Chapter 31 The Wedding

The church bells echoed outside and just as the last bell rang, the rhythm of the wedding march began to ring in the hands of an orchestra.

The huge and impressive doors of the old and imposing church opened and from their respective seats, those present turned towards the entrance, expectant.

Everyone wanted to see the bride, most of the guests didn't know her, nor did they know of her existence, who is Isabella Sinclair, how come no one had heard of her before?

Máximo waited nervously at the end of the aisle, although he tried to remain serious and solemn in front of all the guests, his heart did not stop beating arrhythmically.

"I'm sorry... I'm late. He heard him say behind him.

"Where the hell were you?" Maximus growled under his breath, in response.

"I was in the bathroom..." I think this sudden wedding has me more nervous than you. Diego whispered, when the organizer told him to shut up, because the girlfriend was already entering.

The young heiress displayed opulence and ostentation upon entering the church, the dress she wore was shocking to say the least and although her face was covered with a veil, her beautiful features were perfectly visible to all those present, thanks to the transparency of the fabric.

Isabella entered on the arm of her grandmother, Margaret Sinclair, because as head of the family, it was her duty to deliver the young fiancée to her boyfriend, because her parents were not present.

Isabella's slow steps, to the rhythm of the march, were making Máximo more and more anxious, who could glimpse more and more of the impressive beauty of the young woman, as she advanced.

Finally, Margaret and Isabella arrived at the altar and as usual, Isabella's grandmother took her hands to give them to her future spouse.

"Take good care of her," Margaret murmured before heading to her seat.

Maximo nodded at Mrs. Sinclair's request, feeling some remorse for what he had talked to his father only a few minutes before.

He tried to get the idea of guilt out of his mind, "Isabella will be well taken care of, she will lack nothing," he said to himself to calm his conscience, while the warmth of the young woman's hands on hips, caused a strong startle in his chest.

Both looked at each other through the thin fabric, Máximo practically gasped when he had her in front of him and immediately, he let go of the young woman's hands to settle both in their respective positions, in front of the altar.

He took a deep breath, he was just nervous about what was happening, after all, it was his wedding, the restlessness he was feeling must have been normal, Máximo said to himself, as an excuse for the torrent of emotions that invaded him.

Isabella, at first, was attentive to Diego, who was a few steps behind Maximo. She couldn't believe that after asking him to run away together, he was still there, at the front, as her godfather and her friend, what had happened to Diego, her former friend, that he was acting that way?

In the midst of that thought, the young woman noticed that she was already at the altar and her hands were given to Máximo and as she had already practiced it in her protocol classes, she turned gracefully in front of that man, although under the dress, her body trembled like jelly.

The minister began to speak, thus initiating the marriage ceremony.

Isabella looked up, feeling her cheeks warm, forgetting the minister's words that echoed a few steps away from her, the young woman was momentarily captivated by Maximo's green and intense eyes, which did not stop detailing her.

At the same time, Maximo had been stunned, noticing how Isabella finally gave him a look, those beautiful gray eyes with long eyelashes, finally concentrated only on him, while, on the young woman's cheeks, sweet blush formed.

Nervously, Isabella slightly bit her lower lip, that pulpy and pink lip, which provoked Maximo, who had to swallow thickly.

That girl inspired an air of innocence, tenderness, and kindness, being beautiful and sensual, at the same time, Máximo had never met a woman like her, ever.

As before, they both became engrossed in each other, forgetting the world around them or the importance of where they were.

Until a question echoed in the silence of the church.

"If there is anyone here, present, who has any objection to why these two people should not marry, let them speak now or be silent forever. - The minister said.

There was a minute of absolute silence, several guests looking around, waiting for the first of many objections.

Valeria clutched her small bag in her hands in anger. Emily bit her lips, for her father had threatened her not to do anything stupid. Aiden preferred to look the other way, frowning.

It seemed that no one would say anything, however, just as the minister went to resume his usual dialogue, a kind of growl was heard, as if someone was clearing his throat.

"Is something wrong?" Máximo asked, surprised, when he turned around and saw Diego so tense and red, as if he were suffocating.

"No... I'm sorry, I drowned. His friend excused himself, tapping his chest a couple of times.

In a moment of despair, Diego was about to oppose the wedding and give his reasons, but he couldn't. Everything he had worked for would fall apart if he spoke and now, that Isabella had given him a rejection response, who assured him that after speaking, she would accept it?

It was too risky, there had to be another way, he had to be patient, because he wouldn't give up so easily on the woman, he had longed for all his life.

The ceremony continued, some guests were disappointed that everything was going on normally, without any scandal, the minister's words continued to float throughout the huge and ancient church.

"Future spouses, do you come to marry without being coerced, freely and voluntarily?" The minister asked. Isabella and Maximo stayed for a moment.

Silence filled the air as the minister asked the final question.

“Yes, we come freely. “Both affirmed, even though they knew they were lying.

Are you determined to love and respect one another, following the way of life proper to marriage, throughout your life? The minister asked.

“Yes, we are determined. Isabella lowered her gaze, while Maximo felt the guilt of invading him again.

Are you willing to receive your children responsibly and lovingly, and to educate them according to the law of the Church? The minister continued.

“Yes, we are willing. They responded in chorus, their voices intertwined.

"Therefore, since you wish to contract holy matrimony, join your hands and express your consent." - The minister ordered.

Maximo and Isabella held hands and stared at each other.

"Maximus Collins, do you agree to receive Isabella Sinclair as your spouse and promise to be faithful to her in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and in health, to love and respect her all the days of your life, until death do you part?" The minister asked.

Máximo glanced sideways at his father and then at Margaret, recognizing that both were responsible for the situation in which he found himself. He took a deep breath before answering.

“Yes, I accept.

"Isabella Sinclair, do you agree to receive Maxim Collins as your spouse and promise to be faithful to him in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and in health, to love and respect him all the days of your life, until death do you part?"

“Yes, I accept. Isabella replied in a trembling voice.

- What God has joined together, let no man separate. The minister said, causing a shudder in the couple.

The rings were handed over and they both recited their promises, slipping the wedding rings on their fingers.

"Receive this covenant as a sign of my love and fidelity to you." They repeated after the minister.

With the last words of the ceremony echoing in the air, the moment they both feared arrived.

"Now, I declare you husband and wife. He can kiss the bride. - The minister ordered.

Máximo and Isabella looked at each other for the last time before taking the final step in this ceremony that marked a new chapter in their lives.

And time seemed to stand still.

Slowly and calmly, Maximus lifted that veil, his only obstacle to witnessing Isabella's beauty in full fullness.

Absolutely dumbfounded, Máximo ran one of his hands over Isabella's cheek gently, as if he were sure that having this woman in front of him was real.

At the same time as Isabella, she felt a sudden rush in her body, just by feeling the touch of Maximo.

With their hearts pumping a million, Máximo slowly lowered himself, closing his eyes, just as she was doing too, to place his lips very delicately on Isabella's.

It was much better than he imagined, the softness of Isabella's thick, pulpy lips, the smell of flowers emanating from her skin, the slight taste of strawberries, everything about her seemed to call and stimulate him.

By the time Máximo realized it, he was pulling her lips slightly, in a long kiss, which was interrupted by the applause of those present.

The thunderous noise caused by the guests was what made both of them regain consciousness.

Somewhat nervous, the couple turned to the audience, who had stood up to give them a standing ovation, giving them both the signal, so that the couple could advance back down the aisle towards the exit of the church, now holding hands.

Máximo returned to his serious face, Isabella tried to raise her face as she had already been taught, although it was very difficult for her with so many people in front, wanting to look at her and detail her.

In the midst of her anxiety and without realizing it, Isabella clung tighter to Maximo's hand, gluing everything that the dress would allow, her body towards his. Maximo felt a tingle inside, but he didn't say anything, in fact, suddenly, he found it pleasant.

This is how the newlyweds left, straight to their limousine, between congratulations and praise.

Meanwhile, without anyone noticing, one person stood behind, clenching their fists in anger, feeling themselves drowning in their own pain.

Diego saw how the couple left, how Isabella was slipping out of his hands and for the moment, he had no choice but to suffer for his grief, so he decided that the best thing to do was to leave.

Without anyone noticing his absence, Diego went straight back to the hotel, picked up the suitcase from which he had practically taken nothing and went to the airport, because it was time to get away again.