June 14, 2024. Chapter 1-2.
"What?" Tonet frowned. She looked around at the empty tables and chairs. "What's going on?""Where is everybody?" Fredrick asked, and even her friend, Lucy, expressed the same. "Tonet! Where have you been?" Anthony's voice cut through the silence on the right side of the ballroom. Tonet's eyes darted to the small gathering and identified Adrian, Riley, Abner, Clint, two board members, and a few unfamiliar faces. "I have been calling you!"Tonet's eyes landed on the used empty plates. When she realized the gathering was over, she asked furiously, "How can the dinner be over?""You were late, stepmother," Adrian curtly said from afar. Tonet knew they were late. That was the plan, but how could everyone be already gone? She expected to humiliate Riley in front of fifty guests, not a mere group of ten people!"The engagement dinner started at five in the afternoon. So, of course, the celebration is over!" Anthony pointed out. "Some guests were asking about your presence, and I said you w
When Anthony arrived with Abner at the engagement venue, he saw prominent figures, not just from Halliport but from other cities too. He had heard from Clint that such guests would be attending, but seeing it with his own eyes astonished him. At five-thirty in the afternoon, Adrian introduced Riley to each notable guest. Of course, Anthony and Abner followed to maintain the image of the Kings. In public events, they will always be united, regardless of their differences. "This is Mr. Cedric Ventura and his wife, Sienna," Adrian greeted the first table. "They are the founders of the Ventura Cancer Foundation of Shenmon City. They are also the owners of Ventura Mining Corp.""Mr. and Mrs. Ventura, this is my fiance, Riley." Adrian held Riley's hand before referring to him and Abner. He said, "And this is my father, Anthony, and my grandfather, Abner.""Riley!" Sienna Ventura, a woman in her mid-fifties, rose from her seat and hugged Riley. "I always love your jewelry pieces. I can't ge
When Adrian discovered his stepmother was plotting to humiliate Riley, he knew he had to come clean about Riley's recent divorce. He could always try to prevent Tonet from telling his father, but Adrian knew the truth would eventually come out. Thus, he had requested the wedding planner to give him and Riley a chance to share their story. "How did our couple meet? Was it love at first sight?" The host asked. "Let's give the floor to our engaged couple, Mister Adrian King and Miss Riley Allen."They were settled at the frontmost table. Riley's nervousness was noticeable. So, Adrian leaned closer and whispered, "It's going to be okay, Riley. They will understand."The couple moved to the center of the ballroom. Adrian, in his wheelchair, stood beside Riley while she shared how they first met. She smiled and said, "I met Adrian seven years ago in marketing class. He -" Riley flushed. She shrugged and revealed, "He challenged me."She told the story about how they ended up doing their ma
Adrian was stunned by his father's reaction. It was rare for Anthony to accept his decision because marrying Riley was the opposite of what his father wanted. After all, he wanted Adrian to marry Leni Eros.'Did my plan work? Did I manage to show him that Riley had the qualities to be my wife?' Adrian pondered, his mind filled with uncertainty. Unfortunately, he didn't have the luxury of time to dwell on these thoughts as Anthony suddenly suggested he was tired. "Let's go home. I want to rest now. You both can eat at the house," Anthony said, referring to Tonet and Fredrick. He glanced at Abner and announced, "Father, we shall leave." As he turned his heel, he said, "Adrian, Riley. We shall go." Anthony did not look at Adrian. It was as if his father was ashamed to have sided with him. However, whether or not it was an isolated case, Adrian saw it as an opportunity. Adrian moved his wheelchair to chase after his father, who had already exited the ballroom. At the lobby, Adrian caug
Earlier, at Anthony's mansion. Anthony couldn't sleep. The truth was, he had been struggling to rest since his confrontation with Adrian the other day. He was dog-tired, but his mind kept recounting his son's words. 'Let's face it. You haven't been a father to me for a very long time.' 'Are you really my father? If my mother were here, she would have shared my happiness. For once, do something a father would do and actually care about what I want.'What bothered him the most was how other people knew Adrian more than he did, yet he was his father!It had been two hours since he had been lying in bed, trying to sleep, but it was hopeless. Anthony got up and, instead, left the room he shared with Tonet. He went to the master bedroom.Anthony had married Tonet, but he protected his departed wife's memories by preserving the master bedroom precisely as Freya had kept it. When the door to the room opened, Anthony smiled. Memories of Freya's beaming face flooded his mind. Anthony did no
While Riley waited in the bridal car, her engagement ring entranced her. The delicate pink gem shimmered with brilliance. Each glint of light, like a tiny star, danced across its perfectly cut surfaces, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of radiance. "The saturation is nice," Renee remarked. She sat with Riley throughout her journey from the Marriot Hotel to the Eternal Light Chapel of Halliport. Riley smiled at her mother, who was familiar with a gem's quality. She said, "Yes, and its cut is beautiful. It's Adrian's mother's ring. His Dad gave it to us last night.""I guess that's a good sign," Renee remarked. "It is," Riley nodded. "Adrian and his father had not spoken to each other sincerely in years. Last night was a huge difference. I don't know what changed, but I'm happy for Adrian.""I'm happy for both of you too," Renee said. "I hope my worries about his stepfamily are not a major concern."The door to the bridal car opened. The wedding planner said, "It's time, Miss Allen. S
After Brian left, Riley finally exited the car again. As she climbed up the stairs, Clint and Zia made their way to her from another exit within the chapel, both panicking. "Riley, why are you taking so long?" Zia's voice was filled with concern as she asked."Um, the boss sent me," Clint revealed. "Oh." Riley made a face and answered, "Um. I saw Brian come by the gate. I did not want him to see me." She squinted at Zia, asking, "You did not tell him, did you?""No, you told me not to," Zia replied. "I'll check on it, Miss Allen," Clint offered. "Don't worry. The security guards had been instructed not to let anyone in."Zia guided Riley and the wedding coordinator to the door. After adjusting her elegant gown, Riley braced herself. She placed her hand over her heart, realizing that in a few short moments, she would be... Mrs. King, embarking on a new chapter of her life.From the door, Riley could hear the familiar strains of the music playing in the background. A smile tugged at h
"They say that when a door closes, another one opens, and there is a reason for everything. Yes, I suffered a great amount of pain, and that might have prevented me from loving again, but -" Riley sniffed, holding back her emotions. Behind her veil, she wiped the tears that were threatening to fall. Her nose flared as she forced herself to smile. Adrian, sensing her distress, was about to hold her, but she mouthed, 'It's okay.' He understood, and with a gentle nod, he leaned back in his wheelchair. Finally, after collecting herself, she resumed, "Again, I went through a bad heartbreak, and I thought I would never love again, but how can I not love you? Adrian, you were the answer to my prayers, the person who put me together, and the person who saved my life seven years ago.""Your love for me cannot be compared, and I could not ask for a better man to be my husband, my future, and the same person I will spend the rest of my life with." Riley sucked in a deep breath and claimed, "Bec