Chapter 3: The Bride of Jasper Wayne

“This is it, Lia. There’s no going back now” Lianna’s raging heartbeat intensifies as the gigantic pair of rustic wood slowly opens, with her standing in the center. As she was revealed, all eyes were fixated on her, making her knees wobbly and weak.

“Oh my god! That dress!”

“I know right! It looks so heavenly. So lucky!”

Now that she has recovered, the attention directed to her felt so foreign and uncomfortable. After all, her environment was pitch black in her eyes, just until recently.

“Did you see the details on it? I swear. Those swarovski crystals embedded on them are no joke! Even the patterns are so delicate, ugh!”

“I heard Mr. Wayne arranged the dress to be tailored by Eleanor Atelier. Can you believe it?!”

“What?!”

“Eleanor Atelier?! Are you kidding?!”

“You mean, the one that needs an appointment set almost a year before to get it?!”

“Even if you set it several years before, there isn’t an assurance that you’ll get booked. I tried to book an appointment with them three months ago to get a dress for my husband’s company ball, but they straight up rejected me!”

“Ladies. It’s true. Listen. I also heard that Ms. Eleanor herself accommodated Mr. Wayne during their appointment. And to top it off, the measurements and consultations were held at Mr. Wayne’s mansion.”

“Mnemosyne freaking Eleanor did?!”

“But she rarely comes out during consultations.”

“Not just consultations, even during their shows, she almost never comes out. There’s even rumors circulating that she’s a hermit or something.”

“Hermit or not, her designs are spectacular. There’s no argument about that!”

“Wait, let’s rewind for a bit. You said Mr. Wayne HIMSELF coordinated with Ms. Eleanor?”

“I guess the rumors about Mr. Wayne falling head over heels with his bride is true, considering that he was able to persuade the aloof Mnemosyne Eleanor to design the wedding dress for her.”

“Awww…It’s like a fairytale~” The guests’ murmurs were overheard by Lianna. Unconsciously, she found herself staring beyond her. There, amidst the crowd, stood a man 6ft tall, wearing an exquisite black tux, with a white polo contrasting his black ensemble. He looked so sleek and elegant, especially with his raven hair neatly slicked back.

With nervousness taking over, she couldn’t stop the memories flooding her mind.

The wedding she always wished to have, is happening…again. 

With the life she has led so far, she never thought she'd walk the aisle for the second time around, still alone. But here she is.

Marriage…to be married by love. I thought I was entitled to it..”

Lianna always thought her life would be filled with pure happiness when she married the love of her life. That's what her fairytale books told her, that by getting married, she'll live happily ever after with her prince, something she always sought for.

It was all a lie.

Damn, those fairytale books. They deceived me. 

Even with the blinding lights and the chatters, Lianna’s mind remains restless and chaotic.

What a naive thought, Lia.

Lianna finally realizes that marriage was just the start of the challenge, and upon her failure, she took quite a heavy blow.

Yes, I wished the moon and stars that I would be married and live in happiness forever to the one I love. 

But as per usual, the stars never heard my desperate prayers.

Turns out, marriage was politics. And here I am, choosing someone just to satisfy my intentions.

With all the dilly-dallying, she saw a pair of sleek, leather shoes appear on her lowered sight. Raising her head, Lianna sees a tall figure towering her small frame.

"What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to wait at the altar?" Lianna queries in a whisper when her groom stands inches away from her, meeting her halfway down the aisle.

"As per tradition, yes. But, it's our day. Screw the rules" The man chuckles, offering her his arm. 

“There’s eyes everywhere, mister. Every step of ours is critical in the eyes of others.” Lianna whispers back as she secretly takes a glance at the flashy audience. True to her word, every head and attention were directed towards them, the shining couple gracing the red carpet. As much as she carries herself in caution, the one in front of her remains in his own element.

“That’s true.”

“But it's also true that the day is ours to celebrate. Surely, we are allowed to do things in our bidding, right?”

“You’re now enjoying this, huh?”

“Enjoy" may not be the right word. Looking forward, perhaps?” Hearing Jasper Wayne’s answer, Lianna chooses defeat and shakes her head in surrender.

"Now, my bride. Let's get this thing started, shall we?" Remembering the very reason this whole scenario was built made Lianna regain her composure, pushing away all the sentiments she was pondering.

Several cheers were heard with the man's sweet gesture as they graced the aisle. Before they arrived at the altar, she glanced to her left. There, she sees her best friend, Lacey, who was giving her quite the sentimental look.

“You good?”

“I’ll be fine, Cy. Don’t worry.” Lianna assures her, giving her a wink before continuing to the aisle. 

However, Lacey couldn’t help but do the opposite. She was worried how things would turn out from now on. And despite everyone’s cheers, she knew her dear best friend must be feeling otherwise.

Finally settling in place, the ceremony starts. 

"I wonder what's happening there now…" Lianna unconsciously utters in between her breaths as she ponders the events on Rupert's side. 

"I bet they'll finish the show without realizing who the bride really was. It's only a matter of time before Rupert Kilmer barges in here" A whisper near her ear echoes in her mind as she imagines the scene that is about to unfold not long from now.

“Take a deep breath and prepare. In a few minutes, the real highlight will begin. We need to brace ourselves. “

Lianna could hear the complaints from the crowd whenever the priest omitted her name during every part. Just as the guest anticipates hearing her name when the exchanging of vows arrives, the priest lets go of the microphone, earning another round of groans behind her.

Now, it was just the three of them hearing the next part. Even though a thick veil was draping on her head, she felt the sharp raven orbs of the man staring intently, making her quite rattled on her feet.

“Jasper Linouren Wayne. Do you take Lianna Callis Kreisler as your lawful wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better, for worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health, until death do you part?” 

Jasper Wayne…the CEO of JW Pharmaceuticals and the youngest son of the Wayne Group. Truly, a drop-dead gorgeous bachelor. Lianna couldn't comprehend at first why a man of such high background and beauty was once unfavored by everyone, until recently.

Was it the clothes? The hair? The way he handles himself?

Even in his usual sweatshirts and ragged pants, Lianna already considered him gorgeous and good looking.

However, looking at him now, all tidy and sleek, as well as the how the girls in the audience giggled every minute seeing him, Lianna found her answer. 

The man in front of her emitted a strong authoritative aura and masculinity, contrasting his usual casual demeanor.

"Yes I do" Jasper replies with a smile, still his gaze fixated on her.

“And you, Lianna Callis Kreisler. Do you take Jasper Linouren Wayne as your lawful husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better, for worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

As the priest questions her, Lianna’s mind wanders through the past, remembering the sweet and joyous memories she once shared with the one she loved.

"Will you marry me, Lia?"

"Yes, Rupert! Of course, I'll marry you!" 

"That's a promise, then! You better say those two words in front of the priest and the guests loudly, okay? I want everyone to know that you're my wife—oh well, my FUTURE wife" 

"Then, you also need to be there on the altar as my groom. Promise me, Rue. “

“Let me be the only one in your heart, please?"

"Don't fret, my love. You're the only one in my mind, eyes, and in my heart. Always. “

“We'll be together in happiness forever, and that's a promise"

"Ms. Kreisler?"

"Huh?"

"I repeat. Do you consent to your marriage with Mr. Wayne?" The priest repeated, pulling Lianna back to her reality. However, Rupert’s words from before still lingers in her chaotic mind.

“We’re finally married, love!”

“From this day forth, my loyalty and love stands with you..

“Even if the world stands against us, we’ll face it together.”

“Thank you for choosing me, Lia”

“I do” Lianna confirms, trying to push away the memories looming on her troubled mind. 

Rupert…I loved you…

Noticing Lianna’s odd behavior, Jasper secretly tightens his grip on her hands, prompting the former to slightly raise her lowered head. Unbeknownst to all the guests, Jasper and Lianna meet each other’s eyes, as if trying to comfort the other by their touch. 

This marriage…although it may look joyous and oozing with happiness. Deep inside, both of their hearts and minds are stinging in pain. Staging the entirety of the ceremony as a loving couple, brought a prolonged agony and torment in each other’s states as they reminisced their happiest moments in the most painful way possible. 

“Breathe, Lianna. We’re gonna get through this, “ Jasper assures the shaking Lianna. 

“The two of us. We’ll be okay…in time.”

Both Jasper and Lianna know that this marriage marks the end of their happiness. The final touch of them letting go of their partners. The people they once considered as their world.

“From this day onwards, I bless you with years of happiness in each other’s arms, I now pronounce you, husband and wife!”

“This is it! Kiss kiss kiss!” Noises broke loose inside the private chapel as the priest announced the final sentence. It was the time they all were waiting for. 

“Listen. Just as we discussed, we can’t escape this part. I’ll just tilt my head closer to yours to make it seem like we’re kissing” Jasper leans to Lianna, whispering the plan. Lianna quickly understands his intention and replies with a nod. 

Staged as it may be, Jasper still wants to keep the distance between them, especially to how sensitive the whole scenario is for the both of them.

Positioning himself in front of her, the lenses of several cameras were focused intently towards them, not wanting to miss the most anticipated part of the ceremony.

However, before Jasper could lift her veil off, a loud bang was heard on the other side of the hall, causing the attention of the crowd to divert to the source of the interruption. Jasper stopped midway, and Lianna froze on her spot.

Without even looking, both of them already knew who it was.

“Looks like he arrived…” Jasper whispers before turning to the door. 

*****