Best Bridesman

Raven sat at his desk, engrossed in reviewing documents, when his friend Hardin barged into his office, trailed by the stoic figure of his secretary, Ian.

Hardin pushed his phone in front of Raven. "What's the meaning of this?" he demanded, his tone sharp.

Raven glanced up from the document and accepted the phone, recognizing the headline about his marriage that had been circulating relentlessly throughout the day.

 "Don't tell me you're surprised by this," he remarked, his demeanor unruffled.

"Of course not. But why wasn't I invited to the wedding'?" Hardin exclaimed dramatically, his voice booming in the confines of the office.

"It's not a wedding, just registration," Raven clarified calmly.

"Regardless, as your best friend, shouldn't I have been there?" Hardin persisted, his frustration evident.

"No," Raven replied bluntly, shutting down any further argument.

Hardin clutched his chest dramatically, as if Raven's words had pierced his heart. Ian, observing the display, couldn't help but scoff at what he perceived as shameless theatrics. 

He still doubted that his boss' friend's head department is messy. 

As a final attempt to garner sympathy, Hardin shuffled pitifully towards Ian, grabbing the corner of his suit and pretending to wipe away nonexistent snot from his nose. Ian wrinkled his nose in disgust but remained rooted to his spot, refusing to be drawn into the charade.

Unfazed by Hardin's antics, Raven calmly extended an unexpected invitation. "Be my bridesman when the wedding is held," he said evenly.

Hardin's demeanor shifted instantly. Straightening his suit with newfound purpose, he beamed at Ian before turning to Raven.

 "Of course, even if you didn't ask, I would be honored to be your bridesman," he declared, his earlier grievances seemingly forgotten in the face of Raven's request.

"When will the wedding be held?" Hardin's excitement was palpable, his anticipation evident in his tone.

"Probably a month after. I want to wrap up the upcoming meeting first," Raven replied casually, taking the document from the table and returning his focus to it.

"The one with the Shadows in Millburg city?" Hardin inquired, his uncertainty apparent. 

Despite his underground role in Raven's operations, he rarely participated in business dealings. His interests lay more in uncovering the dirty secrets of their enemies and locating their hideouts, the primary objective behind his creation of "Red Queen".

"Accompany me this time. I want to wrap this up as soon as possible"

Hardin chuckled, wiggling his brows playfully, "Why? Is my grumpy pants eager to marry the bike racer?" he teased.

Raven shot him a warning glare before addressing his assistant. "He'll come with me to Millburg this time. Stay here and handle the wedding preparations. And don't forget to consult Aiden for his suggestions," he instructed firmly.

"Sure, boss," Ian responded, nodding before exiting the cabin, with Hardin trailing behind him, bombarding him with questions about his partner for the wedding.

 Hardin even seriously suggested that he wouldn't mind being his partner, even though he is already Raven's bridesman.

Once outside, Ian was greeted by the tight-lipped smiles of the women in the office, their knowing glances leaving him feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Hardin's playful banter had only exacerbated the situation, and Ian couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for being caught in the middle of it all. 

As they walked, Ian couldn't shake the feeling of frustration, silently disappointed with his boss for being friends with such a shameless donkey.

The entire company was already aware of their boss's impending wedding and eagerly anticipated the arrival of their future lady boss.

On the other side, as Raven had promised, his people arrived to move Siren's belongings from her home. Knowing that Grey's mansion had everything she needed, she only packed a few of her clothes and personal necessities.

Raven had already informed her that they would be sharing his room, reasoning that there was no point in living separately when they were embarking on a lifetime together. Siren didn't object to the idea; she had been mentally preparing herself for whatever challenges this marriage might bring.

The unhappiest person with the marriage is Alex.

Alex stood there like a cracked statue as he watched the workers bustle about, moving his daughter's belongings out of the house.

Turning to Siren, his voice laden with sorrow, he pleaded, "Grace, why don't you wait until after your official wedding?"

Siren met his gaze with a blank expression, "Does it change the fact that I'm already married to him?" 

Alex scoffed bitterly, he had to convince her for a whole day to spend more time at his condo before, but after the marriage, she had readily agreed to move in with her new husband and even share a room with him.

In that moment, Alex couldn't help but harbor a deepening hatred for the Raven boy who had taken his daughter away from him.

But what he can do, Raven was now his son-in-law, and as much as he despised the thought, he knew he had to come to terms with it. Yet, a mischievous grin crept onto his face as a devious idea took hold in his mind.

"If he thinks he can take my daughter from me, I'll show him just how it feels," Alex mused to himself. 

The thought of turning the tables on Raven filled him with a sense of satisfaction, as if he had found a way to regain some semblance of control over the situation.

With newfound determination, Alex left the house and made his way to Pakpao's restaurant. There, he purchased a fruit jelly cake, his mind already concocting a plan to kidnap his new grandson.