Ch.13

Molly, daughter to Julianne and Marvin Sunderland, the senator of the Eastern District belonging to Bess-Way entered the welcoming party of over fifty individuals who'd been waiting patiently for her arrival as Mrs. Vance. The new wife clenched Richard's elbow as she willed herself not to break down at the happiness of her wedding day.

Tentatively, Molly continued walking along the red rose petal makeshift runway---that leads right to the couple's chair like a model with her head held high. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Vance!" Hollered the DJ who was centered at the very top of the medium-sized stage in the middle of the three decorated tables of royal blue and white trimmings for family and close friends only upfront.

Everyone cheered as the couple along with the maid of honor, the best man followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen took their respective seats at the table with the golden knot. Molly owed her gratitude to no other than Olivia, who was the one who orchestrated the decoration of the hall in her favorite color, royal blue.

She gazed around in glee as the light breeze blew the curtains that had floral designs of some kind aside from the window that looked onward at the sparkling ocean. The medium-sized raindrop chandelier hanging in the middle of the room reminded Molly of crystal-clear, ice cubes that settle well in a glass of scotch once the natural sunlight glided over it.

The moment Olivia gracefully plops down beside Molly, she was immediately engulfed in the arms of her best friend who smelt like lavender. "Thank you, you're truly an amazing partner," Molly whispered in Olivia's ear as she sniffled.

Unlike many within their circle of elites, Molly's parents came from humble beginnings. Her grandparents were simply agriculturists who invested everything they had into their two girls Julianne and Astrid, who both evolved into phenomenal women in their own rights. Julianne, the oldest was now a retired criminal magistrate with a glowing twenty-year record under her belt while her younger sister Astrid, who was now the elected mayor of Edge Tower, the second-largest city in the South Division off Bamberg after serving the police force for sixteen years of dedication.

Her father Marvin Sunderland was the son of a simple nurse who worked his way from the slums of Bamberg to becoming a man of the law which is how he and Julianne had met in their youth. He's known as the people's champ for he cleaned up said slumps he came from with a center he had rented that offered free lessons, and dental and medical check-ups with only six volunteers at the time. It was now one of the most established youths and rehabilitation centers in Bess-Way and from there on he worked his way up to the Senator seat at the age of forty, the youngest person to do so from that area, and with the people's support he was now in his fifth and last sitting year.

Compared to what everyone thinks, to Molly, it was Olivia who saved her with genuine friendship. Back in kindergarten, Molly was bullied for being 'not that rich '. She had never told her parents about it, back then they weren't that included in the inner circle of elites just yet and they were fine with that. The bullying, however, got worse until Olivia came to her rescue with the assistance of her big brother who scared off the bullies and since then they've been friends. Not because Olivia saved her from being bullied, but for being one of the initial students who had welcomed and introduced herself on the first day of school.

"Hold it together, sis. You'll ruin Kate's handy makeup work, and she'll kill us," Olivia whispered as she comforted her emotional friend knowing just how nervous she was a couple of hours ago along with her excitement.

Shifting in his seat, Richard leaned over to check on Molly. "Baby, why are you crying?" He asked his wife which only made Molly clutch onto Olivia tighter as if her life depended on it.

Richard knew full well how it works within the elite circle but he didn't give a damn. Easing out of his chair completely before turning his attention to his wife, he scooped up Molly bridal style as she tucked her head under his chin.

"Talk about impatience," he heard Olivia's explanation as the crowd chuckled but Richard knew that was her way of taking gossiping eyes and lips off them.

Entering one of the guest rooms of the hotel blindly, Richard placed his upset bride at the edge of the queen-sized bed. Sauntering to the adjoining bathroom, Richard filled a glass of water as he soaked one of the smaller, clean towels by the sink under the running faucet.

Molly had calmed down by the time she received the cup of water and a cool rag to clean her face. "I'm so embarrassed to be such a nervous wreck on our day, but I feel so happy that it could not be helped," the new wife apologized peeking at Richard through her long lashes.

Capturing his wife's lips in a passionate kiss that earned him a moan, Richard could taste the odd flavor belonging to her red lipstick as Molly practically melted into him as the tension slowly left her body. "I told you how much I love you and that you are the one for me, no one else. Every other woman has either been with me because of my family's status or what they can gain from me, you never once cared about how much my pocket was worth. You know the real me inside and out, I love you, Molly Sunderland, there's no one else."

Richard's declaration of his love for Molly only brought along fresh sets of tears as she flung her arms around him, returning his earlier kiss just as intense. "I love you too. Let's go before Olivia runs out of terrible jokes," Molly teased knowing very well her friend must be doing everything within her grasp to stall.

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Olivia released a sigh of relief once Richard and Molly entered the room with grins on her face. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for this lovely couple to take their first dance together as husband and wife!" Olivia announced to the crowd that cheered and clapped wildly as the couple trudged into the middle of the room.

Smirking at the collective gasps of shock from a few guests once the DJ started playing Pillow Talk by Zayn, Olivia went back to her seat to watch her friends dance sultry and erotic to the mood of the song. She couldn't help the small chuckle that slipped out from her lips when Molly got twirled around with her back pressed against Richard’s front as he gripped her neck before they both sway side-to-side slowly then he twirled her again to face him, lust swimming within both of their eyes. The outrage on the senior Vance's faces was priceless as they gawked at the couple in disbelief like everyone else but Olivia.

While the elder couple holds no ill feelings toward the newest addition to the Vance family, the duo had wished their son had fallen for someone else with a more secure and virtuous background. But Richard was a stubborn fellow who told his parents they can either be open to accepting Molly or disowning him as their son; only then did the pair start taking Richard seriously.

Once the song came to an end, the couple took a bow. "Now, for the father and daughter dance. Will you join your beautiful daughter up here Mr. Senator?" The Dj teased making everyone laugh, including Marvin as he made his way toward his awaiting daughter.

Kissing Molly on the cheeks before handing her over to her dad on the dance floor, with an extra purpose to his steps, a grinning Richard sank down into the chair beside a startled Olivia. "There's a gift for you outside the patio, follow me," he barely explained grabbing a hold of Olivia's forearm and pulling her out of the room.

While dancing with his wife, Richard's phone vibrated in his pocket as the agreed signal of arrival. Though it was a no cell phone occasion, the Commander had requested a favor from him hours ago before the ceremony started and he didn't want to pass up the opportunity in easing Olivia's misery. She tried hiding so well.

Veering around the left corner of the ballroom they'd exit, Richard slide opened the double solid wooden door, allowing Olivia to step through first revealing Jairus. "Commander," Richard saluted the Frenchman in greeting.

"At ease, soldier," Jairus replied dismissing Richard. "Hey," he turned and said to Olivia.

Olivia's mind, body, and soul started up a battle of the titans within her being. Her mind wanted to punch Jairus as hard as she could even if it would've meant nothing, while her body wanted to feel the man inside and close to her again, while her soul wanted nothing more than for him to scoop her up and be with her forever.

He looks so delicious. Olivia thought to herself as she stood and admired Jairus who refused to wear a tux but the slim tailored blue tab collar shirt with a black sweater over a pair of skinny black jeans paired with black half-boots complimented his six-foot, muscular frame even better. Jairus's slightly salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back with a side part that made his chiseled face even more mouth-watering. Since their breakup, Olivia woke up on a few occasions disappointed that her wet dreams were just that, stupid dreams.

"Can we talk for a minute?" Jairus tentatively asked Olivia for fear of rejection.

"You don't get to that, show up, and think I will forgive you. You need to earn me Mr. McQueen, the way I earned you," Olivia responded to a stunned Jairus. "Admittedly, our first few encounters were about my brother and before I knew it, it became something more," she confessed.

"Olivia, listen-" Jairus began to say but he stopped talking the moment Olivia's soft lips pressed firmly against his own until he scooped her up by the ass, and deepened their kiss.

"You get one dance only, that's it. I'm not here to either fix or cure you of yourself, Jairus. I'm here because I want to be a part of your world whenever you decide to truly let me in, flaws and all," Olivia declared once the twosome came up for much-needed air and to also stop themselves from ravishing each other based on Jairus's erection poking at Olivia.

"One dance," Jairus says, stretching his hand which Olivia gracefully took as they made their way into the ballroom hand in hand, unaware of the slender figure that had witnessed and heard their entire conversation.

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