnD cooperation to sign the deal, but don’t forget my cut.”
“I never go back on my word.”
“And when is your wedding? I don’t want to miss it for anything in this world.”
“You don’t have to come. Just concentrate on getting the deal.”
“Don’t be such a boring dude. I’m your goddamn best friend. Why would I miss the wedding? If anything, I should be there helping you prepare, but you trapped me here with a business.”
“There’s no way you can attend, even if I tell you so. Like I said, just focus on closing the deal.”
“If you’re not going to tell me, I’ll just ask Ashley myself. But believe me, once I get the info from Ashley, you’ll see me by your side two days earlier, whether I close the deal or not.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat?”
“Not like you ever feel threatened, but whatever.”
“Okay…” He sighed, already exhausted from the conversation that was beginning to drag. “The wedding is in two days.”
“What?!” He screamed.
Chris placed the phone away from his ear, already knowing he was going to scream.
“Why the hell are you just telling me this now?”
“I just received the message too. It was supposed to be in two weeks.”
“And how are you going to meet up? You can’t let Kyle beat you to it. You know how stubborn and persistent that idiot can be.”
“He can never beat me to anything,” Chris said confidently. “I’ll figure out the wedding. Bye.” He hung up immediately, giving Ryan no chance to say another word.
He tossed the phone onto the bed and loosened his tie. “Which one is more important, the money or the wedding?” he muttered to himself.
“Hi, laws,” Patricia waved at Sharon, but Sharon rolled her eyes in disgust.
She whispered to her daughter, “Had I known, I would have come and picked her up myself and dressed her up. What is this?” She motioned toward the lonely lady at the altar.
“I can tell immediately she’s not their daughter. Their daughter isn’t even here.”
“I don’t care if she’s here or not. I’m furious right now,” Patricia whispered back.
Clarisse stood at the altar, her eyes blank as she stared at the flower in her hand. It wasn’t like she was going to throw it to anyone. Who would want to catch a flower from a woman like her-a woman who was getting married to another man just a few days after her divorce?
She sighed dejectedly, trying hard not to listen to the murmurs. Though there was nothing new, it just hit differently this time. She knew they were laughing and pointing at her oversized wedding gown, her oversized heels, and probably gossiping about her divorce and her shamelessness.
Her eyes welled up with tears. Why was her life always full of pain? Why had there never been anything good in it? Her first wedding had been a nightmare, and now? Her husband-to-be had stood her up. She didn’t recognize anyone in the room. She felt like an outcast in a world with no one to reach out to, and no one to ask if she was okay. When would anything good ever happen to her?
The murmurs grew louder, followed by gasps and whispered words, but she paid no attention. She wanted to cover herself to block out whatever harsh words they were saying.
But they weren’t saying harsh words. Instead, they were gasping in shock at who and what they were seeing.
Clarisse looked down to see a pair of shoes in front of her. Just then, a tear fell, landing on the well-polished, expensive shoe.
“I hope my bride isn’t too angry that I’m late. I’m sorry, my flight got delayed,” a calm, deep voice whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. The voice was cool yet vibrant, making Clarisse want to look up. But the words he had said kept ringing in her mind, Did he really just say he’s sorry?
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.