Gilded Deception

Chapter 3

Tyler had hired the most expensive event planner in town. In the garden there were rows of white chairs adorned with pink flowers.

At the altar is the priest, dressed in a flowing white garment with a rosary on his neck. Already on the altar is Tyler, smiling as widely as expected of a groom, with Eden beside him as his best man. Tyler and Eden are both dressed in a black tuxedo with a modern cut.

The ceremony was waiting to kick- off with the arrival of the bride. The guests weren't many, just a few business partners of the Johnson’s company, relatives of the bride’s family, and then university friends of the bride.

The first thing everyone noticed when the bride came in accompanied by her dad was the full-length luxurious satin gown the bride wore with her ebony hair flowing down her shoulder and a flower bouquet in her hand. She looked beautiful, like a character out of a romance novel.

Kim walked down gracefully, making sure her steps were in line with the cellos being played in the background. She tried to take in everyone present at the ceremony, her eyes searching for one person. She could not find him among the seated guests.

“I’m glad he is not here,” she thought to herself.

She focused back on her walk to the altar. As she got closer to the altar, she saw the one person she had been looking for, Eden, standing behind his brother.

Tyler, on the other hand, was still all smiles as his bride approached. Kim hated the smile on his face because, to her, it equaled victory. He had succeeded in taking Kim out of Eden’s reach, and now he and Kim are to be joined in holy matrimony for as long as they both shall live.

Mr. Kamani hands his daughter over to Tyler and walks to his seat. The priest began the ceremony and called for the exchange of vows.

Kim couldn't write anything down the previous day. She did not have feelings for Tyler, but standing here now before their guests, Kim told herself, she could have just written anything and faked the whole thing. As Tyler expressed his views, Kim quickly drafted one in her head.

“Dear Kim, we have known each other since we were kids, but neither of us knew that all the trials we have faced growing up had prepared us for the new journey we are about to undergo. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife. Our story will continue until death comes between us.”

Kim could not tell if Tyler was serious about the last part of his vow or if he had just said it to appeal to their guests.

“Tyler, I have known you for the longest time now, and I can say I didn't make the wrong choice in picking you as my husband.” Kim briefly looks at Eden as she says this, but Eden won't meet her gaze.

She continues

“I promise to love you till my lungs give out, I will stick with you through it all, now and forever.”

A round of applause went up from the guests.

“I pronounce you guys husband and wife.” The priest concluded

Tyler got closer to Kim and took off her veil, and then he planted a peck on her lips, not wanting to go any further and receive any form of refusal from Kim.

After the peck, Kim and Tyler turned and looked at their guests, who were already standing. Mr. Kamani was the happiest person in the crowd. Kim could see him whispering something to a guest and wondered what he could be telling the lady.

“Doesn't my daughter look absolutely stunning?”

“They have known each other since they were kids.”

“This is most definitely a match made in heaven.”

She was glad he was happy, she did this for him.

The couple walked down the aisle, waving at their guests, as they both proceeded to the reception hall, which was not too far from the wedding venue.

“I need a moment to myself.” Kim told Tyler as they were almost at the hall for the reception.

“What?”

“Uhm, I feel a headache coming, so I need a moment to myself before the whole partying begins.”

“So I'm supposed to walk in there alone?” Tyler asked in disbelief.

“Yes, or you could just wait for me out here.”

“You must be joking, Kim.” Tyler replied, running his hand through his head in frustration.

“This is it Tyler, the whole wedding has been overwhelming. You either give me a moment to gather my thoughts and I join you in there, or we go now and you watch me frowning my face the entire show.” Kim’s voice was so raised, you could notice the anger in them.

“Show? You are calling our wedding a show, unbelievable!”

“Isn't that what it is? Haven't we all been putting up an act? So do you want me to continue playing my role perfectly or not?”

“Suit yourself.” Tyler stormed off.

Kim used her hands to raise her gown a bit and strolled towards a quiet side of the garden. She notices a bench and sits on it.

She waited for him, she knew if he didn't see her, he would look for her and come for her, she just needed to be patient.

Kim looked at the heel she was wearing, a silver heel laced with pearls. Her father had gotten it for her as a wedding present. As the heel sparkled under the sunlight, Kim realized the heel must be very expensive and wondered where her father saw the money.

Kim is jolted out of her thoughts by the sound of a twig breaking, someone must have stepped on it. He's here!

She turned swiftly and saw him. He really was here.

“What is a bride doing out here on her wedding day?” Eden asked her

“Uhm, uhm, I was having a headache and needed some time to relax and clear my head.” She replied

“Clear your head of what? The happiness that is swallowing you up.” Eden replied, and Kim could hear the sarcasm in his tone.

“Eden, please stop.” She begged

“Why?”

“Answer me, Kim, why?” Eden yelled, his voice hiding a sob that was about to come out.

“Eden, someone will hear you.” Kim cautioned

“Why did you marry him? Ask me this question, and I will leave you alone.” he pleaded

“I had to.”

“Do you love him?”

Kim did not respond.

“Oh my God! Have you always had eyes for Tyler and then used me to get close to him?”

“No, no, no, I have never had eyes for him, it is you, it has always been you.” Kim replied now, on the verge of sobbing.

“Then why did you marry him? What's all this? Make me understand, Kim!” Eden was now pleading.

“It's complicated, Eden. I can't explain it to you right now, I cannot explain it to you here. But I had my reasons.” She moved towards him and held his hand.

“Let's just get through today, and I will explain everything to you.”

Eden unlocks his hands from her’s

“You are a married woman now, Kim. You shouldn't look at me like that.”

“Stop Eden. Please do not do this.”

“I cannot believe I was the best man at the wedding. I was the best man at the wedding of my lover.” Eden laughs

They both stood still for some time, but they could hear the loud music coming from the reception hall.

“Kim!” Kim heard her name.

“Kim!” That was her dad.

“Eden, you need to go,my dad is coming.” Kim started pushing Eden to go in a different direction from where the voice was coming from.

"Kim, where are you?” The voice was getting closer.

"Eden, let's talk later, please.”

He stopped to stare at her and then walked away.