Sealed with a contract

Chapter 6

Jeannette's POV

To keep the guests and our families excited and convinced,I had to smile and share hugs with my new husband often.

Once during the wedding shopping with my mom,I heard some loud-mouthed girls gossip about my grand wedding,that was scheduled later in the week.

"I bet that this is another chance for an altar dump",one of the girls chirped.

"Like? Who has another wedding just weeks after their fiancee dumps them on their wedding day?",the shorter of the girls clapped back.

"Who else? But Jeannette Jones!",they said in unison before they laughed boisterously.

"Oh my goodness! You know what? I can't wait to grace my presence at their wedding,so I could smile in victory when Austin,my ever handsome crush would dump that Miss know-it-all again",the taller girl announced triumphantly.

I was just about to give them a piece of my mind when my mother called my attention to a large diamond penchant.

The loud cheers from the guests,jolted me from my raging thoughts. Austin or should I say,my husband, tapped me gently on the arm to get my attention. The photographer had been in a fixed position, for God knows how long so he could get a beautiful shot of me and my husband,as we walked out of the chapel.

I smiled softly at Austin who had a smile plastered on his face throughout the wedding. This made me curious if he was actually excited about the wedding or it was just a ploy to him.

With all the guests at my wedding,I was still concerned. Why isn't that loser present? "Perhaps,he is tangled in the arms of his new woman",my inner thoughts replied me.

This was it? Really? I was getting married to someone of a higher standard than Cole,the cold-hearted heartbreaker and he wasn't even here to see how better off I am without his stinking self.

It was unfair. I was taunted for weeks after he dumped me with no apologies or explanations and the only chance I got to pay him back in his coin,he is nowhere to be found. Great!

Austin gave a light bow at the guests, before he helped me to the car ready for our wedding dinner, earning him loud cheers and whistles.

Honestly,if I was asked? My wedding to Austin Marl was everything perfect!

For the wedding dinner at the LaFaux Imperial hall,I donned a low back cream and golden coloured gown which was so yummy, you could taste it!

My hair was tied in a smooth bun at the top, leaving some curls to fall beautifully around my lightly accessorized neck.

I didn't even need compliments,I knew I was a sight for sore eyes. All through my years,I have always been a spectacle to behold.

I've seen men fight for my attention, competed actively, just to get a feel of my hands but for some reason that I couldn't fathom,I gave all of me to a man who threw it to the dogs.

Not tonight. Not any day soon. Not ever would I open the doors of my heart to let love come in. Although I'm married now but it's only for two years.

With a bitter smile,I took a glass of champagne and gulped the liquid hungrily, spurring myself up. Tonight,I decided that I'll drown in ecstasy.

To my husband's surprise,I held my hands out to him for a dance,which he obliged. I shut my eyes slowly when I could feel him closer to me and his warm breath on my nostrils.

I don't understand what magic, Austin had on me but immediately,his hands found its way to my bare back, holding me to himself,I melted inwardly.

Like a captain who knew every road in the oceans,his hands moved in circles around my back before holding it firm again.

What was happening to me? What game was he trying to play? Austin's game definitely worked because the hums of the guests gushing at our silhouette was encouraging.

"Two can play the game",I thought to myself before pushing my well rounded breasts to level up with his chest. Then slowly,I wrapped my hands around his neck, waltzing to the gentle music from Adam Levine's collection of love songs.

Just then my eyes struck something. It was something that triggered a lot of memories. It was him...or rather it.

While I danced,my eyes caught a figure in a brown velvety jacket which had a silver lapel. No matter where I was,I would never forget that jacket because it was a gift I got for Cole,on my last summer trip before our wedding.

"Oh my goodness! Did that mean...Is he here?... what!",my heart skipped a beat. My eardrums suddenly felt heavy and my head spinned.

Again,I peered over Austin's shoulder to get a better look and the crowd of guests made it almost impossible.

"Jeannette? My father is on his way to meet us. What do you say about a little reunion",I heard Austin whisper into my ears.

"Hmmm? Your... your fath...", I said absentmindedly,still trying to get a better look at the figure.

"Ahh! The latest couple in town!", Austin's father,Sir Marl said in a jovial tone.

"This reminds me of my wife and I. Oh boy! It was a beautiful day on the island when we said our vows",Sir Marl said thoughtfully with a sweet smile.

The presence of my new father-inlaw disrupted my view and caused me to focus entirely on him. I smiled at him and bowed lightly as he joined us. The last thing I needed to do was be impolite to the great Sir Marl.

Until now,I didn't notice the resemblance of the father and son. Austin and his father had the same smile and eyes. They were both tall but compared to his son,Sir Marl had a protruding stomach and folds of thick skin around his neck.

However, that didn't deter the fact that Sir Marl was a very handsome man who commanded great influence and authority.

"Mrs Marl is a beautiful soul",I heard myself say referring to Austin's mom.

That seemed to be an ajar door calling to old love stories as Sir Marl began to speak passionately. Unfortunately,that wasn't my plan. No it wasn't.

I only said that to nip the conversation in the bud,so I could investigate if Cole was in attendance of my wedding. But here I was... about to be schooled about the love relationship between Austin's parents.

"... Thank God for love",Sir Marl finally said a little bit emotional when he finished their love story.

"Thank God for love", Austin and I echoed in unison.

"Oh please! Let me not waste your precious time with old folk romance",Sir Marl said in a light chuckle.

I rolled my eyes in my head. "Not Waste our time indeed? Sir... you had exhausted the whole damn time,if you ask me", I reasoned.

Sir Marl continued, "I'm sure you have other guests to attend to. I just wanted to let you know that,I'm so proud of you Son for finally deciding to be man enough and when you did, you picked a gem that is most precious. Congratulations to you both!".

I spread my lips to the far ends of my face in a smile as I watched the two men hug warmly. Then I remembered Cole! I turned to where I saw the fig

ure but there was no one there. My heart sank