Christopher sat up straight in anticipation as he saw her eyelids fluttering. He rang the bell in excitement as he stood close to her bed.Emile slowly opened her eyes in trepidation even though her head was heavy and her eyelids refusing to budge. She was worried that she would be back in the villa the moment she opened her eyes. She stared lifelessly at the ceiling.“You’re awake.” Christopher sighed in relief “Thank the heavens.”“Huh?” Emile turned her head in confusion; Her eyes stared at Christopher in disbelief for a few minutes before a smile broke out on her lips “It’s you… I am back!”“Yes… yes… yes…” Christopher agreed without hesitation even though he had no idea what she was talking about. To him, all that mattered was that she was awake.The doctors came in along with the nurses after being alerted by the alarm. They did a thorough check before turning to advice Christopher-“She seems to be much better although the fever is yet to subside. We will observe for 2 more days
Emile was discharged from hospital 2 days later. Abbey was waiting patiently for Emile to get back before hounding her to make up for lost time. The ladies spent the next day indulging in beauty salons while Christopher busied himself with all the work that had piled up.The next day, they gathered on Emile’s balcony for breakfast. They had stayed here for close to a month and wanted to plan what and where to go next.“I need to finish 2 more assignments before stretching my legs.” Abbey opened the conversation once everyone settled in with their breakfast.“How many do have to finish?” Emile grumbled.“This trip seemed to be an oasis of a travel blogger.” Abbey smiled happily “Most of the snippets we sent were selected by the editorial board.”“The flipside is” Abbey scrunched her lips “I have to write up.”“What about you?” Abbey pointed the spear at
Emile looked in awe and admiration at the back of the man that stood tall in front her, shielding her from the world. Being shielded from the wind and rain… this was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time… her eyes were filled and nose sour even though she tried to put on a brave front.Christopher had no idea what was going on through Emile’s head at this moment; He would have been elated if he knew; only heavens knew how much he wished to see this expression on her face towards him. But at this moment, heavens had no intention of indulging him. He was busy trying to keep them both alive and not get hurt.In normal circumstances, Christopher wouldn’t even blink in the fight with people of this level of skill even if the ratio was 2 times that of what he was currently facing. But today, with Emile in the mix, he was flustered and easily distracted. However, none of this seem to affect the stars in Emile’s eyes.She had kno
Emile thought back to the first time she saw Christopher. She was surprised she could clearly remember him, wearing their university basketball team uniform which was a white with red border T-shirt and shorts. The T-shirt had a bunch of Maple leaves logo on the left side.“Hi, I am Christopher. Mind passing me the ball?” He had a sunny smile as he asked, running up to her. She still remembered looking mesmerized like a fool as Christopher pointed at the ball at her feet “Ball…”“Oh… ball…. ha….ha….” Emile let out a hollow laugh to hide her embarrassment.“He looks delicious.” Abbey giggled next to her after Christopher ran off with the ball. Although he didn’t forget to turn back to look at them a few more times. Their chance encounters over the next 3 years were one too many to be chance now that Emile was looking back. Even so, he was always an absolute gentleman, never making her uncomfortable or crossing boundaries by taking liberties. Their several encounters during her universi
Emile stayed back to take care of Christopher while Abbey left the hospital in the evening promising to come back in the morning.Emile had no idea how she spent the night. After undergoing the sterilization process required to stay in the ICU, Emile stayed by his side…. talking to him…. reflecting on their encounters out loud.... telling him how she regretted not realizing how much he meant to her while she had the chance…. begging him to wake up…. begging him to give her a chance.Abbey arrived early the next morning with breakfast. Emile wasn’t in the mood to eat regardless of how much Abbey compelled her.“How do you plan on looking after him if you don’t have the strength?” Abbey asked in exasperation, not being able to convince her to eat even one mouthful.“I …I…. I am not hungry.” Emile shook her head.“My dear girl, please eat something.” Abbey begged “What will I do if you fall as well?”“Then, who should I take care of? you or him?” Abbey reasoned without giving up. Emile fi
Emile knitted her brows and as she raised her head to look at Christopher in confusion.“What if Daniel comes back? What if he wants to be together with you?”Her affection for Daniel was no secret. Everyone who knew them knew about it; he also knew about the price she paid for it.“I take my life very seriously.” Emile stared intently at Christopher as she spoke “So my choices are never made on a whim.”“Despite how I come across or how others perceive me, I am a very stubborn person.” Emile continued without hesitation “I never look back, nor do I hold others accountable for my choices.”“I hate myself for saying this… but…” Christopher shrugged “I would detest myself if I didn’t.”Emile tilted her head encouraging him to speak.“Do you think Daniel hates you?” Christopher started to reason, ignoring the heartache he was feeling.Emile knitted her brows as she seriously considered the question “Maybe not.”“Actually, he likes you.” Christopher lips twisted uncomfortably “It’s just th
Christopher’s recovery speed was astonishing to the medical team even though they put it down to Dr Barr’s exceptional skills. Although Dr Barr staying back to treat Christopher did surprise everyone, they were genuinely happy to bask in his glory and learn from him.“Son, you are good as gold as long as you care of the wound and not get re-infected.” Dr Barr laughed happily after he finished a thorough examination 3 days after Christopher woke up.“Thank you doctor.” Emile was relieved to see the clean bill of health.“Son, can we talk?” Dr Barr coughed to hide his embarrassment.“Sure.” Christopher looked at the medical team and requested “Please excuse us.”Emile was about to walk away when Christopher held her hand “Except her”All the doctors and Abbey walked out.“Speak”“Son…” Dr Barr cleared his throat while Christopher waited patiently.“Can you ask your assistant to give me back my passport?”“Huh?” Emile was shocked as looked from Dr Barr to Christopher.“Did he?” Christoph
Once the identity crisis was over, Abbey eased up and went back to being her old self although she decided to ignore Night wing.“What exactly happened?” Abbey asked Christopher. Although she knew the gist of what happened, she didn’t know the details. Emile wasn’t in the state to speak coherently when it happened and then, they were both on edge, that it until now.“I decided to follow Emile and when I caught with her, she was being surrounded by some thugs and then this happened.” Christopher pointed to the dressing on his waist.“Did anyone ever tell you that you are a terrible storyteller?” Abbey rolled her eyes. She had gathered this much info from Emile’s incoherent mumblings.Emile took on the narration, describing everything that happened animatedly; now that Christopher was fine, she was well composed and calm. Christopher leaned back against the head rest as he looked at Emile who was sitting beside him with a doting gaze. He could openly admire the girl who had occupied his
Chris and Emile made their way through the reception hall, toasting guests at each table, in the order of the closeness of their relationship. Adrian, Neil and Night Wing took their roles seriously as they blocked the drinks for Chris. Emile had her supply of fruit tea that Abbey religiously re-filled for her; No one knew why, nor did they think much into it as this was Chris Jnr’s arrangement.Chris and Emile had just reached the table where Grandpa Holston was seated when Chris Jnr slowly stood up from his seat and walked towards them, holding little treasures hand. The rest, along with Bruno in the lead followed with excitement as they knew that the fun Emm mentioned before was about to start.“Thank you for coming and blessing our special day with your presence.” Chris raised the toast towards Ron and the rest; he didn’t even spare Grandpa Holston a glance. It was not in his nature to grin and bear grievances.“It was our pleasure.” Several associates including Ron hurriedly joine
Chris and Emile moved to the cake-cutting event with the reminder from little treasure. Cake cutting had a little twist, contrary to the norm where the bride and groom feed each other with the first cut, Emile fed the piece she took to Little treasure while Chris fed Big treasure before letting the two treasures feed them.Although it wasn’t planned and neither big treasure nor little treasure were ready for the surprise, both husband and wife knew each other’s thoughts the moment they looked at each other; they didn’t need to plan or coordinate for such flawless action. The action from the duo that followed also wasn’t planned nor coordinated, it was their norm, the duo would always feed daddy and mommy with their little hands in reciprocation from when they were old enough to grasp things.While the shadow guards took it upon themselves to deliver cake to each and every individual that attended the reception, Chris and Emile personally hand delivered the ones for family and relative
Once all the guests were seated comfortably according to their table arrangement leaving the seats in the front vacated for family, Augusta as the coordinator for the wedding, announced the entry of the bride and groom, in all its grandeur while the DJ set the background scores for the romantic entry of the bride and groom.Emile’s favorite symphony floated through the air as she and Chris made their grand entrance, once again wearing a couple set; they had changed out of their traditional wedding attire they wore in the morning to a champagne-colored gown and suit. They walked in, Emile holding onto Chris’s arm with a blissful smile, like a pair of immortals strolling through the mortal realm as they walked through the hall to the center, followed by their little tails also wearing a mini version of their set. The adorable little dolls had their heads held high, a proud smile hanging on their faces as they followed in their parents’ footsteps.The bridal entourage followed behind wit
Everyone went back to their rooms to rest and change before the reception banquet, which was also the continuation of the wedding extravaganza with no expense spared. With all the guests housed in Royal Lux, the hotel was closed to outside business, other than the ones that had a pre-booking and couldn’t be changed to another date.“Where’s Christian?” Daniel turned to question Ceilier as soon as he reached their room; It was not that he didn’t notice that Christian wasn’t with them, but the truth of the matter was that he didn’t get a chance till now.“He went off with the Walters.” Ceilier twisted his lips awkwardly as he replied in a low voice.“That bastard…” Daniel gritted his teeth as he muttered under his breath before turning his attention to Emile. He waved his hand, instructing Ceilier to step down before walking up to Emile and taking a seat facing her.“What’s wrong?” Emile asked in concern as she saw Daniel staring at her with knitted brows.“Nothing ….” Daniel shrugged b
“Senior Master Walter, the ride for returning to the hotel is ready.” One of the shadow guards from the team who were assigned to the Walters and Burkes announced as he stood respectably by Adam’s side.“Um…” Adam nodded as he took the treasures and Bruno with him “Lead the way.” Adam walked forward holding Big treasure and Bruno while Elizabeth held little treasure’s hand. No matter how uncomfortable she was, little treasure put on a brave smile and walked forward, as though she was heading for the gallows. Both Adam and Elizabeth feigned ignorance although they were laughing in their heads; she looked too adorable!Adam purposefully left Little treasure to Elizabeth’s care even though he knew that she would be uncomfortable. His intention was well meaning; to give them a chance to get to know each other better. He just didn’t expect the extent of aversion he saw in little treasure’s subtle actions; there was not just aversion but also fear mixed with guilt which Adam never expected;
The groom kissing the bride, captured in the backdrop of the rising sun, was too magical to say the least; Other than the younger generation of the Burke and Walter household who were causing a ruckus by whistling and cheering, all the other guests were mesmerized by the magical moment that was unfolding before their eyes.“Wow! That was so magical.” One of the guests exclaimed as she turned around with a dreamy expression, stretching her hands; no one could despise her excitement as this was the thought in the hearts of most of the people who came to attend the wedding; the finale of the wedding was too mesmerizing for even the most grounded and rationale minds.They would never forget this magical moment for the rest of their lives; the moment they witnessed nature proclaiming the fulfillment of a man’s undying affection and loyalty; the moment they witnessed the groom and his bride finally attaining their happily ever after, despite all the odds that fate had stacked against them.
“Mommy, you better take care of your man from here on…there's only so much a little girl can do…” Emm’s bell-like voice rang out as she advised seriously forgetting that her mouthpiece was still on “It was hard work, but we got him here for you.”Everyone burst out laughing as they heard the childish reprimand, leading Emm to wince in embarrassment as she hid behind her elder brother biting her tongue.“Uff….uff…” Chris Jnr cleared his throat like a little adult to attract everyone’s attention before he continued “As you have witnessed, our daddy’s journey to his happily ever after has been anything but smooth; whether it was our mommy’s blindness to recognize his unwavering affection and love….”The laughter from the crowd continued while the bride shyly lowered her head, but not without glaring at the flower boy who suddenly became talkative. Emm didn’t have any solidarity with the bride as she covered her mouth and giggled.“or whether it was the judgmental eyes of the world around
“You could never do what he did…”“What did you say?” Daniel asked in shock; he had heard what she said even though it was a whisper; he just didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t want to believe that Emile had recovered her memory. If she didn’t why would she say that?“How can you arrange so many hot air balloons? Such an extravaganza wedding would need the coffers of the king opened.” Emile giggled as she turned around to face him.Daniel stared at her face for a long time trying to make sense, trying to discern if what she said was purely based on the wedding arrangement or whether there was a hidden meaning in them. But before he could process this line of thought, the ceremonial bells rang leading everyone to take a closer look at the hot-air ballon in the center. Although it was one that could hold 35 people, there were currently only about 25 people including the celebrant and his assistant.“That is actually a priest not a celebrant.” One of the guests in Daniel’s basket, who h
Almost all the guests in the hotel woke up in the wee hours of the morning as they had all arrived to participate in the youngest Walter’s wedding. All of them without exception were filled with excitement regardless of the reason for their excitement.No one knew the exact location of the venue, as other than the name, Church in the Sky, Mossel Bay, there were no details of how to get to the venue. All they knew or were told when they asked for location details was that transportation for them to be taken to the venue was arranged for everyone attending the wedding.Cars were lined up one behind the other, at the hotel entrance, picking up the guests as they arrived at the entrance and heading for the venue. Daniel, Emile and Christian lined up at the back of the line as they arrived.“What are you looking for?” Emile asked in confusion as she saw Daniel looking around.“Grandpa is here too. I was looking to see if he was around.” Daniel shrugged “He could come in the same car as us.