“Alright, thank you.” Abigail said, refraining from making things difficult for him.
After the attendant left, Abigail unfurled the piece of paper and read it.
[26th floor, Room 502. There’s something you must know.]
Once she read it, she crumpled it into a ball and threw it into a trash can nearby, but did not land.
Something mysterious and unsigned like that would be nothing good–she was not stupid enough to answer such a call.
At the same time, the ceremony was starting.
As the mob around Diarmuid dispersed, he went to sit beside Abigail.
“You’re a busy man,” she said.
He was just here to attend a wedding, but he was the one who got mobbed.
She took another sip of her juice and then put her glass down rather heavily.
Diarmuid glanced at the glass and asked, “Are you upset?”
Abigail shook her head firmly–she certainly would not dare to get upset at him now, just as she had no reason to because he was just socializing.
Even so, she felt so tiny as she stayed at his side.
Looking up on stage, she said, “The bride is young and pretty.”
Diarmuid’s eyes were fixed on her, and did not even look up. “You’re prettier.”
Abigail stared at him. Was he teasing her?
Remembering the note then, she hesitated before saying, “Just now, someone asked me to head to Room 502 on the 26th floor, saying that there’s something I need to know.”
“Really?” Diarmuid frowned.
“I thought it might be a trap, so I didn’t go,” Abigail said.
She is actually quite curious about what awaited her there, even as the emcee spoke. “Please rise for the arrival of the bride.”
At this voice, the main doors opened as Ember stepped inside the wedding hall to thunderous applause, pushing excitement to great heights.
Eventually, once they were done going through the motions, the presiding priest said, “You may now kiss the bride.”
Zachary did not move.
On the other hand, Ember seemed to have expected this, and smiled when she saw Zachary’s hesitation without complaint or indignation. “I know you’re not used to this,” she said softly. “I feel the same.”
Though Zachary felt grateful, he was wary that everyone was watching them, and time seemed to stand still just then.
Beneath the stage, Mrs. Slate frowned. She wanted to prod her son, but could not speak out loud with their in–laws nearby, and so became antsy as she watched.
Ember’s parents were puzzled too. “What is Zachary doing?”
Still, the emcee was experienced and something as simple as this was no trouble for him to smooth over. “I’m afraid our bridegroom is feeling shy,” he said light–heartedly, “I’m sure he’s saving that sweet first kiss for our bride under more romantic circumstances. Now, beloved guests, please raise your glasses to a toast in honor to these newlyweds, and wish them that their blissful union shall last eternally!”
After the toast, Ember retired to change while the luncheon began.
Abigail did not have an appetite.
Reading her mind, Diarmuid said, “Come on. Let’s go check it out.”
Abigail was actually confused for a moment. “Where are we going?”
“To the 26th floor.”
Abigail pursed her lips. “Isn’t it a little rude to leave right now?”
“We’ll be gone for just a moment. Won’t be long,” Diarmuid said.
As such, they trotted along the corner and left the hall, then took the elevator to the 26th floor. Soon, they found Room 502, and the door was ajar!
A gentle push, and the door was open… But there was nothing inside.
Abigail frowned. “Could this be a prank?”
Diarmuid said nothing, but he had a hunch–it was probably not a prank, but since Abigail did not fall for their trap, the people behind cleaned things up thoroughly and left no trace behind.
“Let’s go back,” she said.
It was not their wedding, and running off like this was impolite.
“Yeah,” Diarmuid agreed.
While they stood waiting for the elevator, Abigail leaned against him, but just as she was going to hold his hand, the elevator arrived with a jingle.
As the doors opened, Abigail quietly pulled away, but Diarmuid took her hand, catching her by surprise.
In the instant their skin touched, her heart began to pound.
She had no idea why–especially after they had shared their bed for a while now.
Nonetheless, she followed Diarmuid into the elevator, with the doors soon closing behind him. As she pressed the button to the first floor, the doors closed, confining them within.
Abigail looked up at his face and neck, which combined to form an alluring image.
He was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
Ought she not be rejoicing that he was hers?
She smiled faintly at the thought, and inadvertently glanced at the elevator doors in front of her.
She was left dumbstruck right then–the doors were made of stainless steel, and clearly reflected their faces.
Diarmuid clearly saw her ogling him, did he not?
Oh, this was so embarrassing!
She hung her head, wanting a place to hide just then..
Diarmuid watched as she kept her head buried like an ostrich and smiled so faintly one would never notice if they were not looking for it.
Soon, they returned to the wedding hall, and Zachary came to them with Ember.
Ember had a babyish face, and had changed into a red gown encrusted in various gems, which glittered under the chandeliers overhead. She also had a corset that accentuated her figure, but she did not appear encumbered despite the weight of the gown, as she was actually gliding gracefully as she moved.
The mischievous–even lively–outlook of the gown certainly matched her looks.
Even if Ember’s beauty was not eye–catching, the dress and the way she wore it did, and she certainly drew stares as she moved along, holding Zachary’s arm as she did.
After drinking a few toasts with their elders, Zachary brought Ember along and made a beeline for Diarmuid.
He told Ember that he would introduce her to Abigail, and among his friends, Diarmuid ranked at the top–he had every reason to go to him first.
“You’re both my best friends. You have to drink to congratulate me,” Zachary said as he poured a drink for Diarmuid, while Ember handed the glasses to him.
“This is my brother from another mother, Diarmuid Althoff–he expressly returned from abroad to attend our wedding.”
“Thank you for making time even though you’re so busy.” Ember naturally showed no signs of stage fright -she was from a rich family herself,
Diarmuid respectfully drank to their toast, while Zachary poured another glass for Abigail. “She’s my junior and a good friend.”
“We’ve met.” Ember smiled enthusiastically. “Thanks for attending my wedding. I hope we can be best friends.”
Abigail smiled faintly but primly. “Any friend of Zachary’s is a friend of mine.”
As for best friends, she would not agree to it so easily–in fact, she was keen to distance herself from Ember because of Lulu, not to mention that she did not know Ember that well yet.
If anything, she was just trying to be respectful to Zachary.
Suddenly, a man barged in and cried, “Mr. Slate!”
Zachary frowned and turned towards him. “What’s the matter? Why the commotion?”
“Outside… You have to take a look at this!”
Zachary put down the wine bottle and told Abigail and Diarmuid, “I think I should go check it out.”
“Yeah,” Abigail replied.
Ember followed Zachary. “I’m coming too.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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