She burst into sobs upon saying that. I gasped and acted fake surprised even if I already knew, "Oh my Candice.." I hugged her as she began to cry. I rubbed her back as she began to say, "My father's respect will be shattered, no one will marry me, a stain will appear on my name. Sophie, can you think, Candice, a girl who was left unmarried at the altar." She continued to cry as I tentatively asked,
"What are you supposed to do now?"
"I don't know. I definitely won't marry him. But if don't, then what about those hundred guests that are ready to spread rumors?" She cried loudly. I tried to console her but no avail. She felt heartbroken, I couldn't even imagine what she is feeling, a feeling of betrayal on the very day of your marriage, it must be a ravaging feeling.
"Candice.. calm down.. we'll sort something out." I tried to assure her but she asked, "How are you supposed to do it?" I felt my heart heavy looking at her like this.
None of us spoke a word as the sound of her cries filled the empty corridor.
"I'll take care of the guy." Christian said. I looked at him suspiciously but he passed me a reassuring look. I then turned to Candice and then Tyler suddenly announced- too much to everyone's astonishment,
"I'll marry you." Candice's eyes widened as she looked at him and Tyler began to say, "Don't worry. At least, I'll never cheat on you like that and I am willing to give you all things you'd deserve."
"T-Tyler.. we are so different in status. You can't marry me. I don't want to destroy your life." Candice said in a barely audible tone but we heard it.
"Candice. It depends on me to choose the person I want to spend my life with, Don't worry, I'll never disgrace you in any way." Tyler said earnestly.
"And you? What about your dreams? Your choice to select the girl you love?" You are the girl he loves. For a moment, I wanted to say this but I remained silent and Tyler asked again, "Candice Whale, do you want to marry me?" He asked. She bit her lips and she stood up, "You'll regret it." She mumbled.
"I don't mind." He said. She spared a glance at him as she nodded. Tyler smiled faintly as he said, "Be ready to become the wife of Tyler Moretti." He said. Candice looked down as she excused herself, "I'll go and fresh up."
When she left, I glared at Tyler, "This better not be a plan to get her to marry you."
"The fact her soon-to-be husband cheated is real. I just took advantage of it." I gasped as I shouted at him, "How could you, Tyler!? What kind of low act was that?!"
"I am sorry Sister-in-Law but I truly love her and want to spend my life with her. Don't worry, I'll give her all the happiness I can. I'll respect her and won't degrade her." Tyler said sincerely.
"You better never will." I hissed and left to see Candice.
I help her to fresh up and to apply her makeup again. I put the veil over her and then her brother came looking worried, "Candice, what I heard, is this true?" Candice kept looking down not saying a word. He walked closer and bend to her level, "please speak and tell me."
"Rufus.. Don't..." Candice whispered in a croaked voice. Her brother, named Rufus kissed her hands. Candice didn't speak a word as he remained silent. Then her father came, he was about to say something but Rufus stopped him.
"Don't you dare." Growled Rufus.
"She has always been a disgrace. Even when leaving she taints our name." Her father said. By looking at him, Bastard's imagine flashed in my mind as I began to say,
"Have you ever thought about her happiness? What she felt? What does she want? You just forced your wishes upon her and when she is that heartbroken, instead of consoling her you are scolding her. The real disgrace is you as a father!" He narrowed his eyes at me.
"Who the hell are you?" He snarled.
"No one." I grumbled and ignored him. He turned and left before saying, "You truly are a disgrace Candice. You have nothing like your mother in you." I know Candice's mother is dead but this man is getting on my nerves, testing my patience and I have a strong urge to hit him.
I tried my best to ignore his presence and focus solely on Candice whose tears were falling on her hands and my tranquil broke as I hissed, "Get out Mr Whale."
"What?"
"Get the fuck out of here! Before I threw you out!" I shouted. He cursed under his breath and went away.
Rufus again turned his attention to Candice and both siblings seemed surprised.
I scoffed and looked away, "Don't cry for someone who isn't worthy of your tears."
"He is my father." She whispered.
"Fathers are supposed to protect their daughters, to love them, to stay by their side." I said those emotions I always wanted to feel from my father but couldn't.
Candice remained silent and Rufus turned his attention to her. He smiled sadly as he said,
"I'll miss you. Please take care of yourself."
"You also." Candice replied.
Then Christian entered, "Everything's ready." He said. We all nodded as we went with him. I stood beside Christian. We saw Candice walk down the aisle towards the altar. My grip on Christian's arm tightened as I recalled our day of marriage.
"What happened?" He asked. I swallowed hard as I looked down and replied in a barely audible tone.
"I just remember our day of marriage.. I fell on your chest and you didn't even catch me.."
He turned to me and began to say, "Sophie, there are a lot of things I want to eradicate from your memory but I can't and I can do nothing but to apologize but believe me, I am trying my best to replace them with something memorable." His voice was filled with shame and desperation.
"No, No, Christian, I am very happy to have you by my side. You have made every moment I spent with you unforgettable. My every feeling I shared with you is treasured because it pulled me close to you. I am blessed to have you. Don’t think like this."
"Sophie, My penitence can't justify my actions. But no matter how much I want them to fade away I couldn't do anything but to beg for your forgiveness." He said as a tear was about to fall from his eyes. And I decided what he did at our wedding. I kissed his lips as he was taken aback. I moved my hand as I wiped the tear present on the corner of his eyes. I slowly pulled away and whispered, "I have forgiven you. Please don't feel any more remorse." I pulled away and lifted my gaze to meet him. He passed me a smile and then I asked, "Give me your handkerchief." He raised his eyebrow but gave me as I wiped his lips to remove the mark of my lipstick on his lips.
I cling onto his arms and then turned my attention towards our soon to be couple. I smiled sadly looking at them. I can feel Candice's pain. I just wished that Tyler would take care of Candice like he said. I then saw the way Tyler looked at Candice, such an in-depth feeling of affection. I exhaled in relief and then asked Christian, "By the way, Christian, what did you do to Leon?"
"Nothing. Just intimidate him a little but then Tyler came."
"Ah.. Okay."
Then they both said their 'I do' and it felt so surreal. For a second, an image of mine 'i do' came to mind but I quickly shook that thought off because I don't want to feel anything negative about Christian. I couldn't see Candice's face because of the veil but I can see Tyler's face, glistening in love and devotion for her. My heart felt light to know that she'll have a happy life.
And then when their moment to kiss arrived, I couldn't believe Tyler kissed her cheeks!? “I never knew he was so chivalrous.” I mumbled.
“You don’t know him. He is truly a gentleman.” Christian said. “I can see it. “ I replied.
Hopelessly, If I can feel what Tyler felt for her then it's such an unexpectedly beautiful wedding...well at least for him...