Chapter 3 PANDORA'S BOX

Anton was reluctant to join his family on a sudden trip. It was abrupt and he didn't even have the slightest idea as to where they are heading. Furthermore, his mind was full of that woman, thinking that she might've been drunk the whole night and the next possible events was unimaginable for him.

There was this slight pinch that makes him feel irritated as he thought that she might have hooked up with that guy!

However, he shook his head and thought. 'She's not here and her life is none of my business!'

As the plane landed, Anton lazily went out after the elders. His usual exhausted appearance was then replaced by excitement when he saw, none other than his best friend standing while waiting for them.

Terrence grinned at him as he glided down the iron stairs.

"How's the flight?"He asked him but he only received a death glare from Anton.

"Up until now, you didn't even tell me why you have to be here on this little island! What the hell are you doing here when you have a company to manage in the city?!" He confronted him right there and then.

Terrence stared at him sympathetically and uttered, "I'm sorry. I wasn't able to be with you during those times. I was..."

Anton sighed. "I guess we have the same fate, aren't we? Happiness for us is luxury."

"Hmm, let's get in the car. We're going to be late." Terrence urged him quickly after peering at his wristwatch.

Anton took the passenger seat after letting the elders settle in a separate car.

"Does it help?" He asked in a melancholic voice.

"I don't know what to say, man. I didn't expect that to happen either." Terrence replied in the same tone.

"I lost two women in just a year." Anton said, "Make's me think if I needed to change my lifestyle."

"What are you talking about?" Terrence sounds confused. "How many girlfriends do you have?"

Anton glared at him and spoke, "I only have one and a sister! Are you nuts?!"

it was then that Terrence come to realize that his friend have no idea why he was here on the island. 'Does this also mean that Miss Mills remained tight-lipped towards him for weeks?'

"Ahm, I heard that Miss Mills is now working under you. How was it?" Terrence asked for his wife's sake.

"If not for the fact that she was the reason for Pamela's death, I would have promoted her already. She's smart and capable but..."

Terrence sighed heavily in reply. "But you can't because that alone holds you back to appreciate that side of her."

Anton just kept himself silent after hearing the latter's words. He strikes that right spot and even if he denies it, no one knows him better than him. They were buddies after all and he was capable of seeing right through him.

Terrence leads them to a beach house.

"Alright! We're here!" He mused as he exited his car and Anton followed suit.

"What are we doing here?" He looked at the latter in confusion as he noticed a few bunches of flowers decorated in the corner. "Is there a wedding here?"

Terrence patted him on the shoulder and said, "Today is my wedding and you're here to stand as my best man. I hope you won't feel bad when you think of your sister."

Anton's brows furrowed then he spotted their elders laughing, seemingly engaged in a funny discussion.

"So you're here to get married?" He questioned Terrence with a cold face.

The latter nodded. "Yes. I'm here to get married to the woman we discussed once."

Anton's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? I didn't even know that you were going out with her! What does she look like?"

"You'll see her soon after you get change. How about doing me  a little favor?"

"What? Do you want me to call my sister to rise from the dead and hunt you down?" Anton joked but his voice was so loud that even the elders heard him.

Ram Stanford scowled at him. "Brat! Stop saying nonsense if you don't want your grandma to rise from the dead and hunt you down for cursing your sister!"

Anton didn't think too much and just scratched his head as he displayed an apologetic smile. "I'm just kidding, Grandpa. Please don't take it to heart."

"Let's hurry! The ceremony is about to start!"

Mrs. Stanford urged them, then they all go to their separate rooms to get their outfits changed. 

******

Ashley was in the same car with Athena and she felt nervous when she thought of Anton's possible reaction later when he learned that the sister he mourned for until now is still alive and she's even playing the role of her bride's maid.

The thought of her being humiliated in front of all the people by him later really makes her feel like running away but she held it back because she believed that he won't do such a thing in front of his family. At least not in front of her former boss.

As the car stopped, Castiel descended from his seat to open the back seat and she followed to assist the bride. She also learned that Athena doesn't have the slightest idea about her wedding today so she has to deal with a lot of questions later.

She was just lucky that it was Mr. Monroe standing by her side otherwise, the bride would have accused her of fibbing. However, that wasn't the case for sure later when she faced the man who hated her guts to death and she carefully braced herself to that possible outcome!

The music starts to play and they began to walk in the aisle.

Ashley spotted Anton wearing a white tuxedo, standing not far away from the groom and his face painted nothing but pure shock as he watched the bride getting closer to his position.

Not wanting to get his attention, she darted her gaze ahead like she haven't seen him as Athena halted in front of him.

He hugged her tight after uttering some emotional words and Ashley swore that he was trying to bore holes in her face even if she wasn't looking at him at the moment.

Terrence and Athena exchanged vows while Anton and Ashley went to follow the next step as part of their roles in the wedding until it ended.

Ashley stands in the corner with Castiel by her side when the bride approaches her.

"There you are..." She said with a smile as she handed a goblet filled with wine. "Can I possibly have a toast with my sister?"

Castiel took that as a hint thus he left the two women to their privacy.

Ashley took it and clinked glasses with her. "I'm honored to be part of this wedding. Thank you so much for inviting me." She said, teary-eyed.

"What are you saying?" Athena frowned. "You always saved me from harm. If not for you, I would have been dead by now and Terrence would have married a witch instead of me. I'm lucky to have you."

Ashley lowered her head, unable to accept Athena's praise because deep down, she become horrible in someone else's eyes.

"I didn't know that a person similar to a PANDORA's BOX existed until now." Anton chimes in and Ashley hurriedly excused herself, as she received an unexpected call from an unknown number.