The wedding day
The Sensilia hotel buzzed with excitement as one of the city's most prominent CEOs prepared to tie the knot in its opulent halls. The entrance sparkled with ornate decorations, guiding guests through gates while photographers stationed behind barricades eagerly awaited the perfect shot. Security brimmed throughout the hotel and its surroundings, as the city prepared for a historic event.
In one of the hotel's most luxurious rooms, the bride sat before a mirror, her heart filled with anticipation. She was resplendent in a white gown that showcased her collarbones and hinted at her chest with its open-neck design. The bodice fit her perfectly, while the voluminous layers of the skirt added a dramatic flair. Over the gown, a layer of black velvet draped from her shoulders, trailing behind her in a stunning train. The contrast between the black velvet and the white gown was a striking reflection of her emotions.
Her makeup was expertly applied, highlighting her natural beauty. A subtle smoky eye makeup accentuated her eyes, while a touch of blush gave her cheeks a rosy glow. Her lips were painted a soft pink, lending her a youthful appearance. Her chocolate brown hair, now dyed a glossy black to match her ensemble, was styled in a chic updo, with a few loose tendrils framing her face. The overall look was a perfect blend of boldness and natural beauty, making her every bit the radiant bride.
A familiar voice echoed from the entrance, "Oh my god! You look gorgeous!" As Christina turned, she was greeted by Ziana's bright smile. Ziana was elegantly attired in a navy blue sheath dress that perfectly suited her age and grace.
Christina returned the smile and turned to the man beside her. He was dressed in a charcoal grey suit, with a crisp white shirt underneath. Despite his grey hair, his face was remarkably smooth, devoid of any fine lines.
"This is my husband, Zayden Mortimer. And also, your father for today," Ziana introduced him. Christina couldn't help but wonder if this older woman had married a man her son's age. She composed herself and acknowledged him with a slight nod.
Zayden chuckled inwardly at her confusion. 'Grim reapers don't age, sweetie,' he thought, his wicked smile broadening before his wife nudged him to behave. He was here to practice walking their daughter down the aisle one day, hopefully. And they also needed to have quite a chat with this intriguing human.
"We conducted all sorts of tests, and congrats my dear. You are clear of the virus," Ziana announced, causing Christina to sigh in relief. The elder smiled, having only told half the truth as Reylan had asked her not to dampen his bride's mood on such a big day. The absence of demon's blood in any of the donors only meant that it had deliberately evaded detection, possibly observing her mother from somewhere in this world. It implied that her life was in as much danger as her mother's.
"I will see if Vihan is ready," Jessica, who had been accompanying Christina along with the staff, said now that it seemed there was some company for Christina. With the bride's nod, she excused herself to check on her son, the flower boy of this wedding.
"You guys can leave," Ziana told the staff, wanting to spend some time alone with Christina. As everyone quickly left the room, she guided Christina to sit on the couch. Her husband took the chair beside his wife, while the women settled on the plush sofa.
"You might be feeling the absence of your family," Ziana began, noticing the lack of bridal glow on Christina's face. Despite the wedding being a facade, she understood its significance in the young woman's life. The fact that her mother was fighting for her life only added to the complexity of the situation.
"I'm trying to cope," Christina admitted with a faint smile. "Part of me is relieved they're not here. They would have been devastated to learn that all of this is fake." She was aware that Ziana and her husband were close to her boss and knew about their arrangement. Zayden nodded in agreement.
"A contract marriage is still a marriage, dear. I'm glad Reylan had the sense to plan all this, unlike someone who dragged me to the registrar's office in ripped jeans," Ziana grumbled, casting a glance at her husband.
"Wait, you were in a contract marriage too?" Christina asked, taken aback by the revelation.
"Yes. It was about 30 years ago. But his approach was very lame compared to your soon-to-be husband," Ziana responded with a smile, hoping to encourage Christina to open up more.
"But you fell in love even before the contract ended," Zayden added, taking his wife's hand.
Christina smiled at the older couple, though she doubted if they would share a similar fate.
"What I'm about to say may sound cliché, but hear me out," Ziana said, focusing on her mission. "Just because it's fake doesn't mean you have to fake your feelings. If you stay true to yourself, the process will become easier. And who knows, you might end up like us."
"That's impossible," Christina chuckled, believing that she and her boss were incompatible.
Zayden and Ziana laughed in response, having once shared the same sentiment. Only time would tell if this couple was destined to follow their path and end up at each other's throats by the end of the term.
"Just don't suppress your feelings, okay?" Ziana reiterated a mistake she had made and regretted in the past.
With Christina's nod of understanding, the couple smiled, satisfied that their mission to bring this woman closer to Reylan was on track.
Ziana rose from her seat and clapped her hands. "Now, shall we complete your look?" She picked up the veil from the table and walked back to them.
Christina stood and nodded, allowing Ziana to do what Lillian might have done for her. Zayden signaled the people outside to inform them that the bride was ready as Ziana carefully placed the white veil on Christina's head.
---
Once everything was in place and a staff member announced it was time, Zayden extended his hand, which Christina gratefully accepted. He gently tugged her arm, leading her outside, with Ziana and the staff assisting with the gown trailing closely behind.
As they reached the hall, the grand doors that stretched to the ceiling were flung wide open, revealing a few steps leading down to the aisle. Christina couldn't help but clutch Zayden's arm as she descended each step, his reassuring grip on her hand providing comfort.
Christina paused at the edge of the aisle, her eyes scanning the large hall while the staff swiftly adjusted her dress. The hall was decorated like a dream, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, tables arranged on either side of the aisle, and a large stage set against the backdrop of a night sky theme. Although she had always envisioned a beach wedding, she found herself falling in love with the setup more.
Her gaze quickly found Blaze and his family members seated on the right side of the aisle. Dressed in a dashing burgundy suit, his comforting smile eased her nerves as the staff finished adjusting her gown. She then turned to her left to see Jessica and her husband, along with some other company employees, mostly from the CEO's team, cheering her on. It was a private event, and she estimated around 200 people were there to celebrate their new beginning.
Finally, Christina's eyes met those of the man who had been watching her intently since she entered the room. It was hard to resist as she looked breathtakingly beautiful. It felt as though the dress was made just for her, and Christina felt the same about his attire.
Reylan's outfit was a departure from the traditional groom's suit. His tall figure was accentuated by well-fitted black trousers. A crisp white shirt peeked out from beneath a sophisticated black vest, adorned with a pocket watch chain, adding a touch of vintage charm. However, what truly caught her eye was his daring choice to replace the traditional coat with a black cloak. A unique chain stylishly draped from one end of the cloak's collar to the other, setting him apart from the crowd of suit-clad attendees. Reylan was indeed a standout, a groom with a style all his own.
"Are you ready?" Zayden's voice pulled her out of her reverie.
'Was she?' Christina wondered, her eyes locked with Reylan.