Montgomery's POV:
The main ceremony was over before I realised. Journee walking through into the ceremony space was everything my granny dreamt it would be. She has not stopped gushing over how beautiful Journee. She had been fussing about the details since the first time she saw the girl. Me…? I don't know how to react. I am pleased that this affair is over and done with. Taking a sip of brandy, I couldn't get what Uncle Humphrey said. "You're a lucky bastard, nephew. Careful that I don't steal her away."
It doesn't truly matter who Journee is married to really. That witch doctor said the family must have a daughter-in-law born under some astrological sign or other. Apparently, she would be the change that will free our family from the yoke that currently shackles us from our true potential. At least this is what I kept assuring myself. To keep myself from being detached was the best thing I am do for both Journee and I.
What is the point of having one night of passion and making her fall in love with me, only to leave her for two weeks? It would be very cruel of me. It is a feeling I must live with, as I focus that frustration into getting the deal done fast and well. I don't need to implicate Journee and make her suffer.
I knew my feelings for my wife is growing with every step she takes in that gorgeous gown.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Granny came up to me with a glass of wine in her hand. "What can I say? I always win the bet!"
"Granny, I think you've had too much wine for now." I took the glass from her and ushered her to a corner to sober up. "Should I call for Mrs. Thatcher?"
"Oh no. She is probably somewhere sulking. Thatcher, that woman was sure the Trumpet gown was the one to waltz down that aisle. Ha! But I chose this Vera Wang wonder, hic!" Granny was starting to have the hiccups, something that happens just before she passes out.
Like clockwork, Mrs Thatcher and Robert appeared at the doorway, ready to carry the grand madam back to her room. I let them do what they had to before anyone else noticed. Father would be furious to know granny overdrank again.
And speak of the devil, my father stares my way. I know that I have been avoiding my duties, something Montgomery Sr. takes very seriously. With a sigh, I straightened my jacket and moved towards a group of Chairmans and CEOs, ready to charm them with the Lewis family's gift of the gap.
***
Journee's POV:
Never in a million years did I think I'd be bored, at my own wedding no less. I smiled and nodded my head at many a guest who gave me the cold shoulder. It was obvious that I was way in over my head. I was not one of them, born with a gold spoon and into an affluent life.
This is a blessing. If anyone spoke to me, I'd need to respond. This is for the best. I smiled to myself, learning to enjoy the peace solitude afforded me.
"Can you believe it? She chose THAT Vera Wang."
"The cheapest from the Luxe Collection… that bride certainly doesn't know quality."
Hearing words about the bride being thrown around, I strained my ear to find out more.
"How much is that anyway? $9,000, $10,000?"
"NO! A mere $6,900!"
"Oh My God!" The voices giggled over how uneducated I must be to choose a dress that cost what they consider a single plate of Caviar they wouldn't feed to their dogs.
"And no jewellery! Who does she think she is marrying? The pool boy?" One voice sneered.
Such pampered rich bitches! I sometimes wondered if women like these have worked a single day in their life to deserve every trinket and diamond they wear. Besides, I am wearing two rings. On my left, this old ring that is probably the Lewis family's heirloom and another, a solitaire diamond of…I don't even know what size a carat should look like. So, this could be one…two or more carats, who knows? But it's not something I care very much for.
Soon, the gossips that ran round the table behind me started to get boring. It was the same conversation theme over and over again. Criticising how each individual dresses; what and who they are wearing, how they compare to each other. Is there nothing else that fills their empty muddle heads? Can't there be at least someone I can have a decent, intellectual conversation with?
I saw how the men gathered at the terrace which was made into the smoking room. Every man with an expensive looking cigar in his hand, regardless of age. All so serious, an on-looker might have thought it is a funeral. The women on the other hand are sprawled across the huge ballroom, grouped in threes and fives.
Are they superstitious or something? What's with the odd number?
Oh well, no one will miss me anyway. I am hardly the main event of the day.
Getting up, I moved to a small, unoccupied balcony. It faces inland instead of the sea. As the sun sets, I see a myriad of lights and colours coming alive in a distance. A sign that the city is awakening from its slumber as the sun gives way to the moon and stars.
Stars…something rarely seen now in the cities of Malaysia. I sighed and took in a leisurely breath. The first I have truly taken consciously in days now.
"And now, we call for the bride and groom to retire from this day of festivity." A man's voice called from the stage within.
I however am still stuck in daydreams as I stared off into the distance.
***
Montgomery's POV
It was a long evening. Forced smiles with many hands shaken, I had successfully clinched 3 business deals worth over $50 million each. My father would be pleased.
The famous Montgomery Sr., the prodigal son of the Lewis family always says that when money must be spent, it is up to us to make sure we gain at least 10 times more. As the sole heir and his only son, my father had splashed $10 million on the food and invitation cards, with the decoration closing in on $3 million. It would have been more if we had held it in another location. Good thing our home has the capacity to hold up to 200 guests, or I would have to work even harder, delaying my honeymoon by many more weeks.
"How has your evening been, my son?" Montgomery Sr. smiled and shook a few hands before he reached me.
"Excellent father." I filled him in on the details of each deal which earned me a hug. A rare commodity that came only when I have reached his expectations.
"Good. You'll have approximately 2 hours to enjoy wedded bliss before heading to Paris. Robert will be waiting for the car. Don't be late."
"But…" I called after my father, but he had dashed his way up to the stage. I wanted to tell him that I would much rather leave quietly and return triumphant than to face my wife.
"And now, we call for the bride and groom to retire from this day of festivity." My father announced.
A few seconds later, Journee was nowhere to be seen. Had she retired for the evening? I doubt she has. No woman would reject such splendour thrown in her honour.
"Journee Lewis, the bride." My father called out again. It was his grand plan that we emerge together hand-in-hand to give the guests a good show of how in love the bride and groom are. A marketing gimmick if you will. To sell the notion that happiness and bliss exists in our home and business.
I knew that if she didn't show up soon, my father would never forgive her. And in my absence, who knows how he would treat her. My poor Journee.
Suddenly, the wind blew open the doors of the western balcony. I glanced in its direction and saw a most serene picture. As if it were a tourism or wedding gown magazine cover, my bride stood facing the setting sun. Her brown hair and white gown blowing gently in the wind, standing out against the red and orange sky.
I walked out to the balcony, savouring the very sight of her. I saw how she smiled at the sun and my heart whispered, would there come a day when you smile at me this way? Total surrender and awe.
"Journee." I called out and she turned still smiling as sweetly as before. But her eyes changed ever so slightly as she realised who had called her. Disappointment? Irritation? A little of both?
No matter. I'll win her over when I am back. I promised myself.
***
Journee's POV
"Journee." Hearing my name being called, I turned to see who it was.
Oh…so that's Montgomery's voice. Quite pleasant.
"Yes Montgomery? I asked sweetly.
Click! Click! Click!
I blinked…what on earth?
"If you can move closer together…" about a dozen camera men instructed us as they clicked away. "Perfect. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, holding hands please." Now please look at each other instead of us. Pretend we aren't here."
I laughed, hard. Almost holding my stomach with one hand and Montgomery with the other for support.
"Is something funny?" Montgomery asked.
"I mean…they said pretend that they aren't there. Isn't that just absurd? Who would ever NOT notice?" I giggled this time and Montgomery, surprisingly smiled. It was a warm smile that touched his eyes. One I didn't expect to see after so many days of cold, unfeeling behaviour from him.
"Shall we then?"
"Hm?" I looked at him, wondering if I had missed some instruction from one of the photographers.
"Shall we call it a night?" He asked kindly.
"Oh! With all the guests still here?" Surprised, I thought the bride and groom only retired when everyone else did.
"Why yes. The Lewis dictates when the party ends. Its tradition."
"I see." Tensing up, flashes of what happens tonight was a rude reminder of how this day will end.
Oh shit!
"Don't forget to smile, dearest." At Montgomery's command, I plastered a smile on for the cameras and the guests, thinking if one of them, someone were to come forward and talk to me, I would be able to delay the inevitable.
Sadly, that was not to be.
Many superficial good wishes were said as we moved along the ballroom and up into the 1st floor of the building. We stopped in front of a pair of massive wooden doors when Montgomery cleared his throat. "Do you want me to carry you over the threshold?"
"Oh! It's not necessary." I said quickly. I truly didn't want him touching me more than necessary. HELP ME! I'm so not ready!
Entering a brightly lit hallway, Montgomery's living quarters presented itself as an expansive open plan space. The square living area in the middle is simple with just an armchair and a three-seater flannel sofa. Tucked in one corner, I see a magnificent mahogany desk with all the bells and whistles for the dream office. Floor-to-ceiling windows, it gave us an almost 240-degree view of the ocean.
Piles of reports occupied almost every table. It was all very eco-friendly. There is so much wood, I might have thought I am in a forest, if not for its modern design.
Montgomery disappeared into a mirror which I now know is a hidden door to the bathroom. It gave me a few minutes to myself, to take in my surroundings and come to terms with the fact that will indeed be living in the exact type of furnishing I despise.
My taste is more minimalist contemporary in design with metal, leather, and glass throughout.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Montgomery emerged.
"You changed to another suit?" That's odd. Maybe he literally sleeps in suits! I suppressed a laugh.
"My dearest, Journee. I am going away for a business trip."
"What? On our wedding night?" Oh, stop it, girl. This is what you wanted! Don't try to convince him to stay.
"Unfortunately. I'll be gone for two weeks. I know you must be upset, but time will just fly past. Before you know it, I'll be back." Montgomery was trying to comfort me. I doubt he knew the relief I felt. How utterly happy I am right now to be given more time to adjust to this new life. Especially the one where I am now a wife.
"When is your flight?" I asked sincerely.
"It'll leave in about 30 minutes. Do you want to talk?" Montgomery seems slightly hopeful. What would we talk about anyway?
"Erm…I don't know, honestly."
"Neither do I. Let's talk when I get home then. We would have no interruptions during our honeymoon."
"Sure." I said dryly.
"…then I bid you goodnight, wife. See you in two weeks." Montgomery headed towards the door, and I felt obliged to answer, but no word exited my mouth.
When the door clicked close, I continued staring at it, not daring to move should he turn back at the last moment.
It must have been an hour later or so when I finally snapped out of my daze. I could feel that Montgomery was no longer in the building. Neither were the guests. The mansion was quiet.
Slowly, I moved to the bathroom to clean up before bed. I found all the clothes I brought folded neatly in the walk-in changing room beyond the hidden mirrored door, and a few other additions which looked awfully expensive.
Not wanting to shed away my old life so soon, I picked one of my old Hello Kitty nightgowns to change into. At least until I am no longer allowed to, I wished to hold on to this final thread of me, Journee Lee.
Huge and imposing, the four-poster bed stood hidden away from view. I climbed onto its mattress and sampled the fluffy pillows. Such stark difference. The mattress is completely unyielding as its ultra-firm structure did little to provide my back with any comfort. Its pillows on the other hand were so soft that my head sank right into the middle of it, as if I were laying my head on a cloud.
Ah…what use is it to ponder. Or is it pondering that will make good use of my time?
I conducted debates and argued philosophical stances within my mind until it drifted away, passing out into the darkness of sleep.