Their Mate, My Saviors Chapter 32
-POV Richard-
charade.
Six more hours until this horrible day can be over with and I can go home! Happiest day of my life my ass. "You ready?" Myles asked. He has been my friend since college and I haven't really kept him in the loop, so he honestly thinks I like this girl. I guess I should keep up the "As ready as I'll ever be." I grumbled unconvincingly.
"Oh, come on, it's your wedding day!" Eddie called from the bathroom.
"Don't remind me." I mumbled under my breath.
Neither of them continued down that path and thought it was safer to stick to sports. The other groomsmen joined in and it actually got my mind off the impending doom of this betrothal agreement. Finally, after about three hours of mindless banter, there was a knock at the door. "Excuse me, Mr.Kingsley. It's time for you and your men to head out to the altar." The planner called from behind the door.
I walked up, buttoning my suit jacket and threw open the door. "Of course!" I called with a fake smile and she grinned right back, none the wiser.
"There he is! For a second there, I thought we were going to have a runner on our hands." Myles added with a laugh and I forced myself to go along with him.
"No way! I got the Tanya Emmerson as my bride. Who could ask for anything better?" I lightly tapped his chest with my fist, as I knew exactly what could have been better.
"Ahhh! You wound me!" Eddie added, and we all played around and laughed all the way to the main foyer of the hotel.
When we made it out to the gardens, the guests had arrived and some on Tanya's side stood out immediately. Seven giant men towards the front rows. Three of them had women sitting next to them. One of them was comically smaller than the rest. Oh well. Not my problem. I walked over to my side of the altar and did my best not to look bored.
Finally, the women started walking down the aisle and I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I huffed and continued to play along, looking at all the women in their blue dresses to match my groomsmen's light blue ties. Hated the color, but she loved it. Finally, the woman of the hour made it to the procession and her father was grinning from ear to ear. They stood for photos at the end of the aisle and the large bouquet of flowers adored the large stone vases on either side of her. Her bouquet matched the decor flawlessly with blues, greens and whites tapered through the foliage gripped tightly by her slender hands. Tanya was covered by a veil and her dress hugged her long legs and cinched bodice like I didn't think was possible. I can't say she looked ugly. I grinned shortly, and was thankful when her old man finally gave her to me so we could get this over with.
She winced when I touched her hand and that actually made a real smile appear. I'm sure she remembered last night just as well as I did. It was nice...not as nice as Ayame, but still worth it. I made sure no one else would see anything though. I'm not that stupid. I followed my father's orders to the letter. We had dinner and I enjoyed the night.
"Sir, do you, Richard Kingsley, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish..." Wow, this guy was old.
"Yes. I do." I said when he finally stopped talking.
He said the same spiel to Tanya, and she didn't respond. I squeezed her hand and she gasped. "Y-yes, I do." She called.
A sigh of relief was heard from the audience and I smirked. I know how badly this useless family needs our money. She had better be grateful she could even be a replacement.
-POV Ayame-
I stared at him as if I had seen a ghost. It...it was him. I know it was him. How is it that I escaped from him only to attend his wedding? I'm so scared.... Did they know?! I glanced over at my triplets, and they looked completely emotionless as I remembered their parents were the ones who told them about this affair. I glanced to the left of me and they seemed none the wiser themselves. Not one of them said a word either. Did...did they bring me as a gift!? I fidgeted in my seat as the bridesmaids started to walk down the aisle. I can't blow this. I need to stay hidden. If...if they really are their business partners, I cannot embarrass them.
Their own mother warned me to keep my place before we arrived. I do not want to piss her off even more than I already have. I don't know how, but I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that she just straight up hates my existence. "Princess?" Edon mumbled. I flinched and looked back at him. "Y-yes?" I whispered.
"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly and finally, all three of their emotionless faces chipped, even if it was for just a moment.
I nodded. "Of course...why...why wouldn't I be?" I whispered.
Edon looked at me for a second longer before just letting the issue drop. I know they know I'm lying to them, but this isn't the place to have a breakdown. I...I have to keep it together. The ceremony went on and I could feel the fear of his bride from here. Or at least, that's what I told myself. Maybe she was just as oblivious as I used to be and I was jumping to conclusions? No...I can see her shaking. I guess I wasn't the only one he's been tormenting all these years. I'm not even mad that he had someone else. All I can feel right now is pure pity. I need to say something but I'm so...so scared.
The bride and groom pecked each other on the lips and turned to the clapping crowd. The tightness of my pencil skirt was starting to feel even more constricting. Right when they walked past us, I turned my head, responding to a tap on my knee. "You good?" Emily asked. I furrowed my brow and nodded. Was I really this easy to read?
"Good, it's almost time for my favorite part." She said excitedly. Unlike me, she's been to a few of these. It makes it much easier for her to enjoy the festivities. I haven't, but I never thought the first one I would be able to experience would be the marriage of my ex-boyfriend. The creature that houses my nightmares.
We all filed out of the ceremony location and walked up to the nice banquet hall with candlelit tables, refreshments, and hors d'oeuvres. I stayed with Edon as his hand held onto mine. "Angel?" Vil asked. I glanced in his direction. "You have been looking around like you've seen a ghost." He said with a chuckle.
That's because I have.
I looked up and smiled. "I'm just a little jet-lagged, is all." I pushed through my worry.
"Well, I -"
"Edon, Conri, Vilkas! So happy to see you three could make it." A middle-aged man came up and reached out his hand for the three of them to shake.
"Of course. We wouldn't decline such an occasion." Conri said, clearing his throat. I could tell from the side glance he gave me that the three of them would not let this go. I don't blame them.
"Yes, the joining of two families is such a lovely thing to celebrate. And I heard one of you brought along your betrothed?" He asked.
Is...Is that me?! "Yes, I thought it would be best for her to meet some of our partners. She might work in our office soon. She has a great eye for marketing." I gasped at Edon's comment. I only told them about my degree in passing. There is no way I can work at any business with just a partially completed undergrad.
I grit my teeth and moved myself from behind Edon. "Ah! So you are here with, um.... Oh goodness, I still cannot tell the three of you apart. After over twenty-five years, you would think I would by now!"
"Edon, sir." He said with a sharp smile. I'm glad I'm still the only one who can do the impossible. Being able to tell them apart was fun.
"Of course!" Oh geeze, I need to get away from this guy. He's so loud! I cannot attract attention.
"Well, I'm sure you two have met my youngest daughter, Marissa, then, no?" Is he serious?!
Vil and Conri froze for a moment, then Conri grinned and nodded. "Yes, we have been acquainted. Either way, we would like to head to our table for now, we will chat later." Conri nodded towards the man and he cleared his throat. "Yes, yes, of course. Already married off one daughter.... I can wait to marry off the second." He said with a chuckle, and I realized this man had to be the bride's father. Great. The most conspicuous man in the room aside from the groom.
He walked off and I immediately looked around for our name tags. "Found them." Kyle called. Conri nodded and we walked towards the front table...in the middle of the room. Oh Goddess. Why me? I whimpered internally.
The room started to fill with guests and I tried my best to hide in between Vil and Edon. I didn't want to be recognized. I don't know if any of these people have...seen me before and I don't want to find out. "Introducing...Mr. and Mrs.Kingsley!" The MC called and we all clapped for them as they walked through the halls. It was very formal and subtle.Enjoy this chapter for free and stay updated with the latest version on Job_ni-b.com. Don't miss out, visit it now. No one stood to their feet and there was no hollering like Emily said there would be. Oh well, I don't think everyone is all that happy about this occasion. I knew all I wanted to do was get out of here. When the two of them sat down, Edon took that one opportunity to lean back in his chair and Richard and I locked eyes.
I felt my soul drop into my stomach and the disgusting smile that drew from his lips was unmistakable.
He found me.
"No...." I whispered and it was not quiet enough for the others at the table not to notice. Supernatural hearing. The eyes of our table looked into the direction of mine and realization finally struck. They...finally met my monster.