Paper Rings (English)

Chapter 11

Primrose clasped her hands together on her lap as she gazed at herself in the mirror. She tried to paint a smile on her red-tinted lips, but the glint of anxiety remained apparent on her visage. Tension was engulfing her senses, and all she could do was welcome it as she sat here waiting for the grand reveal of their plans.

Despite the heavy feeling in her chest, no one could deny the elegant demeanor oozing out of the new bride while wearing an exquisite white wedding dress. It featured a sweetheart neckline with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a subtle train that truly highlighted her alluring figure.

She picked this minimalistic dress three days ago when she and Sander abruptly decided to move the ceremony today. And as expected, everyone, including the Mortels, attempted to shatter their resolve. It was a relief that her fake husband was as firm as her about this wedding scheme.

“Give us some smile,” the photographer said while pointing the camera in her direction. The lady almost forgot the man’s presence because she was too focused on calming herself down. “Try not to put tension on your shoulders, Ma’am. It looks unnatural.”

The red-haired lady heaved a sigh. Her gaze shifted to Elisha, who was standing on the sidelines and had been assisting her since dawn. It was a blessing in disguise that Sander’s assistant is such a sweetheart. Her presence in the entire preparation made her feel at ease, especially when she needed some girly input that her partner-in-crime couldn't give. Her lips automatically drew a natural smile when she pounded a fist in the air to cheer her on.

“That’s more like it. Now, can you move your upper body to the left for a bit and keep facing the camera?”

Like an obedient painting model, she did what she was told to do. The flashing of the camera and the compliments of the photographer only halted when the door of the bride’s waiting room clicked open. She held her breath upon seeing the emerging image of Sandra walking forward in her direction. Behind her was the usual defeated face of Patricia—her apologetic face was enough to let her know that she went inside unwillingly.

“Elisha, I need a moment with Primrose. Can you guide the photographer outside?" she demanded and gestured to the direction of the door.

"Sandra, I don't think we should stress her out. The ceremony will start in an hour and the pictures need to be taken —"

"Elisha," the Madame repeated in a firm voice while darting a sharp look at Patricia. "Didn't you hear me?"

"Y-yes, ma'am. Right away."

Elisha glanced at her in worry, but Primrose managed to smile to reassure her that she could handle this just fine. When the door shut and the three of them were left in the four-cornered waiting room, she heaved a deep breath and braced herself for the worst.

"If you two are in such a hurry to get this over with, you should've dyed your black again. That would've been more modest."

She almost flinched when Sandra sat beside her and started fixing her curls. Even Patricia looked bewildered while watching Sander's mother. Her ears were ready for her long retaliation because she wasn't responding to her text messages since they informed everyone about this abrupt ceremony. However, seeing how Sandra was acting like a plain sulky mother, she wasn't exactly sure how to react.

"And what is this shabby place? Why did you two choose this small restaurant as your wedding venue and reception?" her monologue continued on in sync with her wrinkled hands patting down the train of her dress.

"Our mutual friend suggested this place," the jittery bride managed to answer.

"Ah, it's that Lowell Sebastian, right? I heard it from Sander." Patricia excitedly clapped her hands in the air. Her excitement couldn't be any clearer when she leaned over to whisper. "I think I saw him outside with his girlfriend. Such a fine young man!"

Amused by the sight of an excited fourty-year-old woman gushing over a younger man, Primrose couldn't help but snicker. Sandra, on the other hand, seemed displeased with an elevated eyebrow mocking her sister-in-law in silence.

"I didn't know Sander was close to Iyanna Salvador's son." She could sense a sprinkle of hostility in the woman's tone. It was as if the mention of Lowell's name was the last thing Sandra wanted to hear. "If I wasn't mistaken, he was set to marry you before, right?"

Her eyes flicked upward, meeting her gaze full of malice and suspicion. Just when she thought she could finally see this woman in a different light, she was once again back to square one of the equation. She still failed to figure her out. Although, it wasn't much of a surprise for her. It was clear that Sandra didn't like her from the start.

"Hello, ladies."

Her groom's perfect timing saved her from answering the question. The uptight Madame stood up and backed away from her upon seeing her son walk to the direction of his bride.

Sander shot her a knowing look, as if bragging that he saved her from a tough predicament.

"Could you excuse us for a while?" the Mortel Malls President said before beaming at her. "I just want a moment alone to marvel at my beautiful wife."

Her eyes almost rolled with his cheesy comeback. Good thing that Patricia squealed. She took that chance to find her neutral composure and smile back at him.

"Of course. Let's go, Sandra. I told you we shouldn't come here."

Although reluctant, Sandra had no choice but to let herself be dragged away by Patricia. The amused red-haired lady watched as they disappeared out of the doorstep, leaving her and Sander alone.

After that, her brows furrowed upon noticing the man's eyes lingering on her. When their gaze connected, he turned his face away and coughed audibly.

"What?" she asked, weirded out by his awkwardness.

"Nothing," he diverted his attention into fixing his cuffs. "The dress we picked suits you perfectly. You look pretty."

She reached for the bouquet of daisies from the coffee table and neatly placed it on her lap. Her finger gripped around it tightly while she pursed her lips into a thin line.

"Thanks. You too." Her mouth acted faster than her brain again. Before she knew it, his eyes were already twinkling with amusement. "I-I mean, you look good too. I don't mean you're pretty as in pretty." She paused, scanning him again from head to toe. "But, to be honest, you are pretty."

Her groom was wearing a black wool twill suit. It looked simple when they picked it up from the dress shop, but now that he was adorned in it, she couldn't deny that a man with his visuals could command the crowd. It was worthy of Patricia's squeal earlier.

His luxurious rich hair was in a neat half bun, letting loose a few small strands on his sideburns.

"Anyway, I think you should know that my mother was onto something again."

"Something? Like bringing up my past engagement with Lowell?" she shrugged her shoulders. "I sort of expected it."

"She invited some guests I didn't know about," Sander continued. Based on the tone of his voice, he seemed alarmed, so she started listening attentively too. "I have a bad feeling about it."

"Does it matter? All we need to do is get some videos and pictures taken for the press release, and we're done. What more can she possibly do?"

"You don't know what she's capable of," he smirked and shook his head. "In case my hunch is right and something does go wrong , let me handle it."