CHAPTER 558: WEDDING BELLS ... OR NOT (4)

Brad had been the first to awaken that morning. He moved slightly to block the single ray of light that was dancing across her face, to let her sleep longer. Brad didn’t bother to look at the time but knew that they were late for their own wedding. Judging from how often his phone screen lit up, but he made no move to pick it up. She was curled into the gentle curve of his body, her breath calm and even, as if the world outside did not exist.

He just let her sleep, studying her side profile.

It wasn’t just out of tenderness, though he felt plenty of that, but to quiet the riot of thoughts stirring in his mind. He told himself it was too early for conjugal impulses. Their wedding was that morning, and if he woke her up, they’d be done with it and back to where they left off the night before. But that even sounded improper. He told himself that he should continue to be gentlemanly.

But the truth was more complicated.

His mind kept revisiting that encounter with Shelby- a person not just beautiful in all ways, but stunning with a touch of that otherworldly whatever it was called.

At the thought of that, Alicia’s words came to mind:

’Even I would make a pass at her myself if I were a man! Shelby is too bewitching!’

But that didn’t erase the fact that Shelby’s presence had left him with an aftermath, a lasting impact from that singular action of his that night months ago, leaving him hollowed. Since then, Brad had filtered the world through a pane of glass .... cold, distant, and untouched by desire. Women came and went, but nothing stirred within him. Not a flicker. Not even a ghost of warmth. It was something he could not afford.

’Was that why mum arranged this?’

Her asked himself, reaching out to gently touch Alicia’s long dark hair and sighed. Brad was not far from the truth. He had been someone who had been outgoing and into women, so when he stopped just as suddenly, Geneva had thought to take action on his behalf.

Because a mother always knows, but maybe the rushed wedding was also partly because Geneva and the whole family needed a reason to celebrate after that dark period with Aliya. Brad had developed deep fears that he thought he had hidden well.

He worried, quietly and deeply, that this marriage arrangement would tie him to a life of duty without intimacy. A partnership devoid of that primal spark. He had gone ahead because Alicia just so happened to be the only woman to awaken his interest after Shelby’s saga.

Brad also blamed last night’s sudden yearning on the aphrodisiac that had been slipped into his drink and the incense in the room, undoubtedly by his well-meaning, meddling relatives and stupid ex-friends, who had something else planned for him.

He had been angry at himself for even reacting. But still glad that he had chosen restraint over impulse ... chosen dignity over curiosity.

But now, lying beside her in the pale morning light, with no trace of drugged heat in his veins, he found his gaze lingering on her. The line of her neck, the delicate flutter of her lashes, the way her hair tumbled like silk across the pillow. And then... the reaction came ... not forced, nor drugged, nor even dreamt. It was simple, natural and real.

He blinked, stunned.

So... it was her. It was her.

She had stirred something alive in him. A breath escaped him, part relief, part reverence.

He smiled to himself, his hand brushing her hair back from her cheek to his chest. A quiet laugh bubbled up in his chest, not mocking, not disbelieving, but grateful. The arrangement looked to have turned out well!

He had thought himself broken. But she was undoing him, stitch by careful stitch.

And for once... he didn’t mind.

Oblivious to this and what was happening outside, Alicia stirred awake that morning, wrapped in Brad’s arms. Despite her bravado from the night before, she blushed deeply. She may put on a brave front, but Alicia was shy as hell. The actions from the night before had all been aided by the aphrodisiac stimulants that she had ingested and inhaled.

"You’re awake?"

Alicia wished she could jump out of bed; that would put her in full display for Brad, so she ended up moving even closer.

’How did I fall asleep on the same bed with him!’ She had in mind the night before to get out of bed when she felt sane enough but had drifted off to sleep!

Then, summoning her courage, she tried to divert by whispering, with her back still pressed to his chest, "You know that they tried to trap you, right?"

Brad sighed.

He blinked slowly and nodded. Though she couldn’t see him, she felt it, "It takes a lot more to trap me into anything. They failed, did they?"

"Yes," she whispered. "Thank you... for...."

His eyes softened, his voice low and clumsy. "You don’t need to thank me .... After today, we are a family...."

This made Alicia smile,

"So, this should tell you what kind of family you’re marrying into. My mum can be a handful sometimes. Are you sure that you still want to marry me even after this?"

She nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

"Then..." he sighed, "I must’ve done something right."

Just then, a soft knock echoed against the door, but neither of them moved.

"Hope you two didn’t break tradition in there!"

"Wait ... is that ...."

It was his sister-in-law!

Alicia groaned, flopping down and covering her face with the pillow, but Brad panicked, knowing that if Shelby was at his door, then Ian was there too!

His phone lit up again, and this time, he reached for it,

’I’ll give you two seconds to get out here!’

He smirked. "Too late. We need to get ready..."

But what he wanted to say was, ’I don’t want to face Ian’s wrath!’

He dropped a quick kiss on Alicia’s head and then dashed out in his boxers, grabbing a robe on his way out.

Another knock. Then the door pushed open and Shelby walked in, followed by a long line of maids, with racks of clothes and others.

"Good morning, Alicia, we have half an hour to get you ready for the wedding, which you’re late for."

"Late?"

Alicia frowned, then turned to the small bedside clock, and her heart lurched. The ceremony was set at 8 am, but it was already half past 9!

"OH NO!!!!!!"

Shelby chuckled,

"It’s your day, so you don’t have to worry," she turned to Brad, who was already out the door,

"You have ten minutes to get presentable, and no excuses."

"Come ... on.... I -"

Brad started, but one look from his imposing brother, who was seated not far away, was enough to shush him.

"But, I-I need at least twenty!" he whispered,

"Just get there before the bride does!"

"Thanks, Shelby! You’re the best!"

Brad stretched, then called out,

"Well, Erik, is everything ready?"

His assistant nodded, not even wanting to think of the countless times they had tried to wake Brad up that morning. It only took Ian for them to know which room he had chosen to stay in that morning.

They had also tried not to disturb the couple’s rest, as Geneva had a hand in what happened the night prior. What had resulted was the mess that had forced them to call Ian and Shelby to intervene. What had seemed like a mountain of a problem had been resolved with just one sentence from Shelby!

"The officiant is here, guests are seated, and even the elders are there... we are just missing the bride and groom..." Erik added wryly, and Brad strode into another bathroom.

In the room, a maid followed in with a tray of tea,

"Good morning, Miss Alicia, I hope you are well rested. This is Alberta, and she will be in charge of your daily needs from now on."

Though Suzie had said this, Alicia turned to Shelby, "Thank you."

"Now, I don’t want to know what happened here last night...."

Alicia blushed yet again, wondering why a girl younger than her could make her feel so,

"Let’s get you ready for your big day!"

From then on, Alicia didn’t remember exactly what happened. A flurry of activities ensued. The room became a whirlwind of silk, scented oils, and the steady clack of jewellery cases being opened and shut. Many hands fluttered around her like a bee, pinning, tugging, smoothing fabric and within record time, her hair, makeup, dress, and everything was done!

Though she was used to such glamour, the mirror offered back a reflection she barely recognized; elegant, breathtaking, but slightly stunned. Her long dark hair had been woven with delicate pins and tiny blooms, her eyes lined to a soft, flower-like shimmer.

There was a knock. Then a voice. "Can I come in?"

She looked up, instantly flustered. "Tell him no ... wait, yes .... wait ..."

Too late. Brad had already stepped in, led by Erik, who wisely vanished the moment they locked eyes.

He rubbed his tired eyes, wondering if there was going to be another delay.

Brad paused. Then gave a slow, appreciative blink. "Wow."

The ceremonial music broke their moment... soft, melodic, but insistent. Ian finally walked in, not even looking at the bride, whom no one could get their eyes off.

"Are you tired?"

"Ian! I have just been sitting and doing nothing!"

"That still sounds tiring!" He said, sweeping her into his arms. Shelby sighed, settling into his arms, then he said through their mind ink,

"We’ll talk about that later."

Shelby nodded, but couldn’t help but look at Suzie and Murray, who were doing their best to stay out of sight.

Elsewhere...

"Are you really sure that you’ve thought this through, Rocky?"

"Of course! And how many times will you ask me this? My answer will forever remain the same!"

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