Chapter 7
1019 Words
Celeste's POV.
I slowly walked down the aisle with my grandfather, clinging to him like it was the only thing I had left to do.
The wedding hall was way more luxurious than I had expected. I loved the pure gold designs with touches of immaculate white that lingered everywhere. The emotional music from the pianists, the soothing atmosphere and the flamboyant display of wealth, even in the simplest details.
I smiled to myself as I knew my grandfather was definitely behind the colour combination. It could only be him, since gold was my favorite colour.
"You didn't have to do all these...for me, grandfather" My voice shook as I teared up.
"I would do all these for you and even more. Always remember, I would do anything to make you happy. You are my sunshine after all."
I smiled a little, because I was getting too emotional and those hot tears welling up in my eyes were going to ruin my makeup if they fell.
"Killian helped too." He added causally.
My heart skipped. That was impossible. I knew he was lying to try to make me see Killian in a good way.
"You don't have to try to make him look good to impress me, grandfather." I added with a shaky voice. I knew Killian would never go to that length for me. It was a sad reality.
"Now focus, you're about to meet your groom." He said, changing the subject.
It wasn't just the beautiful wedding that got me teary. It was what was waiting for me after all the glam and beauty.
The thought of experiencing all these with someone I barely knew, someone I knew did not care the least about me, it was killing me. I was strong, a little too strong for my liking sometimes, but this moment broke me beyond how I could explain.
The screams from the crowd and flashes of cameras distracted me from my thoughts, bringing me back to the face of reality.
I saw him, standing at the extreme, on the altar - waiting for me, dressed in the most expensive Italian suit I had ever seen.
From his neatly styled hair, to his shiny black designer shoes, to his broad shoulders that added to his perfect physique, even his piercing eyes that didn't leave me even once, I was slowly drawn to this man. But my heart kept rejecting him.
I fixed my eyes on his as I forced my shaky legs to walk me down the aisle. The crowd, as well as everyone else were dead to me. Killian was the only person I could see.
My heart raced.
It wasn't new. It had happened before at the our first dinner. I still didn't understand what it was. Maybe nervousness.
Theodore's POV.
It was the one day I had been waiting for, all my life. She was finally getting married, and not just to anyone, but to a powerful business ally. A dream come true.
Even though my health was not at its best, the joy in my heart, knowing her future was secured knew no bounds as I slowly walked her down the aisle.
I couldn't quite read the emotions in her eyes, even the way she clung to me like she didn't want to let go. I almost felt bad for forcing her to marry someone she barely knew, but I brushed off the thought immediately. It was for her own good.
"You didn't have to do all these for me grandfather." She said in an emotional voice.
"I would do all these for you and even more." I reminded her.
Then our eyes met Killian, standing there in all his glory. I smiled to myself, knowing he was the best option for my precious granddaughter.
I glanced at Celeste. For the first time, I understood the emotions I had earlier seen in her eyes. It wasn't excitement. It was hurt, pain.
"Killian helped too." I said slowly as I tried to make her feel like he cares about her. Maybe it would make her feel good a little. She didn't buy it. I knew. But I had to distract her from the pain anyway.
Killian's POV.
After exchanging our vows, the nervousness in my bones intensified. I wasn't ready for this.
Everyone else was filled with wild excitement, except us - me and Celeste.
I still could not wrap my head around why I was so drawn to her a while ago. Maybe it was because of the slow music from the pianists. Anyone could have been drawn right?
We left the wedding venue some minutes later in my white limousine, escorted by my favorite convoy of white Rolls-Royce.
We sat far apart, tension building up on my insides, making me want to explode. The thought of living in the same mansion with her was driving me crazy. But she sat there, unbothered, cold, unreadable. I was losing it.
It was already dark when we arrived at my mansion.
"Celeste?" I called out.
She wore a tired look as she turned to face me.
"Sit." I said as I poured myself a glass of wine.
"Why?"
"I need to talk to you..... about how things will be between us."
"I already know. Separate bedrooms and s**t. I know how it works." She snapped.
"It's a little more than that." I said immediately.
"Hit me." She seemed ready.
"Remember I told you about what I had going on with someone else?"
She nodded. I still couldn't read her expression.
"There cannot be any s****l relationship between us. I don't cheat on my women.
I'll give you comfort, wealth and everything else you might want or need but I cannot love you or treat you as a wife. This marriage is not real, it's just a contract."
She nodded, pain flickering in her eyes for a second, then her expression returned to being unreadable.
"Right," She said, letting the words out calmly. "I get you. That means I'm allowed to keep what I have going on with someone else too."
My eyes widened.
"What?"
- Writer
