Chapter 4

Brad simply grunted in reply.

Nicholas walked a couple of steps closer, the torchlight drawing nearer.

I could feel his gaze land on my back and linger there for a moment. That glance stretched a little too long, so much so that I almost thought he was going to recognize me.

"I'm going now," Brad suddenly said, stepping forward.

"Wait!" Nicholas frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something more.

Just then, Tricia said in a soft, frail voice, "Nicholas, my leg hurts."

Nicholas immediately turned around. "What's wrong? Did you bump it just now?"

"I don't know. It just hurts." Tricia's voice grew quieter and quieter. "Let's hurry. We need to get to your place before daybreak."

Unable to focus on anything else, Nicholas just nodded at Brad and said, "Gotta go. I'll buy you a drink next time you're back in the city."

Their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Only then did Brad say quietly, "He really didn't recognize you."

Still draped over his back, I didn't say anything. My eyes grew hot, but I didn't cry.

Brad must've sensed something, for his steps slowed a little. But they stayed steady as he carried me on.

The moon was bright, and the mountain path stretched long.

I didn't know where Brad was taking me. But in that moment, I suddenly felt that anywhere was better than going back to my village.

A bonfire blazed to life, and the entire village was steeped in revelry. The air hung thick with the scent of wine as young men and women danced around the fire.

It was the celebration after a successful bride heist. By custom, the festivities wouldn't end until dawn.

Nicholas sat at the outer edge of the crowd, clutching his phone.

The screen kept lighting up and going dark, but there was still no message from me.

This wasn't like me. After all, I was someone who could never keep things bottled up.

If I'd discovered he'd taken the wrong bride that night, I would've called him long ago.

Nicholas already had his explanation ready.

"It was pitch black. Don't overthink it. I only love you."

He figured that once I was fuming on the other end of the line, he'd soothe me with gentle, honeyed words. Then, I'd hurl a harsh remark or two, he'd coax me a little more, and the whole thing would blow over.

I could never stay mad at him after all.

But this time, there was no call, message, or confrontation.

"Nicholas, what are you staring at?" Alan came over with a glass of wine and pressed it into his hand. "Are you waiting for Charlene to text you? Well, you can stop waiting, because the signal in the village isn't great."

"The signal around her place is fine," Nicholas retorted.

"Then maybe her phone died," another friend of his, Tyrone Mayer, chimed in. "Or she just hasn't seen it. In fact, she's probably busy beating someone up right now."

Everyone burst out laughing, but Nicholas said nothing.

I had once told him, "I set a special ringtone for all your messages, so I won't miss any."

I would sit in the yard until midnight waiting for a single call from him, so he didn't quite buy the idea that I just hadn't seen his messages.

However, he had no better excuse.

"Alright, alright. Stop overthinking it." Alan pulled Nicholas to his feet. "Today's your big day, and Tricia's over there waiting for you. So, what are you spacing out here for? According to custom, after the bride heist, you have to stay by Tricia's side the whole night and complete all the rituals."

Nicholas' frown deepened, and he said in a low voice, "Tricia and I agreed that I'd take her during the bride heist and bring her back to the city, and that would be the end of it. I didn't plan on—"

"Plan on what?" Alan cut him off, looking utterly exasperated. "Nicholas, this is a bride heist, not child's play! Once you've taken the bride, you have to go through the whole set of rituals. Otherwise, it's a slap in the face to her entire family.

"Besides, Charlene's been with you for many years. She won't care about these formalities. You need to deal with what's right in front of you first!"

Nicholas opened his mouth to speak, but Tricia suddenly drew near.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Nicholas froze. He was about to clear things up with her when she cut him off.