Red Alert

Chapter 9: Wedding Bells

Ella's Pov

I was nervous. I hadn't realized until this moment how anxious I truly was. I never even today was going to happen so soon and my nerves were on the verge of bursting. The good thing was that I was alone so I could wallow in my self-pity as I stared at the tiled floor.

I was seated on a long couch, in a large but empty room. I was dressed in a, 'as Jennie said: exquisite tulle and lace bateau neckline A-line dress with lace appliques and a belt. I didn't understand that since I was quite dumb, as proved, so Jennie explained it to me with more detail. 

The dress was made of tulle and all-over lace outside. The lining was made of satin. It was also embellished with delicate lace appliques and beading to create a stunning and romantic texture. The belt with beadings around the waist also showed my curves, Jennie's words. Jennie also said 'Get ready for everyone to stop and stare when you show up in this gown' which resulted in me growing very anxious.

My hair and makeup were done by a professional artist. I had my hair done in a braided updo accompanied by a white accessory that I wasn't able to identify. I let the makeup artist choose the style of my makeup by herself. She decided to go with a nude lipstick and a rosy blush which were supposedly wedding signatures and to mirror the whiteness of my gown she added a shimmery silver eyeshadow across my lids. I have to admit, I never thought that I would look this amazing on my wedding but I did.

I used to think that on one's wedding day, they are surrounded by their family and friends yet here I am all alone. I wanted Lara and April to be here, to assure me that I was capable of going through with this and I wanted the twins to be here, to threaten Dylan into treating me nicely. It was cliché but it was what I wanted. I didn't want to be alone in this room like I was. I hadn't invited a single soul to my wedding so all the guests that were arriving, were Dylan's family's acquaintances. 

The wedding was taking place at the Rhodes family private church and the reception was at the famous Greystone Season's hotel that belonged to the Rhodes. I had honestly always wanted a small garden or beach wedding with only a few close people invited. The Rhodes family held a very high status so because of that they had to have an extravagant wedding and I had no right to oppose their idea.

"Hey, you ready?" The door opened as Jennie's head popped through it. She closed the door behind her as she stepped inside, smiling at me.

"Yeah, I guess," I answered, offering her a wide smile.

"You look spectacular. Dylan's going to be awe-struck" Jennie said as she walked over and sat down beside me. "Your mother would be so proud if she saw you right now." She added as I smiled. I do wonder if mom would be proud of me but she probably resented me for leaving her kids alone. Dad I know will be proud of me and mom, I think even she will be pleased.

"Thank you, Jen. You also look marvelous." I complimented her. I had a look at her dress as I couldn't help but marvel at her beautiful figure. She was wearing a lavender-colored long dress with an embroidered bodice. Her hair was done in a loose sided fishtail braid with flower accessories and she was wearing lilac grey colored accessories with heels.

"Tonight is about you, not me. So, it's a good thing you look gorgeous. I hope you feel as pretty as you look because that's all that truly matters." Jennie smiled as I nodded. "I wonder why your siblings can't come. I mean it's their sister's wedding. They can take a day off or something." She said as I started fiddling with my fingers and looked at the floor.

"They would have loved to come and I wish I could've invited them but..." I trailed off as I felt the sadness coming back.

"Wait! You didn't invite them?!" Jennie questioned.

"It's not like I didn't want to invite them. It's just that...we don't have the best relationship and I'm working on being a better sister but my siblings don't exactly like me. I didn't want to tell them about the wedding because they already have loads of responsibilities. I didn't want to be a bother. Besides...it's not like they would've come either way." I told Jennie in the simplest way I could explain.

"Oh...why don't they like you? Did you do something?" Jennie asked as I averted my gaze from the floor to her. I think she understood as she gave a tight smile. "It's alright, you don't have to answer but I think that you should've told your siblings. If they find out any other way, they will be more heartbroken." Jennie said as I nodded, knowing that she was right.

"Yeah...you're right," I mumbled.

"You're lucky this marriage is a secret. Otherwise, everyone would have already found out. Anyway, you don't have to worry about that for now. As long as Dylan's wants this marriage to be a secret, it's up to you whether you want to tell your siblings or not." Jennie said as a sudden thought had me curious.

"I'm not complaining but...why does your brother want us to be a secret?" I asked, looking at her. At first, Jennie didn't answer as her expression went from calm to frowny real quick. I could tell that there was a reason, a secret that they couldn't tell me but I was curious. "You don't have to answer that if you don't want to." I quickly said, realizing my mistake.

"I'm sorry...it's not like I don't want to answer you but...I can't. You'll find out soon either way." Jennie said as she immediately hid her solemn expression with a wide smile. "You should get ready. It's time to go. You don't want to keep the groom waiting, now do you?" She added with a wink as she walked out leaving me alone.

A few minutes passed as it finally time for me to walk down the aisle. I was also going to be alone since dad wasn't here to walk me down the aisle. Neither could I ask Hayden or Jayden. I felt a bit sad and I was nervous about it but I had no choice. I've been saying that too much, right? 'I have no choice', such a commonly used word for me now but whatever I need to push all the worries away for now.

I took a deep breath as I gripped the flower bouquet in my hand and stepped out of the room. It was soon time for me to walk down the aisle with loads of people watching me. My nerves were bursting and I was frightened. Anyways, I composed myself and put on a small smile as the door to the church opened and I started walking towards the altar. I used my peripheral view to see all the people watching me from both, my left and my right. I decided to simply look straight ahead and not focus on people. I spotted Jennie and her parents sitting on the front seats before turning my attention back to the front. 

Dylan was standing at the top of the altar, next to the officiate. His hair was cut and set neatly. He was wearing a black suit and tie with black shiny shoes. The suit was not a different look for him but he did look quite handsome. Just imagine like I never said that and now I feel embarrassed, why did I say that, even to myself. He did look 'good' though and there was no point in lying. One part of me was very sad by all of this but the other part of me was jumping at the fact that I was marrying, Dylan, one of the most handsome and popular guys right now.

Either way, I walked up to the altar as Dylan took a step down and offered a hand which I took as I stepped up. He held my hands in his as we looked at each other. Awkward, but it was something we had to do. I gave him a small smile but was only met with his stoic cold expression. I was starting to think, he didn't like me.

"Today, we are all gathered here to join Dylan Jason Rhodes and Ella Rain Jamison in holy matrimony." The officiate spoke as I held my breath and held a straight expression. "Do you, Dylan Jason Rhodes, take Ella Rain Jamison to be your lawfully wedded wife, through sickness, poverty, and always support her?" The officiate guy asked, looking towards Dylan.

"I do," Dylan simply answered.

"Do you Ella Rain Jamison take Dylan Jason Rhodes to be your lawfully wedded husband, though sickness, poverty and to always support him?" The officiate asked the same question as he turned to me. This was my last chance to say 'no' and run away but like I said before: I have no choice.

"I do," I answered. The rings were presented to us as Dylan slid a ring on my finger and I did the same thing, by slipping the ring on his finger.

"You may now kiss the bride." The officiate spoke as I froze in place. I did not remember this part of a wedding. I was petrified and not sure of what to do because I do not think this was part of the agreement. This...this was something I couldn't do and how and what? 

Everything seemed to disappear, leaving my mind blank as Dylan moved my chin up and kissed me. It was a simple kiss but it was still a kiss and it was also my first kiss. The kiss lasted for a second but it left me completely flustered and I could already tell that I was blushing madly. To think even my first kiss would be with someone I don't know as well my marriage. We turned to the guests, still holding hands as everyone stood up, the whole church getting enveloped in the sound of applause.

After that was done, everyone headed to the reception. Dylan and I were told to wait for a bit for the guests to settle in before we walked inside. We still had to hold hands as we walked to our table. Walking down the hall and towards the table, while everyone was clapping and watching us, made me extra anxious but I simply put on a fake smile. A lot of guests were still arriving and none of them were my friends or acquaintances but all were somehow related to the Rhodes family. By how many people were here, I didn't have to guess by saying, the Rhodes family knew a lot of people.

We arrived at the table, me somehow managing to keep my cool. I was about to pull a chair out for myself but Dylan was a step ahead of me as he did it instead. He gestured with his eyes for me to sit as I was surprised. I wasn't surprised by him being a gentleman but I was surprised because nobody had ever pulled a chair out for me before and all I had to say was that it was weird. I mean, I can pull out a chair for myself, I have hands and I like using them. Anyway, I sat down as I muttered a 'thank you' and looked around.

The MC of the party was Dylan's friend, Asher. I hadn't gotten a chance to apologize to him or Jackson and since the day before yesterday, when I yelled at them, I hadn't even talked to Dylan. He didn't come to the store yesterday and today we both had taken a leave, I hope the other employees aren't suspicious of anything, they probably aren't. I'm just super paranoid right now, especially after that 'kiss'. Anyway, the MC, Asher was doing a great job of keeping everyone entertained and he was leading the party very nicely.

When it was time for Dylan's welcome speech, both of us had to get up from our seat and walk hand in hand to the mc's side to deliver our welcome speech. Dylan took the microphone from his best friend's hand as he turned to the guests. Dylan had told me not to say a thing and just stay silent by which I concluded that he just didn't want to get embarrassed by me. I didn't mind it since talking in front of all these strangers would be odd for me and if I stutter, I would make a fool of myself and Dylan. If anything, I appreciated Dylan for taking the lead here and saving me from myself.

"Thank you, Asher, for being our mc. Firstly, I would like to thank everyone, every single one of you our guests for coming to our wedding which was kind of a rush since it was planned in one week." Dylan said in a very composed and plain voice. He hesitated for a second and then turned to look at me "We don't know each other that well, only met each other for the first time last week and now we are each other's partners for this lifetime. I've never once thought this is how I'll end up but I guess it will be better from now on." The guests that tensed up are now laughing again to Adam's words that's sounded like a joke. 

I try to find his eyes to know what he meant but was struck by his smile instead as he looks at me with a loving smile that I have never seen before. I heard my heartbeat beating fast and loud, my cheeks started turning red once again as I turned my eyes and looked anywhere else but at Dylan. 

"Anyway, pray for us to have a beautiful life together and for us to be happy with each other." Dylan ended his speech as almost immediately the guest started to clap loudly and both of us went back to our seat for the dinner to be served.

The dinner went by quickly and continued with the toast from Dylan's friends. The family dance followed up after the toast and then the highlight of the party came, the newly wed's first dance. I was worried about this part because I didn't know how to dance in any way and was rather clumsy. Dylan was pushed by Jennie, into offering me his hand with a slight bow. I couldn't be rude so I accepted his hand and making a little curtsy. I looked like a doofus right now, as much as I felt like a doofus.

The guests started clapping from behind us Dylan held my waist with his left hand while his right hand held my left hand in a dance form. I could feel myself shaking from the number of people watching us as I took Dylan's hand. I didn't know the first thing about freestyle dancing how would I know how to slow dance.

"I don't know how...I don't dance." I whispered as I felt panic welling up in my chest. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of so many high-status people.

"Follow my lead," Dylan whispered back. I shook my head a little, loosing all of my confidence as I looked around at everyone staring and waiting for us to start. I felt Dylan tighten his grip on my hand and waist which made me look at him, eye to eye. "Trust me," He added as I gave a hesitant nod.

The song to our first dance played as Dylan led me to dance. I started awkwardly and I'm sure I missed my footing a few times but Dylan's grip on me was firm so because of that I didn't stumble although, I did manage to step on his feet a few times. As the song came to the end, I finally got the moves and understood how it worked as I smiled widely.

"I get it now! Thank you!" I couldn't help but exclaim as I continued dancing with a smile glued on my face. I learned the steps to the song and was able to go through it without stepping on Dylan's feet this time. I was proud of myself for learning so quick and glad that Dylan helped me. As the song came to an end, the guest clapped to the dance, me making my way over to my seat.

Dylan got busy talking to people while I was left alone. A few people approached and congratulated me as I smiled and thanked them. Since there was not a single person I knew here, I was bored and had nothing to do. I would have used my phone to cure my boredom but I didn't have it since this wedding dress didn't come with pockets. 

I was leaning back on my chair and watching everyone having a great time when I noticed someone trying to climb on the chair next to mine. I stopped leaning and looked at the little boy trying to get on the chair. He was so cute and his effort and determination to climb the chair made me smile. This kid just made my day. 

"Would you like some help there, little sir?" I asked the boy as he turned to look at me. At first, he simply stared at me, clutching his table, blinking unsurely before he nodded without saying a word. I smiled as I picked the boy up and placed him on the chair. I was about to lean back into my chair when a girl, about the same age as the boy, pulled on my dress. By the looks of it, they both had Asian features by which I could tell that they were twins. The girl pointed towards the seat her brother was sitting on as I smiled and lifted her, seating her beside him. "What are your names?" I asked as I leaned towards them with a friendly smile.

Instead of answering they both switched on their tablets as I watched them curiously. After they finished writing whatever they were writing, they both moved their tablets towards me. I smiled as I read the words. The boy's tablet read 'My name is Aiden' and the girl's tablet read 'my name is Emma'. 

"Well, who are you two here with?" I asked them as they started scribbling on their tablets. They both finished at the same time as I read their words. 'I am here with daddy', The boy's answer read while the girls answer read 'I came with my daddy.' I smiled as I ruffled their hair, earning a smile from them.

Soon enough the music came to an end as well as the party. The twin boy and girl had disappeared into the crowd after accompanying me for a bit. I did enjoy their company and I had to say that they made my day a whole less boring. 

All of the guests had gathered towards the party halls door for us, 'the newly-wed couple' to make the grand exit and embark on our honeymoon journey. The guest lined up towards the door while holding party poppers, flower petals, and confetti in each of their hands. As both of us walked down the line towards the doors they popped the party poppers and threw the flower petals along with the confetti above our heads. Dylan and I had intertwined our hands with each other as we walked under the raining poppers, confetti, and petals. We smiled as we neared the car before sitting inside. 

Even though everyone thought we were going to go on our honeymoon, we weren't. I would have liked it very much but Dylan was against the idea so I decided to agree with him. We were going to head to his As we were both seated and left the hotel behind, we un-intertwined our hands and sat in silence. The car ride was awkward and the heels were killing me. The engagement party had been the first time I ever wore heels and today hopefully will be the last.