Paper Rings (English)

Chapter 12

It was a wonderful day to host an outdoor wedding. The sun was up, but the wind was breezy enough to keep the guests comfortable while seated in the mini-garden beside the restaurant. The sight of the artificial beach added a solemn touch to the typical bohemian-themed wedding venue arrangements.

Primrose stood at the end of the aisle, tensed. The veil was obstructing her vision, but she could tell that all eyes were fixated on her. The nervous lady only regained her discernment when Merlin Mortel, Sander’s father, grabbed and placed her hand on his arm. He beamed a loving smile at her, which she reciprocated with the same energy.

The business tycoon was kind enough to offer himself to walk her down the aisle when she mentioned that she wouldn’t be inviting the City Mayor. As if the man understood what she meant, he interrupted Sandra’s objection and suggested this solution instead.

“Don’t be too nervous, dear.”

His comforting demeanor was nothing like his wife’s domineering countenance. And even though he resembled Sander and Patricia, the calm glint in his eyes meant he could blend unnoticeably in the crowd, unlike the two.

Her nerves decreased further with the sight of her best friend, Wednesday Curtis, smiling. Although she couldn’t see her face clearly, she could tell that her sweet comrade was on the verge of crying. She had to remind herself that this was part of her deal with Sander. More than anything, nothing was genuine about this—except the fact that they were legally bound to a marriage contract.

On cue with the little orchestra playing the wedding march, the bride exchanged looks with Merlin. He nodded, and that signaled the start of their slow steps toward the altar where Sander and the officiant stood.

Like any other wedding, they proceed with the ceremony. The vows were generic, as what you would expect from marriage for convenience. The audience didn’t seem to mind it though, all they could think about was how wonderful it was to wed two people from influential families. Based on the unfamiliar faces she saw on the sidelines, she figured that these were the guests Sandra invited without their knowledge.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant turned to look at the groom and smiled. “You may kiss the bride.”

The cheers and applause rang in her ears. When the veil was lifted from her face, her vision was welcomed by the pensive expression in Sander's visage. She didn't need to hear his thoughts. Primrose knew why the man was conflicted. The same thing happened when they had a civil ceremony.

With all the expectant eyes twinkling before them, she knew they had to kiss for real to make everything believable. They might have gotten away with a kiss on the cheek every now and then, but this event was the focal point of their scheme.

She'd be doomed to spend the rest of her life leashed to her father if all this wouldn't work out. Just the thought of it made her shudder in disgust to the core of her being.

"Sorry about this," she mouthed.

Before he could ask her what she meant by those words, her hand reached for his nape without notice and bestowed him a kiss. He seemed surprised at first, but as the cheers around them went on, she felt him pulling her closer.

Her eyelids fluttered open upon feeling his tongue sliding in. She couldn't help but gasp at his sudden actions.

He met with her gaze before parting away from her lips. After that, he smirked as if mocking the obvious rise of heat on both her cheeks. It infuriated her, so she gripped the tip of his cuffs and tapped her heel above his feet.

She was expecting a flinch on his visage, but instead, the mischievous man only winked at her. His hand crawled down her waist, making her face the happy crowd. The cameras around them started flashing more aggressively, giving her no chance to react.

"You…"

"Shh," he leaned over and brushed his cheek with hers, "smile, sweetheart. We wouldn't want them to think this is fake, right?"

“We’ll talk about this later, pervert.”

“Why are you complaining? You started the kiss, and I just gave it a bit of a twist.”

Although she wanted to retaliate more, the events after declaring them husband and wife went very quickly. The next thing she knew, everyone was inside the restaurant and proceeding to the reception program. All she remembered were endless posing with the guests and the tiring smiles she had to give every time someone congratulated them.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” the host stood near the platform where the newly wedded couple sat greeted the enthusiastic audience with high energy. “Before we start with the delicious food, I would like to call on the ladies in attendance to please come forward for the throwing of the bouquet.”

Her eyes sparkled as soon as she heard that announcement. More than her fake wedding, she had been looking forward to this part of their plan. When her gaze connected with Sander’s, he nodded and shrugged his shoulders.

“Go, have your fun now,” he whispered without energy.

“Oh, don’t be jealous. It’s still your wedding.”

“Our wedding,” he corrected her. “And why would I be jealous?”

Instead of answering her groom, Primrose sprinted fast to the center of the platform, where the wedding host signaled her to stand. Her eyes remained fixated on Wednesday, who was standing among the other women in front of her.

“To add fun to this part of the wedding, the ladies will try to catch the bouquet blindfolded.” The emcee further exclaimed, making her grin spread wider. “Now, ladies, if you may. And bride, please turn around.”

As the cheerful music filled the air, every single one of them wore the blindfolds on. Just like how she expected it to be, her friend didn’t move an inch despite the fake cheers the participants did.

She held a finger between her mouth to control the excitement and tension stirring within the informed crowd. When the other ladies removed their blindfolds, she started to walk in the direction where her friend stood.

Wednesday’s brows furrowed after she handed the bouquet to her hand. It took a while before the lady pulled the blindfold hindering her sight.

“R-Rosey?”

“I want you to know that I’m happy for you, Wendy. And that You deserve all the happiness in the world.” Primrose pointed her index finger to the screen behind them.

Wednesday covered her mouth. Flashed on the screen was the question that read, “Will you marry me?”

The bride stepped aside, making way for Lowell Sebastian, who emerged from the crowd. The music engulfing the area slowly faded. Upon halting his tracks, the man didn’t speak just yet. He stared at his girlfriend lovingly as a mischievous smile painted on his face.

“I told you, didn’t I? I will marry you even if you can’t catch it,” the SMU Publishing CEO grinned and bent a knee while opening a red box from his pocket. Inside of it was a ring decorated with a rose-tinted diamond.

“Lowell, I -”

“Wednesday Curtis, will you marry me?”

Primrose had known Wednesday since they were little. And these were the few times she had seen her eyes overflow with genuine joy. She knew all the struggle this woman had to endure for her family, and now that she found her happiness, she couldn’t help but feel happy for her.

“Yes,” Wednesday mouthed and pulled him up from kneeling. “I will marry you.”

She was about to dab a finger on her eyelid when Sander walked up to her side. Upon meeting his gaze, he had a pinched expression on his face. He sighed with exaggeration as his eyes shifted back to the sweet couple hugging in the middle of the platform.

“You sure you didn’t cut a deal with me just to set up a stage for this cheesy couple?”

She threw a sharp look at him, “Don’t ruin the moment. You said I could have my fun, right?”

“I didn’t know your idea of fun was planning an elaborate proposal to overshadow our wedding,” he rubbed his brow. “So much for my wife’s artistic mind.”

“Rosey,” Wednesday called and took light steps toward her. She opened up her arms and welcomed her with a tight hug.

“I’m happy for you. Congratulations to both of you.”

“Thank you, Rosey. Thank you.”

Her gaze shifted to Lowell after they drift from each other’s arms. She held out a hand, and the man gladly shook it. It was almost as if the displeasure for each other’s presence vanished to thin air.

After seeing how much effort the SMU Publishing CEO has put into this, she was reassured that her friend was in good hands. Besides, how could she hate him when Wednesday loved him so much?

“Take care of my Wendy, or I’ll make sure to make your life miserable.”

“Easy there,” Sander interrupted, pulling her hand away from Lowell and intertwining his fingers with hers. She raised an eyebrow, but he only smirked as a response before gaping back at the couple. “Congratulations. I wish you two all the best.”

“Same to you, too.” Lowell placed a hand on the groom’s shoulder, probing eye contact. “Thank you for your generosity to share your day, Mr. Mortel.”

“Lowe,” Wednesday nudged an elbow to warn her man. She traced a smile as both eyes directed at Sander glowed a different light. “Thank you, Sander. Please take care of Rosey. I’ll be counting on you.”

Her tone was far from the usual gentle sound Primrose was used to hearing from her friend. It was commanding as if it wasn’t a request but a command the man needed to adhere to. When she glanced to see the expression on her face, Wednesday Curtis was radiating superiority.

“I won’t disappoint.”

They shook each other’s hands and exchanged knowing looks. The bride tried to weigh on the silent concurrence by tilting her head to Lowell, but the man seemed to be as confused as she was. The thorn in her throat only disappeared when the two of them smiled.

Time went faster, and everything became boring for Primrose after the event she was looking forward to. Her feet were sore from the activities in the program and the photos the newlywed needed to pose for. Luckily, there were parts where they could take a break as the guests ate, so she took that chance to massage the tendons of her feet.

“Are you tired?” he asked upon noticing what she did under the table. “I can ask the host to speed this up a bit.”

“N-no, I’m fine.”

She heaved a sigh and returned her gaze to the food laid in front of her. She was in no mood to eat, but many eyes were on her. There was no way she could show any displeasure on her face. All she could do now was think of what she could do after they fly to New Caledonia tomorrow morning.

“Bravo!”

Her daydreaming was interrupted by a loud clapping echoing in the hall of the restaurant where the wedding reception was held. She couldn’t help but gasp upon recognizing the figure walking from the entrance. Those smug pair of eyes, a proud and wide stance, and a condescending smirk — it was the last man on earth she wanted to see again on a day like this.

“How are you, my sweet Primrose?” Nicolas, one of the marriage partners her father introduced before fixing her up with Sander, halted his footsteps in front of them. “You look so pretty in that dress, but I can’t help but notice that it doesn’t suit your personality.”

“Who the f—” she reached for Sander’s arm to stop him from standing. Seeing how shaken she was, he caressed her back to soothe her. “What’s wrong? Do you know this man?”

“Of course, she does.” The man adorning a flashy red suit circled his gaze to the audience. “I’m sure everyone knows that I’m one of the many men engaged to the Mayor’s daughter before.”

“Nicolas, stop this—”

“Why? We’re just getting started. Don’t you want them to know how adventurous you are?”

His play with words got the undivided attention of the audience. He stepped up the platform as soon as he caught the sight of the security personnel carefully approaching closer. The groom was giving signals in silence, still wary because they weren’t so sure if the mysterious man was armed or not.

“You see, this woman tried to sleep with me on our first marriage meeting. Can you image?”

His revelation was followed by a peal of vile laughter that engulfed every corner of the hall. In rhythm with that were the whispers from the guests. Primrose couldn’t help but shut her eyes for a moment to calm her senses and lift her trembling hands to her mouth. Her mind was not in the moment, and she couldn’t speak. All the terrifying memories of that night were flashing like an uninvited guest.

“Well, it’s not so bad. After all, if you see that body, no man could refuse. Right, Sander Mort—”

After hearing a loud thud and people gasping, she opened her eyes again. She found Sander standing and flexing his knuckles while Nicolas laid on the ground, knocked out. He tilted his head in her direction and shrugged his shoulders.

“Shall we go?”