CHAPTER 68

"I PROMISE ..."

"I promise to and the bride to love, cherish, and obey you in truth and right. You are my lover and my teacher, You are my model and my accomplice, And you are my true counterpart. I will love you, hold you and honor you...for as long as we both shall leave. I pledge to you my life as a loving wife. This is my vow to you...."

Unfortunately, that was the only part of kelly's vow that I recorded. I was busy with Ciara throughout the entire first.

I think for the second round of applause, Ciara and my voice were the voices so loud among the rest.

We were happy to have finally solved the case.

We knew who the culprit was and we knew exactly where to find him.

I hugged Ciara and she hugged me back with our heads bumming on the sides. I was smiling, all my teeth out no less than she was and surprisingly, the entire occupant of the seat in front of us turned around and flashed their cameras at me and Ciara.

"I don't think I've ever had so many pictures of me taken in less than a minute..." she bent down to whisper but these people liked it thinking it was a pose.

"I know pronounce you husband and wife...." the priest paused and pushed his glasses as if about to read out something even more spiritual and attention worthy. Then he turned to the groom and said "You may, kiss the bride"

The way everyone responded, it was as if this was the only part we found interesting above all. If a person had two phones, this was the time a hand would hold a phone and take a picture of the new hot couple in town.

Sven, lifted Kelly's veil and they both blushed and shyed away before he suddenly grabbed her, had her bend on her back and he hovered over her, giving her a very fine kiss.

A colourful confetti complemented the whole ambience and made it seem like there was a meteor shower.

"You know the kiss was flames when you have her lipstick smudged all over him...." The cheeky Miranda whispered and I turned to give her a sharp look.

"It's liquid matte, sweetheart. 48 hours straight and guaranteed without a smudge...what's a kiss to come in the way of beauty?" I asked back sarcastically and Ciara whispered. "Atta girl!"

I turned to her and smiled while shaking her hand.

She was a gift and this was just beautiful.

I loved spending time with her over here.

I would regret it if we wouldn't make up and go back to our normal selves.

Then coming to this wedding would be a waste. What good was there if I had fun but without my best friend?

She brought me here and deserved my full time attention.

After the vows, the kiss and exchanging rings, the couple signed their marriage certificate and the priest vouched for them.

Then, the couple was seated in a couch just at the cathedral entrance for everyone to bless them as they walked out. A picture was also guaranteed and it was just beautiful.

The notable presence of Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Peter Diamandis, Lucas Martinez, Liz Murray and many more hyped the social security number to a thousand.

From her mother's side, a whole pack of royalty came forth to support such elegance. It was difficult to believe they initially didn't want Sven but maturity is really setting aside things we can't tamper with. And they were just mature enough to let it go and here they were, happily married.

Her mother, Pearl Salvador; was shining as a pearl just as her name suggested, standing next to her husband, El. Kelly's grandparents, El's parents, King Kingsley the second and and his wife queen Alisha Salvador stood side by side, with the couple centred. A magnificent family photo it was going to be. Raymond Salvador, brother to Pearl Salvador and second in line to the British throne, was standing behind the newly weds along side his pregnant wife Lady Jocelyn Towne-Salvador.

Sven's parents were also in the picture. They stood closest to the love birds and almost sat along with them on the couch.

His three sisters stood along side Raymond and Jocelyn while his only brother squeezed himself into the front line.

Kelly and Sven weren't just blessed but rich in friends too.

All the social etiquette just told me love is one of the ingredients that make the family stick together.

Family might be defined as a group of people who are related to each other, but it's more than that. It's a meaningful connection, an experience. It's an incredible fail-safe support system we can depend on when others have vanished. While they may drive us crazy at times, there's no doubt our families play an integral role in shaping our lives.

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, wherever you are, you're blessed.

********

"Adam, where are you???" I asked as soon as he picked up my call.

"At the packing lot....why?"

"I have a big discovery that will help us not only crack this mystery but also solve it...." I explained as I took short, fast steps toward the oath leading to the parking lot.

Ciara was broken and her innocence stolen. I was going to pay her back what I'd robbed her of in any way possible.

I walked as fast as my feet could carry me and fortunately got there just in time. I saw a shinning white well-polished limousine and I knew that was were Adam was. He must've been with the groomsmen.

I stood at a distance and dialed his number, and saw him walk out in a minute.

He looked more than handsome in his Armani suit. His hair was pressed and yeah....he was a replica of some British colonial country.

As he walked toward me, all I could see was my future husband composed into a whole knight coming to rescue me from shackles of the despair in this world.

"Elly..." he snapped his fingers in front of me and wore a pompous I-know-am-handsome grin.

"Uh...yeah...I was saying....we found...Ivan... Ivanovich. His name is Ivan Ritchie Valens..."