C106 A Wedding That Felt Like A Deal

We spent a couple of hours together after everything that had happened. The tension from the previous days still lingered in the background, but being with Laura somehow made it feel lighter, even if only temporarily.

She insisted on making lunch, so I followed her into the kitchen while she moved around like she belonged there, humming softly as she worked. “Are you sure you can cook under pressure like this?” I teased. She shot me a playful look. “You underestimate me too much. I can multitask.” “I’m starting to think your father doesn’t know half the things you can actually do,” I replied. She laughed lightly but didn’t answer that. Instead, she focused on preparing the meal, and soon the kitchen was filled with the comforting smell of food. It wasn’t anything extravagant, just something simple, but it felt peaceful.

When she finished, we went back to my room. We ate together on the bed, not worrying about anything formal. For a moment, it felt like the outside world didn’t exist, the problems, the pressure, the company politics, all of it faded away. After lunch, I took out my PlayStation. Laura’s eyes lit up immediately when she saw it. “You have games too?” she asked excitedly. “You act like I live under a rock,” I replied.

She laughed and quickly took control of the situation. “I choose the game then.” She picked Dragon Ball Z: Budokai-style fighting game. I wasn’t even fully familiar with all the characters, but I nodded anyway. She inserted the disc like she had done it a hundred times before. “I’ll be Gohan,” she declared. “And I’ll be… Goten, I guess?” I said uncertainly. She laughed. “You don’t even know your characters.” “Does it matter? I’m still going to win.” “Oh really?” she challenged.

Soon we were both fully focused on the game, sitting side by side, laughing, arguing, and pushing each other when someone lost a round. For a brief moment, it felt normal, almost like we were just two people enjoying life without complications. Meanwhile, The Wood family wedding between Ben Wood and Samantha Heaps took place that same day. The venue was grand, decorated with elegant white and gold arrangements, long tables, and soft lighting that made everything look expensive and polished. But despite the beauty of the setup, something felt off.

The atmosphere was not warm. It was tense. People smiled for appearances, but behind those smiles, there was calculation. Conversations were careful, measured, almost as if everyone was walking on glass. Samantha walked through the venue in her wedding dress with her father Nicolas Heaps holding her hand, now officially becoming part of the Wood family. She looked beautiful, but her eyes were distant. Her mind wasn’t fully in the moment.

Ben stood her, calm on the surface, but internally observant. He wasn’t just getting married, he was positioning himself. Every handshake, every nod, every guest he greeted was part of a bigger strategy in his mind. The wedding wasn’t just a celebration; it was an extension of control. Samantha, however, struggled internally. Even while standing next to Ben, her thoughts drifted elsewhere toward Mike.

She remembered how things used to be. How Mike used to talk to her with warmth. How he used to comfort her when she was unsure. And now… everything was gone. She clenched her hands slightly, forcing herself to stay composed. Across the hall, Sarah and Tracy noticed the emotional distance within the room. Tracy, as always, was trying to keep everything balanced, greeting guests with a calm smile, but even she could sense the undercurrents.

“This doesn’t feel like a wedding,” Sarah whispered to her mother. Tracy sighed softly. “It feels like a negotiation.” Sarah didn’t respond, but she agreed. Even Kelvin, though present and composed, observed everything carefully. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes scanned every interaction in the room like someone assessing risks. When Chris and Alicia arrived, most guests were already seated. The hall was full, filled with executives, partners, and important figures connected to the Wood family and their businesses.

As they entered, Ben’s eyes briefly shifted toward them but more importantly, he noticed one thing immediately. Mike wasn’t there. That detail didn’t go unnoticed. Chris and Alicia took their seats, and as usual, Alicia leaned slightly toward Chris with a teasing expression. “Look,” she whispered, “there’s your girlfriend. She looks very beautiful today.” Chris sighed deeply. “She is not my girlfriend. Can you lower your voice? What if someone hears you?”

Alicia smiled mischievously. “Why? Afraid they’ll find out?” Chris shook his head. “You really enjoy provoking me, don’t you?” Before Alicia could respond, Valeria and Mary approached them. “Son, how did it go?” Valeria asked gently. Chris smiled. “Mom, we passed.” Mary nodded but looked at Alicia. “Where is your Boyfriend…?” Alicia suddenly looked down, slightly embarrassed, but Chris answered first. “He said coming here would be awkward, so he went back home.”

A few guests nearby overheard and chuckled lightly. At that moment, the doors opened again. The Mooney family slowly entered. Their presence immediately shifted the atmosphere. Conversations quieted slightly as eyes turned toward them. Kelvin stood to greet them first, followed by Ben. Peter, Mark, and Georgia exchanged greetings with them, after a moment Mark and Peter went to Quinton and David, and engaged in polite conversation with other senior guests. Georgia walked towards her granddaughter. As she was laughing talking to Mary and valeria.

The warmth between them briefly softened the tension in the room. Kelvin leaned slightly toward Ben and spoke in a low voice.

“See how the Smith family has changed,” he said calmly. “And yet you still like provoking unnecessary conflicts.” Ben kept his expression neutral. Kelvin continued, voice firm but controlled. “You think you can survive if you go against families like them? The Mooney family alone has enough influence to shift balance in this city. Don’t involve yourself where you don’t belong.”

Ben lowered his head slightly. “Yes, Father.” Kelvin paused, then added casually, “Oh, I almost forgot. Have you heard about the change of ownership of Lucia Goods?” Ben frowned slightly. “I heard some big investor acquired majority shares.” Kelvin gave a faint smile. “That ‘big investor’ is the Mooney family.” Ben froze for a moment. That wasn’t information he expected. Kelvin’s tone remained calm. “So be careful. You are stepping into waters deeper than you understand.” Ben nodded slowly, but internally, his thoughts were already shifting again.

Tracy and Samantha continued greeting guests. Samantha tried to maintain composure, but her eyes occasionally drifted toward the entrance, as if expecting something or someone. Sarah quietly sent a message to Chris. “Come outside.” Chris, bored from all the womens conversations and missing Mike’s presence, immediately stood up. “I’ll go get some fresh air,” he said casually. Alicia smirked knowingly. “Sure it is,” she replied, laughing softly. Chris gave her a look. “Don’t start.” But Alicia only smiled wider.

As Chris walked out, guests resumed their conversations. Alicia turned slightly toward Mary and Valeria. “So, did you cook the dish I taught you?” They nodded proudly. “Yes,” Valeria replied. “Our husbands insist on it almost daily now.” Alicia chuckled and looked toward Georgia again. “It’s all thanks to her,” she said warmly. Georgia smiled with pride. “You’ve surpassed me in many ways now.” Alicia looked slightly shy but happy.

Outside the Hall

Chris stepped outside and saw Sarah waiting alone near the side corridor. She looked different today, not cheerful, not playful. Something was weighing heavily on her. Chris frowned slightly. “You look like something is bothering you.” Sarah hesitated for a moment before responding. “I need to talk to you.” Chris’s expression turned serious.