Wedding Reception

I couldn’t believe what was happening.

How did Philip and Nicholai become that close? Philip even really made him his Best Man.

Was it the end of the world? The last time that I checked, Philip hated Nicholai and vice-versa.

Even if I think about it a few times, I still didn’t know how well the two got along. Did I miss something when I was gone?

I demanded Philip an explanation, but he kept on avoiding me. He was like a leech clinging to Angel. I wanted to talk to Nicholai but he had already left.

The staff was measuring me when Angel suddenly approached me. We were the only ones left because Philip also left. He said his client suddenly came to the firm.

"So… Is there any progress with your admirer, Cris?" a smiling Angel asked in front of me.

“Nope. Nothing. My admirer is very stupid. Tsk! ” She laughed at my answer.

"Why don't you just look at your CCTV?"

I made a face at what she said. “It's embarrassing to request the owner of the apartment just for that. And I'm really looking forward to the fact that maybe one day he will introduce himself. But it has already been six months, and he still hasn't done it. ”

"You have a point," she replied with a smile.

“By the way. Do you have any idea why Philip and Nicholai become close? ” I asked her curiously.

“Hmm… I really don’t know. Philip just told me that they talked after you flew to Canada. I didn't even ask what they were talking about. It seems like a man-to-man conversation. ”

So Phili and Nicholai talked after I left. I was curious what it was that made them become friends. Heck! I was dying to know.

***

I looked at the altar where Philip and Angel were standing. It was Philip and Angel’s wedding day. It was a church wedding. I smiled but it also disappeared immediately when my eye spotted Nicholai.

After fitting the gown at the boutique, Angel and I went to the mall. She went shopping with me. I only brought a few clothes with me. After we shopped, we had dinner together before we called it a night.

Angel's words also bothered me for a few days. I really wanted to know what they were talking about. My eyes returned to the front when I heard the applause of the people. I also clapped my hands when I saw the groom kiss the bride. The two looked at each other when it was over and smiled sweetly at the people who attended the wedding.

After their ceremony, they took some pictures with the newlywed. Philip and Angel suddenly called me to take a picture as well. I obliged right away and walked towards them. I thought it was just the three of us but Philip suddenly called Nicholai too and that made me glared at him.

‘What the hell, Philip?’ I mouthed at him. He just winked at me which made me gaped at him.

I almost frowned but I stopped myself when Nicholai got beside me.

"I think you should be beside the groom since you're the best man," I said to Nicholai as he stood beside me.

"But I like it here," he replied crookedly.

“Who are you going to take a picture with? To the newlyweds or me?’ I asked while raising my brow.

“Can I choose both? To the newlyweds and you.” My mouth dropped open at his answer.

I suddenly laughed and just shook my head. Just to end it right away, I just gave in because many more guests wanted to take pictures with the newlywed.

After the wedding, we went to the reception. The reception was held in The Peninsula Hotel.

The newlyweds were busy with the program. I was just watching the whole time.

I was sitting with my family; my Mom, Dad, and my younger brothers who were twins.

I couldn’t help but look at the other table near our table. Those were groups of men. And one of them was Nicholai. They were kinda loud and I could even hear what they were talking. But in fairness, they all have looks.

"Hey, you, demon, you are so loud!"

“What are you talking about, Jericho? You are the loudest among the two of us. ”

"Jericho, your face!"

"Can you stop bickering with each other?" It was Nicholai’s voice this time.

"I heard that what you've been waiting for is back, Nicholai. Is she here? ” Suddenly my eyebrows rose.

"Shut the fuck up, Damon." Nicholai’s pissed voice made some of the men on their table laugh.

I just shook my head at what I heard. I excused myself and then stood up to go to the restroom.

***

When I got back, I saw that some women were gathered in front. I frowned as my eyes focused on them.

I was startled when my name was suddenly called out. Angel was holding the microphone and told me that it was time to toss the bouquet. I was suddenly embarrassed because everyone was looking at me. It was as if I was the only one they had been waiting for so Angel could start throwing the flower in her hand.

I smiled timidly and walked closer to where the women were gathering. Angel approached me while holding the bouquet. She suddenly handed me the bouquet while smiling. My eyes widened in shock as I held the flower. I tried to put it back in her hands but she used both of them to hold the microphone. I didn't know what to do.

“Sorry guys. My wedding, my rules. Someone has already caught my bouquet! My maid of honor!” she announced that made the crowd laugh but at the same time made almost all the women gathered in the front, frown. I even heard someone say that they just wasted their time waiting in front. I wanted to sink where I was standing.

"What are you doing?" I whispered to Angel as she approached me.

“I really want you to be the one to catch the bouquet. So to make it sure, I just gave it to you,” she said with a giggle. "Philip and I have a gimmick on how the men can get the garter." Her eyebrows went up and down at me as Philip approached us with the garter in his hand and a chair.

They made me sit in front of them. I was in front of everyone holding the bouquet.

“To all single men and feeling single. ” Almost everyone laughed at what Angel said. "Please be here in front."

"Go, Nicholai!"

I kind of wanted to cover my face, especially when suddenly someone shouted Nicholai's name at their table. ‘The noisy one. Demon? Or, Damon? I was not really sure.

Quite a few also came. Almost everyone at Nicholai's table joined in as well.

“Fuck! Why are you joining? Are you single now? I’ll let your wife and girlfriend know that you feel that you are single.” I heard Nicholai complain to his friends when they came to the front.

“You're such a KJ, Nicholai. Do you feel threatened?”

“Why would I be threatened, Hale? Does Diwata know that you are single? ”

"Asshole!"

"Guys!" They stopped when Philip suddenly spoke. “I will not toss the garter. To be different. We will change the mechanics. Survival of the fittest ”

I frowned at what Philip said. What is the gimmick of these two? I massaged the bridge of my nose while waiting for what was going to happen.

“All you guys here in the front will do push-ups to get the garter. The highest score will get it. Or the one who remained, will win. In a count of 3, all of you will start.”

“1!”

“2!”

“3! ”

Almost all the women squealed when the men in front of them started doing push-ups. Some were laughing and others were screaming while watching the men.

I managed to look at Nicholai's effortlessly pushing-ups as well as those with him. I blushed suddenly from embarrassment. My God! What the hell were they thinking?

"What's up?" laughing Angel said as she approached me.

“Where did you get this idea? Goodness! I want to sink into my seat because of shame,” I said to her, really embarrassed of my situation

"On Facebook. I read it in the tokhang story. That was thrilling and funny. The male heroine did the same,” she said with a grin. I just shook my head. Seriously?

In the few minutes that passed, quite a lot also gave up. The funny thing was that almost all that was left were the friends of Nicholai and him. Then, there was one also that they were not friends with.

“We have seven men remaining! This is really funny. These seven are actually my friends. But there seems to be something wrong. Because only single men should be allowed to enter this competition, ” Philip announced.

The seven men lined up in front and Philip approached them one by one.

“Primo, dude. You’re married, why did you even join? Does Avianna know this?” Philip asked.

“Yes. I just joined because Damon said,”he replied as he scratched his head. Others laughed at his answer.

“You’re disqualified. Go back to your seat, ” Philip said. I could see that Hale and Damon were holding back their laughter.

“Atlas. This is not your cup of tea— “Philip didn't finish what he was about to say because the one he called Atlas left immediately and returned to his seat.

“Ramon—”

“Hale—”

“Damon—”

Philip only left mentioning their names because one by one Nicholai's five friends returned to their seats. Everyone laughed again because of what happened. They all blamed Damon and Hale as to why they joined. Nicholai and another man were the only remaining contenders.

The other man that also remained was also handsome and had a good body. But compared to Nicholai’s body, I admit, I would still prefer Nicholai.

Shit! Why is Nicholai so eager to get the garter?

“Nicholai and Arturo. Our last man standing!” announced by Philp.

“Nicholai! Do everything to win, fucker! We step down for you! ” Damon shouted. Nicholai just raised his middle finger at him which made the crowd laugh.

“In the final round, you will do push-ups with just one hand. Still, the highest score wins. ” I closed my eyes as I massaged my temple. I feel like I'm more stressed because of what the newlyweds were doing to them.

Squeals and screams could be heard throughout the reception hall as the two men pushed up.

I looked at Nicholai and saw that he was not wearing the coat of his tux anymore. It was already on the floor. The sleeves of his long sleeve were also folded and the three buttons on the front of it were also open. It was obvious that he was tired of the push-ups but he still kept on doing it.

I suddenly swallowed the lump on my throat when my eyes caught his arm. The way his arms flex while doing the push-up, he looked so hot. I suddenly blushed at the thought.

What the hell, Denima?

Suddenly, the squeal and scream doubled that made my forehead furrowed.

"We have a winner!" Angel's shout widened my eyes.

"Shit!" I couldn’t help but cuss when I saw Philip handing the garter to Nicholai.

‘Shit! I’m fuck up. ’