Chapter 40

IT SHOULD'VE been a grand occasion but because it was a sudden notice, Dolly's wedding day came without a lot of preparations.

'No.' Dolly shook her head lightly. This wasn't her original wedding day. They had already done it in a small island with only Max' family and the judge as well as the few witnesses as the guests.

This grand hotel venue that can easily accommodate seven hundred people, is just a show.

Dolly doesn't want a lot of people in her actual wedding. That's why she's glad when they had it without the unnecessary audiences. She had grown afraid of other people especially after what happened in her workplace before.

She treated them fairly. Dolly gave them the best treatment but they chose to harm her and her baby. That's an unacceptable wake up call for Dolly. She vowed to never trust anyone easily.

She trusted those fake people right away but then she threatened to leave Max way before when she obviously know nothing about the whole story. Dolly didn't trust him while she blindly followed those people who doesn't have a solid connection with her.

Until now she's scolding herself about how how stupid had she became.

Janette said it was because of the pregnancy hormones. They made her more emotionally vulnerable that she already is.

"Aunt is getting more beautiful everyday..." Jeffrey had his hair curled into perfection for the day. The healthy blush on his cheeks made him seem blooming with light. "Did you like the flowers? I personally picked them."


He prepared well even if this is just a fake wedding. Dolly smiled widely. "Of course. They look beautiful. Royal blue suits your skin, Jeffrey. You should frequently wear something of this hue."

"Really?" He whistled lightly. "Maybe that's why my man can't keep his eyes off of me."

Dolly's eyes doubled its size. "So you know how to show off now, huh?"

"Nah, I'm just trying to make you laugh." But his eyes averted to the side after he said that. Dolly reach for his cheeks to caress it for a moment.

"I have to go and find Max." They agreed to continue the ceremony. If something bad happened, the security's top priority would be her life and her baby.

Jeffrey nodded. The communicator in his pants vibrated. He fish it out to read the message inside. "There's a commotion outside. Auntie, don't go out and just stay here."


Dolly bit her lips. The braid in her head made her a live picture of a deity in distress. A cold hand held her shoulder. She twisted to see Max' handsome face with a smile.

"You look dazzling, Dolly." He praised. Max wore a black suit in a perfect fit. His cap toe, derby shoes shiny and expensive. The slim fit of his British cut suit sculpted his body perfectly. "I look like an angel's bodyguard."

Dolly laughed despite herself. "You're selling yourself short. Where's my confident husband?"

Max couldn't stop the smile on his lips. "Yes, I look good today, wife. Thank you."

Janette happened to pass their area and saw through their conversation. She winced before covering her face in indignation. 'Was that my brother? He was so whipped with his wife—it was almost ridiculous.'

"Why are you hiding your face?" Kael slip a hand on her waist and smacked his lips. "Hmn. The alcohol is good. Let's get drunk the check in after the event, yes? Yes?"

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Yes, we can check in. We'll sleep in a room with two queen beds. That should be enough."

"Two beds?" Kael's face was filled with dissatisfaction. "We should get Jeffrey a separate room. He can sleep without us."

Janette smiled grimly. "No. You and I are going to sleep in different beds. Exercise restraint, Kael. You've been doing nothing these past few days but to have fun and interrupt my work—"

"I don't hear you say 'no' whenever I interpose your work station." Kael said blandly, "You always told me to 'keep going'. See? It's not me."

Janette began to see red. She stormed off not without tossing him accusing looks as she transfer to another table.

Kael laughed. He ran to follow his wife, snorting as he recalled the faint redness of her ears.




__________



"THIS IS my uncle's wedding, Idrik." Jeffrey crossed his arms and tried 'not' to look at Dianne. She was dressed to nines. Her absolute decision to cause a war inside the hotel is visible to the naked eyes. "Basic right conduct should make her realize that it's not right to barge in to someone's wedding unannounced."

"How was it unannounced? Can't you see that I have the invitation right here? Oh my god, the heir of this coven can't be more heartless than this. He wants to throw me out when I'm here to be part of the audience and wish his highness good luck!" She persisted even if the security threatened to drag her out. Cedric was out of his wits. What to do with a willful woman like her?

"Look! Look! I even brought a gift! This should show my sincerity, 'heir'. You can't throw me out!"

Jeffrey stared at Cedric's head. The man had a vague surprised expression. He accepted Dianne's invitation card without looking at him. Jeffrey was a little... annoyed.

"Then... go inside."

Dianne didn't expect Cedric's attention but it wasn't unwelcome. She smiled sweetly, her words taunting Jeffrey. "Thank you, Cedric. I know you won't forget our past relationship and couldn't bear to see me suffer any injustice. Honestly, I don't know why did you pick an unreasonable person to mate with but I know, don't worry, I understand."

"…you ran out of choices, so you were cornered to pick an unwanted pup."

Jeffrey raised his eyes to her face. He smiled a little, the insult engraved in his heart but his face betrayed nothing.

Cedric felt the change through their bond. He grasped Jeffrey's hand to mollify him.

"You came for my uncle, so why are you dawdling here? As Cedric's 'chosen' mate, I can have a say towards hungry peasants like you." He breathed evenly. "Back off, stay away, get lost. I'm not telling you this because I'm threatened of your presence. No. Please don't misunderstand. I'm telling you this as an advice, lest you will be ridiculed as an unscrupulous woman. No need to thank me for giving consideration in your reputation. It was hardly there to begin with."

Cedric's lips twitch. He stepped forward to support his mate. "You are my childhood friend, I care about you... no matter how little is it. My mate is a master of etiquette and good conduct. You can learn from him so you won't humiliate yourself in the future. Thank you for coming."

Dianne stood rooted on the entrance of the hotel, basking in the unabashed stare from vampires with proud and snob backgrounds. She doesn't need to know what's in their mind as they continue to gawk at her even when the couple had already gone far.

She felt low.

The lowest of low.