Chapter 23: Chapter 23

… Your presence with me is my only desire…

We walked down the stairs to the hall exceptionally adorned by me.

Gosh, I truly underestimated my skills.

It's filled with excitement and glee. Everything stopped when we walked down. Everybody began to cheer. We smiled as we greeted our guest. Lawrence introduced me to his partners and I received a deep satisfaction when I was introduced as his wife.

"Evelyn, She is Myra Kite, she is a good friend of mine as well as business partner," I smiled at her.

I recognized that she is the same girl who was glaring at me during our wedding ceremony. I wonder why? She doesn't seem like she likes Lawrence.

Myra is really pretty. With Raven hairs highlighted with midnight blue color accompanied by her blue eyes and a perfect body. She seemed like a model to me.

Her personality and looks are somewhat admirable.

I smiled and said, "Nice to meet you, Miss Myra." She smiled back and shook hands with me.

"Likewise, Mrs Bayford."

"You two look good together by the way," I smiled decently at her compliment and excused myself.

I walked towards my mother and saw Jane, my best friend, with my mother. She is the only girl who knows about my crush on Adrian.

I gulped and took a deep breath. She's gonna explode if I don't explain it to her quickly. She looked at me and smiled. I passed her faint smile as she walked toward me.

"And, Accidental bride? How's your marriage going?" I looked at her with wide eyes.

"You are saved. If Aunt didn't tell me about the whole story, I would have killed you."

I sighed, "Thank God."

"By the way, are you alright?" She asked in a concerned voice and I grinned and took her into a corner.

"Listen carefully Jane, I am really happy and feel blessed. I want you to forget the fact that I have always liked Adrian, I am truly happy with Lawrence.," I told her as she nodded in agreement.

“You do seem like it. I didn’t like Adrian in the first place.” She muttered.

Then I told her everything that has happened until now. She squeaks like a teenager. I rolled off my eyes as she snuggled to my arm.

"My, my, What progress!" She teased as I turned my head away from her.

"By the way have you remembered the tradition?" I nodded. I know that Lawrence has to feed me with his hands.

I truly love Bayford's traditions. They are a great source to bring a couple close to each other. I and Jane were talking as Lawrence came and asked.

"Are you hungry?" I remained still as Jane began to hoot. I glared at her and shook my head as 'no'. Lawrence smiled and left. I pinched Jane's shoulder as she let out a yelp.

“What was it?” I scolded her.

“What? I am just delighted for you.” She giggled.

As time passed I began to feel hungry. I searched for Lawrence so that I could eat but he was nowhere to be found.

I frowned and asked Adrian, "Have you seen Lawrence?"

The moment I finished my sentence Lawrence walked behind me and gave me an apologetic look.

I was bewildered by his expression as I asked him, "Where were you? I was looking for you. Come let's eat."

"I am sorry, Evelyn, I have to go." His every word is lingering with remorse. I tilt my head in confusion. Praying I heard him wrong.

"You see, A sudden meeting came up and I had to leave for New York." I blinked and hoped that I might have heard wrong but to no avail.

"I am sorry. I didn't want to but I have to. I would never want to leave you here but I have no choice either."

Lawrence chose his words cautiously so he wouldn't break my heart but he already did. I was looking forward to this day and now this happens.

Swallowing my feeling of heartbreak, I forced a smile, "Okay, I understand."

These are the only words my lips can produce. I know I'll cry if I speak further. I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned away.

Why do evil eyes cast on my glee? Why when I am happy something ruins it?

"I am truly repentant. Please forgive me." He spoke to him in a desperate manner.

"It's alright. When you're leaving? I'll pack your things." With my crush feeling content, I spoke up with a smile.

He looked down in shame and said, "In an hour." I nodded, smiling.

“It’s okay, I will pack your things.” I whispered and turned to leave but he held my wrist.

“Evelyn, Please.” He pleaded but I remained unaffected.

“It’s okay, Lawrence. You wouldn’t want to go either. You don’t have a choice.” I whispered and excused myself.

I went to our room and saw Jane coming behind me.

"What happened?" She asked, looking at my distressing form.

"Lawrence is leaving for a meeting in an hour" I whispered, holding my tears, hating how he had to leave me there all alone.

How can he leave me at our reception?

Jane became furious and was about to say something but Lawrence asked Jane to leave us alone. Jane glared at him and left mumbling something under breath.

I was putting his stuff in the suitcase, trying not to engage in any fight with him needlessly.

"Evelyn, Come, let's eat first," Lawrence said.

I smiled and said without looking at him, "I am not hungry." He walked closer and sat on the bed.

"Look, I am sorry. I am guilty." I stopped everything and sat beside him. I held his hands and passed him a reassuring smile.

"It's okay, Just come back quickly."

"I know you are hiding your anger."

"Then don't provoke me," I said, still smiling. He nodded and spoke up again,

"At least eat. I know you're not gonna eat after I have left. Please for me," He pleaded, taking my hand in his and kissing the back of my palm.

“I swear I didn’t want to break your heart.” He whispered, giving my hand a tight squeeze but I pulled them away.

“Then why do you have to go? Why can’t Adrian go? It’s our day, what could be more important?” I snapped, losing my mind by the rage.

I don’t want to think about it but it’s pissing me off, I don’t want him to go. It was supposed to be our night, our start.

“Because it’s my work, it doesn’t involve Adrian. Myra is my most important partner, if there’s any hindrance in the shipments we would-” He tried to explain it to me softly but I sighed, taking a step back.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. Even if you do, I won't understand. You have important work to do, it’s okay.” I breathed out, curling my hands in fist.

“Evelyn, I am sorry.” Mumring, he walked to me but I put my hand in between so he won’t come further.

“At least eat something, please…” He asked softly, I wanted to take my rage on him but he doesn’t have any faults in it either.

I sighed and went with him, not talking further but I held a grimace on my face all the time, not talking to him. I wanted to plead with him to stay but if he could he would have stayed.

I wanted to be considerate, I wanted to understand but I couldn't. All I was feeling on the day I was looking forward to was dejection.

He fed me the food and everyone shouted in encouragement. As for me, I am anything but jolly. I want him to be with me and he is leaving.

Ignoring the fire of fury inside me, I bid Lawrence a goodbye. He kissed my forehead and left saying 'sorry'