Widening her eyes in shock, Tina grabbed Rachael's arm and pinched it, gesturing her to say something.
"I can assure you that I don't keep kidnaped women in my basement," Andrew added. "Only dead bodies."
"Haha that's funny—" Tina nervously chuckled. She then leaned towards Rachael and whispered, "He is joking, right?"
"Of course he is joking." Rachael sighed and helplessly shook her head.
Just then Ben approached them. "Boss, madam, everything is ready."
"Wait—Rach, I need to talk to you in private." Without waiting for her reply, Tina dragged her away.
"Are you sure about this?" She placed her hand on Rachael' shoulder. "This is a huge step girl—in fact, what you are about to do is insane. Your parents don't know about this, George too. You went out once with that guy yesterday and today you are going to marry him."
Tina was very worried about Rachael. She didn't want her to take an impulsive decision which she would later regret.
"I know this is insane." Rachael knew it was crazy. "But I have thought this through. This is the best for everyone."
"This is not about everyone, it's about you. You have to do what is best for you and not everyone. You are the one who has to spend your entire life with him, not your parents, George, me or Emma."
"Look, I don't know if this is a good decision or a bad one and honestly, I am worried about it too but I have made up my mind to do it. I have nothing to lose Tina, nothing." Rachael really believed she had nothing to lose.
The circumstances in which she was getting married to Andrew were not ideal but it wasn't bad either. Both of them were in the same place—they did not have any expectations. They would be starting their relationship from scratch.
Seeing how determined her friend was, Tina decided to be the supportive friend she had always been. "Alright, if this is what you really want, you have my full support."
Giving Rachael a hug, she exclaimed, "I can't believe you are actually getting married."
"I know," she chuckled.
"Emma is gonna be so jealous when I tell her I attended your secret wedding," Tina grinned.
Pulling away, Rachael said, "We should go, they are waiting for us."
...
[30 minutes later]
Passing him a tissue, Tina inquired, "Are you okay?"
Without saying anything, Ben nodded. He then took the tissue and wiped his tear stained face. When Andrew asked him to be his witness for the marriage, Ben got very emotional and hadn't stopped weeping since then.
Maybe for Andrew it wasn't a big thing but for him, it was huge.
After working and knowing Andrew for almost a decade, he had a close bond with him. He was like his big brother, his mentor.
Ben was aware of everything Andrew had been through. He had seen him at his worst and his best. Many people thought things were very easy for him as he had just inherited the company from his late father. But only Ben knew how much he had struggled.
Because of his disturbing past and background, Andrew resented relationships and always detached himself from people who genuinely cared for him. This made Ben assume he would never settle down and start a family of his own.
But today when he witnessed how excited and persistent Andrew was to marry Rachael, he felt very satisfied and overwhelmed. And when he saw them sign their marriage certificates, he couldn't control his overwhelming emotions.
"Ben—" Rachael approached him. "Here, I got you some water."
"Thank you madam," he said in a very low voice.
Glaring at Andrew who was standing right in front of them with his hands tucked in his pocket, Rachael gestured him to say something.
Placing his hand on Ben's shoulder, Andrew sighed, "Why are you crying like a baby? Everyone was staring at you inside and here—" he stopped midway when Rachael pinched his arm.
When she glared at him again, he frowned. Did he say something wrong? When they were signing the papers, he didn't cry, his wife didn't cry too but out of nowhere his assistant started weeping. It was very weird.
"I am not crying, something went inside my eyes." When he balled the wet tissue paper, Tina gave him a new one.
"Okay, let's call it off for the day. Go home and take some rest. I'll see you tomorrow." He still had to go with Rachael to meet her family and inform them about the wedding. There were a lot of things to do.
"Boss—" Ben gave Andrew a tight hug. "Congratulations—I am very happy for you."
Andrew smiled and patted his back. "Thank you."
…..
Poor Ben got emotional :D