The change

Isn't it fascinating how some people claim that they can do and undo whatever they want, without being accountable to anyone? And yet, when another person does the same things they do, they feel the need to judge, give their opinion and condemn the other person's actions. Isn't it intriguing that they think they are in any way better, different or more capable than that person? 

Malayika would love someone of good will to explain this to him right now! Isn't it hypocrisy or is there another name for this kind of person and situation?

He reaches his mother, who, despite her relaxed expression, seems to have smoke coming out of every hole in her body, but her aura hasn't changed a bit; she's seething like a mad dragon. 

The stench of ColdGuard's affront and Malayika's bold strut up to her on that infamous music after passing through the portal of doom will be remembered for some time.

If the music continues for the next few minutes while they wait for the real bride to arrive, she could burst like a balloon. 

Her high heels make it easy, and she almost reaches Malayika's shoulder, who takes the hand she offers with one of those forced smiles that almost looks like a grimace, but she thinks she's done a good job of hiding her emotions and thoughts.But her son knows her all too well to know that she doesn't smile like that when she's in a good mood. 

Mal, on the other hand, tried to suppress his amused laughter, lest it escape and reveal his amusement.

He scanned the crowd, eager to see his grandfather's expression. The guests were still under the spell of the mysterious music and Malayika's ethereal beauty, their eyes glazed over with love and adoration. 

It was an odd sensation for Mal, but he didn't care in the least.

Was Malayika always an angel? Was this truly Cerady's son, or were they in a fantasy world? They were mesmerized, and Malayika's stunning beauty only added to the enchantment. Mal felt like he was in a fairy tale, surrounded by angels and Cupids.

The crowd's attention, focused on him in a way that was both surprising and welcome, created a buzzing energy in the air. While they might have been celebrating his marriage, their focus was, for reasons he couldn't quite place, on him. He was grateful for their attention, and it was strange, but he was thankful. 

Sure, Internet users might react differently, but that's not his concern right now. He'll deal with it when the time comes, or not at all! After all, he's not the one causing problems for his parents, is he?

He found his grandfather standing in the clearing, just as Quens had done, looking at him with a look of disbelief or disgust that said loud and clear: "He dared, that little runt dared to make a fool of him in front of millions of people."

He chuckled involuntarily, but quickly caught himself, lest this little lack of control escalate into something more indiscreet and turn against him. 

No, he was not going to let someone take out their anger on him for nothing.

Oh yes, I did, didn't you dare too, he felt like yelling in his grandfather's face, but instead he held back, looking innocent, as if he didn't understand what was going on, as if all of this and the confusion of the people when he appeared in the portal were strange to him.

They toy with his emotions and future, yet he can't even capitalize on a single little opportunity.These people, with their inflated egos, can't handle a little joke, but he's about to marry for real. It's not even a joke.

He took his mother's hand and elegantly tucked it under his arm, a smile as pure as a newborn baby adorned his angelic face. His mother blinks three times, as if she couldn't believe she was actually there.

Is Mal making fun of her, or has he really not understood what has happened? she wondered, her question visible in her eyes, and Mal didn't care one bit what she might think.

Her little moment of doubt did not help Cerady to get rid of her anger, on the contrary, black lines seem to form on her face, something tells her that Mal is playing with her. 

After all, the music was very explicit; it was enough for Mal to know that he had gone through the wrong portal.

"Why didn't you turn back?" she grumbled between her teeth, flashing a broad smile at the onlookers. Malayika heard her clearly and understood well enough what she meant, but decided to play dumb.

"Turn around, aren't we going further up the aisle?" he asked innocently, his eyes almost wide with surprise. 

Cerady, fed up with the whole charade and act of innocence, dug her nails into his skin, hiding the action of her right hand with her left, which she placed delicately on top of her right.

Malayika groaned at the sudden, searing pain that assaulted his nerves, but his controlled gaze and steps remained the same, not faltering one bit. 

He refused to let the world know that his mother was a tyrant with no patience, who beat him when she did not get what she wanted.

But it had been so long since she had beaten him that he had almost forgotten that his mother was no saint, but a tyrant with no scruples. He had been to relax this day; that was on him.

Her nails were still digging deeper and deeper into his skin as she continued to threaten him, "I advise you to behave like a Locke, Mal, don't play dumb with me." She would have punctured his flesh by now if it weren't for his tuxedo jacket.

"Did you know that they were going to use the portals to pull a prank on us? If so, why didn't you leave as soon as the music began to play? I suggest that you consider carefully what you are going to say." Mal did not flinch at her threat, but gradually his eyes took on a cold, distant gleam as she applied more pressure with her nails on his skin.

Malayika remained silent as they made their way halfway to the altar without going around the perimeter where the angels were raining petals. His emotions are a real battlefield, but he fights to remain in control of himself. 

With her nails digging further into Mal's skin, she growled louder, "Malayika Sneth Lockes, you have to answer me when I speak to you, even more quickly and without thinking when I ask you a question." Mal remained unmoved.

"Did I organize this ceremony myself? I don't know why you're holding me accountable. I only got here late last night,I couldn't even take a stroll around and first thing this morning you locked me and my friends up with my stylist, tailor, and hairdresser into my suite." he paused, controlling a little the pain coursing through his body. 

"After their work was finished, they all left, and until Terance arrived to get me, I was locked up with my two friends who also serve as my witnesses. How then can I explain to you what occurs when you yourself haven't felt it appropriate to inquire as to why from the responsible themselves? Without a doubt, I thought that was the plan when I saw you crossing the square," he responded, taking care to keep his feelings at bay from everyone, least of all his mother.

His mother did not for a second feel the need to let go of him during his brief explanation; instead, she continued to press her fingernails into his skin as if she wanted to take off the jacket to worsen the pain. Her teeth clenched and her lips pressed into a smile to distract the guests as though she wasn't the one tormenting her son right in front of them.

After saying these things, Cerady released the pressure she was applying to her son's arm, but she didn't hesitate to charge again.

"Since you are a Lockes, you have to be capable of making decisions without consulting your grandfather or mother. You ought to have known that this portal was not intended for you, but instead you chose to stroll through it with your hips rolled up like paid performers. Malayika, are you a slut?" Malayika nearly shut his eyes due to the barrage of derogatory remarks directed towards him.

"No, mom, I'm a Locke, not a slut. I apologize for not reacting differently and for assuming that everything was as planned." He nearly spat out what he was saying, his eyes growing icier and more acrimonious. 

He was no longer human at that moment; if someone were to prick him now, he would not see a single drop of blood emerging from his wound. Instead, his blood had turned into water. 

His mother almost turned to him and smiled, patting him on the arm like a loving mother who reassures and supports her anxious son before his closing speech in front of the full school auditorium. It seemed that his response satisfied her.

"From this day forward, you're a true man, getting to marry the daughter of one of the wealthiest families on the planet! Make her your lackey, your puppet, so she'll take whatever you say without batting an eye, and obey you like a dream, without ever questioning a single word you say. Make her pay for all the frustration we've had to put up with to secure this marriage. We're Lockes, and Lockes don't let anyone fuck with them!" 

She told her son with a new gleam in her eyes that Mal saw for the first time in his life, and it was almost exhilarating and demonic.

It was as if he had just realized something: his mother takes pleasure in humiliating others. 

So having a ColdGuard at his beck and call was like entering paradise.

Mal didn't have time to answer his mother because the crowd suddenly began to gasp in amazement. 

He was so preoccupied with his mother's conversation that they failed to notice the bride's announcement. Cerady was too mad at her useless son to care about anything but disciplining him; Mal was too preoccupied to control his feelings and not show them to everyone.

As the first passenger passed through, the famous iron and ebony portal started to open, creating the impression that time had stopped. An energy distortion was even felt in the clearing. 

It was none other than Kwanley, looking so magnificent that he was making the sun look pale. Luckily, the sun was already setting; otherwise, nobody or anything could help it restore its grandeur.

The brothers had made the decision to slightly alter their mother's plans during their brief conversation in their sister's suite. Unlike Cerady, who waited for her son at the foot of the altar, their sister would no longer be alone as she walked to her future husband, with her father waiting for her halfway down the aisle.

They decided it was only fair to make a change of their own, so they would walk her down the aisle as if they were her personal escort. If Kelsey could change her shoes, they could add their own personal touch to their sister's wedding.

Then, when they learned that young Locke had gone through the wrong gate, it was all for the best. 

They had to show their dominance at this wedding and squash any weird and funny ideas that might germinate in the minds of the Lockes, or anyone else for that matter.

When they got the news, they couldn't stop laughing for minutes at their son-in-law's misfortune, but what pained them the most about the whole story was that they hadn't been able to see the spectacle with their own eyes. 

If Kelsey hadn't put an end to their contentment, they would still be writhing on the floor of her suite laughing their head off.

Malayika really doesn't have a big place in their hearts, poor thing.