“Nice to meet you, Mr. Murphy,” I greeted.
Robert held my hand with a puzzled face. “Four years ago, I was told that the girl’s surname is Lorraine. Why is it changed to Stanhope? Why don’t you go by the surname of the Moore family?”
I knew he was referring to Rylee. I only replied with a smile.
Emery explained, “No, Mr. Murphy. There isn’t anything about the Lorraines. You’ve been staying overseas, so you haven’t met her in person. You must take a closer look this time. The woman standing in front of you is the daughter of the Moore family.”
Robert nodded and smiled. “Alright. I’ve always remembered all the pretty daughters of the Moore family.”
The guests who just arrived at the lobby escorted Robert to the lounge.
Emery dragged me along and said, “Let’s go get changed now.”
We had to redo the makeup to match the gowns and accessories.
The bridesmaid outfit that Emery prepared for me was a hanfu—the type that we only see in Chinese historical drama. I was rather surprised when I saw the outfit. “Isn’t it too luxurious?”
Emery shook her head. “Not at all. It has to be like that. I purposely customize this outfit for you.”
I didn’t understand her words, so I just smiled in response.
After we got changed, it was already six in the evening. It was time for the traditional ritual.
By the time we arrived at the venue, all the guests had been seated.
Hunter looked amazing in his wedding outfit. He looked dashing in both Chinese and Western-style costumes.
Emery handed me a sandalwood box. “Later, you stand behind me and hand this to me upon receiving my signal.” I took a look at the box. Inside, it was a pair of jade bracelets inlaid with gold. One of them was carved into a phoenix, while the other had a dragon engraving. The jade was crystal-clear, while the gold inlays looked extremely exquisite.
I nodded, then I turned to Zachary who was dressed in a black suit. He was in his fifties, yet there wasn’t a trace of a gray in his hair. There was nothing that could cover up his outstanding demeanor.
“Later, my brother’s walking me down the aisle. In the future, he’ll walk you down the aisle and hand you over to Anthony. Your life will be perfect then,” Emery whispered in my ear.
I held a different opinion on the definition of a perfect life. The day when I was married to Anthony, I walked to him alone since my grandmother had already died.
Zachary overheard Emery’s words. His gaze seemed slightly apologetic.
As the music was played, I couldn’t hear anything else.
Both sides of the red carpet were covered with short-stemmed red roses. The whole place was adorned by white balloons, exuding an air of romance and serenity.
Hunter gazed at his beautiful bride as Zachary walked Emery down. Placing Emery’s hand into Hunter’s, Zachary said earnestly, “I now entrust my sister to you, Hunter.”
Hunter nodded. A gentle smile lit up his face as he stared at Emery.
They just looked at each other and it felt as if they could stay that way forever.
Unwittingly, I glanced around and spotted my man standing among the crowd.
It was amazing how I could recognize Anthony at a glance although the wedding was full of people.
The wedding was held according to Chinese wedding traditions which included walking over a fire pit, and serving tea to parents before they gave the wedding couple red envelopes and jewelry.
After the wedding couple bowed to each other, they exchanged jade bracelets instead of rings.
The couple served tea to Zachary and Cameron as they are the closest elders to Emery.
After the ritual ended, Emery tugged me away. “Come with me. Someone has gotten you a gift.”
“What?” I was startled.
“Just follow me.” She took me to the garden behind the hotel.
I was taken aback when the garden full of balloon flowers came into my vision. “From where you got all these balloon flowers?”
It was nearly impossible to get these summer blooms in winter.
Emery winked at me. “That’s because someone has planned this for a few months. He had these flowers planted in the greenhouse just to show them to you today. Do you know the symbol of balloon flowers?”
I pondered for a while before I answered, “Balloon flowers symbolize unchanging love. Jared once brought these flowers to Macy’s cemetery.”
Emery pouted, “Can’t you see these are white balloon flowers?”
I nodded. “Yes. What about it?”
She explained, “White balloon flowers symbolize the one and only love.”
I squinted my eyes as I stared at her. “Is this a confession? You’re married, though.”
Emery held her forehead. “Sienna Stanhope, you’re such a fool!”
I was rendered speechless.
“Where are you going?” I took hold of her as she was about to leave.
“I have to get something. You wait for me here.” She sped away after dropping her words.
Looking at the white blossoms, I was absorbed with the spectacular scenery.
As the snow flew past, I gazed up at the sky where powdery snow was falling.
The balloon flowers were ornamented with the snow. It was a very beautiful sight to behold.
“I remember what you said to me in front of the library seven years ago. You told me that one can only witness such scenery at the Kunlun Mountains when the snow complements the snow lotuses. So I was thinking perhaps I can bring it to you if I do my best.”
Anthony’s voice rang out from behind. I turned around and saw him holding a bouquet of white balloon flowers in his hand.
I came to a sudden realization that he was the one who had prepared all this. There was no other way to explain these white blooms at this red-themed wedding.
I gave him a sweet smile as I received the bouquet. “Well, I didn’t know you are such a romantic person. What a pleasant surprise from you. I’m flattered.”
Anthony chuckled. “I’ll spoil you more often then.”
We took cover under the eave as the snow was getting heavier. “Why are you doing this for me all of a sudden?” I asked.
He gazed up at the sky full of snow. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, I do. It’s beautiful!” It felt good to have a special place in his heart.
Suddenly, a bouquet of red roses appeared before my eyes. Before I could think for another second, Anthony had stood in front of me and gotten down on one knee.
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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