Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Thomas then slid the wedding ring on her finger and Olivia followed suit. Thank God Sana was beside her. She feared she would have collapsed otherwise.

“With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The priest announced as the crowd cheered, “You may now kiss the bride.” He announced. Thomas’s eyes lit up while Olivia looked at the crowd with a nervous smile. It was hard for her to digest that he was going to kiss her again—that too, in front of all those people.

Thomas knew how she disliked his kiss. It was an opportunity for him to do that again. It would serve her right for always picking fights with him. He could say from the helpless expression on her face that she did not like the idea.

He pulled her gently towards him with her eyes widening. The attendees were whistling and yelling with excitement. They were all such wealthy and powerful people, so she thought the reaction was a bit strange. But everybody enjoyed a display of affection of a newly-wed, didn’t they?

He smirked at her before touching his lips over hers. She felt the breath knock out of her. She was already nervous as it was, but he was making it worse.

He did not let her go quickly. He made sure to place his one hand on the small of her back and another on her jaw. He was also moving his lips slowly but expertly. She was frozen. The kiss was making her feel things she did not want to feel. She felt like her legs would give up on her at any moment.

She put her hands on his chest and gave a little nudge as she was already out of breath. He did not let go until she found his foot and pressed her heels on it.

He groaned in a quiet voice. She was sure only she heard it. But it did the trick. He let her go finally with a glare.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Her cheeks felt warm. She was sure they were flushed.

He could not believe she did that. Just when he was enjoying teasing her, she had to spoil it. Besides, he had never felt such pleasure while kissing someone. It was not the kind of sexual pleasure only. It was a kind of pleasure one would feel after winning a challenge. Without intending for it, she was challenging him.

He glared at her but relaxed his features as he saw her mom walking towards them. Everybody was clapping and congratulating them. There were also some news reporters who were snapping their pictures continuously. So much for wanting a quiet wedding!

“Thomas, can I talk to you for a second?” Amelia requested him after hugging and kissing her daughter’s cheeks. Her eyes were filled with tears.

He nodded as he led her to the corner of the stage while Olivia was busy with her friend and other guests receiving well wishes and all. She had not noticed them.

“Mrs. Amelia, what did you want to talk about?” He asked as he saw her release a heavy breathing.

“When her father passed away, she was just thirteen years old. It was so hard for me to take care of her and myself but I did until I fell ill. She had to give up on her dreams and stopped her studies to take care of me. It was so hard for me to see her suffer like that, but I was helpless. Please take care of her. She is a fragile and innocent girl.” She wiped her tears and tapped his arm.

“Of course. Don’t worry.” He replied with an assuring smile while thinking how he would do that. It was not like it was a real wedding and they had to care for each other like real spouse.

But he did not want to worry her. She looked so weak.

She left with a smile and went to Olivia. He saw Olivia’s eyes filled with so much love as she hugged her mom again. He did not know her but one thing was for sure. Her mom meant the world to her. It was obvious.

But what her mom said about her being fragile and innocent, he doubted it. She was like a tigress, ready to pounce anytime she desired. At least, that was how she was with him.

“Thomas!” He heard someone calling his name. There was the familiarity in that voice as he turned around with a pleasant smile.

“Mike?” He said with surprise as he came to him and gave him a hug.

“Bastard, I did not even know you were getting married. I saw the tabloids and came to know about the the news. How dare you not invite me, huh?” He asked seeming a little mad. It was a given since he was his only friend. He had a limited circle of people who he was acquainted with. He was always the reserved type especially after the high school, and especially after losing his parents.

“It’s a long story. Tell me, how was your trip?” He asked changing the subject. He wanted to tell him about everything because he knew he could trust him. But then was not the time. He was out of the city for an important meeting that was why he did not tell him anything.

“My trip can go to hell. I cannot forget that I am here uninvited in my best friend’s wedding.” He shook his head as he grabbed a glass of champagne from the passing waiter.

Thomas laughed, “I am sorry. I will explain everything, okay.” He said to make him calm down. He was a very emotional and sensitive type of person. He always made fun of him for having qualities of a girl. But then again, he was very good at the business world. He ran his father’s multi-national company.

“As if that would make me forgive you…Anyways, at least introduce me to your bride. I want to know who the mystery lady is that even I am unaware of. The playboy Thomas Walker has found himself a bride. It is unbelievable and a bit fishy if you ask me.” He regarded him with a suspicious look which he brushed off with a smirk.

“Let’s go.” He brought him to his “bride” as he had put it. He was enchanted with her beauty again.

She looked unreal. He had never seen someone looking so angelic in a wedding dress. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and the diamond necklace with a sapphire stone made her long and slim neck more graceful. The wedding gown was a simple yet beautiful one. She had a good sense.

He cleared his throat as she was still busy chatting with the guests and receiving congratulations. She turned around with the same smile she was having while talking with the guests. Was it the first time he had seen her full and sweet smile?

Her teeth were sparkling and they were even. He also noticed a tiny dimple around the corner of her lips. Overall, she had a beautiful smile. As soon as she saw him, her smile faltered a little.

‘Oh so the guests are more bearable than me.’ He thought with an unpleasant emotion.

“Olivia, meet my best friend, Mike. Mike, this is my—um--wife Olivia.” It felt so awkward to address her like that, but how else was he supposed to introduce her now that they were married?

He saw Olivia biting her lip as she looked at Mike. She also felt strange by the way he had introduced her. She had to get used to it.

On the other hand, all of the Thomas’s attention was fixated on her lips. Why did she have to do it that often? The more he tried to ignore her, the more she played with him.

Although she was unaware of the things he was thinking about, he still blamed her for his condition.

“Nice to meet you.” Olivia smiled again and put her hand forward for a shake.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you as well. Congratulations on the wedding although I pity whoever has to put up with his tantrums.” He pointed at him with a mischievous look in his eyes as he took her hand to shake it.

Thomas glared at him but shifted his glare to Olivia who just let a hearty laugh.

She had just met the guy, and she already liked him.

“Before he murders me, let me go and fetch myself another drink.” He winked at her and patted Thomas’s back before leaving them alone. Thomas shook his head and looked at Olivia who still had a smile on her face.

“Someone seems to have enjoyed the comment.” He said folding his arms and giving her a look. She shrugged.

“Sometimes, it is good to meet people who share your opinion about things.” She raised her eyebrows making him narrow his eyes in return.

“So, I throw tantrums?” He asked with a serious tone and the same serious expression. She stared at him but did not say anything.

She had just enjoyed what his friend said about him. She loved irritating him just like he loved to get on her nerves. She did not really know what kind of a person he actually was. He sure was annoying at times, but throwing tantrums? She could not tell.

Before she could say anything, the event manager announced the first dance of the husband and wife.

“Now, let’s have the couple debut their first dance together. Shall we?” She said with an excited tone exciting all the other people as well. She was expert in dancing, but she never did the couple dancing.

She looked at Thomas who offered his hand to her. After a few moment of thinking, she put her hand in his which he grabbed firmly.

He led her to the empty floor which their audience had emptied for them. All the eyes were on them and all the hands were clapping for them to start their dance. Thomas put her one hand on his shoulder and grabbed her other hand in his.

He sensed that she was hesitant to move, so he placed his hand on her waist and pulled her closer gaining cheers from the crowd. She let out a gasp at the way he started leading her. Their eyes were staring at one another as he started moving and helping her move with the music.

It was a slow music. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran was playing. She felt like she was floating in the air with the way he was leading her. She did not feel like she was an amateur in couple dancing at all.

He had not looked away from her eyes even for a moment. Her heart was racing inside her chest. Her own eyes were reluctant to look away from his.

What was happening to her?