I cannot believe I am getting married today...to someone I don't even love.
And the person I want to get married to is, I don't know, dead?
Everyone was in such rush. I could hear the hurried footfalls of the household staffs downstairs.
Four, no, five maids are currently in my very room, helping me, or more like forcing me to put my extravagant wedding gown on.
I could dress myself as a matter of fact since there is not much of buttoning involved. Only zipping, you could say that. Nevertheless, I could pretty much handle myself.
The whole time while the maids are panicking over what hairstyle should I do, if they should put flowers or whatsoever, I was just thinking about what will happened later. That I would be exchanging vows later with a sadist.
In the end, they ended up settling with my hair down since according to them, it looked good in the veil.
Obviously, they did not out any make up on me but was about to slap me to out more color to my cheek.
These past week, all I did was cry because of what Augustus did to Leo. I still hadn't heard anything from Leo but I am still hoping he is still alive.
I kept asking Augustus about Leo but he just kept ignoring me. One time, he was even about to slap me for asking but a maid barged right into the door that made him stopped.
"Sto-stop. I could do it," I exclaimed before this girl let out her anger towards me.
And so, I slapped both of my cheeks and bit my lips to add some color to my pale skin. They then let me picked a perfume to put. "Whatever you want," I commented since I really don't care if I smell like a shaggy dog later.
Last night, there was once again a ball for a welcoming party for Mister Douglas since he officially came home from his business trip.
Last night was nothing but a blur to me. Unfortunately, Leo did not showed up. Perhaps he wasn't informed of the said welcoming ball. That is what I kept telling myself but a tiny part of me was saying that he is dead.
Nevertheless, Augutus paraded me to the guests who kept rolling their eyes to me for the nth time.
Whenever the guests excuses themselves to get a drink for themselves, I ask Augustus about Leo but he said, "Don't wait for me to make a scene, Clementine. One more word about him and I'll seriously not hesitate to throw you in the asylum,"
I was about to answer that an asylum is far better yan being beside a monster like him but then, a guests arrived and so, this whole pretentious game continued.
After that, I played the violin while he play the piano and then we dance and dance. My feet hurts the whole night.
Augustus must've felt that I was about to ask him about Leo once again during our dance because he gripped my waists so hard this time and leaned towards me.
"He's fucking dead, Clementine. Just accept it," he murmured right into my ears that made me cry but he just pretended not to notice my tears.
Some guests must've noticed but did not comment about it. I was about to excused myself to rest to my bedroom when he said, "Don't you dare,"
After the dancing part, I thought the ball will come to an end since it was near midnight. Besides, there is a wedding tomorrow but no, the party still continues.
Augustus, for the remaining time of the party kept handing me liquor which I kept rejecting since I really don't drink.
In addition to that, I know his dark motives. Trying to get me drunk and then boom, I'll wake up beside him, naked.
I would never let that happened.
Meanwhile, about his father, I still hadn't talked to Mister Douglas since the night Augustus proposed to me. Since the night he threatened to kill Martha and Leo.
Though the whole time, I could feel his dagger stares at me which I pretended not to feel the whole night.
The wedding will take place to the biggest church in the town and so, here I am, walking towards the white carriage which has a tinge of fairytale vibes.
Before that, I went to the kitchen secretly while everyone was busy to get something.
The footman told me while we are on our way to the church is that, everyone are already there and we are running late.
If this is an actual wedding that I am really excited to, I would be worried but since I don't want to be part of this pretentious wedding, I just gave the footman a shrug and frown.
The footman must've noticed something wrong since he kept looking back at me and asking if I am okay.
"Ye-yeah, just excited," I assured him as I barely lifted the corners of my mouth, hoping that would satisfy him.
During the ride, all I could think about was what I would do to escape this wedding and if I happened to fail at that then how the hell would I escape Augustus later tonight.
Also, I can't take my head off Leo. I kept praying to God that I would see him in the wedding later. That he is still alive.
I was so lost in my thought to the point I did not noticed that we have arrived to the venue. Oh...
The footman then hurriedly helped me get off from the carriage. "What time is it, Sir?"
"It's already 10 in the morning, Miss,"
I smiled at him as a way of saying thanks since the church door burst opened, revealing Judy looking so beautiful in a simple yet elegant pink gown.
"You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen, Clementine," Judy exclaimed and gave me a tight hug which made me want to cry more since I know this person could share my sorrow towards Leo.
But no, I will not tell her about what happened to Leo. I will not since there is still hope he survived.
"Well, aside from me, of course," she added which made the both of us chuckle.
I then let my eyes wander around my surroundings. There are hundreds of white roses displayed in front of the church and a bunch of red roses forming the words, C and A and a heart shaped between the two letters.
Oh, so, Clementine loves Augustus?
Judy then hurriedly grabbed my arm as she began walking towards the front door which was closed.
"Don't be nervous, Clementine. I know you don't like Augustus but please, ut's your wedding day, put a smile on, not that, a sincere smile, I meant,"
"but how?"
"I have no clue, well, think that Augustus really looked dashing in his suit," she answered, smiling.
I faked a smile on her, hoping she'll just accept it and get on with this play.
"Okay okay, well, how about this, imagine you're marrying Leo right here, right now,"
And with that, my cheeks turned red. I was about to ask her that nothing's going on with Leo and me though we both are aware that's not true.
"Gotcha!" Judy exclaimed, laughing.
For a second, that exchange somehow made me feel that Leo is still alive. That, oh Judy and I are joking about her cousin. Nothing special. Just a normal day.
I was about to say something when Judy entered the wedding already and said, "Ciao!"
And with that, I am all alone outside this enormous church as I wait for the doors to open so I could began walking down the aisle and exchange ridiculous vows and kiss and go to the party.
As soon as I let out a soft frustrated sigh, the huge door parted, revealing all the guests to the wedding.
The first thing that popped to my head is to look for Leo who should be beside Augustus since he is his bestman. But no, he is nowhere to be found. Instead, a tall man, probably around Leo and Augustus' age stood beside him.
I let out a soft sigh once again and let my eyes wander around the room, Dear Lord, did they invited the whole town? The church is packed. There are atleast 300 guests or so, I don't know, Math is not my forte.
I could all feel their stares to me and all of them are not really smiling genuinely. Well, except from Judy and her very kind husband and well, Augustus who do really looked dashing but whatever.
All of the female guests are required tot wear pink gowns while the men are just wearing their usual black suit.
Except Augustus, of course, who is showing off his white expensive suit. Augustus must've noticed I am staring at me since he gave me a smile which I did not reply.
And so, the orchestra in the corner began to play and that's my que to start walking down the aisle.
One thing I've noticed is the absent of bridesmaids and flower girls.
As I was walking, I kept looking around for Leo since he is nowhere to be seen beside Augustus. He should be here, he's Augustus' bestman.
Also, of course, I could still see Mister Douglas with his golden cane, giving me deadly stares. Watching every move I take.
As soon as I reached Augustus, he held my hand and began walking towards the priest.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate with Augustus Bennett and Clementine Wright as they proclaim their love and commitment to the world. We are gathered to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together." the priest began.
The whole time that the priest is talking, I felt nothing. I am not nervous, happy nor excited.
I felt shallow. Somehow, I lost hope that Leo is alive and it's all because of me. This is all my fault.
He did not even had his revenge towards this murderous family because it was me who killed him. It was all because of me. It was me who lead him to his death.
Then, I began crying. My tears were falling continuously. The guests must've thought these are tears of joy but when I looked at Augustus with a deay stare, he knew that it is far from that.
The priest must've noticed my strange look towards the groom because he cleared his throat to gain our attention.
And that just made me cry more because it somehow reminded me of Leo who kept faking his cough and now, he is dead.
"I do," exclaimed Ausgutus loud that brought me back to earth.
"Do you take Augustus Bennett as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
Silence followed after that.
I could feel a tension adding up to the atmosphere that why am I taking so long just to utter the words.
I let my eyes wander around me. Mister Douglas is clutching his cane hard and is very much angry judging from his expression.
The guests are raising their brows. Definitely confused in why a mere maid is taking so long to say "I do" to a rich heir.
Judy and her husband, meanwhile are worried. Judy mouthed the words, "Are you okay?"
But I shook my head to her as my tears kept flowing. I just can't do this.
The priest once again, cleared his throat, catching my attention.
I could tell that he was about to repeat what he just said judging from him licking his lips.
I then looked at Augustus who was angrier than ever and one last time, I looked at the entrance door.
In the modern movies, the leading man should stop the wedding right before she could utter the words "I do" but then, this isn't a movie nor some random fairytale, right?
And so, I let out a soft sigh. "I do," I exclaimed right before the priest could repeat the question.
The rings were exchanged after that. I almost even fall the golden ring to Augustus as I was slipping the ring to his finger. Meanwhile, his grip was hard as he slipped the ring into mine. I could tell he was not happy by how long I acted a while ago.
"Therefore, it is my pleasure to now pronounce them husband and wife." the priest continued.
"You may now kiss your bride!" he added and with that, Augustus walked towards me, lifted my veil and kissed me right in front of the guests as claps followed.
Rught after Augustus kissed me, he then whispered, "Behave," to me. What am I? An animal?
After that, Augustus and I were about to exit the church with him carrying me in a bridal style but I gripped his arm hard and said, "No,"
He then looked at me hard, scaring me perhaps that if I did not agreed to let him carry me in a bridal style, bad things would happened but I remained hardheaded.
I mouthed the word "No!" to him. Augustus then looked around the guests, they must've noticed that we are quarrelling because Augustus faked a loud laugh that can be heard all around the church and held my hand then kissed me once again.
We are about to begin walking when Leo ran towards the aisle and so, we are about 50 meters away from him.
The whole crowd went silent and so am I.
Leo was wearing his usual all black suit that made him looked like an agent that is in a special mission. Though that is the only typical about his appearance right now.
Leo is wearing a black eyepatch to his right eye and despite how far we are from each other, I could see a thick and long scar from his temple to his cheek, crossing his eye. His hair is messed up as well. What happened to him?
I was about to run towards him and give him an embrace, not caring about all of the guests for I thought he was dead when Augustus gripped my hand harder which made me wince.
"Let me go!" I hollered at him, not csring for the fact that many guests are watching us.
But Augustus just said nothing in return. I could fear anger radiating from him.
"How are you still alive?" Augustus hollered to Leo who began walking towards us but stopped when he was about 10 feet from us.
Mister Douglas was just beside Augustus, quietly watching the whole scene.
"What are you doing here, my dear son?" Mister Douglas gently asked Leo.
"Don't you dare call me that you murderous thief," roared Leo back.
Everyone gasped with that and I could tell Augustus and Douglas were surpirsed at what Leo just said.
Mister Douglas then wander his eyes around the church and told everyone to get out in which they did in the second time Douglas ordered them to since in the first time, they were very much intrigued at what Leo just said.
"I know what you did to my parents, Douglas," Leo hollered as soon as the guets left the church. Now, it was just Augustus, Leo, Mister Douglas and I inside.
"Oh no, child, care to enlighten me please," replied Mister Douglas as he let out his pipe from his pocket and began smoking as if he is not in a sacred place.
"You orchestrated the death of my parents just to get their fortune, our fortune,"
Mister Douglas chuckled at that statement. I then looked at Augustus in the corner of my eye and I could tell something's wrong by the way he bit his lip. I could tell he is planning something.
"It was you who burned our house and put the blame into me, old man," Leo uttered.
"Oh? But haven't you been drinking that night and had a fight with someone in the bar who nade him burned your house? So technically, you murdered your own parents,"
"what are you talking about? The day my parents died. I was with Augustus at your very house, playing chess," Leo defended but still, Mister Douglas laughed at him.
"I don't recall having you with my son that day, Leo. You see, Leo was with me in a business meeting down town," replied Douglas.
"You never let Augustus go with one of your meeting before you liar," argued Leo back.
"really? Then let's ask him. Tell us, son, where were you that night?"
The three of us were staring at Augustus, waiting for his answer but I really don't need his clarification since I am sure Leo is saying the truth.
"I was with you, father." Answered Augustus, smirking.
Leo was quiet after that, probably can't believe what Augustus just said.
"You see, you are the liar here, Leo. It was you who came barging right into this beautiful wedding, accusing of me things I am not," exclaimed Mister Douglas, tsk-ing and laughing alternately.
"You cannot fool me, you two. I am no drunkard like you, Douglas. Never did I go to the pub and had a fight with somebody. It was you who burned my parents alive and because of what? Just so you could get our fortune because your business is in the verge of bankruptcy?" Leo hollered that made Mister Douclas stopped laughing.
"You think I don't know that because of your excessive gambling and drinking problems, your business was falling down and so, you approached my father. Asking for some money for more money to gamble. Obviously, my father refused you request saying he'll only lend you money if you use it in your business but what did you do? You burned them! You fucking burned my parents you fucking psycho!" Leo was red all over due to anger.
I could tell Mister Douglas was about to lie more, reason out more when I hollered the words, "I've had enough of your lies, you sick bastard."
I gained Mister Douglas' attention by that. "and care tell what's your role here, darling?"
"Aside from being a slut, of course," exclaimed Mister Douglas laughing.
" Don't call her that!" Argued Leo, curling his hands into fist.
"I am not stupid, Mister Douglas. I found numerous contracts inside your drawers and would you look at that. As far as I could recall, one was saying that you own an opium factory in China, one tells us that you smuggle artifact in Itamy and sell them to the highest bidders. That's not all, you give them the fake ones. Oh, how clever of you, Sir but sadly, not clever enough," I commented, smirking.
I could tell Mister Douglas was about to burst and choke me when I hurriedly retrieved the butcher knife I stole from the kitchen a while ago from my leg that is binded with a white garter.
Also, this butcher knife was the one me and Leo bought many months ago.
I then pointed the knife to Augustus' neck. "One wrong move and say goodbye to your son,"
" What the hell are you doing, Clementine?" Exclaimed Augustus, angry.
"this is all for those disgusting kisses you kept on giving me, you jerk," I replied and when I looked at Leo, I could tell he was forcing himself not to chuckle.
In the corner of my eye, I knew Mister Douglas will either hit me using his golden cane or retrieve the gun from his breastpocket so Leo immediately fished his gun from his pocket and pointed it at him.
I am not stupid, I knew since the day one that Misrer Douglas has been carrying guns everyday considering all these businesses he is into.
"Throw your gun and cane to Leo, Mister Douglas," I told him, still holding the butcher knife to his son's neck.
"Do it or we'll see if this knife is really worth the price," I shouted, scaring him off while Augustus just remained still.
"Even the cane? Don't you have the heart to let the old man keep his dear cane?" Mister Douglas said, stroking the golden cane.
"Oh, come on. Everybody knows you can perfectly walk without that. Now, throw your gun and your cane to Leo." With that, Mister Douglas threw the following items which Leo, of course, immediately get, hiding the gun to his pocket.
And now, Leo and I exchanged look and he nod at me, a signal that we should get out from here.
And so, Leo retrieved Mister Douglas' gun from his pocket and pointed the two gun to Mister Douglas and Augustus.
"Wouldn't it be more dramatic if your own gun killed your own son?" Leo exclaimed as he pointed it to them.
"Oh, this isn't the end, Leo," Augustus replied, smirking like a devil once again.
"I know, my friend. I still have to get back what's mine," Leo answered, chuckling.
While I slowly let go of Augustus and began walking towards Leo but I was walking backwards to make sure they won't do anything.
"Come back here!" Augustus angrily blurted out to me, stumping like a kid but I just stared at him.
"After what I've done for you?" Augustus added, pulling his perfectly combed hair due to frustration.
"More like after what you've done to me, you psycho. I am sick of your threats and disgusting touches,"
"Oh? Then I'll make sure the whole town knows how disgusting and hypocrite the both of you. What you and Leo been doing these past months. You think I am stupid not to know?" He argued back, the veins in his neck showing. Mister Douglas just stood there beside him, his arms crossed. Perfectly normal without his cane.
"Then do it. As if we care about what people think about us,"
Augustus shoot me a dagger looks with my reply.
"You two will rot in hell," Augustus said back. I am so tired with his unnecessary drama.
"Then see you and your father in hell," I heard Leo shouted which made me chuckle.
By the time I reached Leo, he handed me Mister Douglas' golden cane and together, we ran away from them.
While running, Leo helped me with the huge wedding gown that made it hard for me to run.
The guests are shocked at what just happened. They just stared at us.
Thank goodness Leo had a plan. Waiting for us in the corner of the church is a carriage and as soon as we get into the carriage, Augustus and Mister Douglas exited the church furiously.
It was Augustus who ran towards us deslite the fact the carriage is already far from them. While Mister Douglas immediately shouted the guests if they have any gun but thank goodness none have.
I mean, who the hell would even bring a gun to the wedding? Well, except from Mister Douglas who was paranoid and Leo who came here to stop the wedding and perhaps, me who brought a butcher knife to cut his husband's you-know-what.
Just kidding, I am not planning to cut Augustus' you-know. I just planned on threatening him with my butcher knife so I will not sleep with him.
By the time we already are streets away from them, Leo and I were catching our breaths and with that, I embraced him hard to the point I thought he'll run out of air as my tears betrayed me again.
We could barely move inside the carriage due to how huge the gown is.
"I thought you were dead, you idiot!" I hollered at him, sobbing, my head against his chest.
Leo then run his fingers through my hair, chuckling and with that, I let go of him and gave him a deadly stare.
"You think that's funny? I was worried sick!" I shouted once again, not caring that the footman might be annoyed at the noise.
And staring at Leo right now, it was when I noticed that something's wrong. It's as if he just came from hell.
Slowly, I stroke his cheek, tracing his long thick scar. His right eye is hidden with the use of his black eyepatch. I could tell that he hadn't shaved since the day we last talked.
"What happened?"
"Well, shit happened. Mister Douglas or Augustus, perhaps, tried to kill me while on my way to the barracks the last time we talked," Leo said, letting out a soft sigh, frowning and is avoiding my eye contact.
"It was Augustus. He threatened me that he'll kill you when he saw me hanging out with you," I confessed, guilty that I am responsible for his near-death experience.
"Too bad for him. His three untrained assassins are pretty much, let's just say,
"Then what happened here?" I asked, still tracing his scar.
"They stabbed me in the eye, Clementine and now, I am blind in my right eye," Leo replied quietly. Still avoiding my eyes.
"Can I see?" I asked, referring to his right eye. He nod at me but I could tell he is embarrassed about it.
Slowly, I removed his eyepatch, revealing his cloudy right eye. I just stared at it and then, he closed his eyes,frowning.
I then run my thumb across his eyelid to the scar to his cheek.
"This changes nothing, Leo," I commented after a few minutes. With that, Leo opened his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
But silence followed. I knew what I was about to say, what I want to say but I am still embarrassed to utter those words so I just hugged him once again which made me chuckle.
Leo then retrieved the black eyepatch from my lap and put it on.
"I asked you, Clementine. What do you mean by what you just said?" Leo asked. It's either he is unaware of what I am feeling or he is just teasing me. I could tell he is just teasing me judging from his chuckles.
I did not respond at him and just continued to hid against his chest. Leo then returned the warmth hug as he run his fingers through my hair again.
After a few minutes of silence, I thought Leo was already asleep since I could tell he is tired as hell because of what he'd been through but no, when I looked up at him, he stared back at me and smiled.
"You know, I actually dig your unshaven face and your sexy eyepatch." I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Leo then turned red, "Ah, so you find me sexy?"
It was ny turn to turned red. I rolled my eyes heavenwards, "whatever,"
That, my friends, made him chuckle.
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Good dayyyyyy!! 😁
Am working on the last five chapters. :)
I just badly want to finish this story on move to another story that am thinking about of writing. :)