Speechless
Loukas POV
All I could do was watch her as she approached. She drained the air from my lungs with each step she took. It wasn’t my first marriage, but it was different with Hillary. She does things to me that I would never have predicted would leave me speechless and amazed.
I reminded myself that the marriage was a sham.
My family were the first people I saw in the hall when I walked in. I was seated in the front row, and when I was wheeled past them, I could hear them pointing fingers at me, but I didn’t care because it was only the beginning of my vengeance.
“Hey, take care of her,” Rotimi said as he took Hillary’s hand in mine. As he walked away, he patted her back and pretended to be her big brother.
The priest cleared his throat and then began the wedding ceremony. My gaze was fixed on Hillary’s the entire time, while I ignored the priest’s words. She was flawless, and I was on pins and needles waiting to see her face. I was moved by her, and even though we were marrying under a contract, I wanted it to be genuine.
It would be ideal if I hadn’t been born this way. “It’s time for the couple to say their vows!” The priest’s voice returned to my mind as he cleared his throat to get my attention.
It wasn’t my fault, though, because I had an angel by my side, making it difficult to hear or see anyone else. “The vows,” the priest pointed out.
I hadn’t planned any vows, but when I saw Hillary’s hard gaze through the veil and the trembling of her fingers, I smiled and rubbed her hand. I had something else to say to her even though I didn’t have a vow at the time.
Things I’d say if my life weren’t so complicated.
“Hillary,” I said, clearing my throat. “I’ve spent all my years in sorrow until you came along,” That was the truth because if Hillary hadn’t come along, I would have died and been forgotten, but she made me want to start living again and gave me a second chance at love. “You saved me and taught me that I could be better and that I, too, deserve happiness,” I smiled as I remembered everything that had happened between us. She had always been by my side, and she had never considered leaving.
Her hands continued to shake, but I rubbed them to reassure myself that I had her. “Hillary,” I called out again. “You are like a guardian angel to me, and I am grateful that I met someone like you; I promise to keep our friendship and union forever.” The last words were not a lie because I wanted us to last forever, but as a man, I can’t have what I want unless I’m ready.
She desired love, but someone like me was incapable of providing it. Even though I was already attracted to her, I couldn’t fall in love with her.
“I promise to cherish you forever,” I said as I kissed her hands, which stiffened. Her reaction made me wonder how she truly felt. Was she attracted like I was with her or was she doing it out of pity?
I needed answers to those questions, but I hoped she felt something, even if it was a minor attraction. When it was her turn to say the vow, my heart began to beat faster.
“Loukas,” she said, and I liked the way my voice sounded on her lips. “I’m not sure what to say but…” she paused, and my heart skipped a beat. I smiled at her and rubbed her hand again. She wiped her tears or whatever was on her face with her free hand.
I just hope her tears are joyful and not sad because she is marrying someone like me. “I want you to know that I’ve found a love that is for me, and I never regretted meeting you that night on the roof,” she sniffled as she took me down memory lane of that night on the roof. “you and I were meant to be together, and I really hope that we… ” she burst into tears.
Tears welled up in my eyes as a result of her words. They sounded powerful and exciting. I blinked the tears away, but since I was only a human, I let them fall down my cheek. “I’m so sorry,” she said as she turned to face the crowd. “I’m sorry, I was just emotional,” she explained, and I was surprised that everyone except my family stood up and applauded her.
“Go on! ” Someone in the crowd yelled.
“Yes, go ahead!” Someone else yelled.
I heard Hillary chuckle as she nodded in response. “I want to be with you for the rest of my life, Loukas!” She confessed, and I could tell by her tone that she was sincere. She wanted our union to last, and making her declaration was her way of saying she wanted me as much as I did her. “I’ll be with you forever, Loukas.”
As she finished her vow, a few people cheered and clapped for her. I just stared at her, a strange feeling inside of me. Sparks rushed through me, and I noticed that one of my right fingers was trembling. I gasped and turned to face Hillary, but her gaze was fixed on the priest rather than mine.
My right index finger just moved, indicating that Hilary was correct all along. I was getting better. I was literally screaming within myself. “Can we have the rings?” The priest asked.
Rotimi approached us, holding the box ring, and handed it to me. I let go of Hillary’s hand and opened the box, which contained two stunning diamond rings.
“Repeat these vows after me, Loukas Whitemore,” he said as they exchanged rings. The priest started saying the vows, and I repeated them after him.
” I, Loukas Whitemore, take you as my beloved wedded wife…. ”
“Till death do you part,” the priest said, repeating himself as he slipped the ring onto Hillary’s finger. “It’s your turn, Hillary Williams,” said the priest. “I… ”
” I, Hillary Williams, accept Loukas Whitemore as my beloved husband… ” She kept repeating after the priest while staring at me. “Till death do us part,” she said as she slipped the ring onto my finger.
“You may now kiss the bride,” said the priest.
Hillary crouched down to my level and moved closer to me. I failed miserably with my trembling hand and couldn’t even lift her veil. “Hey,” she said as she grabbed my hand and gave me a thumbs up with her free hand. That was enough for me to regain my composure, and I smiled at her. When I first saw her, I was stunned; I was speechless because her bold makeup enhanced her elegance, uniqueness, and beauty. “Loukas,” she said as she put her hands behind my ears and leaned in closer.
I stared at her lips and then placed my hand behind her left ear, capturing her lips. I could hear people cheering for us, but I blocked them out and concentrated solely on Hillary. Rhythmically, our lips moved until she pulled away.
I didn’t want the kiss to be over. I wanted to kiss her right then and there, but I guess that would have to wait.
“Everyone, Mr. and Mrs. Whitemore!”
As we both walked down the aisle, the priest announced and our guests continued to clap their hands. Hillary stood next to me as she pushed me closer to the visitor. My gaze was fixed on her and the whole, and whenever she caught me staring, I smiled at her.
Even though it would all be over in six months, I was determined to make it worthwhile. I was prepared to make her mine until the end of time.
“Mr Atin,” I said to Me Atin, who was also in a wheelchair like me. He couldn’t walk on his own due to his disease, so his son Aiden wheeled him towards us.
Mr. Atin signed the buy out contract after assisting with his son’s trial and clearing his debts, but it wasn’t made public because I didn’t want anyone to find out about me yet.
“Thank you for coming, Mr. Atin,” Hillary said.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, my dear daughter,” Mr Atin replied, turning to face me with a scowl on his face. “Don’t let her down or make her cry. I’ll be keeping an eye on things from above, Loukas. I’ll come after you.”
I raised the corner of my lips, unsure what he was on about, but when Hillary nudged me on the shoulder, I forced a smile. “Fine,” I said gritting my teeth. “How are you doing, Aiden?” I asked his son, who hadn’t said anything to me since I assisted him in passing his trial. He had an oval-shaped face with round obsidian eyes, just like his father. He was a carbon copy of father.
“I’ve been doing fine. Thank you very much “Finally, he said something. “I promise to be good,” he promised, and I nodded in response.
“If it’s not the newest couple in town,” I heard a voice behind us, and when I tilted my head to the left, Miles approached, accompanied by two hefty men. He waved at me before moving to hug Hillary. “Congratulations, baby girl,” he said.
They were giggling and making meaningless jokes in each other’s arms for a while, which caused me to frown and clench my left fist. I cleared my throat when it didn’t seem like it was going to end. “Prince Miles!”I yelled his name. “Thank you for coming,” I said to him, despite the fact that I had not invited him. Hillary had done so without my permission.
That’s a good one, I thought.
Miles Walker finally let go of her and faced me. He took my left hand in his and shook it. “You are fortunate to have a woman like her,” he said.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
I was, indeed.