The expected union

Chapter 2. The expected union 

***

Luke woke up the next day in his room befuddled, with no clue how he got to his room or what happened the rest of the night. Luke doesn’t drink because of his insistence on always keeping a clear head at all times. 

He recalls what happened last night before he blacked out and it felt more like a set up than a party. Luke became concerned and terrified. He quickly searched through his phone. It seemed untouched. Then he searched through his wallet for his bank card. It was also untouched.

Everything seemed fine, but he couldn’t shake off his concerns, aroused by Kenny’s alarming behaviour. 

‘Even though I’m weak against alcohol, a gulp shouldn’t knock me out. Something ain’t right.’ 

His thoughts might be all over the place and filled with worries, but he felt refreshed and relieved throughout his body. This type of feeling is weird to Luke. He wondered what could cause such a feeling of relief. ‘I thought alcohol induces hangovers.’

Luke is a very meticulous entrepreneur. His success comes from precise attention to detail and a consideration for every potential factor that affects his business. His greatest fear is ignorance, and it disturbed him that he was ignorant of what he did around Kenny, a hostile rival, known to do whatever it takes to win. Even immoral and dishonorable things.

Luke couldn’t just ignore it and go back to business as usual. He had to find out what had happened. 

“Hello, Rudolph,” he said calmly against his mobile phone, yet in a serious voice with a hint of anger. Rudolph responded sharply, ‘Yes, master, I’m on my way to meet you right now," Rudolph’s response sounded through the phone alongside panting noises. 

Rudolph could tell from Luke’s voice that he was in distress and was already sprinting to meet his master.

“Do not meet me until you find out everything you can about last night at the hotel. Use every means necessary. Kenny is your primary suspect. Dismissed.” 

***

Three months later, on the day of Luke’s marriage to Rose Ashton. 

Luke Von Aleister and Rose Ashton are high school sweethearts. They were each other’s first love. The marriage between the two is long awaited, with both sides of the family heavily invested in the Union for financial reasons while Luke and rose are in it for the love.

At the reception room packed with important people, before the wedding ceremony commenced. Rose Ashton was housed in a room separate from Luke, who was anxiously waiting with his mother. Mary Von Aleister was super excited, wearing a glow and continuous smile on her face.

Connor Von Aleister was present as well and wherever the man goes, business elites follow, hoping to impress him and gain access to his vast trading network.

Luke sat still, worried about the party three months ago. The wedding ceremony was only an hour away when his phone rang from his pocket. He answered the call; it was Rudolph on the other side of the call.

“Master, I’m coming to pick you up. We need to confront Kenny before it’s too late.” Rudolph’s stern voice insistently blare through Luke’s phone.

Luke was shocked by how serious and commanding Rudolph’s tone was towards him.

Luke responded doubtfully, “I’m getting married in an hour's time. Whatever it is, should wait.”

The curtain to the room where Rose was housed slightly opened, revealing Rose to Luke, who was on the other side of the building. They made eye contact against the tradition that prohibit the groom from seeing the bride before the vows. Their eye contact triggered a beautiful smile from both of them before one of the bridesmaids interrupted by closing the curtains.

Soon after, the wedding officiant summoned Luke to the altar to begin the ceremony. 

As Luke approached the altar, he noticed a sudden change in the mood of many of the attendees. He could hear murmurs emanating from all corners of the hall. Many of the people there seemed distracted. The sudden change was triggered by a message they received via their phones.

Luke didn’t have his phone with him, so he was curious and oblivious to what was going on. Mary walked into the hall with her face darkened. She glared at Luke and nodded her head in disappointment.

Shortly, Rose ran out of the room into the hall, crying uncontrollably like a child. She looked at Luke. Barely audible, she screamed, “how dare you do this to me? I loved you and this is what I get in return.” Her voice reverberates across the hall, fully expressing her agony.

Luke grabs hold of Rose between his arms and hugged her tight, trying to calm her down and get some answers from her. She resisted his embrace violently until she wiggled out and create enough space to land a clean heavy slap across Luke’s face. 

The slap stunned Luke and left him disoriented as Rose sprints out of the building. The rest of her family followed suit, deserting the wedding as Luke stood dumbfounded in utter shock as the event unfolds.

Luke ran after rose but was interrupted by Barry Ashton, Rose’s father. He was clearly disgruntled, his face was red and his presence sent chills down Luke’s spine. Still unaware of the situation at hand. Luke, in a shaky voice, uttered. “I have no idea what is happening, sir. This is all confusing for....” 

Before he could finish his sentence, Barry punched Luke in the face and send him crashing to the ground. Many people from the crowd gasped in surprise, but no one objected and their demeanor towards the action was that of approval. 

“I was about to entrust my daughter to you. Though you are one of the good ones, I really did think that. I had respect for you, but you ruined it, you little scum.” Barry Ashton growled with rage that shook the entire hall.

Still feeling the pain inflicted by Barry’s punch, Luke remained on the ground while he tried to calm things down and understand what was going on. Barry was having none of it. He was overcome by rage and did not pay attention to Luke at all before he stormed out of the hall.

“He deserves that and more,” muttered someone from the crowd.

An obnoxious laughter was heard from a distance in the hall as many people in attendance began to exit the building. Luke managed to carry himself up and then looked in the direction of the familiar laughter. No surprise at all. It was Kenny.

At the high table, Connor Von Aleister was sitting with his companions, melancholily glaring at Luke, expressing disappointment.

A separate crowd of people began entering inside the hall. They looked different from all the previous attendees. One can easily tell that they are of lower social status. They don’t seem like people that are typically invited to this kind of event. 

“Can you please explain to me why everyone suddenly hates me? What did I do that is so bad..”

“Reap what you sow,” Mary interrupted, muttering as she tried hard to hold back her tears. “You ruined it for us all. We go by the tradition. You must now marry her. You have no choice.” She muttered, with tears relentlessly flowing down her cheeks.

“Who are you talking about?” Luke asked, anxiously anticipating his mother’s response. 

Mary pointed at a lady standing amongst the newly arrived crowd and muttered as she sobs hysterically, “the girl you got pregnant is here, and as per tradition, she must be married to you.”