He cupped her face.
“Always.”
And the priest, seeing that what was about to happen was inevitable, said hastily, “You may kiss the bride.”
The groom’s mouth covered his bride’s.
And this time, everyone broke in tears.
So, so romantic, they thought as they sobbed, even though the Italian tycoon had promised to make his bride cry every day, well – it was still romantic.
****
If the wedding had everyone talking, then the reception turned out to be more scandalous, with the guests blatantly staring and doing their best to eavesdrop as the newlyweds came face to face with Derek and Jaike Christopoulos.
Such lack of manners, some of the guests thought about the latecomers.
Serves the bitch right, being face to face with Angelo Valencia’s one true love, on the other hand, was the common thread of thought of Angelo’s numerous broken-hearted lovers, all of them – despite being uninvited – were nevertheless glued to their Twitter accounts, fuming as they waited for more news about the exclusive reception.
But all of them were wrong.
Derek and Jaike had only come at the newlyweds’ express invitation, and the two pairs finished greeting each other.
“Congratulations,” Derek said easily as he offered his hand to Angelo. “I’ve attended a lot of weddings, but none of them could boast of vows as, err, unique as yours.”
“Thank you,” Angelo murmured, shaking the other man’s hand. He glanced at Lane.
Her lips curved in a smile, and her gaze asked him a teasing question. Does it still hurt to see this other and more handsome boy?
Her husband’s broad shoulders lifted in an elegant shrug. I wouldn’t know. He turned to Jaike and kissed her on the cheek. Pulling away, he raised a brow at his wife. Does it hurt you, seeing me with the other girl?
Lane’s smile widened. A bit.
He smiled back. As it should. Because you’re the one who invited them, little masochist.
Lane laughed. And you didn’t even refuse, you sadist.
The newlyweds’ behavior had Jaike beaming at Derek. “I never thought I’d ever see him act this cute.”
“Adorable, really,” the Greek billionaire said agreeably, “like the cutest teddy bear.”
Angelo said pleasantly, “Asshole as always, Christo.”
Derek only laughed. “Like I always say, it takes one to know one.”
Jaike hugged Lane impulsively, whispering, “I’m so happy for the two of you.”
Lane hugged the other girl back, and as something both sweet and painful tugged at her heartstrings, she whispered back, “Please promise me you’ll always love Derek.”
Jaike drew back in surprise. “I can’t believe you still think you have something to worry about.”
Lane squirmed.
Jaike shook her head. “I can prove it to you easily, you know.”
Lane blinked.
Jaike said loudly, “If you ever get bored with your husband, I know just the right man for you, and he’s actually half Italian like—”
Both Derek and Angelo stiffened at Jaike’s words, and if they had been privy to each other’s thoughts, the two would have been aghast at how similar their minds worked.
Marcus Ravelli.
The name flashed in their minds, and both billionaires scowled.
No fucking way would I let Jaike see that man again, Derek thought.
No fucking way would I let Lane ever meet that man, Angelo thought.
They turned to their partners simultaneously.
Derek pulled Jaike away from the bride, saying seriously, “You shouldn’t talk to Lane. She has a phobia of rich people, remember? And you, babe, are richer than most people here.”
Angelo was just as swift at drawing his wife to his side, warning her at the same time, “You should avoid talking to Jaike, tesoro. She’s the wife of a Christopoulos, never forget that. It means she has as much money as we do. Billions, my Lane. Billions. So you must stay away from her.”
The two couples started to drift to opposite directions, and the rumors started anew.
The newlyweds were having their first fight because of the Christopoulos couple.
They were going to divorce.
She only wanted him because he was a billionaire. He only wanted her because she was a masochist.
On and on it went, but none of them bothered the groom and his bride.
For them, the days of being afraid were over.
This time, only love existed.
Twisted.
Imperfect.
Painful.
Love the way only they could understand.
And it was what prevailed above all else.
The End