C7 The D-Day

Lillian stared at herself with the wedding gown in the mirror as she sighed. She had asked all the makeup artists and maids to leave her alone while she pondered in her thoughts.

She just couldn't believe she would one-day wear a wedding gown with sadness in her heart.

All her life, she had always dreamt of wearing this wedding gown with a big smile on her face, her mother beside her and the right man who would love and cherish her. But now, it seems, all that was getting shattered.

She bowed her head and wiped the tears that had gathered in her eyes and were trying to fall.

She tried not to ruin her makeup, at least even if she didn't want this, her mother wanted this, and she needed to fulfil a promise.

Someone knocked on the door, interrupting her thoughts.

“Who's there?” She asked, glancing at the door through the mirror.

“It's one of the maids, ma'am, and I'm here to inform you have a male visitor.” The maid said, and her mind drifted to Mark. She hasn't heard from him ever since she left his place.

“What did he say his name is?” She asked as she took a deep breath.

“Mark, that's what he called his name, ma'am.” The maid replied, and Lillian stood up from the chair.

“Let him in.” She ordered in nervousness as she facepalmed herself.

There were seconds of silence, then the door opened revealing Mark and one of the bodyguards. She turned to them and took a few steps forward.

Mark kept silent for a while as he stared at her, more like giving her eye signals, and she seemed to understand what he was trying to say.

“Leave us alone.” She said to the guard.

“I'm sorry ma'am, but I can't. Your father strictly asked me to stay here with you both.” The guard replied with a bow.

“I don't want to lose my job.” He added.

“And do you know I could also make you lose your job if you don't leave here this instant?” Lillian threatened in a glare.

“Ma'am.........”

“Don't make me repeat myself.” Lillian said harshly. Mark smiled from where he stood, but he quickly replaced it with a plain look.

“I'll be outside.” The guard said as he glanced at Mark before leaving.

“I'm sorry for ........” She tried apologizing.

“Are you seriously accepting this?” Mark interrupted, going closer to her.

“Mark, we shouldn't talk about this.” She said tiredly.

“What do you mean we shouldn't talk about this? I thought you said you didn't accept this marriage of a thing?” Mark further said as he stared directly into her eyes.

“Yes, it is true I said so, but then I made a promise to my sick mother and I have to fulfil it.” Lillian replied with all the courage she could muster as she tried to avoid his unshaken gaze on her.

“Oh, please spare me that trash. You could reject it if you want to, but no, you don't want to!” Mark ranted out angrily.

“Don't make me feel bad, Mark. I also don't want this, and you know that, but do I have a choice?” Lillian said lowly.

“Yes, you do.” Mark blurted out harshly.

“Look, we could run away together, to a far away place where no one, not even your father, can find us.” He said again in a cool tone, this time.

“And why should I do that?” Lillian asked as she stared into his eyes as if searching for an answer.

“Because I love you. Why don't you get it?!” Mark expressed loudly. Lillian stood still with a shocked expression on her face.

“I love you, Lillian. I want us to be together, and I know you want that too.” Mark said again, cupping her face in his hands.

“Let's run away together,,,,,, to start afresh.” He continued with his looks now softened.

Lillian removed his hands from her face and moved away from him, taking some steps forward, in a way that they were now backing each other.

“I can't do this, Mark. I can't do what you ask of me, I just can't.” She said with her voice quivering.

“But........”

“No more buts.” She butts in as she took in a sharp breath.

“Just Get out!” She blurted out, shocking Mark to his bone marrow.

“What are you saying, Lillian? I know you also want this too.” Mark said as he walked back to her.

“I don't, so get out.” She replied with a scorn as she moved away from him again.

“You're asking me out?” Mark asked slowly.

“Yes.” She blurted out coldly.

“My groom must be waiting for me.” She said again and closed her eyes. Mark stared at her back view for a while and walked past her. He took one more look at her, opened the door and left.

“I'm so sorry, Mark.” Lillian mumbled as she opened her eyes.

***************

Don did the last button of his tuxedo with Rex behind him.

“Boss, I must really say, you look so handsome in the tux.” Rex complimented and Don scoffed.

The door opened and Bella entered.

“Woah! My brother looks so handsome in his wedding wear.” Bella teased as she came up to him, and Don glared at her through the mirror.

“I almost didn't recognize you.” She said again in a smile, not minding his glare.

“I'm not in the mood for your silly jokes, Bella.” Don said now done with the button.

“Well, the same applies to me.” Bella replied, suddenly wiping off the smile on her face and rolled her eyes.

“Anyways, I only came to tell you that the limousine is here. So, you'd better get your ass down before you arrive late at your wedding. Remember, it is your day.” Bella said the last part with a wink as she walked out of her room.

Rex, who was watching them, chuckled, making Don scowl at him from the mirror, and he bowed his head quietly.

Don finished wearing his tux and turned towards the exit, with Rex following behind.

****************

At the altar*

“Do you, Don, promise to take Lillian Blake to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always till death do you part?” The priest read the wedding vow.

“Yes.” Don muttered, almost growing impatient with the priest's unending words as he stared at the tip of his bride's gown.

The priest repeated the same vow to Lillian, and she looked at her father for a moment in the small congregation that gathered. She took her gaze back to the man in front of her and closed her eyes for a while. Remembering her promise, she opened her eyes and sighed.

“Yes.” She said simply.

They both exchanged rings.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” The priest said.

Don unveiled her even before the priest could finish, as he moved his face closer to hers, making Lillian move hers backward. Was he trying to kiss her? Over her dead body would she allow him to do that?

Just like he read her mind, Don changed the direction of his face to the right cheek, that way only the priest would see him and blew fresh air into her ear. He withdrew immediately, and the congregation gave a loud ovation.

Lillian stared at him in surprise, she didn't expect that, but it was fair enough.

They both walked down the aisle and flowers were sprinkled on them from both sides.

“I'm so happy for you, little sis.” Fred walked up to them with a smile and hugged her.

“Give me a smile, sweetie.” He said again, dragging her cheeks a bit.

Mr. Jeffrey walked up to them with a wide smile.

“Congratulations! My darling daughter.”

“We've got to go now, I've got no time to waste.” Don said coldly, interrupting them.

“We still have the reception .......” Mr. Jeffrey tried to explain.

“I'm not interested.” He cut him off and walked away.

Lillian, not knowing what to do next, turned to her father, and he gave her a go ahead. She trailed behind Don and entered into the limousine with him.