Wedding Jitters

CHAPTER NINE

Wedding Jitters

Lea stared at herself in the mirror. Her blue eyes are more violet now after the tears grace her wide expressive eyes. The news of the Walden-Duvier wedding trumpeted in all media outlets. Everybody who knows Chris Duvier talked and wants to be invited. The news dabbed the union as the wedding of the year. 

   She, however, felt the hurt of the news. Even now, Chris was very much a part of her. Nothing could erase the pain she suffers for the man she truly loves. The most painful part of it was that the woman he will marry is her sister. Her sister causes the problem in the first place. If only Agnes had kept her mouth shut while she plans to marry Chris eight years ago. She knows that her eldest sister had always wanted Chris for herself. She turns traitor to her sibling.

     At first, she did not notice Chris Duvier. Lea cannot imagine herself falling for a stable boy. She was amused when her sister confided in her about her feelings for Chris. Agnes' crazy declaration made her look at Chris Duvier twice. She realized the boy is not bad at all. He was very handsome, intelligent, and very charming though very poor. Lea needed amusement during her time in the castle. So, she spends her time in the stable. Gradually, she realized Chris Duvier has slowly and surely wormed her way to her heart. The realization made her change and her priorities revolved around him. They were inseparable. She does not want her family and friends to learn about their love affair so she told him to keep it a secret.

     Chris did not want the arrangement. He told her that his intentions are honorable but she insisted to keep their relationship a secret. Her family and friends would laugh and ridicule her. She was always very choosy in the people that surround her. Preferring to be around the people who have the money and connection in this world. Falling in love with a stable boy is not her plan.

   

     Loving Chris Duvier turned a notched higher when he proposed to her one evening while they are walking home. They smuggled their way out of the castle to spend the night with his friends. Going home, Chris brought her to a different path. There was a meadow of wildflowers growing in a vast land near Walden’s Estate. The full moon was shining and only the sound of the crickets can be heard from the forest nearby.

     Chris suddenly kneeled and pulled out a simple ring. " Lea Walden, please marry me. I promise to take care of you for the rest of my life. I will work hard to give you the best in this lifetime. Just say yes."

     It was a magical night, with the man she loves, who could deny him. She said yes, without thinking of the repercussions of their action. 

     Lea sighed; reminiscing brings a bitter taste to her mouth. The hurt remains. If only she did not choose her family and instead marry him. Who would have thought that Chris Duvier would achieve great wealth and power while she struggled her way up to become a famous actress? She envied her sister. She should be the fiancée of Chris Duvier.

     Her mouth twisted angrily. What has Agnes done to deserve this good fortune? She was the one who destroys her happiness. Why can't she suffer as she did?

    Agnes watched the parade of bridal models strut their gowns for her. It is exclusively designed for her or as the designer said as per Monsieur Duvier's request - the design should make any woman feel like a queen from top to toe. The designer boasted on how he works hard to achieve the look at very short notice. A month is not enough to create these dreamy gowns and accessories but for Duvier anything is possible.

     "Look darling...this blue Swarovski crystal is hand-stitched of this gown and these laces handmade from the finest thread we could find from Asia." He gurgled with joy as each model walked past her. "They are exquisite."

     Agnes tried to appreciate the parade of gowns and lingerie that strutted in front of her but she keeps dozing off. Her aunt who had been seated with her nudged her at the ribcage again and again until she lost all pretension and sleep the whole show.

     "Bravo!" Lady Elizabeth stood up. "Your incredible Mario....such great collection!" Agnes bothered by the sound woke up and yawn, stretching her body like a feline cat. Her body froze when her eyes met the amused grey eyes watching her. 

     "It seems the bride is as excited as you Lady Elizabeth," Chris said dryly.

     She blushed and said trying to control the tremor of her voice, " I did not expect you to come."

     Duvier after finalizing the agreement with her and her aunt has conveniently disappeared for one month. The only news she has about him is the daily tabloid has been conveniently gossiping about their incoming marriage.

     "I did not expect you to sleep on the entire show." He bantered.

     " I didn't sleep the entire show ...only halfway, I feel sleepy." She added guiltily. 

     "Sleepless night darling?"

     Agnes gritted her teeth; he always has ways to make her squirm. "Yes, darling. I'm too excited about our wedding."

     "You mean our wedding night?" He said significantly.

      Agnes turned red; the man has no shame at all! She glances at the other people, who have been watching them with delight. "Yes. I hope you can keep up with me." She said maliciously.

     Everybody laughed including the man himself. His eyes glittered with the promise that she looked away.

      "Oh, you lovebirds!" Mario the designer cooed. "To be young and in love." He pulled Agnes up and twirled her around. "Your figure is really good. Though you're curvy in the right places," He winked at Chris naughtily. The designer walked all around her and said thoughtfully "Your color is very good but I would prefer you in green than blue. Don't you agree with me Mr. Duvier?"

     "No, blue ---use blue and diamonds and nothing else," Chris stressed his point.

     Aunt Elizabeth piped in, "Mario is right Duvier. Her color will be enhanced if we use vibrant greens."

     Chris sharply glances at her aunt. "I am paying for the whole thing Lady Elizabeth. I have every right to choose the color she will wear."

     Haughtily, the lady stared at the man. " As you wished Duvier but Blue is more Lea's color..." She trailed and looked guiltily at her niece. 

      Agnes tried hard not to wince at the impact of her aunt's words. It became clearer to her now, what Duvier wanted. He wants a wedding that fits Lea. In his mind, he is marrying the girl of his dream not some kind of substitute whose only ace is the castle.

     The realization drains the little energy she has. The designer, the wedding planner, her aunt, and Chris Duvier argued on the theme but always the latter insisted on something else. 

     "I want her hair dyed in blond." Chris Duvier insisted.

      Aunt Elizabeth looked horrified at the command. “You cannot do that! Her hair is as beautiful as it is."

     "Well, she is going to be my wife. Surely, I have the right to insist on how she will look."

     "I think my niece is fine as she is. No dyeing of hair!"

"I insist. After all, I am the groom, and if her looks displeased me, I had every right to change the way she looks."

     Agnes glares at the man and said mutinously, " I own my body and every part of me. I don't want to be a blond-haired bride. If you cannot appreciate me, why don't we stop the wedding instead."

     "Ah at long last, you rejoined the world. Where have you been the whole time?" Chris asked sarcastically.

      She smiled sweetly, "Are you sure it's me who has been missing the whole time? In case you forgot, I'm not Lea."

     The silence that follows breathes with danger. Chris Duvier's cold gaze settled on her, piercing her soul.

     Mario clapped his ringed hands, "Oh my, I think we need refreshments. C'mon Lady Elizabeth and friends let's leave the two of them here. " They left in a hurry. Even her aunt is thankful for the escape. Her tired bones cannot endure another confrontation with Duvier.

      "Who do you think you are?!" She glared at him. Her eyes spitting anger.

     "I own you remember. I just bought you." The cold grey eyes taunted her.

     "You don't own me Duvier. In case you forgot, my castle is officially yours once we're married. There is no amount of money involved."

     "What? That rotten castle?" He laughs. "Darling even if I pay a hundred times over that castle, I don't mind, however, in this case, my payment is my name and it's more valuable than yours."

     "How dare you---" Agnes was lost for words.

      "It's true, right? When you marry me, everything I work hard all my life will also be yours? Why do you think I signed those secret contracts? It's my security. I don't intend to share my wealth with you darling. What scrap I give, that's all you take."

     "I'm not after your money. " Agnes proudly said, looking like a queen.

     "What are you here for dear Agnes? Surely, not my sexy self?" He slowly stood up and hover over her reclining form. His hand was firmly planted at the back of her seat. His eyes slowly roamed on her body deliberately stopping at every sensitive part of her form. She was blushing and her head giddy. His face moves towards her with deliberation almost touching his lips to hers. She could smell his breath mingling with hers. 

     "What do you think you’re doing?" She panicked.

     "Well?” He raised his left eyebrow and eyes teasing her. “You did not answer me, my woman. Do you want me more than my money?"