Chapter 35

TIME FLEW fast. A year has already passed, and everyone is busy. Cameras kept flashing from left to right. Reporters are outside the church, and they are noisy as hell. Everyone has smiles on their lips except for the groom.

Charles looked like a living zombie as he stood there and got clothed by three or four assistants. Someone puts make-up on his face and others put on his clothes. He was frowning but he already gave up on having an escape plan months ago. He could do nothing but follow his father's wishes.

“What’s up, groom?” Light teasingly smiled at him as he entered his room.

They’re currently in a hotel getting ready for the wedding. He no longer had to ask what was going on at the church they were getting married to because it was in the news, a few hours ago.

Charles is irritated because his marriage to Wynter seems like a big deal that the whole world needs to know. Maybe if I was marrying Gab, I would’ve felt the opposite of irritated. Charles just shook his head. To this day, the man still lingers in his mind. What is he currently doing?

"Get out, Light," he commanded lifelessly.

The man just smiled and then sat on one of the sofas there and watched him getting ready. “D*mn! I’m never getting married. You look like sh*t, man,” he teased him.

Charles rolled his eyes and tuned out the guy. He just focused on getting over with this sh*tty event so he could go back to his unit and once again drown himself in liquor.

He knew that Light was just talking nonsense so he continued not giving him any attention until Light mentioned his friends' names.

“Say that again.”

Light sighed and repeated his words. “Your friends, Ms. Narae Lee and Mr. Anurak Saetang might be late and won’t be attending the actual wedding due to delayed flights.”

He frowned. "So who's my best man?"

The man acted like a child and then sniffed. “I’m hurt right now. I came here as a replacement, dipsh*t.”

Charles shrugged and went back to fixing his bowtie. “Whatever. Let’s just finish this fast.” He got down from where he was standing and then walked towards the door to finally get out.

"Aye aye, captain." Light walked with him and then wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "Good luck on the honeymoon with miss Iciness."

He just ignored the man and then continued to the elevator. He didn’t care about the wedding but since it’s finally the day, he got curious. "How many guests will attend?"

Light fixed his own suit. “Just both families and some of their friends.”

“And the media?”

“Just outside the church. It's about five meters away from the church so that their cameras won't meet you when you get out of your car. ”

Charles nodded. He let out a deep sigh and waited for the elevator to open.

"Nervous?" his friend suddenly asked him.

He shook his head. “I’m just gonna end my worthless life, why would I get nervous?”

Light let out a soft chuckle before he patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, bro. You’ll be happy.”

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Yeah right. Arranged marriage would make me happy.”

The one who said he was the best man smiled mysteriously and then removed his arm from his shoulder. The elevator opened just in time. The two went straight to the parking lot and then rode in a bulletproof car to the church.

Charles just stared outside and just let his thoughts fly to where they want to.

“No act of resistance or I don't know, plans of escape?” the man driving asked him.

He sighed and went back to staring over the window. “I already made peace with the fact that I can’t go against my father months ago.”

It would be his last day to try his best to get away from all this and be with the one he truly loves, but he didn't waste any of his energy. He knew that whatever else he'll say or do, it won't matter. Besides, he’s pretty sure that his father’s bodyguards are watching him and would probably block all his possible escape routes.

He just shook his head and then let the will of destiny control his life. He’s sure that the marriage between him and his best friend would be meaningless. They didn't even talk or meet. And if they'll think of it, they will only meet again after almost half a year.

After a few minutes, Light announced their arrival. "It's the day of judgment on your destiny," he said teasingly as he opened the car door.

He just shook his head at the man's antics. It's always like he's missing a screw in the brain or something.

Charles got out of the car and fixed his clothes. He glanced at what his friend had mentioned about the reporters who were five meters away from the church. There were many of them and he was immediately photographed.

Charles couldn't hide the displeasure he felt as he lined up for the entourage. Light positioned himself behind him, and his parents approached him. "How do you feel?" Caleb asked his son.

“Happy, excited, and everything else nice and fun,” he sarcastically answered, matched with a sarcastic smile.

His mother laughed softly and then adjusted his bow tie. "You will be happy and free after this, son."

Charles flatly stared at his mother. “How am I going to be free if I’m tied down to a person I do not desire, mother?”

His father just shook his head and then lightly patted his cheek. “We’re doing this for you. Remember that, son. It’s for your future.”

He stopped talking and let his parents go. The death march began in a few moments—I mean wedding march. The church doors opened and he began to walk. Their guests were smiling at him while he was frowning. It’s his wedding, he can do anything he wants, he can feel anything he wants.

The entourage process continued until it was time for the bride to enter. The door once again opened revealing his best friend wearing a simple wedding dress—not a gown. He wouldn’t deny the fact that the dress suited Wynter well, but with the situation they currently have, Charles feels that the woman will be the one to judge his fate.

Wynter stood there beside him in front of the altar. Never in his life did he ever imagined he'd end up in that situation. Both of them were quiet while the priest spoke. He was silent until he heard the voice next to him.

"How is everything?" she whispered which he heard.

He had no plans to answer, but somehow he missed his best friend. Charles cleared his throat. “N-Not great—”

“Are you in position?”

He was slightly taken aback by her next words. Position? That’s not something you would normally ask a friend. He stared at his friend. Something’s going on.

"Let them blow up the church," the girl's calm words made Charles even more confused.

Moments later he heard a series of gunshots. He suddenly looked at the people behind him, but none of them moved. They kept smiling at them. His best friend even looked calm. Then what the hell am I hearing?

Then things happened so fast. Suddenly the church they were at was blown up. He quickly stood up and searched for his family and best friend when he suddenly stilled with what he saw. His friend's wedding dress shortened and she had a gun holster wrapped around her thigh. His family also had guns of their own, even their guests and the priest.

There was fire everywhere, the church looked like a mess, and heavily-armed enemies were approaching them. A series of exchanges of ammunition happened to them. Then his best friend neared him and gave him a machine gun. “I’ll explain it later. But for now, let’s blow them all up.”

He just nodded and then cocked the gun. This might be one hell of a wedding.