Chapter 8: Adrain
1298 Words
After months of planning the day was finally here and People often said a wedding was the happiest day of a man’s life.
They were wrong.
It was the most terrifying.
I had negotiated billion-dollar mergers without breaking a sweat.
I had stood before rooms filled with politicians, CEOs, and investors who controlled entire industries.
I had built an empire before the age of thirty.
None of those moments compared to standing at the front of the grand cathedral, wondering if jude walking toward me would truly choose to stay.
Months of planning had led to this single afternoon.
Nothing had been left to chance.
The cathedral had been transformed into something that looked as though it belonged in a royal wedding.
Thousands of white roses climbed marble pillars.
Crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden light across the polished floors.
The aisle was lined with ivory flowers and candles, while a string orchestra quietly played in the background.
Outside, dozens of luxury cars waited in perfect formation.
The reception would take place at my family’s estate.
A glass ballroom had been built solely for tonight.
The ceiling was transparent, allowing guests to dine beneath the stars.
Every table carried fresh orchids imported that morning.
The finest chefs had flown in from across Europe.
The wedding cake stood nearly seven feet tall, decorated by artists rather than bakers.
Fireworks waited by the lake.
A live orchestra would perform until midnight before giving way to one of the country’s most famous musicians.
Nothing had been spared.
Not because I wanted to impress anyone.
But because…
He deserved beauty.
Even if he never loved me.
⸻
The guest list had become a gathering of the world’s elite.
Business magnates.
Royal family representatives.
Government officials.
Famous actors.
Athletes.
International investors.
Old family friends whose names regularly appeared on magazine covers.
They filled every pew inside the cathedral, dressed in elegance that would have intimidated almost anyone.
Yet…
None of them mattered.
Not today.
Today…
There was only one person whose opinion could ruin or save my life.
⸻
“Adrain ?”
My best man stepped beside me.
“Everything is ready.”
I nodded.
My hands remained clasped behind my back.
He stared.
“I’ve never seen you nervous.”
“I’m not.”
“You’ve adjusted your cufflinks fourteen times.”
“…Have I?”
He laughed quietly.
“You look terrified.”
I didn’t deny it.
Because I was.
⸻
The music changed.
Every guest stood.
My heart stopped.
The cathedral doors slowly opened.
And then…
I saw him.
For a moment…
The entire world disappeared.
The flowers.
The orchestra.
The guests.
Everything blurred into nothing.
There was only him.
⸻
He wore ivory instead of pure white.
The tailored suit fit him perfectly, embroidered with delicate silver thread that shimmered whenever the light touched it.
A long ceremonial coat flowed behind him.
His hair had been carefully styled, soft curls framing his face.
The sunlight pouring through the stained-glass windows kissed his skin until he almost seemed unreal.
His eyes…
Those beautiful eyes I’d spent months trying to understand…
Were filled with nerves.
His hands trembled.
He looked as though every step required courage.
Beautiful.
Fragile.
Terrified.
My Jude
No.
Not mine.
Not yet.
Only if he chose me.
⸻
His father walked beside him proudly.
Every few seconds, jude glanced around the cathedral.
His breathing became shallower.
Too many people.
Too many eyes.
Too much pressure.
I recognised the signs immediately.
He was beginning to panic.
Without thinking…
I smiled.
Not the smile I gave reporters.
Not the smile I used during negotiations.
Just…
A small one.
One meant only for him.
His eyes found mine.
For a brief second…
His shoulders relaxed.
Just enough.
He took another step.
Then another.
Until he finally stood in front of me.
Closer than he’d ever been before.
I could hear his breathing.
Fast.
Uneven.
His fingers shook beside him.
I wanted nothing more than to hold his hand.
Instead…
I waited.
The priest began speaking.
I barely heard a word.
Because I couldn’t stop looking at him.
⸻
He was trying so hard to be brave.
Whenever someone looked at him, he lowered his eyes.
Whenever cameras flashed, he flinched slightly.
I hated that.
This day wasn’t supposed to frighten him.
It was supposed to celebrate him.
⸻
Then came the vows.
The priest looked at me first.
“You may begin.”
I turned toward him.
Every carefully rehearsed sentence disappeared from my mind.
So I spoke from my heart.
“I spent most of my life believing strength meant never showing fear.”
A quiet laugh echoed among a few guests.
“I thought success meant control.”
I looked into his eyes.
“Then I met you.”
“You challenged every belief I had.”
“You made me question myself.”
“You taught me that patience requires more strength than power ever could.”
My throat tightened.
“I know I haven’t always made things easy for you.”
“I know I’ve asked you to walk a path you never chose.”
“And for that…”
“I’m sorry.”
A tear rolled down his cheek.
“I cannot promise a perfect marriage.”
“I cannot promise there will never be difficult days.”
“But I can promise this.”
“I will never stop choosing you.”
“Even on the days you cannot choose me.”
His lips trembled.
“I will protect your dreams before my own.”
“I will stand beside you before I ever stand in front of you.”
“And every morning…”
“I’ll do everything I can to become the husband you deserve.”
Silence filled the cathedral.
Then I whispered…
“I love you.”
The first time I’d ever said it aloud.
⸻
The priest turned toward him.
He looked terrified.
His hands shook so badly that I could almost feel it.
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
His breathing quickened.
Panic filled his eyes.
Without thinking…
I stepped closer.
Only enough for him to hear me.
“You don’t have to rush.”
His eyes lifted to mine.
“Breathe.”
His inhale was shaky.
Then another.
“You can take all the time you need.”
His breathing slowly steadied.
The cathedral remained completely silent, every guest waiting.
At last, he looked at me—not with certainty, but with honesty.
“I… don’t know what the future will look like,” he said, his voice trembling.
“I don’t know if I know how to love you yet.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd before fading.
“But…”
He swallowed.
“You’ve been patient with me.”
“You’ve listened when I thought you wouldn’t.”
“And somewhere along the way…”
A tiny smile touched his lips.
“…I stopped being afraid of you.”
My heart clenched.
“I don’t know if this is love.”
He reached for my hand for the first time.
“But… I’d like the chance to find out.”
His fingers intertwined with mine.
The warmth of his touch sent a wave of emotion through me.
It wasn’t a declaration of forever.
It wasn’t a fairy tale ending.
It was something far more precious.
Hope.
When the priest finally pronounced us married, applause filled the cathedral, but I hardly heard it.
All I could see was jude standing before me.
Not because fate had forced him there.
Not because our families had arranged it.
But because, in that moment, despite all his fears…
He had taken my hand himself.
And that single choice was worth more than every fortune I had ever built.
- Writer
