Marrying the Devil

Chapter - 2

Marrying the Devil

The officiant started the ceremony with both Adrian and Elina standing on the stage. I was not sure of what to feel. Nervousness, fear, butterflies, with hints of happiness, excitement, everything was bubbling altogether in my mind that I wasn't sure what to feel anymore. But one thing that I was sure about was Adrian was not behaving like himself at all. I don't know why but I had this feeling from the time I entered the hall. His eyes, his touch, his behavior, everything was confusing me to the point I wasn't even sure of what to think about anymore. The way he was looking at me, his touch, how quickly he calmed my nerves, and especially how gentle he was with me, his promise. I couldn't help but feel happiness bubbling somewhere deep in my heart unknown to me.   

" It’s a great pleasure to welcome you here today to celebrate this special moment between Adrian and Elina. Your presence symbolizes the love and joy that we all feel for our friends, family, loved ones, and our community. It’s an honor to join you in marking the start of Adrian and Elina‘s marriage. "

Adrian softly squeezed my hands that were in his palm's grip, like reassuring me that everything was fine which was far from truth. No, nothing was fine, not with the way my heart was beating so fast in my chest. It must be due to oversecretion of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin in my blood causing me to feel this nervousness and loving kind of feeling in my stomach. I can't help but feel the 'butterflies' as described by my friends. Is this what is called the fluttering feeling when you like someone?  

 " Today Adrian and Elina take the first steps on a new journey. A journey that brings adventures, challenges, and moments of courage. Marriage brings two people together like nothing else, uniting two people who love each other unconditionally and with endless strength. Their relationship has blossomed into a love that brings out the best in each other, a care that knows no boundaries, and a dedication to taking on the world together. Marriage brings a new commitment, and it is one built on a strong foundation. It’s a promise that has existed in the way that you support, appreciate, and encourage each other, long before today. "

The officiant continued while I couldn't help but blush the way Adian was slowly rubbing his thumb on the back of my hand, caressing softly, which did ease my unease to the point I started to breathe calmly. I was more than a little scared about how it would go? Will there be any disturbances or problems? Have I forgotten something? Is my dress alright? Is my zip open? Why is it taking so long? Will I forget the vows? Will I embarrass myself? I don't want to embarrass myself in front of all the important people of the industry, mine and his family, and friends. 

Yeah! I had this bad habit of overthinking but I couldn't help it, no I can't, I couldn't. Even now I can't help but make out various scenarios in my mind of how this could go wrong and how I couldn't be able to help it in many ways. Adrian must have realized my nervousness because all of a sudden he again squeezed my hands gently like bringing me back to the earth from my world of overthinking. His expressions were anything but mockery. And I couldn't help but take deep breaths to calm down my mind. His touch reminded me of the man with whom I had felt the ease for the first time. 

" Today marks the beginning of a new stage in your lives together, a moment that we are all honored to share with you. Let us now hear the declarations and promises that Adrian Walker and Elina Saint James make to each other here today. "

The officiant motioned towards Adrian and continued. The hall was silent, only the sounds of the background music on the piano could be heard, in a low volume, escalating the calm and romantic ambience of the hall. The faint music was helping Elina in calming down, her fast beating fast, almost ready to jump out of her rib cage. It was surprising to find her heart agreeing to this silently, while a few days ago she was sure that she was against the same. 

" Adrian, please take Elina‘s hand and repeat after me. I, Adrian Davian Walker, promise that from this day until my last I will love you, care for you, and celebrate you. You are my closest friend, my other half, and the one that I will treasure forever. I dedicate my energy to bringing you days filled with laughter, joy, tenderness, and unwavering love. "

Adrian complied almost instantly, like he was eager to do so.

" Elina Gregore Saint James, I, Adrian Davian Walker, promise that from this day until my last I will love you, care for you, and celebrate you. You are my closest friend, my other half, and the one that I will treasure forever. I dedicate my energy to bringing you days filled with laughter, joy, tenderness, and unwavering love. "

Adrian softly caressed my hand again followed by a light squeeze before repeating the officiant's words that I couldn't help but believe each and every word that left his lips. The officiant continued with saying the same to me.

" Now, Elina, please repeat after me. I, Elina Gregore Saint James, promise that from this day until my last I will love you, care for you, and celebrate you. You are my closest friend, my other half, and the one that I will treasure forever. I dedicate my energy to bringing you days filled with laughter, joy, tenderness, and unwavering love. "

" Adrian Davian Walker, I,  Elina Gregore Saint James, promise that from this day until my last I will love you, care for you, and celebrate you. You are my closest friend, my other half, and the one that I will treasure forever. I dedicate my energy to bringing you days filled with laughter, joy, tenderness, and unwavering love. "

" Adrian Davian Walker, will you take Elina Gregore Saint James to be your partner through life? Will you love her, protect her, and spend your days in laughter together forever? "

" I do. " 

The way he said the words, my heart started to beat violently. I could hear the voice in my ears. All the voices were cut off from her ears. If it was not for Adrian squeezing, caressing the back of her palm, she was sure she wouldn't have heard the officiant calling out to her as it was her turn now to give her consent to the marriage just as Adrian had just given.                                                                                      

   

"  Elina Gregore Saint James,  will you take Adrian Davian Walker to be your partner through life? Will you love her, protect her, and spend your days in laughter together forever? "

" I do. "

" These rings are a physical representation of the love and commitment that you share. May you be forever reminded of this moment and the joy that fills the air for the rest of your lives. Please place the ring upon your beloved’s ring finger and repeat after me, 'I give you this ring to symbolize the continuous flow of my love for you. Together we are united, unstoppable, and unbreakable, today and for all of our days.' "

" I give you this ring to symbolize the continuous flow of my love for you. Together we are united, unstoppable, and unbreakable, today and for all of our days. "

" I give you this ring to symbolize the continuous flow of my love for you. Together we are united, unstoppable, and unbreakable, today and for all of our days. "

We repeated the lines together in a chorus, looking in each other's eyes, holding hands, each word was like a promise from the heart. Though marriage was the last thing I had planned for my future, I had promised myself to give it a sincere chance to not regret anything in the future. Looking in Adrian's eyes, I know maybe I am not so wrong after all.

" By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you married. Smile, kiss, and spend the rest of the day celebrating your new commitment. "