Nova dabbed her face again, for the umpteenth time as beats of sweat rolled down her head. Not from heat or stress, but rather the overwhelming aura that hit her hard the moment she stepped inside the hall. And it wasn't just the sheer amounts gold carvings decorating the hall, nor the expensive clothing, and accessories the guest wore. But the guest themselves.
The bearings and appearance of the guests inside almost seemed otherworldly. Nova have never in her life been in the company of so many beautiful people. Simply carved to perfection. They were of different builds and color, but each of them carried themselves with the air of a monarch. But then, she is in the company of wealthy people for the first time, she ought to feel so out of place.
Instead of getting all depressed, Nova squared her shoulders and followed the stranger who walked too fast closely not to lose him in the crowd.
He didn't speak or take her to Mr Rudolph, but she didn't need the man anymore. He could be Mr Rudolph for all she know.
"You have less than 100 seconds left___," "__You can bid goodbye to your dream if you don't hurry up!" Her earphones chirped as the boys voice reached her.
"Quiet, I'm already in." She took a seat next to the stranger in the back row. He seemed to have came alone, which is all the better for her cause.
A loud trumpet was blown and the hall fall into a comforting silent, a slow melody ringing in the background as the couples made their debut.
Nova couldn't see anything apart from their outfits. She watched with battered breath, looking for a good time to make her own debut. She listened attentively as the ceremony begins, the priest read out prayers until...
"I object!" With the most antagonizing wail she could ever muster, Nova threw herself out of her seat banged and ran straight to the alter.
Silence.
The once joyful event had turned a pregnant silent. The priest who had one hand raised in the air while holding the holy book with the other, his eyes now fixed on her. The guy in black and the lady in white had both their attentions on the priest.
"What is going on here? Guards drag her out!" Someone, probably the person in charge of security shouted as guards rushed towards her. Too late, Nova sped up straight towards the three people standing in the center of the room. The flashing in golds and diamonds from the accessories of the esteemed guests as after effects.
Damn, I'd be six feet deep in the dirt when I'm caught. Nova thought. But she wouldn't be caught.
"Please, we can talk this through. I know you love me just as much as I love you." She choked out reaching the groom who had his back to her, not turning once since her loud declaration. "Don't do this to me."
No one made a move as the event register in their brain, the girl had already sprawled on the ground hugging the groom's leg like her life depended on it. Even the guards had stopped somewhere along the way watching the scene unfold. She was indeed very fast on her legs. A wave of excitement buzzed in the atmosphere.
Nova wailed at the foot of the white extension. The place was deadly silence that she felt a little bit embarassed over how loud her voice sounded, but carried on nonetheless.
"For the sake of our child," she sobbed rubbing her tommy.
"Insolence!" A hoarse voice boomed startling her as a large man with a long saber tucked to his waist stepped forward with every intention of slicing her into two.
Really? A Sabre at a wedding? Who allowed such monstrosity?
She hugged the leg tighter hiding behind the poor man. She could feel him tense at under her clutch.
"How dare you!" The a huge blade stopped by her nose, she screamed again. "He betrayed me! He said when the baby come out we'll have our grand wedding just like this. He said it'll be dangerous to let the wild know of the child! Just who is the insolent one among us?" The blade shook as the beared guy bristled. He glanced at the groom before slowly withdrawing his blade. It was clear the boulder didn't like the idea of sparing her alive.
"You hypocrite!" Sob, sob, "traitor."
Nova carried on not bothering to look up at the man even though he just stopped his personal guard from slicing her in half. His innocent and kind face would be too painful to watch.
"What's going on here?" The bride whispered nervously to the groom and Nova got a good look at her face. Startling blue eyes stared back at her, wide and shocked. The woman looked back to the groom as if looking for confirmation. "Care to explain?"
When no one said anything or made any move, even the priest was oddly quiet, Nova glanced around with teary eyes. Is her acting not good enough? Did they see through her? Did they not believe her? Why aren't they reacting?
Hundreds pairs of eyes and gaping mouths were looking up at her... above her head with no one actually paying attention to her. She scowl and glanced up at the thing more interested than her.
Nova felt herself shrank back immediately. The feeling was so familiar to her whenever she met Oga. And he is considered a nightmare of her life. Never did she thought she'd ever feel that from another person.
Yet, the deep azure eyes staring silently down at her... Her arms that was shamelessly hugging his leg. She let go quickly as if her hands were on fire.
"B..baby.." she squeaked in confusion suddenly losing her voice. The sound had the eyes snapping up to meet hers, deep sky blue with a few streaks of lightning whenever it reflects the Sun rays from above.
*
"Ummm... I'm looking for Mr Winters?" Nova whispered almost to herself which unfortunately reached the person's ear. Did she crashed the wrong wedding? The cold stoic face simply stared back at her with a sharp jawline.
The face, the features and everything looks just like the ones in all the pictures she researched. Only the one in the pictures is much more softer and always had a warm smile on his face. And his eyes, his is has always been a baby blue. Where on earth is her gentle Mama's boy when she needed him?
"I'm..." sorry but I'm here for your younger brother. She almost said but caught herself in time. They looked alike, so maybe she mistook him for his younger brother? And where is the younger brother?
This... this is definitely not who he is supposed to be! She is surely demanding more from that Rudolph bastard. This person is nothing short of an of a fellow ghost. One more potent than she could ever hope to be How can one confuse this person for his brother? But since she had already at this point, she might as well get it over with.
Tugging a piece of cloth from her push up bra, she drew out a folded brown handkerchief and hold it up high to his face.
"I.." sob "I always wanted to return..." Sob sob. "Return this to you but you were always busy." A loud whimper. "Turns out you were preparing to get married." Another bout of fake tears roll down her golden brown eyes.
At this, the man's blue eyes darkened, but still maintained his frustrating poker face and choose to remain silent. But that wasn't the case with their audience, the once silent onlookers broke into gasps and whispers.
Please, it was just a stupid handkerchief. Granted, it had his initials embroidered on it in cursive but that was it. Mr. Rudolph had planned ahead and sent a robber to get something precious that can be used against him but the incompetent robber only grabbed his handkerchief. She swear, incompetent ghosts are increasing day by day.
Is this guy for real? Is he incapable of showing emotions even when his big day is being ruined? How on earth did he got the reputation of a model citizen? No, they are not the same person. She bet deep down this person is a wanted criminal with a fat bounty on his head.
When he still made no sign of talking, as if she wasn't even worth his words, Nova decided to resort to the last option. The audience had started getting impatient waiting for some action. And when they got none, she is sure they would be interrupted soon.
She wouldn't want that.
"I see, so this is how you chose to play it." Sniff. "Pretending you don't even know me, right?" What is she even saying? She is the one that didn't recognize who was supposed to have knocked her up then dumped her.
Nova got up on shaky legs dropping her shoes along with the piece of cloth on the ground.
"If you wouldn't accept me then I better get going. Sorry for ruining your precious day." Her eyes were already glued to the huge guy with the sabre by the side. As soon as she finished her words, she dashed towards him grabbing the hilt of the glittering weapon.
Mother please forgive me, I'm about to commit a crime.
The large guard was a little too late to react when Nova pushed the tip in of his unsheathed sword in her bulging tommy. It pierce the stuffed "baby" and pricked her skin enough to draw blood but also careful not to cut an internal organ.
"I.." cough, cough. She let go of the sabre as commotion broke out behind her.
"I'm sorry baby," she fell to the ground clutching her stomach. "I'll always love you." This was a last minute decision and she hoped, prayed it work. She didn't to want to go to end up in jail with an injury to her stomach.
But before her body could hit the ground and pass out for good, she felt strong arms around her and a stormy blue eyes closer than it should have been.
I've played my part boys, now it's your turn. Please don't let me die.