Chapter 16
CIRCENN-
I’ve been yapping in my thoughts all day about how I want the wedding to end, forgetting that I have the wedding reception to deal with.
I am in the car with Ralph, and we are driving to the reception place. I really didn’t want to go to the celebration, but I’m the groom, and Ralph claims he spent a lot of money on the event, and wasting money damages his pride.
Like 1 give a shit,
Even the bride is in a bad mood.
I must admit, I’m perplexed and slightly irritated that my new bride didn’t even bother to bestow a proper kiss upon me after we exchanged our
It’s not just about the physical act itself, but the emotional connection and affection that comes with it–We are also doing this for the twins. It is a bit necessary.
And to
to make matters worse, we barely exchanged a few words after the ceremony.
I’m a man accustomed to getting what I want, and it’s baffling that this woman wouldn’t jump at the chance to kiss me. Any other woman would be thrilled to have the opportunity. What’s wrong with Naomi?
We get to the reception venue and 1 immediately go to hide away until half of the ceremony is over
I stumble upon my father who is just coming out from heaven knows where
His gaze on me immediately tells me what he is thinking.
“You’ve been running away from me” he begins.
“It’s my wedding day, you don’t expect me to come wipe your shoes after the vows” I retort and he scoffs.
“You owe me a lot more than your obnoxious personality. And I’m not going to stand for any of this. Just give it to me here and now. You have Twins! And you’re getting married to their mother. When? How? How did things get like this, and why did the world find out about my grandsons before I did
My old man doesn’t entirely sound pain. But the curiosity behind his eyes made me sigh.
“I’ll explain everything later” 1 wave it off.
I don’t have anything in mind to explain. My life is in a flash and 1 can’t even explain how it all began.
Where do I start from? Me chasing Naomi out of my office and accusing her of being a liar!
My father doesn’t argue and just nods
“And I’ll love to meet my grandsons later.”
Two Trailers have been set behind the hall, and I am glad Ralph has this going on.
the in its emptiness.
I step into one of the trailers and I breathe
Taking a step through its small living area, I am about to take a seat on the soft couch when I hear a water sound coming from behind a closed door.
I pause and get on my feet again.
The door clicks and slowly opens
“Mia I’m do
Naomi stops talking and freezes when she sees me
“Where’s Mia!” She asks, like I haven’t just met the trailer empty.
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Chapter 16
“Ralph’s Flance!” I ask to be
“Yes, she’s been helping me-
she sighs
She’s changed into a less stressful outfit, a long shimmery silver dress that clings to her curves that belong there.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“Could ask you the same, isn’t the groom supposed to be out there, meeting people and saying hello. I was changing outfits in here”
Her hands stretch to
behind
“Well I’ve had enough” I sigh.
bet
were the one who wanted a wedding” she scoffs
“You were
“A wedding you’re barely focusing on” I add.
“Excuse me?”
She looks at me, her blue eyes hinting anger.
“You acted like I was disgusting while we kissed at the chapel. I am supposed to be your husband. What will people say?”
There I said it
Why does it bother me. This isn’t about what people would say. I don’t care about what people bloody say,
Why does it bother me that I do not charm her.
She sighs, her hands sull fighting something behind her back.
“Circenn. If you were practically in my shoes, as a matter of fact, in my shoes and dress, you wouldn’t know how to move or kiss someone when your waist is being jammed by some kind of fabric. I could barely move my neck, you saw how the dress was a turtleneck? And I kind of didn’t want to ruin my lips makeover”
oh
That was it?
“Then why did you wear it if the dress was
as that uncomfortable”
“Because you paid like a million bucks for it,” she groans and lets her hand fall.
“Can you help me with this?” She slowly turns to reveal an open back. “Mis was helping ine with it and I had to use the bathroom real quick and now she’s nowhere to be found.”
I walk close to her and take the sharp end of her Zipper.
So this is what you’ve been battling with for ages?”
I scoff
“Yeah, expensive dresses come with a Zipper problem”
“Well I got this” I say.”
The Trailer falls silent.
ers graze her skin, and I feel her body tense under my touch.
As I zip up her dress, my fingers graze
The air is charged with tension.
I can feel her warmth, her scent, her rapid heartbeat mirroring mine.
I draw nearer, my thumb tracing the curve of her neck, my fingers lingering on her skin. Time stands still.
Jon’t know what I am doing.
Chapter
The rapper, once a mundane task, has become a bit sensual.
She clears her throat and asks.
“Are you done!”
I take a step back, indicating I am.
She turns to look at me
and I am suddenly reminded of four years ago.
Gud dashes against my chest and it aches a little.
*111 be out. Are you coming?” She grabs her phone.
I’ll rest in here for a bit”
“Remember you’re the groom. I don’t know these people.” She looks lost as she speaks.
“I am only doing this because I am told to. Do not leave me alone out there”
She begs and I sigh.
“Fine,” I nod.
After what feels like years, the chaos of the event is finally winding down. The guests have arrived, and photos, and videos, all while forcing a smile and pretending to be thrilled
The endless rounds of cocktails and small talk are exhausting me, and I can’t wait for it all to be over.
As I sit beside Naomi, the emcee drones on, speaking about things that hold no interest for me.
I’ve endured countless introductions,
My mind wanders, and I find myself counting down the minutes until the whole ordeal will be behind me. Just one more hour, I tell myself, and ri be free from this never–ending nightmare.
The emcees voice is a distant hum, and I tune out, lost in my own thoughts. I feel like I’m just going through the motions, waiting for the moment when I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and move on with my life. Time feels like it’s crawling, and I’m desperate for this day to end.
I don’t know why I am so paranoid, maybe it’s the flash back from my firsts. Maybe it’s the watchful eyes.
I don’t know.
I notice how Naomi is fidgeting behind the table and I turn to look at her.
mel
She catches me looking and lets out a grin.
“Nervous!” I ask
“And exhausted,” She adds.
I turn to the guest and see my boys hurdling around my father. He seems over the moon to have them by his side, and then there’s Maggie, enjoying a full boule of wine.
y to me and his mother.
My eye curches with Jake, and he slips out of his playdate with my father and sneaks his way to
I think he is coming to me, but he immediately slips towards Naomi.
“Mommy,” He calls.
“Are you okay!”
Naomi turns to look at him. Surprised he’s taken notice and asked.
“Oh” she cups his little face.
still surprised.
“Oh Jake. I am now” A small genuine smile creeps up her face and she pulls him into a hug
Jake envelops his mother in a tender embrace, his arms wrapping around her with a softness that belies his
Naomi slouches and rests her head against his tiny shoulder, calming her frazzled nerves and slowing her racing breath. As she relaxes into his
12:08 PM
Chapter 16
embrace, her body begins to unwind, releasing the tension and stress that had been holding her captive.
Her
er eyes close, and a serene expression washes over her face as she absorbs the warmth and comfort that Jake is offering.
In this instant, all that exists is the two of them, lost in the warmth and love that they share.
The world outside fades away, and all that’s left is the gentle rhythm of their breathing.
Any breathing being can understand the love they share just by looking at them.
Something in me spikes up at the moment, somewhere in the line of selfishness or desire. Maybe it’s the fact that Naomi immediately finds solace in her little one. Or maybe it’s the fact that she did not care to reach out to me as she’s nervous.
Whichever way. I do not understand
I want what they have.
I need it
