บท 16: Bridal Dance (1)

Brad stared intently at the new bride, blocking out all sounds around him. A big mistake on his part, I must say. Just then, "paaah!" a loud slapping-like sound was heard. They had all been so engrossed in the scene that no one had seen it when Geneva had gotten up from her seat and onto the makeshift altar.

She used her small purse to hit Brad's head. She had to leverage herself slightly, so she only managed to hit the lower part of the back of his head.

"Aw!!!!"

Brad turned around angrily, but then, "Ma! Why would you do that?" he pouted. At that moment, all his gentlemanly sophistication had disappeared; only the Brad persona, Geneva's son, remained.

The minister heaved a big sigh of relief when Geneva stepped in. Shelby felt herself do the same. She had frozen in shock for a moment and did not know how to react to the man in front of her. 'It's one thing to be 'sold off' to one man but another thing entirely, if I have to kiss his brother in his stead!' she felt herself cringe at the thought.

No matter how much attractive Brad was, Shelby would never do that. Besides, she had another reason why she could not afford to let Brad touch her in front of all the people gathered. A deep relief escaped her, and she felt herself break into a sweat.

"You are supposed to stand in for your brother, not covet his wife!" Geneva snapped. The small garden that was beginning to darken became quiet as the people gathered did not know how to react to what they saw.

"But-"

"Go ahead if you do not w-"

Brad raised his hand in surrender as he knew his mother well enough to see where the conversation was heading.

'Not my Lambo!'

"Finish this ceremony now!" Geneva snapped just as a few wows erupted in the few seated guests.

'Are they amazed at what is going on?' Shelby wondered. She turned curiously to look at them, but a small gasp also left her lips.

The whole back garden where they were had been illuminated with small lights that looked to be floating in the air. Some looked like illuminated flowers, and others looked like fireflies. It was a truly amazing sight to behold. So much that she had almost forgotten her predicament.

"By the power vested in me, I pronounce, Ian Thornston and you, Shelby Monroe, as husband and wife!"

The minister wiped his sweat again and could not be gladder that the whole ceremony was over.

Brad held out his elbow for Shelby, but she ignored it. Shelby wondered how her friends would look at her now. She was now Mrs Thornston in the eyes of the world but had not even had the chance to tell any friend beforehand. But with all the cameras trained on the ceremony, wouldn't she become a laughingstock?

'No groom vs. a stand-in groom? This has never been heard of!'

While this went on, Clara looked on, dabbing tears from her eyes.

"My little girl is married! I never thought that I would see this day."

One young woman, who had attended as a guest, looked on at Shelby sadly when she overhead Clara's comments. Even though she knew nothing of the bride, she was upset that the groom had not shown up.

She couldn't help but glance at the stupid relatives of the girl. How desperate must they be to watch their child humiliated like that and not react?

"I only came here to meet Ian Thornston. What is the use of forcing me to come if he would not show up?" She muttered and glared at her mother, who ignored her.

"But I would die before I go through such a humiliating experience as this bride has gone through!" she stomped and stepped out.

Not far from her, Gabriel was on the verge of crying. "Daddy did not come for his own wedding!" He noted solemnly.

Geneva glared at the older girl, who immediately drew Gabriel to her side, shushing him.

"But I-"

"Gabriel! Sshhhhh!" she covered his mouth and apologized to Geneva.

"I'm sorry, grandma. I will make sure he does not speak of this again."

Geneva turned from them back to the altar. She was not interested in anything going on there. Even the beautiful scenery did nothing to appease her troubled mood. Her husband rubbed her back affectionately, trying to calm her down.

However, young Gabriel had said one thing on everyone's mind—the one thing they were all afraid to mention aloud. For it was an unspoken rule that 'whatever happened in the Thornston Estate stayed there'. This was an unspoken rule for every single visitor. This was why the evening had panned out how they wanted swiftly.

They were all guided through another arch to another similar setting. Except this time, there were exquisite snacks on long tables available. The guests of about fifty started milling around and socializing while Shelby stood idle, 'What do I do now?' She knew no one, but her parents, and she did not feel like talking to any of them then.

Her thoughts did not land before, a loud voice announced, "It's time for the first dance…."

At the corner of her eyes, she saw James tidy up his suit with a smile, and she unconsciously frowned. 'There is no way I want to dance with him! Fuck the father-daughter dance! He is not qualified.' For some reason, the statement that came out was, "We invite the bride and groom to give us their first dance!"

James froze, as did his smile. He had been looking forward to this for the exposure and another reason. He ran his hand through his head and looked around carefully, ensuring no one had seen him. Shelby let out an involuntary, genuine chuckle for the first time that evening. A sweet sound that had the few people close to her dazed.

Most of the people paused in what they were doing. They cast pitiful glances at Shelby's way. Obviously, there was no groom, so what was the essence of the dance?

Brad cast an evocative glance at Shelby, but she did not spare him the time. She took one step forward, and then another. She paused and inhaled, but before she could move again, she felt Brad hold onto her bare arm and then let go immediately as if he had been scalded.

"What the fuck!" he cursed out loud and took a step back from her immediately.

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