Wedding Lock

CHAPTER 11

  Far, far away in a distant land, a bride stood in front of the entrance of the church fidgeting and very worried about her future. Agnes felt her secure world tumbling down on her as she gazed at the heavy door of the church. She must have lost her mind to agree to this solemn and religious event turning into a farce of make-believe love story that the world thought was perfect as the media continually hype for the sake of one Chris Duvier. 

    "Lord, please do not strike me with lighting." Agnes silently prayed. Her cold clammy hands gripped the floral bouquet that cascaded down to the floor. It was like carrying sacksful of guilt and remorse on this momentous occasion. She dreaded this day but there was no turning back now. It is a do-or-die moment for her now. Agnes holds back her tears as she suddenly heard the orchestra start the wedding march. The steps she took, timid and uneasy and each step seem to take an eternity. 

   The massive door slowly swung open revealing the vision of a bride, dressed in white slowly gliding towards the aisle of the altar. Agnes can see the entourage walking confidently, playing their part perfectly -looking beautiful and rich. Her sister outshines them all including her. Her heart sinks as she watched Lea glide like an angel, looking wistfully at the groom who is playing his part as a charming and powerful prince.

      He was a sight to behold. Her heart beats furiously when Chris Duvier fixed his gaze at her. She seems to forget everything. Gone was the worry and guilt instead all she could hear is the thud of her heart leaping with joy when she realized that those brilliant eyes of the man she loves, are only focused on her. He did not see or pretend not to see Lea, only her. Foolish heart. Agnes chided herself. How could Chris Duvier have only eyes for her? He must be a very good actor and very mindful of the media that was hovering over the church like a hawk. Agnes squared her shoulder and head on the aisle fixing her gaze at the man who was watching her with intensity.

      Courage....strength.... hope...Agnes slowly ticked each word on her head as she slowly moves towards the altar. When she reached near Chris, she saw him take a step forward and gripped her hand as he steadied her when she stumbled slightly.

     "Darling you must be very excited to be my wife." Chris gently mocked her while firmly putting her cold clammy hand under his arm and covering it with his own that strangely felt comforting and warm.

   "Yes, darling. I’m dying to be your wife." Agnes sweetly fired back. He grinned and looked down on his bride, who despite being nervous looked stunning in her wedding gown. He noted that the blue sapphire and diamonds added sparkle to her green eyes and made her skin look luminous.

    Chris Duvier felt the excitement cursing his blood. Marrying this woman is no walk in the park but a thrill of ups and downs. The idea of battling with wits and guile with her left him exhilarated. Why was he feeling like this? Her skin as he touched her made him think of silk and lace and he was at the church. Suddenly, he felt uneasy. Is it the right decision to enter this union? He got the feeling his missing something and he felt wary about it. All the warning bells on his body and mind told him that this woman is different.

    Ceremonies like weddings took time but to Agnes, her mind and body seem detached. She was present but not there. The priest gentle solemn words floated in the distance. She heard herself saying "I do" and before she knows it Chris Duvier kissed her sealing the wedding vow. Papers were signed in front of the guest and she heard the loud cheering of the well-wishers. It's surreal that she is now Mrs. Chris Duvier. 

    Strangely, her husband remained quiet beside her. He was smiling but it did not reach his eyes. The hand which firmly holds her then now, gripping her elbow painfully. She tried to push his hand away but it did not even slacken. 

    "Smile darling---" he whispered at her. Agnes gritted her teeth, feeling the pain as he squeezed his arm on her side. 

    "How could I smile? You hurt me!" she hissed at him. Chris looked down at her pale face and saw the pain there. Her eyes are already misty and her nose is getting red by the minute. She was trying very hard not to cry but from her situation, she felt trapped. He rubs her arm and gently kissed her on her forehead. Agnes freezes as she felt the gentle kiss land on her forehead. 

    I'm sorry...okay?" Chris stared at her green eyes. She nods absently, feeling more lost and strangely giddy. " Please look happy, darling. At least for now." 

   Agnes took a deep breath and tried to smile obediently. The flash of the camera and the well-wishers engulfed her. Everyone wanted to touch and take pictures of the happy couple. Obediently, they pose for the guest and the reporters who flocked at their wedding. When they reached the entrance door, her husband swiftly picked her up to the delight of the crowd. Some clapped and some shouted words that make Agnes' ears turn pink. He rushed her towards the waiting limousine and dumped her inside. 

    "Ouch! What do you think you’re doing?" she gasped as her bottom landed on the seat of the car. Her husband settled himself beside her.

    " You’re getting heavy."

   " Heavy?" Agnes gasped angrily. " I am not your precious Lea, who weighs like feathers! Why did you not marry her instead? Nobody asked you to carry me and dumped me like a sackful of potato."

   " That was for the press. That's why I carried you,” Chris said calmly.

   Agnes gritted her teeth. She said, "For the press.... for the media? "

   "Yes, that was for them. If the CEO looks happy and contented with the wife, then everything in the business world would think our company is stable and have the core value of family. It would certainly affect our business positively."

   "Have you forgotten our secret agreement?  I will leave right away after our marriage ceremony. I will transfer the ownership of Winshord to you."

    Chris Duvier coldly stared at her green ones. He said icily, "I forbid you to do that. If you do, I promise you, I’m not a good enemy. "

    "Do you think we are friends now? From the start, you cause me much pain and you have the gall to threaten me!  I'm going to go now, whether you like it or not."

    "If you leave now. There will be hell to pay. I will make sure your aunt, the servants, your beloved sister will suffer, and your precious castle will cease to exist. I would gladly turn it into one of my hotels or I could just level it to the ground and build a much modern building. Hmmm... what do you think?"

   "I think you’re a monster!" Agnes said angrily. "You have no right to do that to them and my estate. It’s our home. How can you do that?"

    "Remember, according to the contract, I’m the new master of the house. You're married to me now. Stick to me Agnes, so there is no problem with your future. If you stay, I will return the estate to you and everything inside it."

    "What?" Agnes stared at the man beside her in disbelief. “You will give me Winshord?"

    "Yes, after the divorce, it’s my gift to you. I will give back everything, in one condition, you stayed married to me until I achieved what I want. I want an heir from you Agnes." 

    Agnes stared at him, trying to fathom the man in front of him who was looking at her at the same intensity. "What is it you wanted Chris? Why did you want to marry me?" she asked confusedly. Her idea that Chris married her for the castle is not the only reason, there's more to it than a simple dream of becoming the master of Winshord Castle.

    Chris smiled lazily, " Dear wife don't worry you will be the first one to know." He gently touched her cheek, marveling at the softness of her skin. She pushed his hand away, feeling the heat trailing on her skin. Her breathing was uneven and her eyes sparkled in alarm.

    "What make you think I will accept your offer?" she said angrily. " I will not be subjected by your crazy ideas, not me, you hear. After you dishonor our secret contract, what made you think I will enter another one with you?"

    " Oh yes darling...you don't have any choice, either you sink or swim with me. Either way, you will stay with me. "

   Agnes has no words to express the foreboding she felt in her heart. Chris Duvier knows she was tied to him for good until he will release her. She moves away from him, leaning at the side of the car door, as far as possible, from his reach. Her eyes misted. The tears she had been holding back for a while now poured down from her eyes. Agnes has tried to be brave but it was not enough. She felt weak and her future seems bleak. 

    Chris stared at her with those cold grey eyes. Then he smiled and said in the coldest voice she ever heard, "Yes Agnes, that’s what I want---cry. Cry until nothing was left but bitterness."

    She looked at him. For the first time she saw him for truly what he is, she saw the hatred in his eyes.

     The couple was absent during their wedding party held in Duvier’s boat. David Bern apologizes to the well-wishers who were invited to join them on that momentous occasion. Lea Walden help him welcome the guest and ran the show with much success. The party was a blast despite their absence that the next day, it was proclaimed as the coolest party ever for that year even without the bride and groom.