Chapter 9 : I'm not the bride!!!

Kristen tried to scream for help but her voice was muffled beneath the heavy veil as she and Mr. Erik stood before the massive hall. The soft sound of piano music floated through the air and her heart raced wildly.

“Is everything all right, my love?” Mr. Erik asked as he leaned closer with concern.

Kristen shook her head quickly as she trembled with fear. He gently squeezed her hands and smiled warmly..

The doors opened before them revealing the grand wedding set and everyone in the hall rose to their feet and faced their direction with their eyes directly on her. She could barely breathe as the weight of it all pressed down. “I... I think I might faint,” Kristen whispered, her voice wavering.

As Kristen stood frozen at the entrance, Mr. Erik leaned in and whispered, “One step at a time, my love.” Her heart raced as she took one step down the aisle.

The soft melody of the piano pierced her chest and she could feel sweat slipping down her skin beneath her dress.

All eyes were on her with smiling faces and every step felt heavier under the weight of the veil.

As she approached the altar, she raised her head and spotted Max and immediately her throat tightened.

Oh my, oh my, why is he looking at me like that, does he know I'm the one… Kristen muttered as she looked left and right and her gaze fell on him once more. Her hands shook as she gripped the bouquet tighter.

"Is everything okay, my love?" Mr. Erik asked again as he leaned in slightly and whispered to her. Kristen shook her head briskly again and Mr. Erik gently patted her back as they continued to walk.

Just before reaching Max, she stumbled slightly and she quickly caught herself just in time which caused the guests to gasp in silence. She glanced around, hoping for some miracle or distraction.....anything to pull her out of this situation.

 Mr. Erik steadied her and whispered a few reassuring words before taking his seat. Now face-to-face with Max, Kristen felt the intensity of his gaze as she struggled to hold back her nerves. Max extended his hand and she hesitantly placed hers in his, her fingers cold against his warmth.

….………………….

Rushing out of her car Lena almost stumbled on her heels but quickly steadied herself. Her breath came in hurried gasps as she pulled the hood of her hoodie tighter over her head to shield her face. She darted toward the towering studio building. The windy air felt sharp against her skin and only added to her nervous energy.

''I can't miss this deal'', she muttered under her breath. She hurried through the entrance and down the narrow hallway leading to the room she was told to go to. When she reached the door, she grabbed the handle and pushed it hard but it wouldn’t move.

“Why isn’t it opening?” she muttered under her breath, her teeth clenched slightly. Her hands fumbled for her phone as she pulled it out and scrolled quickly through her messages.

“Second floor of Act House…” she murmured, reading aloud, her heart pounding wildly. Her brow furrowed in frustration. “This is it! Why won’t it open?”

She threw a quick glance over her shoulder. Without wasting another second, she dialed the number that had called her earlier. The ringing tone buzzed faintly in her ear for a moment before abruptly cutting off.

Her breath hitched. “This must be a joke, huh?” she muttered under her breath, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to redial the number. This time, it didn’t even ring. There was just a sharp beep followed by dead silence.

Her grip on the phone tightened as a cold wave of dread washed over her. “No, no, no…” she whispered, shaking her head as if trying to wake herself from a bad dream. She stared at the door again, her pulse pounding in her ears.

"I'm going to sue them all!" she yelled as she slammed herself against the door over and over again.

…

Coming out of the building, she overheard some people talking nearby. Her heart skipped a beat. Quickly, she turned her back to them and pulled her hoodie tighter to avoid being seen.

“Yes, I heard the wedding is today,” one of them said. “It’s private, though. You can’t even get close to the venue, not even their fans.”

She froze in place, her chest tightening as she stared into the thin air with rage.

….…………

Back at the wedding, the priest stood tall, his voice resonating across the room as he spoke of love, unity, and the sanctity of marriage. The guests listened attentively, their gazes shifting between the couple at the altar. Everyone sat upright in their elegant attire as the priest concluded, “And now, you may kiss your bride.”

Max slowly moved closer to her. Kristen instinctively stepped back, her body stiffening as her sweaty palms gripped the bouquet. Her breathing quickened...

As Max approached and leaned in, he touched her shoulder. Kristen let out a sharp breath and immediately felt herself melting under the veil.

The world around her began to blur, and her heart thundered in her chest as if it were trying to break free.

Under the veil, Kristen’s wide eyes darted around in panic.

Sweat trickled down her temple as Max’s hand moved, her face silently pleading, please, no!

She braced herself and tightly shut her eyes, certain he was about to lift the veil.

Instead, Max paused. His fingers hovered for a second before slipping beneath the delicate fabric, lifting it slightly and stepping under it. The intimate action made her knees feel weak, and she nearly collapsed under the weight of her fear.

Their eyes met under the veil. Max’s face changed as the revelation hit him like a lightning strike. His lips parted slightly as he absorbed what he was witnessing, and his piercing eyes flickered with shock.

"Whoa! Looks like the groom is having a little moment," the priest joked with a small laugh. The guests burst into laughter and some even clapped their hands with joy.

Max blinked a few times before closing his eyes tightly for a moment as if trying to process what he had just seen. When he opened them again, his gaze was sharp and they locked in on Kristen’s face beneath the veil.

Without a word, he straightened up and stepped back from the veil.

Kristen’s pulse roared in her ears. Her entire body trembled as she stared back at him, unable to speak, unable to move, her eyes locked on his.

“I guess the groom wants to keep the bride all to himself,” the priest joked, chuckling lightly. His comment drew soft laughter from the guests, and some of them nodded in agreement.

Mr. Erik looked over at Mr. Valtor, and the two of them laughed heartily.

Max stood there without a single word, his annoyance clearly visible.

Kristen swallowed hard with heart pounding in her chest as she turned slightly to glance at the priest. Before she could fully process what was happening, Max reached for her hand.

His grip was firm… too firm, as he pressed tightly on her right hand, squeezing it hard. Kristen winced but tried to mask her discomfort, her breath grew uneven as her eyes darted toward him. Together, they turned to face the cheerful crowd.

He didn’t let go or loosen his grip for a single second…

…..

“I… I need to get back to my wedding,” Lena muttered, her voice trembling as she quickly wiped her face with shaky hands. Without wasting another second, she started her car and sped off down the road.

...

Stepping out from the shadows, he stood there with a wide smile stretched across his face. "I told you, I’ll do anything to make sure you don’t get married. You’re mine, Lena. Only mine."

….……..

 "Excuse me, sir, family photos are supposed to be next," Mr. Green said nervously as he stepped forward. "We still need to take pictures with the bridal party, friends, and, of course, the group shots with the staff." He hesitated as Max reached for his car keys.

"I can take you anywhere, sir. You don’t have to drive away, not now at least," Mr. Green added hastily, holding the car door open. Inside, Kristen sat silently in the back seat, her face still hidden under the veil.

"What am I supposed to tell them?" Mr. Green stammered, glancing anxiously at the wedding hall.

"Handle it. Tell them whatever comes to mind," Max replied curtly and slid into the driver’s seat. Without another word, he turned the car sharply and sped off, leaving Mr. Green alone.