Life After Wedding

Finally the wedding processions began, the bride donning a luxurious wedding dress and carrying a nosegay of full-blown pink roses was accompanied down the aisle to the waiting groom by her father who was donning a resplendent white and tails and so was Mr Wellington who gave his daughter away.

Lucian stood at the aisle, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. He felt even more conflicted and guilty as he constantly locked eyes with Mia who was at the front row with Emily.

Mia sat at the front row watching the wedding processions, a small smile plastered across her face but beneath her happy expression was a mask of sadness and sorrows.

The ceremony soon began and Lucian found himself going through the motions. He spoke his vows, promising to love and cherish the woman he barely knew.

As he placed the ring on her fingers he felt a pang of guilt wash over him, he glanced over at Mia but she was staring straight ahead, eyes vacant.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds were congratulated by their friends and relatives who gave their blessings.

Mia tried to smile but it only felt forced and twisted so she stepped out for a while for some fresh air away from the heat and noise of the room.

She stood before the garden, looking peacefully at the rosebushes and she was startled to hear a voice behind her.

"Look we have here, it's the prodigal woman of mine".

Mia reeled backwards only to find Leonard few steps away from her decked in his groomsmen attire.

"How have you been, it's been a while since I've last seen you ?". Leonard asked rather pointedly ,pretending not to know she was intentionally ignoring him he strutted closer to her.

"Very well, thank you ".Mia replied curtly, starting to move away from him but he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to stop her.

"Don't walk away from me like that Mia, you don't need to hate me". Leonard blurted out boldly. "If you didn't insist on breaking up with me back then, we would definitely be enjoying our time together now ".

"I don't hate you". Mia answered in a clear and cold tone that took him by suprise. "I just dislike your presence, I don't have time to waste hating on you".

"Oh really". He nodded. "Congratulations on your husband's marriage, oh ex-husband I forgot".

"Suit yourself".

"You really are now a pair of old and used shoes and no sane man would dare to marry you, come back to me and I'll wholeheartedly accept you".

"Are you really stupid or pretending to be?". Mia scoffed indifferently. " You sure take pleasure in acting oblivious".

" I wonder who is being oblivious and stupid, you or I and by the time you realize the answer to that, I pray it'll not be too late lest even I wouldn't dare to accept you". Leonard smirked.

" As you please".

Mia turned back to enter the buzzing room but witnessing the happy atmosphere, she couldn't help feeling invisible so she turned around and left.

The ceremony continued as guests and relatives showered the newlyweds with several gifts.

Lucian seems to be impatient as his eyes wandered around the fully crowded room searching for Mia.

" The groom is here". Levii exclaimed as he ran into Lucian.

" Have you seen Mia anywhere around?". Lucian asked nervously, craning his neck.

" She obviously left for home". Levii shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly. " You were obviously having a pleasurable time with your new wife, if I was in her shoes I would have done the same".

" Of course not, she misunderstood me". Lucian replied worriedly and rushed foward towards the entrance.

" Heyy, be rational". Levii pulled him back. " Right now at this moment you need to be rational, a lot of sacrifices has been made already. Don't be too sentimental and ruin everyone's efforts".

" She's with Emily so she's fine". Levii assured.

" And don't worry we're in this together, although my position is not that stable yet don't hesitate to ring me up at any moment". Levii concluded and Lucian sighed in relief.

" Thanks very much".

" My pleasure". Levii grinned sheepishly. " Be clearheaded enough to make a choice, you can't be paddling two boats at the same time, it's my turn to tell you this".

Levii replied word for word and the duo burst into laughter.

" I wish you and my daughter a happy married life". Mr Wellington cheered.

" Cheers". The couple raised their glasses with Lucian faking a small smile.

" The wedding was quite rushed and I could barely prepare a proper gift but fortunately enough I could lay my hands on one of the keycard of the legendary Pokemon honeymoon resort".

" That's great enough Dad". Aubrey blushed happily.

" Thanks Mr Wellington ". Lucian accepted the key .

The newlyweds car headed for the resort after the reception.

Lucian sighed in relief as the driver stopped the car before the resort. At least he could finally be himself.

They were escorted to the reception by the butler who led them into the extravagantly decorated honeymoon resorts embedded with ornate red and gold ribbons but he was in no mood to explore nor appreciate the festive atmosphere.

"This is our most luxurious VIP room ". The manager explained.

"Do you have a spare room ?". Lucian asked in no mood to listen to his speech.

" No sir, all rooms here have been booked and we can't cancel the reservation at the last moment". The manager smiled. " Sir , are you worried about the condition of the room, you need not since I dare to call this room one of a kind then believe me . ."

Lucian didn't bother replying the loquacious manager as he stormed into the room.

Aubrey sat in a corner of the bed that was decorated with rise petals, she could barely contain her wide smile as she waited in her lingerie for Lucian to join her at the bed which seemed next to impossible at the moment as Lucian was sprawled on the lounge chair in a corner of the room, focused on his cellphone as he dailed Mia's contact which rang incessantly with no response.

"Lucian, aren't you suppose to join me ?". Aubrey questioned as she approached him, flaunting her features seductively. "Tonight is our wedding night".

"Don't be so naive Aubrey. You want a marriage, you've gotten that now you want me to be so loved up with you, what else do you expect from a forced marriage". Lucian replied curtly. "You can't have your cake and still eat it".

"Even at this point, I'm sorry your almighty father can do nothing about this". He added and draped a blanket over himself, switching off the lamp and ignoring the quiet Aubrey who sat in the darkness as still as a statue, her fist clenched tightly.