Chapter Twenty two

****

I was having my make up touched up to suit the glittery gold dress I was going to be wearing for the reception when Nolan came into the suite. I looked him up from head to toe, he looked suave in his suit but his eyes were telling a different story. They looked lost.

"Hey Nolan." I said just as the makeup artist informed me that she was done.

My up do hairstyle had been let down and my hair fell back in stylish, seemingly cascading waves. A few braids held the top though, giving it a stylish bridal look. I stared at myself one more time before turning to Nolan. I signalled for everyone else to excuse us.

"What's up?" I asked after they had left.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, a gesture that proved he was nervous.

Damien was probably somewhere around waiting for me to come out before going into the hall and I knew he did not like to be kept waiting. I just had to make this quick.

"Nolan, is there something you want to say?" I asked feeling concerned at how my best friend was looking like a lost puppy.

"I just wanted to say that I, I uh," He shook his head vigorously.

"So, you're married now..." He stated the obvious.

I felt goosebumps at the realization of the consequences of my actions on that church altar after we sealed our vows with a kiss.

"I just want to say congratulations." He went on, sighing heavily.

If I truly had known this man for as long as I did, I knew he had a lot on his chest but could not bring himself to say anything. He did that all the time.

"Ariana?" I heard Damien call, walking into the room. I turned swiftly.

He was now in a black shirt paired with a gold colored waist coat and black pants.

He stared between me and Nolan blankly. His face gave off nothing of how he felt, he simply reached for my hand. I placed my left palm in his right slowly, he held it firmly.

"We should get going, my love." He said and came close to kiss my forehead.

So much forehead kisses, all in one day! I kinda liked it though. It was not because of Damien I said that, I just like forehead kisses.

"You look so beautiful." He whispered but of course to Nolan's hearing.

I was well aware that he was doing all this to not just keep up our act but to spite Nolan. It was really petty and unnecessary because Nolan was just a friend.

"We'll see you around, Nolan, right babe?" He said in a mocking and an overly sarcastic tone as he turned to me. I nodded at him, I turned to Nolan and saw an evident scowl on his face.

Damien soon ushered me out of the suite with his palm placed on my lower back, just above my behind.

"I don't like that friend of yours." He muttered as soon as we got into the elevator.

"Not now Damien, not now." I said. I just wanted to get the day over with, arguing with him would only make it more exhausting.

We rode in silence until we got to the rowdy ground floor. They were all aware of the event taking place in the hotel, as a result, the whole lobby was filled with both wedding guests and residents of the hotel.

The has was located at the West Wing, I had never been there, I t.rusted Marissa to get everything together, plus, I wanted the decorations to be a surprise.

Damien and I walked hand in hand, shielded by a swarm of men in black suits. I stared down at the ground all through the walk, trying to avoid the camera flashes that made me anxious.

We stopped in front of the huge white double doors. I looked up and saw our ship names inscribed on the door in gold font, it had white lilies around it, and shone brightly. I heard soft music coming from the other side of the door.

Marissa soon slid out of the hall with a big smile.

"You'll be called in soon." She announced. I nodded and gave her a nervous smile.

"Relax, you'll do great." She assured. I gave her a smile of appreciation before hugging her.

I placed my hand back in Damien's after the hug. The event's anchor soon echoed through the walls.

"Now, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our newest couple, Mr and Mrs Damien Kingston!"

The doors came open. Damien and I walked in majestically, confetti rained on us as we did. The shouts from the crowd were overwhelming.

I watched from the corner of my eye Damien spotted a dazzling smile, it was a beautiful sight. It made me smile too.

I turned to the crowd and waved, just as Stella had taught me. We actually had a whole wedding rehearsal few days before.

Suddenly, I was pulled close and kissed deeply earning hoots from the overly excited crowd. The crowd soon became lost in the background as I held his face and kissed back.

I was a blushing mess by the time he let me go and my eyes would not look up from the ground for a few minutes.

We finally made it to the love seat placed on the high podium in front of the hall. Damien guided me to the seat and made sure I was seated comfortably before he sat down.

The crowd's initial excitement had died down and everyone got seated as soon as we did.

It was then I had the time to look around the hall. The decor was simply divine. Marissa and her team outdid themselves on this one.

From what we had planned, we had about a hundred tables with five chairs around each. It was perfect for the five hundred guests we had budgeted for.

The hall was capable of handling about two thousand chairs so there was more than enough space.

The 'all you can eat' buffet was perched at both the West and East ends of the hall. The variety of foods I managed to see had me wondering how much Damien had actually spent. I looked up and saw the massive chandeliers hanging above, giving the room a classic vibe with the lightening.

My eyes trailed down to the cake situated not too far from where Damien and I were seated. It was huge. I swiftly turned to Damien who seemed to be bored with the speech his father was giving. I felt guilty for zoning out and not listening to what he had to say.

"Damien?"

He swiftly turned to me.

"Why's the cake so big? I thought we agreed on having all the other flavours situated at the buffet section." I whisper yelled.

"Yes and that was what we did." He quirked his eyebrow.

"So you're telling me that that gigantic cake," I fought the urge to point in the cake's direction.

"is filled with just red velvet and vanilla flavor?" I asked.

"I guess so." He shrugged dismissively.

"It's way too big. Who's going to finish all of it?" I asked in bewilderment. We already had more than enough cakes and pastries to give the guests but he still had to have them make an extravagant wedding cake.

"That's not for you to worry about." He said.

"Just how much did you spend on this wedding?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Why do you ask?" He frowned.

"I'm asking because-"

"-Because you want to show it off to your friends and family." He cut me off rudely.

Wait, what?

"Excuse me?"

"Ariana, I have no time to feed your ego. Check the blogs after today and you'll just how much the wedding costs, happy?" He said in a clipped tone.

His words greatly annoyed me. Angry tears stung at my eyes when my mind registered what his words implied. I was not even happy with everything going on but here he was throwing jabs at me. How on earth would he think I was trying to show off? I did not even want this. Me, getting married to this kind of man had never crossed my mind, not even once and now that it was happening, I wanted nothing more than to crawl and hide from the prying eyes of everyone else.

I blinked back the tears and turned away from him. I would not say anything to him, not even a word.

It was time for my father's speech, I sat up and listened with rapt attention.

"Ariana, my baby girl." He started and I smiled.

"You're such an angel, a blessing. Your mother would be so proud wherever she is,"

I burst into tears at the mention of my late mother. I truly wished she was present, maybe things would have been different.

"You have taken care of me a lot more than I've done for you. It wasn't an easy ride but I'm glad you have grown into a strong, smart, beautiful and amazing woman and I hope Damien sees that." He concluded his speech with a grin but I could tell he was so emotional.

"I love you." I stood up abruptly and mouthed.

"I love you too, bebita." He said back.

There was a light applause afterwards.

Aiden, whom I just met at the wedding, came up and took the toast, he had everyone of us laughing all through. I found out him and Damien were best friends and I wondered how. Aiden seemed so jovial and carefree, equally handsome but Damien was just cold and unreceptive. Indeed, opposites do attract.

After the toast we, had to cut the cake. Without much ado, we walked to the huge cake at one end of the podium. Damien held on to my hand as we cut the cake and then fed each other.

We were about to take our seats when we were called out for the first dance.

Damien led me to the centre stage designated for our dance.

I gasped as soon as one of my favorite songs came on. How did he know? I stared at him in surprise. He smirked.

'Make You Feel My Love' by Adele. The lyrics warmed my heart and made me all fuzzy on the inside. The smokescreen went up and the spotlight stayed on us.I knew it was just an act but I decided to enjoy the moment as I stayed in his arms dancing slowly according to the beat. I shut my eyes while humming to the beat. He held my chin up, bringing me out of my dazed up state.

"You're so beautiful." He said with so much sincerity and with something in his eyes that I could not decipher.

I stayed locked in his embrace even after the song stopped. I was just so lost in the song that it continued playing in my head even after the music stopped.

"You can let me go now, wife." Damien said with so much amusement in his voice.

I pulled back abruptly. He chuckled and held me in place. His eyes looked so beautiful and I was beginning to get lost in them when shutter sounds and repeated flashing lights got in the way.

Our pose must have been the most romantic thing they had seen because even the guests weren't left out in the picture taking exercise.

I spotted Fiona making kissy faces and I laughed. I waved at Stella who looked absolutely stunning in her champagne gold, intricately beaded dress and also Jesse who looked just as good in his black suit.

Damien and I, walked over to their table where we exchanged pleasantries, Stella would not stop gushing about how stunning I looked. We also went over to my father's table where Nolan and Lucy were seated with him. We stood there while I conversed animatedly with the only people I was familiar with.

We went about, thanking guests for their presence as Damien introduced me lovingly.

I honestly cannot remember any names from those introductions. There was no point.

I heaved a sigh of both relief and sadness when I was told it was time to leave. I knew I was not going to be seeing my father and Nolan anytime soon.

I hugged my father tightly one last time and promised I would always call him. I tried hugging Nolan but Damien pulled me back, saying our ride was waiting. I almost argued with him but I kept it together. They followed us outside.

I got into the vehicle, waving until they were out of sight.

This was it, the wedding had come and gone and it was the beginning of a new chapter.