The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

I loved the white gown. It was a minimalist, simple, but elegant off-shoulder wedding gown. Striker hadn’t seen what I would wear. It was a surprise.

I faced the mirror, looked at myself, and turned to see if I had made the right choice.

“You look beautiful, dear.”

I smiled and launched to Tate. “Thank you.”

He hugged me, but not tightly so I wouldn’t crumple his suit and my gown. “Don’t ruin your makeup. The ceremony hasn’t started yet.”

When we arrived yesterday, I instantly loved the place. It was beautiful this season, and Beck’s wife, Maeve, and his twin sister, Becka, were amazing people.

“Sorry. I’m feeling a little bit overwhelmed.” I breathed deeply. “I don’t know if I will be a good wife to your son, Tate. What if-”

“No, no, no, London. Don’t go there. You’re perfect for Striker. You’ll be a good wife and, hopefully, a mom to my grandchildren, okay?”

“Maybe I can see Striker before we get married? I wanna see him, please?” I begged when I felt too uneasy.

He widened his eyes at me. “No way. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”

“I don’t think that’s true. I just wanna make sure he’s into this.”

He held me in my arms, forcing me to look at him. “My son is his own man. He can’t be constrained into doing something against his will. He’s here because he wants nothing more than to be your husband today. Do you hear me?”

I looked up. I didn’t want to mess up the makeup. My makeup was light and natural. Neke’s friend, Reign, a professional makeup artist, did a great job. Reigh made it look effortless and did exactly what I wanted for my hair, and she just strengthened the natural wave in my hair.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Since we wanted to keep the low profile, we kept my wedding under wraps- no photos on social media.

“Yeah.” I blew a shaky breath. “I promise I will take care of your son, Tate.”

“That’s all I want to hear.”

“Anyway, what do you mean when you told me you hoped to forgive you?”

He shook his head. “It was nothing. I just want you and Striker to be happy despite both of you being forced into this.”

“Yeah.” My father’s words suddenly flashed back in my head.

The door creaked slightly, and Moses came in. “Are you ready?”

I nodded, ignoring the twist in my stomach. Was I ready? I didn’t know. I suddenly felt nervous and anxious. But all I wanted was to be with the man I loved, and I had not told him how I felt.

“We can’t give you any advice. We’ve never been married, but I can only show how much we care for our son. He’s what matters to us in this world. You’re going to be a good wife, London.” Tate’s words gave me hope and strength that despite how Striker and I brought into this arrangement, I had his full support.

“Thanks. That means a lot coming from both of you.”

“Just love our son unconditionally. Now, let’s go before he thinks you’re running away.” Moses offered me his arm since I asked him to walk me down the aisle.

I didn’t invite my father. It was harsh, I knew, but I didn’t feel sorry for it. Although Striker argued with me, I still did what I wanted for my wedding.

“I can do it.” I hook my hand around his arm and let go of a shuddering breath.

Tate went out ahead.

The ceremony would be held under the tree where Beck and Maeve married. The tree meant everything to them too, and so as for us now.

As I got down from the house, I felt lightheaded. Maybe I was too nervous and excited at the same time. Heck, I was a nervous wreck.

The ceremony was a little bit far from the house. So I had to ride in a bridal car. The vintage beige car looked beautiful. I wouldn’t dare ask where they got it considering Moses could make everything possible at a snap of his fingers.

When I finally arrived, Moses was already waiting for me. The cellist began playing, and I realized it was my favorite song-an original soundtrack of a blockbuster movie. How did Striker know? I had no idea. Nonetheless, I was impressed.

When he said he got this, I believed him. He made a white country wedding possible in three days.

As we started walking, the small venue took my breath away. Everything was white, just like how I exactly dreamed of.

I wanted to cry, but Moses patted my hand as we entered the floral arch. Instead of a carpet, the ground was covered with petals and smelled divine. The chairs and the flowers between each lantern were all white as well.

Then my man came to view. He looked effortlessly gorgeous in a dark tux-his groomsmen in white.

“Your son looks handsome, sir.” I didn’t know why I said that, making him chuckle.

“You both are perfect, honey.”

Then I came face to face with him as his father handed me to my groom. “Hi.”

He didn’t say a thing. I knew he understood what I said because he stared and smiled, but not a single word. Instead, he lifted my hand and kissed it.

Neke came to take my bouquet- a mix of wild roses and cherry blossoms that came all the way from Japan yesterday.

“We are gathered here today to witness the joining of two beautiful souls in the marriage celebration of Striker and London.” He then began with a short sermon about the importance and essence of marriage.

“We celebrate the love that Striker and London have for each other and, as friends and families, give recognition to accept their vows. Striker Aodhan Asher, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“Will you love her, honor and keep her, in sickness and health, forsaking all others, and keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“London Hester Marguerite, do you take this man to be your wedded husband?”

“I do.”

“Will you love him, honor and keep him, in sickness and health, forsaking all others, and keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Striker, do you have your vows?”

“Yes.” He faced me. “You look stunning, baby.” He took a deep breath. “The first time our eyes met, I knew you took something from me that night. You took my heart with you. Since then, I didn’t stop thinking of you, and I knew one day, you would be my love, my life partner, my wife one way or another, or I would be forever alone for the rest of my life. I love you, Vanderford.”

I couldn’t help but smile, and our friends just aw to his vow. It was beautiful.

“Do you have your vows, London?”

“Yes.” I smiled at him though my eyes were already misty. “We met in a circumstance that was too hard to tell when someone would ask me, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Since then, I have loved you from afar. Today, I promise to be loyal to you, respect and love you, and be your best friend and partner. I love you, Cade.”

“I, Striker Aodhan Asher, take you, London Hester Marguerite, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

“I, London Hester Marguerite, take you, Striker Aodhan Asher, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

“I love you, too.” His smile was bright, and he looked so striking.

“The rings, please?”

Mykel’s son Jax came.

“With this ring, I pledge to you, my love and my life.” He slipped the eternity wedding ring into my finger.

I held his hand. “With this ring, I pledge to you, my love and my life.” I delightedly put the wedding band into his finger.

“Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

I looked at everyone, and they seemed happy and smiling when no one objected. But I couldn’t forever hold my peace because I had a secret I couldn’t carry anymore.

“I-I-” I raised my hand. “I object.” Everyone gasped. I swallowed hard as I looked at our officiant. I just completely ruined my entire wedding.

“What are you doing?” I still heard Striker ask me with so much confusion.

“I need to talk to him first.” My chin trembled.

“Do you need privacy?”

“No.” Even if I said no, our friends started leaving to let us talk alone.

“Vanderford, what’s going on?” The pain in his eyes was so deep I couldn’t unsee it, and it broke my heart that I was causing it.

I looked at our guests, to his dad and father, who looked distraught.

“Hear me out. If you still want to marry me, then he will pronounce us. But I can’t take it anymore.”

“London, we can talk after this. It’s okay.”

“No.” I sniffled. My tears fell. “It’s about my father. He drugged us so that he could force us into this.”

“I had theories that he did that, but I didn’t care because I wanted to be with you.”

“He knew who you were since before we met again. He knew you’re Moses Braddson’s son. He wanted this union to be a business deal. He wanted your father. This has nothing to do with us, Cade. He used us as his bridge to settle a business deal. I’m sorry, Striker. I should have told you sooner.”

“Is that all? This is what you’ve been keeping from me and have been acting weird.” He wiped my tears with his thumbs.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m so sorry.”

“Well, do you still wanna continue?” He smiled. Why was he smiling? Shouldn’t he be running away instead?

“If you want to.” I swallowed my guilt down. At the same time, I was terrified that he wouldn’t want to marry me anymore.

“You should have told me.”

“I don’t wanna lose you.”

“Are you guys done?” Sax yelled.

“Yes,” Striker called them back. They went back to their seats.

Neke came to retouch my makeup. “You’re so silly. Good thing your mascara is waterproof.”

I sighed deeply. I had no secrets anymore. Finally, I could breathe freely. And it felt good to be out of burden.

“You had us all worried,” Linden came back as Striker’s best man.

“Striker and London. By the power vested me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss.”

Striker cupped my face and said before he kissed me, “You will pay for that stunt, Vanderford.” The kiss was different than what we had shared before. It was pure respect and devotion.

“It is with great honor and delights that I present to you, Mr. And Mrs. Cade.”

The applause erupted, breaking us apart.

“Well, Mrs. Cade.”

“It’s Vanderford-Cade.”