Elegi Of Rose

The next three hours she spent in a whirlwind of a lot of things. It was a good thing Roy sent a driver to drive her to The Plaza. She and her enthusiastic mother rode at the back of the black BMW with the latter woman's incessant blabbers and constant reminder that everything would go perfectly.

It kind of did because the moment she stepped inside her dressing room an hour before the wedding, she was stripped out of her dress and was wrapped in a silk robe. Her blond hair was made up in perfect waves by a cheery, chubby woman. Her face did not really need a lot of work because she naturally glowed despite what she felt right now. The gown was the last thing to come and it was a more difficult task than the last time. Her veil was much more of a challenge because it practically ran down the floor behind her and it was uncomfortable t to move at all.

Ayu was able to rest five minutes before the dreaded walk down the aisle. Her mother had gone missing and she didn't really care. She couldn't take any more of her useless chatters. She was still recovering from the gifts she received this morning.

Someone knocked on the door and the pretty brown-haired beauty popped her head inside. "Can I come in?" Rin asked.

"Yes, of course," Ayu said and began to stand up.

"Oh, no, don't stand up. I know you're tired," her future sister-in-law waved her hand. She was dressed in a pretty gold dress that stopped just below her knees and it was paired by gold high-heeled sandals. Her straight brown hair was spread beautifully behind her back. She held a bouquet of tulips in one hand and she handed it to Ayu. "This is yours," she smiled awkwardly. "Look, Ayu, right?"

"Yu. You can call me Yu or Yu, whatever you're comfy with," she answered.

"Look, Yu," Rin's smiled turned warm, "I'm sorry about last dinner. Yeyena was out of bounds. I shouldn't have let her talk me into bringing her."

"That's okay. I was shocked, but I got over it sooner than most would have, I think," she answered and added silently, Not that I really care what my dear future husband has been doing with your friend.

"Don't worry; she's not coming to the wedding. I told her I'd end our friendship if she does," Rin tried to joke to lighten up the mood. "She's just a bit heartbroken, that's all. Oh, I know Roy probably told you about everything, so I don't think I should explain."

No, actually I don't have a freakin' idea, Ayu thought as she smiled. "Yeah, of course he did."

"I really hope we'd become friends."

"Yeah, that will not be a problem," she said almost instantly. She liked Rin-she was not like her brother at all. Actually, she liked the rest of his family she even considered if he was adopted.

"Well, good luck. Roy said none of your friends can make it to be your maid of honor and he thought I'd be a perfect proxy. I hope you don't mind."

"No, that's okay. I told him you'd be perfect," she lied. She totally forgot about that detail.

She was saddened by that thought again. Her friends. Well, she didn't have a lot of them, but she would have loved to have them at her wedding. She shook her head mentally. No, she didn't really want her friends to see her getting married to a complete stranger. Two years ago, they expected her to be married happily. She couldn't say she was happy now, so it was better that they were not here. They were better off doing whatever they were doing in wherever part of the world they may be right now.

Rin seemed pleased and she gave Ayu a small hug before telling her it was time for the wedding to start. Her throat tightened at the news. It was like she was suddenly grabbed from behind without notice. Oh, God, this is really happening! "Roy's already waiting for you," Rin smiled at her as she held out her hand for her. Ayu took it and held on for dear life.

Her father was already waiting for her by the entrance. She also forgot he'd be handing her to Roy. Without a word, she hooked her hand around the crook of his arm.

"I'm sorry about this, Yu. I really am."

"What's done is done, dad. Forget about it." She whispered back, already tired of having another witty remark to throw. She knew he was already regretting what he did, but still, the bitterness on her part would stay for a bit longer until she could finally understand why he did what he did.

The music started and everyone in front of the line-all of them strangers to her-started to walk slowly down the aisle. Everyone turned to look at her. She looked back at them, grateful for the veil because she didn't feel like smiling with her eyes right now. Everyone was a stranger-excluding her mother who was now seated with Ria and Risa Punda like they had been friends since birth, an empty seat beside her most probably for her dad. With eyes full of the new faces around her, she looked around and almost gasped. She never realized The Terrace Room she and Roy visited yesterday could become more beautiful. Golden lights hung from the high ceiling, expensive flowers along the aisle-it was just golden everything. She almost felt out of place.

She wondered how she might have felt if she was able to walk down the aisle two years ago. She bet it would have felt a hundred times better, knowing that the man waiting for her would have loved her with all his heart. She looked ahead and saw Roy, handsome as ever in his black tuxedo and bow tie. Yeah, right. He'd definitely love me forever, she sarcastically thought.

A handsome black-haired man stood beside the groom, admiration on both their faces as they looked at her. She felt her face heat up when she realized she was the object of their fascination.

God, he's such a great actor, she thought wryly when Roy reached for her after giving her father a handshake. His hand was warm when he took hers.

"You're cold," he whispered in her ear.

"It's cold outside," she lied without hesitation.

He was not able to answer because the pastor started with whatever he had to say. Ayu tried real hard not to think about her grumbling stomach. She realized she never ate a single thing since she woke up that morning.

Finally, after they went through the motion of their vows-half-heartedly said by both of them, of course-they finally signed and sealed the marriage contract that would bind them for life, well, in their case, would bind them for six months and Ayu was already dreading the moment.

"You can kiss your bride, Roy," the pastor said with a smile.

Ayu's heart began to hammer as Roy's hand-the one which now wore the wedding band she slipped into his finger earlier-held up her veil with a grin. "Hi, Mrs. Punda," he said, looking into her eyes before his lips descended down to meet hers. It was a little bit longer than yesterday's kiss. And it was gentler. She kissed him back, not giving him the chance to enjoy it alone. The crowd clapped their hands.

"Hi back, Mr. Punda," she said wickedly, her eyebrow arched in challenge. He did not expect her to kiss him back with such intensity as she did-it was obviously painted over his face.

He recovered rather fast though because he leaned closer and whispered, "I'm looking forward for that honeymoon you arranged for us."

Ayu's senses surged in full alert as his breath tingled her ear and his hand went behind the small of her back. She mentally brushed the pleasant sensations away, reminding herself of why she was actually there. "Oh, don't worry, darling, I know you'll love it."

The crowd cheered as Roy led his wife down the aisle and out of The Terrace Room.

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*****

The next few hours or so were spent at another hall with glittering wine glasses, golden table cloths, silver chairs, and marvelously dressed people. Ayu danced every dance with Roy, her father, Reinold, and even the best man whom she finally knew as Henry Bell.

"It's finally nice to meet you," her husband's friend said. She looked up at him, his black eyes dark with admiration. He was not really putting very much of an effort to hide it. Ayu wondered if he knew about the real reason why she married his friend.

"Well, it's good to finally meet you too," she said safely.

He flashed his perfect white teeth down at her as he swayed her around with the music, "Roy said you've been seeing each other for a long time?" he asked testily.

"Yes, we did. We met through a friend."

"Who?"

"Who who?"

"Who's the friend? I think I should know, because whoever he or she is, he or she has a bunch of beautiful friends," he looked at her intently.

Ayu suddenly felt weird and uncomfortable.

"Well? Who's this friend?"

"Roy didn't tell you?"

"No, he didn't," he replied.

"I didn't what?" Roy's voice asked behind them.

Ayu sighed, relieved for the first time to hear her husband's voice.

"Nothing, I was just asking your wife who introduced you two," Henry grinned at his friend. Their dancing had stopped.

"Who? Ben? You don't know him," Roy lied easily and fixed his friend with a look of impatience. "Can I have my wife back now?"

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 00005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Henry chuckled and let her go, "Of course, man."

"Thank you," Roy said without looking at his friend, took her hand and held her close.

"That was close, you know. You should have been more specific when you told me about our story."

"Just lie whenever something like that happens again," he said beside her ear.

"I don't really lie as easily as you do," she lied in a whisper. Of course she was a pretty good liar.

"Then change the topic," he said simply, swirling her around. "Now, give me a kiss. Everyone's looking."

"The hell I will-" he cut her off with the same thing he asked for.

She melted once again. His kisses were starting to alarm her. She didn't like the warm and heat that they brought to her womanly senses.

But then, she couldn't just let him enjoy it alone. She kissed him back, locking her hand at his nape, and her fingertips ran through his dark brown hair. She grinned when she felt his shoulders freeze and contract in response.

She didn't let him finish the kiss himself. He started it, and so she'd end it, and she did it much to his obvious disappointment.

She placed a sweet smile on her face. "Can we go now? My feet are killing me and I don't really want to mingle with these strangers."

"How about your parents?" he asked.

"They would be happy to see me go with you, especially my mother," she looked over his shoulder where her mother was now chattering away with Ria and Risa in one corner, wine in hand. Good God, someone should take that glass away from her before she does something stupid. "Yes, I definitely think we should go now."

"Too giddy to start on that honeymoon?" he asked mischievously.

Their faces inches apart, she laughed dryly, "Yes, too giddy to see your face the moment you find out where we are going," she said.

His face turned blank, alarm creeping in. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, sweetheart, don't worry. I'll take good care of you."

Now, it was time for payback.