Savior

Chapter Fourteen

There is only one person who could force me to do something against my wish, Ricci. I’ve never come across a human being as adamant as that man who calls himself my secretary. Sometimes I think if my father had been around, Ricci would’ve ousted him in the dominance game. Why this guy had so much authority? Only one answer suffice this question- Whatever he says turns out to be beneficial for me.

Call it greed or a fear that not listening to him might be regrettable later, whatever the reason, it was strong enough for me to wear the tux he’d bought for me and arrive at the wedding venue of my investor’s son, on time.

‘Mr. Clarke is one of our major investors and shareholder in our company. But he’s been lately having trouble trusting your leadership. There are talks that he and some of his friends who also have invested heavily in us are thinking of reducing their investment amount.’ Ricci said as we made our way inside the banquet.

‘Attending his son’s wedding will change his mind?’ I asked not sure what his plans were.

‘No. But it will make him think you take him seriously just like your father did and he might contemplate withdrawal of his investment.’

‘I hope it works. You know I hate weddings.’ I murmured.

‘Any specific reason behind your hatred?’

‘Let’s just say I have horrifying experience when it comes to marriages.’

Ricci laughed lightly. ‘Someone would think you’ve been married many times already.’

I rolled my eyes and said, ‘Let’s go find this investor now, shall we?’

‘Sure. This way.’ He led me to Mr. Clarke, a sixty something man who definitely looked his age and had the widest grin on his face. Do all father’s smile at their son’s wedding like him? I wondered if my father would’ve smiled like that too if me and Luna….

Shaking those thoughts aside I went to congratulate him which to my surprise was a surprise for him. Clearly I was not expected to attend the wedding. Did I seem that brood to people? Surely I wasn’t a relationships guy but I took business seriously, but I guess old people do prefer some personal touch in professional matters as well. Whatever the case, since I was here I put on the best smile and greeted everyone he introduced me to. His son was a doctor and man did he look proud. Again something I’d never seen my dad doing. Forget about being proud, he was always disgusted at me for my lack of talent, only if he’d let me be me.

‘Want a drink?’ Ricci came with two glasses and I took one.

‘Can we leave?’

‘We just got here.’

‘But I’ve met Mr. Clarke and almost all of his family members. The more I stay here I might even meet his not-born-yet grandson.’

Ricci sighed. ‘If you’re here then try to be here. Why do you always rush things?’

‘And why do you always sound like my dad?’

‘Sir, I’m too young to be your dad.’ There are only two things I can do as a reaction to majority of his statements, either roll my eyes or sigh deeply. I did both.

After about an hour and few drinks later it became almost unbearable for me to stand there and continue meeting people. Frustration was creeping in and I needed to get out of the place before I start to feel a groom myself. Loosening my bow-tie I stepped out to get some fresh air but there was something, to be precise someone else waiting for me.

Luna

Tired of the recent events in my life, I decided that attending Emily’s wedding would help me take my mind off from things. But someone who has pledged to “improve” my life couldn’t see me going alone so I arrived at my old friend’s wedding with none other than my to-be husband Dave.

‘I’m glad you asked me to be your date to your friend’s wedding.’ Dave said smiling from ear to ear. Only if he’d known how I was emotionally blackmailed my Gina into bringing him here with me.

‘Shall we go inside?’ I asked as we stepped out the car.

‘Sure.’ He got out first and then helped me since my dress was a long one. I was wearing a backless silver gown which fit around my waist perfectly and helped highlight the semi-deep neck line. As for jewelry there were just diamond earrings I’d got last month and a bracelet my grandfather had given me on one of my birthdays. There was an anklet on my right leg, something Gina had picked out for me just like the dress.

Placing a hand on his arm I walked the small flight of stairs but as we did, I came across someone I absolutely didn’t want to see. What in the world was happening? Sole was standing there right in front of me. It seems that Dave also noticed him for he halted in his steps too.

‘Luna. Mr. Furrow.’ Sole greeted us.

Taking a deep breath I said, ‘Mr. Accardi.’

‘What are you doing here?’ Dave asked looking pissed. I couldn’t blame him though.

Sole’s jaw twitched. ‘I’m a guest just like you.’

‘Is your friend acquainted with Mr. Accardi?’ Dave asked looking at me.

What do I say? If I say yes then it would be hard to explain how she knows him and if I say no and later Emily recognizes him, I’ll be at the short end of this situation. Also now I was worried what I’ll say to Emily. I’d told her that I and Sole weren’t in touch anymore when she’d visited the store. What will I tell her now?

‘This is your friend’s wedding?’ Sole asked. ‘Which one?’

‘Even if she tells you, would you know her?’ Dave scoffed which clearly miffed Sole.

‘Yes I would. I know all of Luna’s friends.’

‘Really now? Is that true?’ Dave asked me.

‘We do have some common friends. That’s about it.’ I said trying to put an end to the discussion.

‘Whatever. Should we get inside?’ Dave asked but didn’t wait for my answer and he pulled me into the banquet, brushing past Sole who did not look happy.

When inside I looked for Emily. Now I just wanted to congratulated her and leave. There was no way I could stay here any longer. A long minute later I did notice her, surrounded by the crowd she was beaming enough for everyone to know she was the bride. Seeing her like that I felt a pang of jealousy. There was a time when I was ready to get married and then everything fell apart. Would things have been different if Sole and I…

‘Congratulations!’ I said as I went to give Emily a hug. A smile from her and my heart melted. She was still the warm person she’d been to me back then.

‘Luna!’ She said as we broke the hug. ‘I’m so happy you came.’

‘I’m happy too. You found your happiness with someone special.’

‘Thank you.’

‘So do I get to meet the groom or not?’ I asked.

‘Of course you do. Come.’ She walked with me to her husband. ‘This is Daniel Clarke, my husband.’ She introduced him and he turned to face us. That was when I realized, it was not our first meeting.

‘Luna!’ He exclaimed. Oh no he remembered me too.

Emily looked surprised. ‘You two know each other?’

‘Yes we do. What a small world. Never thought I’d meet you again.’

‘Me too.’ I couldn’t look at him for he reminded me of the worst thing that had ever happened to me.

‘How do you guys know each other?’

‘Luna was…..’

‘I once got treatment from Dr. Clarke.’

‘Really? When? What happened to you?’

I tried to brush if off. ‘Ah nothing serious. I once visited France and had some stomach ache and got medicine from him.’

‘Oh. You got me worried that there was something serious.’ She smiled after taking a deep breath.

‘Anyways it was nice meeting you Dr. Clarke. Emily I think I should be going.’ I said.

‘But you just got here. You can’t leave without drinking at least.’ Emily said and called for the waiter. When he arrived, she took a glass and gave it to me and taking another one for her. Daniel lifted his glass too and we clicked them to celebrate their future together. All this while I could feel Daniel’s eyes on me. Of course he might be thinking why I lied to my friend. Only if there was enough time to explain the situation to him.

I had two more drinks and then when more guests came to wish the couple I silently slid away. I noticed Dave had been missing by my side, I couldn’t even introduce him to Emily. Where was he? My eyes wandered around to look for him and I finally found him with none other than Sole. They were in an animated argument. Were they fighting? I rushed to them and when I got close they stopped talking.

‘What were you talking about?’ I asked suspiciously.

Sole gave me a sly smile and said, ‘Business.’

I gave him a stern look knowing fully well what he was trying to do. So not wasting any time in asking anything else I took Dave’s hand and pulled him in a corner.

‘Stay away from him.’ I said.

‘Why? We were just talking about business.’

‘He is not someone who invests in some business easily. You’ll be just wasting your time.’

‘Are you saying my business isn’t good enough for him to invest in?’

‘Dave! Few hours ago you weren’t even happy that he was here and now you want his money?’

‘What’s wrong in that? And I was upset because you seem to be too much affected by his presence.

My mouth fell open. ‘Dave!’

‘Look he’s going to introduce me to some investors and I’m going to take his help. I need it.’

‘No you don’t.’

‘How do you know that? Do you know my business than I do?’ The way he talked back told me we weren’t going to reach to an

understanding soon so I decided it was better to just leave.

‘Let’s go home.’

‘If you want to leave, leave. I’ll stay here.’

‘Dave.’ I pleaded. But he didn’t want to leave the place. Turning around he joined a group of people any of whom I did not know. Not wanting to create a scene at someone’s wedding I went out the banquet.

Since we’d arrived in Dave’s car I was left with no other option but to take the cab. I was about to make my way to the front gate to call one when a hand pulled me towards them and I was taken into a corner outside the venue. When I looked at the face of the person who’d dragged me there I was appalled.

‘What is wrong with you?’ I said.

‘Looks like you didn’t like me helping your fiancé.’ He said.

‘Stop it Sole. Whatever it is you’re trying to do, just stop it already. Please.’

‘You started it when you decided to marry him.’

‘Why can’t I do that? Why can’t I move on?’ He didn’t say anything but his hand touched the small of my waist sending tingles

through my spine. I didn’t say anything. I should be telling him to remove his hand but no words could come out of my woven mouth. It told both of us that he still held a bit of power over me. His hand moved up and I couldn’t help but noticed how light his fingers were on my skin.

When his hand reached my neck he pulled me closer and whispered in my ear. ‘You can’t move on when clearly you’re not over me. There’s no way someone can make you feel the way I do.’ He then moved his face to meet my eyes which I noticed moved to my lips. He was going to kiss me again. Move away from him, my head was warning me but my body just didn’t comply. So I just closed my eyes awaiting his torture but nothing happened because before his lips could connect to mine, someone’s fist connected to his face.

‘You’ve harassed her enough already.’ The person said. I opened my eyes and then noticed Sole’s hands touching his newly assaulted cheek and his eyes staring the assaulter. While the guy who did the harm to his face stared back in equal anger. But I was shocked not because of the punch but because of the person it came from. Why out of all people he would?

‘What is wrong with you?’ Sole shouted at him.

‘I want to ask you the same. Haven’t you done enough damage to Luna that you’re at it again?’

‘What are you talking about? What do you even know about me and her? Huh?’

‘Everything.’ He announced and Sole looked at me in confusion. Now how do I get out of this situation?