Chapter # 5

…Even though our time together was brief. Even though your fingers intertwined with mine for a brief moment. But, it was the most everlasting moment of my life...

Evelyn POV:-

I stood still at the Altar with my trampled dream of becoming- Never mind. My blank mind was clouded with different emotions like fear and heartbreak.

I felt like my soul is even giving up on me. I closed my eyes for a short-lived solace which I can never receive ever again.

I listened to the vows.

"And in happiness and sadness, I would stay by your side. Holding you close to me whenever you need me."

If I recall correctly, Lawrence wrote his vows himself. I never thought I'd be listening to these and like that.

That moment I want to leave everything and run without caring for a thing in the world. Away from all this tribulation. But I know I can't.

My dried lips and hollow self prepare itself for what the priest is going to say next,

"Do you, Lawrence Bayford, Take Evelyn Sawyer as your lawful wife?"

"I do," Lawrence said in a firm manner and a feeling of my heart being torn rushed in my every vein.

Even Adrian's rejection didn't hurt like that; it's inexplicable.

"Do you, Evelyn Sawyer, Take Lawrence Bayford as your lawful husband?" Silence fell upon the hall as I tried to speak but my vocal cords can't even produce a single sound.

It's like my voice is stuck in my throat. I was stiff as a deadly calm took over. Like the calm before unimaginable chaos.

"Evelyn?" The priest called my name again as the voice which was stuck in my throat was released.

I took a deep breath and said farewell to my dreams and the thoughts which were impossible and now became truly impossible.

"I do.." My voice came out like a vague whisper.

"I pronounce you as husband and wife."

And here I am officially becoming Mrs Evelyn Lawrence Bayford. Becoming Mrs. Bayford with the most unexpected person.

I don't have words to explain how I feel burning, a strange sensation I cannot encrypt. How I was coming here just to catch a glimpse of him and now I am the wife of his Brother.

The dream I held dear in my heart shattered in a few seconds. I wished I never liked him So that I never came here and all this happened.

I lost myself in misery when the priest announced;

"You may now kiss the bride."

I never imagined even in my dream that I would lose my first kiss in front of him and by his brother. The feeling of awkwardness is immense.

I looked down as I felt a sudden knot in my heart as my heart began to beat at an abnormal pace. I swallow the lump in my throat.

Lawrence lifted my veil as my gaze was fixed on the ground. I thought Lawrence would lean in and kiss me on my lips but instead, I felt him getting away.

“Evellyn.” My heart skipped a beat when he called my name.

I stood still, an unwanted feeling of disapproval filled me. I don't know how that feeling was built inside me but it was unwanted.

I was lost in my thoughts as I felt hands wrapping around my waist and pulling me close. I let out a soft voice of gasp when Lawrence pulled me close to him.

“Lawrence, Please.” I whispered desperately, unable to meet his eyes.

A sudden blush crept upon my cheeks because of the closeness. My lower body was touching Lawrence's lower body. Thanks to the heavy dress I can't feel it that much.

Heat radiating from him made me unable to think or move. We always hugged each other but this feeling of heat never occurred.

“It’s okay.” He whispered reassuringly.

Lawrence looked at me with a look which was beyond my understanding. The time was brief but it seemed like the most everlasting moment of my life and to be honest.

I want it to end as quickly as possible. Lawrence leaned in and I closed my eyes for that dreadful moment but instead I felt Lawrence lips on my forehead.

I felt his soft lips on my forehead kissing them with... Affection?

“See? It’s okay.”

I shook off that thought and thanked Lawrence in my heart for not kissing me on my lips.

I knew that Lawrence is a gentleman, he knew that I didn't want it so he didn't take my first kiss. He pulled away after a few seconds and smiled a little at me.

"I know, Evelyn, you don't want it but I promise, I will try my best to keep you happy. I won't force anything upon you." He said sincerely.

His words of assurance calmed me a bit as I passed him a faint smile and nodded. I met his green eyes as his eyes looked at me with hurt.

Our eyes met for a second and I felt like time stopped at that moment. A strange feeling filled me. I don't know what happened.

Lawrence shifted his eyes away from me as I also looked down.

“T-Thanks..” I gulped.

Everyone began to applaud and some people began to whisper to each other about the absence of the actual wife.

I grit my teeth in anger when I heard the name of that damn woman, I want to kill that woman because this all happened because of her.

She can say no to this wedding but no, she decided to run away from her marriage. Her parents must be devastated because of this act. By this stupid action, she destroyed a lot of lives.

Lawrence, unfortunately, heard the sound of me gritting my teeth. Lawrence thought I did it because of the mess I've been through.

"I am sorry, Evelyn for everything." He whispered in my ear. An electric spark traveled to my very core when I felt his hot breath on my neck.

Goosebumps formed all over my skin. Is that what happens when you feel a man's breath on your neck? Because I have never been this close to a man before.

“Thank you.”

I've been in a relationship just once when I was trying to forget Adrian. I never been in an intimate relationship before and being this close to a man like that is entirely new to me.

That's why I am feeling those unwanted sensations.

I mentally sighed and looked at Lawrence who was looking sadly and apologetically at me. I passed him a sweet smile and said,

"It's alright." He smiled a little as we walked down the aisle. A girl glared at me.

I didn't understand at first then I realized that Lawrence is the most handsome guy of the family. She's obviously a girl who likes him.

She must have come at that time when all that ordeal happened. She might have been in my place and we all would be happy except for Lawrence who wasn't happy with anything at all in the first place.

We received our elder's blessing. Lawrence's Aunt Camila, who already came late, gets to know about the whole situation. She hugged both of us and whispered.

"You truly are a kind child Evelyn." I passed her a weak smile and finally hugged my parents.

The tears I've been holding so far began to spill out. I began to cry out as they patted my back.

"We know this is not what you want but believe me It's not wrong either. He'll take great care of you.” She said.

“You are married now, you'll fulfill your duties as his wife and he'll also fulfill his duties as your husband. And Lastly, we are proud of you." I just sobbed.

After a while, I slowly pulled away. Mother and Father, both of their eyes were filled with tears. I gave them one final hug and left with Lawrence.

We exited the Hall and there's a whole crowd of media to see the Wife of Lawrence Bayford. Thankfully the media doesn't know the name of the bride.

They all are eager to know.

Bayfords are the owner of the world's best Fabrics and Textiles Companies and We Sawyers are one of the world-famous Fashion designers.

My father is a fashion designer. We are business partners as well as Sawyers receives the Fabric for their clothes from Bayfords. Uncle has already freed himself from business life.

Adrian is 24 years old, owns the companies Bayford Textiles. He was into business life at the age of 20.

And Lawrence is 26 years old, Owns the companies of Bayford Fabrics. He went into business at the age of 18.

He is very experienced and is the youngest to join the business life. He is doing exceptionally well. Both brothers have their business degrees as well.

They maintained their business as well as studies efficiently.

As for me I have just completed my masters and was thinking of gaining a Fashion Designer Degree but all of my dreams are left hanging in my room and my dairy…