AN URGENT WEDDING

CHAPTER TWO

Noah

My baby sister has the most ridiculous ideas. How is this supposed to work? I haven't said up to ten lines to Lisa since high school and now I expect her to believe I am trying to help. She probably still hates me for my undefeatable play boy record. I don't like her much either but I need to go back in there and make her see that for once I'm on her side. My sister, Sophia definitely doesn't mind if I have to carry Lisa on my shoulder to the altar. I light a cigarette and drag.

Anyone would think a bride left on the altar for so long will be looking for an escape, anyone at all but this bride is bent on preserving the groom's seat. The Groom's seat, my ass. I bet on it that she knows the Groom has bailed on her, but she prefers to hope. For her sake, I would have hoped too if not that I know the Groom is in Paris with a woman. It's only a matter of time before Lisa finds out. I puff cigarette smoke into the air. Damn arranged marriages.

"Noah!" I quickly turn around to see Sophia racing towards me. "I can't believe you!" She says, rearranging the chiffon shawl around her neck. I drop the cigarette in my hand on the field and smash it with my feet. I lean on my car, arms folded and wait till she halts in front of me.

"You were just going to leave?" She asks, breathing fast. I place a hand on her lips. "Breathe," I say. With a frown, she hits off my hand.

"You owe me, Noah and I need you to go back in and do whatever you can to salvage my best friend's wedding."

"Sophie, I can do anything for you, but this is reaching. Can't you see that?" I ask. "Besides, I didn't bring her this far to leave her on the altar."

Her expression softens and she clasps her hands together on her chest. "It is a request, Noah. Please."

I sigh and look away. "Don't get all soft on me now. Be the tyrant."

She laughs. "So? "

"So is Lisa on board?"

"Yeah," she says, turning on her heels. I fall into step with her as we walk back to the hall. "We're in luck," she says. I throw mint into my mouth. "How so?"

"The priest has another appointment so he won't spend much time, I think."

I nod and spray my pocket perfume around me. Sophia turns and glares at me. "You chose to smoke at your wedding. Great."

My wedding. We get to the door and she throws me one last look. "Game face," she says and walks in. I follow after her, getting taller with the eyes on me. Ladies that might not talk to me after now because I'll have a ring on my marriage finger. Taken. For a day.

I wink at Lisa as I walk past the front row, heading to the altar. I adjust my suit and stare at her with a raised eyebrow questioningly when she remains unmoving. An old couple I suspect to be Derrick's parents, rise from their seats and walk towards the exit. Good riddance.

Finally, Lisa rises to her feet. Sophia arranges her dress and they both walk to the altar. A little girl with a small bouquet of flowers follows, clinging on to the arm of a little boy. The Best man remains seated. I keep staring at him until he reluctantly stands and walks to the altar. Good boy.

"I have a feeling that you are not staring at me in admiration as a bride should to her husband," I say to Lisa in a whisper.

"I will say no words to you," she replies.

I laugh. "You'll read your vows to me because I wrote beautiful vows for you."

The officiating minister steps forward and we spend the most agonizing minutes of my life, repeating words after him. I can't wait for this to be over with.

"Did you prepare vows?" The minister asks. "No," Lisa says immediately. "Yes," I say, staring from her to the priest. She seems to be too comfortable under her veil and the priest must have forgotten so I just take the initiative and lift her veil. True to my word, she's been glaring. Her frown quickly morphs into a smile.

"Let's do the vows quickly," the priest says. I nod towards Lisa. "You go first."

"I have no vows," she says, smiling tightly.

"I know you do, but I'll go first. I took my time to prepare this."

She rolls her eyes. I put my hand in my pocket, searching for the piece of paper I wrote my vows on. Just then my pack of cigarettes falls to the ground. The little boy hands it back to me immediately. I look at the priest and smile. "Let's get on with the wedding."

"Do you, Monalisa Jordan, take this man, Noah Cullen, as your husband?"

Lisa's eyes widen. I shoot my eyes to Sophia in alarm. I thought I was just standing in for the main Groom. Why is my name there as the groom?

"Did you understand the question?" The priest asks a dumbfounded Lisa, staring at her through the rim of his eyeglass.

She nods. "I do. Yes."

The Minister turns to me. "Do you, Noah Cullen, take this woman, Monalisa Jordan as your wife?"

"I do," I say, nodding.

"You may now kiss your bride."

"Kiss the side of my mouth," Lisa says quickly, flattening her hand on my chest.

I lower my face to her and laugh against her mouth. "The priest said I should kiss my bride." I put my hand around her waist and press my lips to her. I should pull away, but I can't help parting her lips with my tongue as I lick round her full lips, nibbling her lower lip. Her body presses into me, her breasts pushing against my chest. I cup her chin, enjoying the taste of her tongue. Her fingers move to my arm and clings to it as she parts her mouth to take my lips. I groan softly, slowly withdrawing until I can detach my hands from her.

Christ, Monalisa Jordan’s lips are heaven. They are soft and needy.

Daze eyed, she stares back at me. There is no room for annoyance on her face. A loud applause erupts from the crowd. We must have put up a good show. Lisa is tongue tied, her cheeks are reddened, washed with embarrassment or anger. I smirk at her and she looks away.

"Tell me about the lingerie you bought for our wedding night," I say.

She bites on her bottom lip, staring at me without a word. Now I know what makes Lisa dumb.

"With the power vested in me, I declare you husband and wife!"

"Hi wifey," I say, taking her hand, hoping to annoy her further. She frowns at me, but does not withdraw her hand when we begin to walk down the aisle. First phase done, now we have to get through the first dance and of course, our wedding night.

The after party is in her parents' villa. It is an outdoor decoration with pink clothes and green artificial flowers everywhere. This is the last phase and I will be out of here. Lisa and Sophie can continue whatever charade this is without me.

I must admit, this is quite an interesting experience. One of Lisa’s cousins is giving a speech about her while I am seated beside her. One look at her, you can see she’s fuming, literally breathing fire. I don’t think her anger is directed at me because I was the knight today.

It is time for our couple’s dance. I guess I get another chance to feel Lisa’s lips on mine again before I call it a day. What did I say about this experience being interesting?

She keeps her distance when we get to the center of the stage and I pull her to my body by the waist. Her body is stiff, but she puts a hand on my shoulder as a sensual music begins to play.

“Have you heard from your husband?” I ask.

“Derrick?” she asks as she sways with me.

“Yes, your other husband.”

“You must be having fun right now.” She tilts up her head to look at me. A frown creases her forehead as she looks at me.

“Look, I don’t know what I am doing here to be honest. I don’t know why it was my name that was mentioned at the altar. I just want to go home.”

“What about me?” she asks.

“What about you?” I ask, taken a back.

“I understand your dilemma, but I don’t even know how to help you.”

She removes her hands from my body and stares at me for a moment before she spins around and hurries away. I smile and nod at the people sitting on the arranged tables. I wonder if I should run after her. She’s my bride after all.

Nah, that doesn’t fit my profile. People join me on the dance floor but I walk to the bar, lift a bottle of red wine and walk off to where my car is parked.