WEDDING DAY II

THE NEXT MORNING...

Both families, the Massoullèves and Mirks are already busy with the union of their daughter and son. Hordes of butlers and maids were preparing for the grand reception to be held at one of the hotels owned by the Mirks. Countless bodyguards disperse the place to secure the safety of both families' guests.

Maddox was in the other room being groomed and dressed with his businessmen, celebrity friends, and big personalities in various industries, looking so handsome in his white suit. Sumire on the other hand was in the room next to Maddox, being personally groomed by her cousins, Blanche and Clair. If Maddox's room is filled with resounding tease and laughter, Sumire's room was flooded with deafening silence, dark and sullen. It was so loud that the maiden could hear her own heartbeat.

Eiryss stood quietly outside the maiden's room, feeling sorry for her. She knows Sumire was unhappy on this occasion but she can't do anything to help her. Even though she's rich, her wealth is no match against the Massoullèves. The maiden's family is on another level. Quiet, Blanche and Clair felt their younger cousin crestfallen while putting her light makeup on and the wedding veil on her hair. Sumire looks at herself in the mirror with dull eyes.

"Dude, now I believe in you. I really thought it was just a prank that you and Sumire Massoullève were going to get married. It turns out it's true. You are one hell of a lucky guy." A friend of Maddox greeted him with teasing laughter.

"Oh, can you introduce me to her cousin Clair?" One of them shamelessly asked to which Maddox chuckled.

"Or to Blanche. I don't care if he's a boy." Another friend of his added and they all laugh in unison.

"They're all taken," Maddox replied while bursting into chuckles. He wasn't sure if Clair and Blanche were romantically taken. He just didn't want to prolong the conversation as he was drowning himself in joy and excitement. He and Sumire are finally getting married. Nothing can stop it from happening. There is no more obstacle on the way.

"Aww, too bad." His friend said and the room was filled with thunderous laughter again. Sumire, Blanche, and Clair were engulfed by the silence. No one dares to utter a word.

"Where's Mort?" Blanche suddenly uttered what was supposed to be in his mind but was too late to retract his question. Clair elbowed him on his side. Sumire didn't answer him. The maiden was staring into nothingness and doesn't seem to care about her surroundings anymore.

Suddenly, a knock bombed the door, and Clair opened it. Yelena was spat out from there holding a bouquet of red roses.

"The dress is perfectly made for you. It fits you so well." Yelena commented while giving Sumire the flower. The maiden came back to her senses when she heard Yelena's voice in the room. She turned to her and smiled.

"Congratulations," Yelena added smilingly while kissing Sumire's forehead. The maiden closed her eyes.

"Thank you," Sumire replied and forced a smile.

"Then I'm going to the wedding venue. I want the best seat. I'll wait for you there, Sumire." Yelena said excitedly and clapped her hands. The maiden just nodded to her and Yelena left them while humming in the air. Blanche, Clair, and Sumire were left in the room with overwhelming silence again.

After Blanche and Clair helped Sumire with her wedding dress. Everything is ready. All the chosen visitors entered the Flower Dome where the ceremony will take place and witness the union of Sumire and Maddox. The sole son and daughter of the biggest family in the business world. All the Mirks and Massoullève family members were present except for Chadwick.

The megastructure of the glassed dome that brings the world's flora under one roof awe everyone inside. The place looks so magical with hordes of butterflies fluttering in the air.

The guests looked at her, taking pictures of her dress, waving at her, smiling- one thing was for sure, though, no one made a sound. Up ahead, she saw the young man smiling genuinely from ear to ear, waiting for her. He stood taller, his shoulders back and his eyes on her. If Sumire wasn’t mistaken she could have sworn tears filled his eyes. This is the day Maddox has been waiting for.

The sweet serenade of violin and piano started. Dripping with sophistication and grace, Sumire walked down the aisle. The red-lipped bride in a long-trained gown frosted with jewels. The gown was perfectly fitted that looks as though it were designed just for her. She sashayed amongst a rainbow palette of extraordinary flowers exquisitely arranged around. Sumire wore an expensive white wedding gown. Her newly curled long raven hair was embellished with white beads cascading beautifully on her back.

The Massoullève family member was just silent as she walked down the aisle and the maiden doesn't throw a glance at them. Unsmiling, cold, and stoic-faced, she sauntered onto the long red carpet floor with the touch of white rose petals.

When Sumire arrived, Maddox smiled and took her hand. His hand snaked on her waist and carefully supported the maiden. Together, they face the priest. By then, the priest began the ceremony.

When the time to make their vows, the ring bearer came forward and presented the rings. Maddox one of the rings and hold her hand.

"I, Maddox Mirk, take you, Sumire Massoullève, to be my lawfully wedded wife. My first love. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live." He kissed her hand as he hold her gaze to her. Sumire just eyed him blankly and took the other pair of rings.

"I, Sumire Massoullève, take you, Maddox Mirk, to be my lawfully wedded husband. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner..." her hand trembled as she slowly puts on the ring to him. " I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live..." her voice cracked and the single tear rolled on her eye. Sumire bit her lower lip to suppress her sobs. She silently wished the place will collapse to the ground if it means death is the only way to escape her marriage.

After Maddox and Sumire exchange marriage vows and rings. The priest then faces the crowd.

"If anyone objects to the marriage speak now or forever hold your peace."

The priest asked but everyone answered him with silence. After a few minutes of silence and no one seemed to oppose the wedding, the priest was about to announce Sumire and Maddox to be officially wife and husband when the door suddenly burst open and Charlotte appeared there looking dangerous, surprising everyone on the occasion. She was standing next to the dead bodies of the security guards who guarded the door.

The small crowd was silently panicking, Charlotte sauntered on the red carpet inside with a gun fully loaded in her hand as she looked at Sumire emotionlessly with a wicked smile plastered on her lips.

"I fucking hate you. After you took everything from me and ruined my life, you'll just marry someone else. You don't deserve shit but death, Sumire."

Before Sam, Sumire's bodyguard could get close to the maiden, Charlotte pulled the trigger on her gun aimed at Sumire. But what surprised everyone is Maddox was shot by the bullet. The young man blocked Sumire and used himself as a shield to protect the maiden from the deadly assault.

"Maddox!"