MANHANDLED

THE WEDDING 2

“Where is Damien? And why isn’t he here yet?” He spoke with an angry tone, visibly displeased as guests kept casting side stares in his direction, murmuring about how the groom might have backed out of the alliance between the two families. Of course, no one dared approach him directly they all knew better than to become an enemy of the Stones.Axel looked perplexed, unsure why he was being asked that question. Damien had left the mansion before his entourage and was supposed to already be at the venue, officiating the wedding yet here they were, an hour and thirty minutes late.

“Sir Argent, Master Damien left the mansion before we did… and he isn’t here yet?” he asked, confused.

“Are you asking me a question!? So you’re telling me you just let him do whatever he wants, and now you’ve no idea where he’s gone off to?” His irritation was growing, his voice stern.

“Sorry, Master. I’ll go check what’s going on,”

Axel replied quickly, scurrying away under the weight of his employer’s unforgiving eyes.

“Nacho, go find out what’s going on. Make sure you find him and when you do, drag him all the way back here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Walking briskly out of the venue, Nacho spotted a familiar black Audi R8 pulling into the driveway. Once parked, a very familiar silhouette stepped out of the car. As he walked closer, he saw who it was.

“Sir Damien, you do know you’re two hours late to your wedding, right?”

“Nacho! My man!” Damien grinned from ear to ear, strolling towards him. “Oh, I feel flattered! Did you come fetch me? How did you know I just arrived? We must be connected somehow. Or do you use telepathy?”

he teased, walking ahead towards the venue. “Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you going to attend my funeral? Oh! I almost forgot where’s my father, and how pissed is he? I need to know which lane to avoid.”

Nacho didn’t answer. He simply turned and walked ahead, re-entering the venue.He returned to Argent Stone and whispered something in his ear before standing silently beside him.A bald-headed man with a walking stick was now approaching Argent, his face thunderous with rage. Some guests were already preparing to leave assuming the wedding might not happen after all.

“Stone, is this the alliance we agreed on? Why is your son not here yet? If you wanted to ridicule me and my family, you shouldn’t have brought my daughter into this!”

He was becoming aggressive, waving his cane at Argent. Instinctively, Argent’s guards moved forward to shield him, but with a raise of his hand, he dismissed them, and they stepped back.“Gabriel Woodsman, you should know better than to point your cane at me. Like you said, this is an alliance a new era. But it seems you’d rather take us back to the old ways.”

“Old Stone, are you threatening me!? You’ve embarrassed me and now you want to belittle me too!? Don’t let your ego give you the illusion of being untouchable. I wouldn’t want to be that foolish.”

“Gabriel,” Argent said firmly, his voice heavy with authority a reminder of who he was.

“I don’t know about you, Gabriel, but I wouldn’t be stupid enough to go against me. So be careful with the words you spit out. They can cause you a lot of trouble in our line of business. You always let your anger control you. That’s why I’ve always been at the top and not you.”

Gabriel was about to respond when murmurs in the crowd swelled. Both men turned in the direction of the noise.There, walking through the crowd, was Damien finally heading straight for the two bosses who had nearly clashed.He bowed his head respectfully to both men, then looked up.

“I apologise for the delay, Mr Woodsman. Can we begin now? I’ll explain everything afterwards. I don’t want to keep my bride waiting any longer,”

he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. He glanced at his father the look he received made it clear: this was far from over.Gradually, guests began finding their partners and filling their reserved seats. Once everyone was seated, the wedding ceremony began.At the altar, Father Michael stood tall, his voice booming as he began to speak.

“Love is a choice. It’s a commitment to stand by one another through life’s joys and challenges. It’s a sacrifice of individual desires for the greater good of the union.”

The groom, dressed in a tailored suit, stood beside Father Michael, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the garden. His hands were clasped behind his back, his face revealing the nerves he tried hard to conceal.As Father Michael continued, the atmosphere grew quiet and emotional a weight of tradition and expectation settling over the crowd.

“Today, we gather to witness the union of two souls a bond that will last a lifetime, through laughter and tears, in sickness and in health.”

Suddenly, the sound of soft music filled the air. All eyes turned to the entrance.The bride appeared.She was resplendent in her white wedding gown a masterpiece, an ivory sheath dress that hugged her silhouette with quiet sophistication. The structured, sweetheart-shaped bodice melted into sheer illusion lace, which traced delicately along her collarbone and shoulders like the first frost of a winter morning.Floral appliqués adorned the cap sleeves and high neckline, offering a whisper of romance and antiquity. From her hips, the dress flowed in a smooth cascade of silk crepe, flaring gently as it swept the floor with the quiet dignity of nobility.Her hair was styled into a low, polished chignon, parted in the centre with exact precision. The glossy strands were swept back into a bun at the nape of her neck sleek and timeless. A few loose wisps softened her jawline, framing her face with effortless allure.On her ears were heirloom drop earrings teardrops of pearl set in platinum filigree, a whisper of lineage and legacy. Around her wrist glittered a slender diamond tennis bracelet, delicate enough not to compete with the gown, yet brilliant enough to catch the light with every movement.Instead of a veil, she wore a vintage hairpin tucked into the chignon white gold leaves and seed pearls, subtle yet steeped in character.In her hands, she carried a bouquet of dusky pink peonies, white roses, and sprigs of eucalyptus, bound with a silk ribbon in a shade of faded blush. Tender. Completely hers.Damien stood lost in her beauty as she walked down the aisle beside her father. Her smile outshone the entire décor, and when their eyes locked, the weight of the day briefly melted away.At the altar, Father Michael smiled warmly.

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” he asked.Gabriel Woodsman replied firmly, “I, Gabriel Woodsman, give my beloved daughter Jennifer to this young man.”The ceremony proceeded, Father Michael guiding the vows.The groom took the bride’s hand and repeated after the priest, promising to love and cherish her. The bride followed with her own vows, exchanging rings with him in quiet grace.Father Michael then declared,

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The groom leaned in, and their lips met in a soft, tender kiss.The guests erupted into applause and cheers. Jennifer smiled at Damien a warm, genuine smile. He knew he wasn’t the only one forced into this alliance, yet she stood here, in front of everyone, smiling like she chose this.He decided then and there he’d get through this day as planned.

The celebration followed. Food was served rich, decadent dishes and small chops. Expensive wines flowed freely, and melodious music filled the garden. The wedding was, by all accounts, a success.To Damien, it felt like forever. Eventually, people began to leave after giving their gifts and well wishes to the newlyweds.Jennifer yawned. She still looked beautiful, though clearly tired.

“You know, if you’re tired, we can leave, yeah?”

Damien offered.

“Yeah, I know. I’m not tired.”But as if on cue, she yawned again.

“Hmm, I don’t think you’re super active either,” he said, smirking. “We should leave. These past few hours have been hell for me. Please, my darling wife, let’s leave the rest to the adults, yeah?”

She smiled back, but her voice was cool.“I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I do know you disrespected me and my family by showing up two hours late. And I can’t let you disappear again before you meet my father. Now can I?”

“Ohhh, you really are your father’s daughter. How corny of you. So you're just waiting for Daddy to whack this beautiful husband of yours for being late is that it?”

With a smug grin, he looked at her. She rolled her eyes and continued smiling as people kept dropping off gifts and bidding them goodbye. Damien, bored and tired of pretending, began scrolling through his phone.That’s when a message popped up on his screen.

“Happy married life, Damien.”

He hissed under his breath.“I can’t believe this guy. He couldn’t even make time to come to my wedding! And all he sends is a simple text? No gift? No presence? What a stingy nut.”

“Are you really that sad someone didn’t show up today?” Jennifer asked, curious.

“And who’s so important that their absence saddens you?”

“Hey! Learn to mind your business. And it’s not just anyone, okay? It’s my brother. He didn’t even send me a gift.”

“You’re already filthy rich. What do you need a gift for? And we all know you didn’t want this wedding in the first place you were only forced into it. So why expect your brother to show up when even the groom didn’t want to be here?”

Damien set his phone down and looked at her with a flicker of interest in his eyes.

“So you do know I don’t want to be married to you. That’s a relief whew! I don’t have to be very husbandly then… do I?”

He smirked again.She didn’t reply. She just looked forward. The garden was nearly empty now, save for family members, business associates, and a few loyal workers.Damien stood and walked towards his father and father-in-law, who were engaged in business talk with some other men.

“Hmm, sorry to interrupt, but I think we’ll be heading out now. My wife seems tired. I’ll come over soon to explain what happened today if that’s alright with you, sir Woodsman.”

Gabriel cleared his throat before replying.“It’s alright, son. If your wife is tired, you may take her back to the villa to rest. The wedding’s already over… but I’ll be needing that explanation soon.”He placed a hand on Damien’s shoulder.Damien looked at his father, who nodded in silent approval.Walking back to Jennifer, she saw the grin spread across his face.

“My dearest bride, we are free to go,” he said cheerfully, offering her his hand.She looked across the room at her father. Gabriel nodded in reassurance. She took Damien’s hand, and they walked together to the driveway.Once there, she waited for him to retrieve the car. Her confusion was evident when a sleek black sports car pulled up beside her.

“You can’t be serious. Is this what you came here with? You drove a sports car to your wedding? Can’t you be a little professional, even just for one day?”

“Yes,” he said. “What’s wrong with this beauty? She brought me safe and sound to you. You should be thankful. And nicer, when you talk about her like that. You’re hurting her feelings. And mine. Me showing up for this wedding is me being professional and responsible.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes and placed her hand on her waist.

“There’s nothing wrong with the car. But couldn’t you at least try to play the role of someone who wasn’t forced into this union? And you do have a record for driving quite rough. So if I’m scared for my life, I’m sorry then.”

“Wow. She has humour. How nice. Now will you get in or are you driving yourself back?”She opened the door and hopped in.

“So… where are we going?”

“To our death,”

he replied, grinning as he input a gps location ‘home’.