CHAPTER 6 THE WEDDING.
1218 Words
“What?!” Richmond yelled at the top of his voice. “My girlfriend is getting married and I had to find out on the day of her wedding through a freaking newspaper given to me by my sister.”
Lila broke down in tears, “Baby, I can explain. It’s not what you think, I didn’t have a choice”
"You should have f*****g told me, Lila! You should have f*****g told me!" Richmond screamed at the top of his lungs, tears streaming down his face. He slammed his fist on the wooden chair in her room, the one she used as her study chair.
"I was willing to sell all my artwork, and you knew this!" His voice cracked "I told you, Lila! The buyers were supposed to pay this week, and you f*****g knew it! Why?! I was willing to do anything for you, why would you do this to me, Lila?"
"But, I don't want you selling your artwork, baby," Lila responded shakily, tears streaming freely from her eyes. "It has been your dream to take them for the grand exhibition in Paris, and that's in four months. I could bear to watch you ruin that dream. "
"You'd rather marry him, right? Tell me!" he yelled, his voice shaky and the pitch higher than usual. "You'd rather marry him!"
"Baby, please, you need to hear me out. I didn't have time. They threatened to discharge my mother. I was left with no other option. I'm sorry, Richmond," she burst out, fresh tears flowing.
"And when were you planning on telling me? When did this happen?" he shouted, thrusting the newspaper in her face, showing a picture of her and Damien.
"Some days ago," she stammered, her voice barely audible.
"When were you planning on telling me, Lila?”
She fell to her knees, holding onto his legs firmly “I’m sorry baby, I didn’t have the courage to break the news to you. Please forgive me”
He wiped his tears with his palm, and tried to steady his voice “Was I a joke to you?! Did our relationship mean nothing to you?” his lips quivered as he struggled to hold back the tears
“Baby please listen to me. I promise I’ll be married to him for just a year and after that, I’ll come back to you”
“What do you mean?!”
.
“I can’t explain now baby, but after a year I’ll be getting a divorce I promise and we will get back together”
“For three years Lila, I have f*****g respected you, I haven’t touched you at your wish, because you choose to, for whatever reason to wait till when we get married. And now, you are bringing this bullshit to me about being married for a year and getting back to me. You know what?! Just do you!” he stormed out of the room banging the door behind him.
She chased after him, calling out desperately, "Baby, wait! Richmond, please listen! Baby, please!"
Lila watched the only man she had ever loved walk out of her house. A rush of various emotions burst through her veins all at once—so overwhelming that she collapsed. She had never cried this much in her entire life. If tears were lethal, she would be dead by now.
As she lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, it felt as though a knife was twisting in her heart.
"Richmond!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "Please, don’t leave like this. We can work things out. I know we can."
"Richmond, I love you," she whispered. "I can't imagine my life without you. Please, let's talk."
“ You have a better future now and your life will just be perfect without him in it. You can’t be doing this to yourself, Your wedding starts in three hours” Her father had been watching from a distance. "I knew it was a wrong idea to let him in"
#####
About four and a half hours later, the door to Lila's room creaked open. She had locked herself in the whole time.
Her eyes were red from crying and her dress slightly oversized. Her father, who had been pacing anxiously in the hallway, rushed to her side.
“Lila, why?! He exclaimed… The guests are waiting, and we’re already so late! Why have you refused the makeup artist and the hair stylist from entering your room?” his voice trembled with both anger and concern.
Lila looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry, Dad. I—I needed some time to think.”
Her father took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “We don’t have much time. We need to get going. This is your day, Lila. You can’t let fear or doubts take this away from you.”
Lila nodded, though her eyes were still clouded with tears, she plastered a fake smile.
Walking down the aisle with her father, Lila could hear several murmurs and she knew she was being talked about but she didn’t care.
People whispered and exchanged worried glances, wondering if Lila was unwell. They noted how her wedding gown seemed oddly fitted, how her face was bare of makeup, and how her complexion was unusually pale. Yet, Damien didn’t notice any of this.
Her father had dropped her off just in front of Damien, she tried to meet his gaze, but his eyes were as cold as ice and they looked dead.
Damien didn’t flinch; his robotic gaze was locked on the priest as the ceremony began. When it was time to exchange vows and wedding rings, he remained distant and his face bore no emotions.
The priest’s voice cut through the crowd's murmur. “Damien Kingston, do you take Lila Thompson to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Damien’s response was flat and mechanical. “I do.”
The priest turned to Lila. “Miss Lila Thompson, do you take Damien Kingston to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” Lila responded barely above a whisper.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife… This ceremony has come to an end ” He didn’t mention the part where the groom had to kiss the bride, he was warned against it by Damien.
Unlike the wedding ceremony that was held in the garden, outdoors. The after-wedding party was held in the grand ballroom of Damien’s estate, filled with fake friends, Hawaii's cooperation business partners, rivals, and guests whispering behind their champagne glasses. The room buzzed with gossip and speculation, making Lila the least comfortable.
She moved through the crowd, receiving several fake smiles, she also plastered a forced smile on her face as she endured endless small talk and hollow congratulations. She felt like an outsider at her wedding, surrounded by people who were more interested in the spectacle than in her happiness. Every laugh, every whisper, seemed directed at her, making her feel more isolated than ever.
“Do not speak to anyone, stay by my side. Am I clear” For the first time since the party Damien spoke to her.
“Right,” She whispered.
Hey, bride,” Lila heard from behind, causing her and Damien to turn in unison.
- Writer
