Chapter 149 Wedding Day
Makeup brushes tickled her face as Emily tried to remember to breathe, waiting for her bridal look to be completed. She couldn’t wait to open her eyes and look in the mirror.
“You look like a real lady!” Pam commented. “Not that you normally don’t look like a lady.” She burst into laughter, the champagne kicking in and making her even more giddy than usual.
Emily found herself laughing too, much to the annoyance of the makeup artist, who had to pause so as not to smear eyeliner all over her face. “You look like a real lady,” too, she said to Pam, who was wearing a magnificent green dress with hoop skirts and a white lace trim.
“Sorry, I’ll sit still now,” Emily said to the woman who was doing her makeup, a professional artist who worked with fashion models.
She had woken up that day feeling different. It was a feeling like her life was going to change for the better. Even though weddings might not mean that much in the modern world when people usually lived together before getting married, and some preferred not to go through the ceremony at all, Emily felt it had a special significance.
She wanted to tell Byron how much she loved him, to tell him that they were going to be together from now on, forever.
Not only that, but having all her closest friends together on this day meant so much to her. They were all dressed up in country and western outfits, adding to the festive feel. Those who didn’t have the time or money to get historical clothing wore jeans and plaid shirts or gingham dresses.
Katie was dressed like a saloon girl in a corset top and a flouncy red skirt.
Emily’s dress, which she designed and made herself, hugged her waist close, adding even more definition to her hourglass shape. The white bodice, decorated with pearls and crystals, trimmed with the most frothy, delicate lace, flattered her figure with a sweetheart neckline that showed just a little cleavage and off-the-shoulder sleeves.
She was glad she had worked out a little more than usual lately so that her arms looked toned.
The voluminous skirt of the dress was the lightest shade of pink since Emily didn’t want to be married in a pure white dress. It just seemed a bit boring when there were so many colors available in the world.
When she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror, her makeup looked dewy and fresh, just like her dress. A little bit of eye liner, pink lipstick and a touch of blush made her natural beauty shine. The light colors of the dress and makeup brought out the golden tan of her skin tone.
Her hair was swept into a curly updo, with breathtaking curls cascading from the crown of her head, looking majestic but also kind of flirty.
“You’re missing just one thing…” Pam said, “Your golden wedding ring.”
“Let’s go get it,” Emily said, and all her friends cheered.
All of the people in the bridal party went on ahead, making their entrance to the soft, romantic music played by the classical quartet in the field outside the farm house.
Emily walked out into the bright, cloudless day, waiting to make her grand entrance. Although both her parents were there for the wedding, Emily didn’t believe in the “giving away the bride” tradition as she was not a piece of property, so she was going to walk down the aisle by herself with her bouquet of roses.
She started to make her way from the farm house across the field to where all the guests sat in neat rows on white benches. She could see Byron cutting a dashing figure in his wedding attire, and she couldn’t wait to join him.
She barely heard the music as she was so focused on Byron, but she tried to walk slowly as befitted the ceremony.
Emily felt like she was in a trance, and it was all the more jarring when someone stood up right in front of her.
She had just drawn level with the farthest back row of seats and was looking on ahead when a man’s bulky figure blocked her path.
“Carter?” she exclaimed.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t say this before,” Carter said, his desperate eyes looking yearningly at her, “There was too much security, and I couldn’t see you.”
Security had been extremely tight. Even with Emily’s stalker serving a long sentence in prison, Byron didn’t want to take any chances since both he and Emily were high-profile entrepreneurs. The security agents were instructed not to let anyone close to them except for close family members and a select list of friends.
“But now that you’re here,” Carter continued, “I want to tell you that I object to this marriage. I love you, Emily. I always have.”
“No you haven’t,” she said.
“What?” he said, looking stunned.
“You haven’t always loved me,” she replied, “I’ve known you for years, and you never said anything.”
There was an attraction between her and Carter, but it could never compare to the strong love and passion she felt for Byron.
“Carter, get the hell out of the aisle and stop blocking my bride!” Byron’s voice rang out angrily across the field.
“I loved you ever since we went on that motorcycle ride together,” Carter said looking earnestly into her eyes and ignoring Byron.
Even though Carter was making a scene, Emily forgot about him for a moment as she smiled to see Byron coming towards them in his black suit, snow-white shirt, and aquamarine silk vest that brought out the color of his eyes. He looked so tough and masculine, the fine fabrics outlining the might of his huge body.
As dazed as she was by his beauty, she soon realized she had to snap out of it because there was a fight brewing.
Byron quickly strode down the rows of seated guests, who were all turning around and whispering among themselves. His security agents converged on the scene, but he signalled for them to hold off.
“Byron, I have a lot of respect for you,” Carter said, “but you don’t need to get involved. I’m talking to Emily.”
“Don’t need to get involved?” Byron scoffed.
“It’s just between me and her,” Carter replied.
“If you don’t step aside,” Byron said, facing off against Carter, “I’m going to throw you out of this wedding.”
“I’d like to see you try,” Carter boasted, cracking his knuckles. “I’m a martial arts expert.”
The guests started muttering amongst themselves, and Emily was quite peeved about this whole scene. Her wedding was about to be ruined…
