บท 2: CHAPTER 2: WEDDING DAY

She's beautiful in white!

The make-up artist gawked at the woman before her. The bride is totally perfect in her white wedding dress. If the groom won't tear up after seeing this beautiful creation, then he's a total jerk!

"Oh my goodness! I knew it! I knew you'd be the most dazzling bride in the century!" An old woman gasped at the sight of the woman standing in front of the human-sized mirror.

"T-thank you, Miss Hanes." Jade's flushed cheeks can be seen through her veil.

"I told you not to call me that anymore. I'm your granny now." she held the woman's bare shoulder and looked at her from head to toe.

"M-miss Su….I mean Granny… why are you crying?" Jade inch closer and touched the woman's arm worriedly. She was tearing up but not because she was sad.

Tears of Joy! Why is she crying when in fact, she's not even her mom?

"N-nothing. I'm just overly happy right now."

"Thank you, granny." She breathes out nervously. "I hope I won't pass out before the ceremony starts." She jests.

"Relax. You'll be fine."

Suzette was the chairwoman of the company where she was working and the person who supported her studies as well. She first met the woman at the orphanage when she about to turn 13. Later did she know that the Hanes family had been supporting the orphanage for decades now. Thanks to her, she got to meet Marcus during her 13th birthday.

He is a total opposite of her grandmother. Suzette is kind, sweet and sociable. Though a chairwoman of a famous company, people love her for having a friendly personality. While Marcus, though handsome, but has an aloof personality. She didn't even have the chance to get closer to him over the years.

Though Suzette introduced them to each other, Jade knew that he was least interested on her. He didn't even say a word during their dinner night at the Hanes mansion the other night. But it doesn't matter now. She'll be marrying the ultimate love of her life this very day!

Once again, she breathes in and out while waiting for the procession time.

Marcus, on the other hand, was fixing his bowtie at the other room when Sonny, his personal assistant entered.

"You look stunning today, Mr. Hanes." And he meant it.

"Since when did you saw me in a hideous manner? Don't you agree that I always look good whatever and whenever?" the groom spoke with sarcasm.

"Not always though." He smirked.

Marcus raised his brow and he glared at the man who was about to turn forty-five tomorrow. "Do you have a final wish, Mr. Lee?"

"Can you grant it now?" he taunted the now annoyed man.

"Just place your resignation letter on my table tomorrow. But right now is the best time."

"Ha ha ha!" Sonny mockingly gurgled. He definitely loves taunting the man. He may be his boss but he was grateful that they started their relationship as friends a long time ago. If not, he may be fired during his first weeks at work.

"Unfortunately, I came here as your best man and not as your personal assistant."

"Tsk!" Marcus scoffed annoyingly. "Damn this wedding! Have you prepared the papers I told you the other day?"

"Oh… that… Of course, it's in your drawer."

"Thank you."

"Must you really do such thing? What if your granny finds out about it?" Sonny was quite worried.

"She won't know unless you say so." He looked at the man meaningfully. He is a double-agent employee after all.

"Come on. Don't look at me like that. I am her informant, yes, but I was your friend first." He grinned. "Are you done yet? It's almost time."

"Yeah, I'll be on my way in just a few minutes."

"Okay, I'll see you at the church."

A soon as the man left, Marcus' phone ring. Seeing the caller id, he took the call and heard a woman sobbing on the other line.

"I can't believe you! how can you do this to me? Why didn't you tell me about your wedding?!" She was breaking as she mourned. "Have you been cheating on me for the past seven years? How could you promise a grand wedding to me? Why di-----''

"Rachelle, calm down. I have never cheated on you, I swea----"

"Liar! So how can you explain your wedding now, huh? Are you taking me as a joke?"

Marcus heaved a sigh. How can he blame the woman's aggravation at this very moment? Rachelle was his longtime girlfriend but he didn't tell her about the sudden wedding.

"Rachelle, I'll explain everything to you later. For now, let me----"

"No! were done!" Marcus didn't finish what he was about to say since she hung up.

Damn it! he cursed aloud.

** Everyone have been waiting for the groom to arrive. Even Jade was waiting inside the car for 30 minutes now.

"Where is that man now?!" Suzette was gritting her teeth impatiently. She knew she talked her grandson in marrying a woman whom he doesn't love but Marcus is not a man who'll disobey her. Not even the thought of embarrassing her.

"He's not answering his phone. I already called the hotel staff and they said he left 30 minutes ago." Sonny's stressed face was not hidden to the old woman. It was obvious that he has the same fear as her.

"We can't possibly call off the wedding now!"

"Whose calling for what?" Sonny and the old woman jerked surprisingly when they heard a familiar voice behind. Ah! How happy are they when they saw the man heading to their direction! "I'm sorry I'm late. There was a little accident while I was on my way. My phone is dead so I couldn't reach you."

"I'm glad your fine. Now let's go inside and let the wedding starts." Sonny and Suzette rushed inside the church.

As for Marcus, he paused for a while and glanced at the woman whose been watching him since he arrived at the scene. Though the window was tinted black, he seemingly sensed the woman smiling and he hates it!

"Keep smiling while you can, sweetheart." He hissed within him before entering the decorated church.