Chapter 6

Elizabeth's Pov 

The photographer blinked.

“...I mean the pictures.” 

A ripple of laughter spread through everyone around us. 

The photographer clapped his hands. 

“One more with both families.”

I almost groaned.

Another round of photographs followed.

One with my parents 

One with his parents 

One with both parents 

One with Eleanor and Jason, my sister and her husband.

One with Lucas's cousins, uncles and aunties .

One with very close friends too.

By the time we finished, my cheeks ached too much from smiling 

“I am beginning to think this marriage is just solely for photographs,” I muttered. 

“This is just the start,” he said and I shook my head quietly, knowing it was the truth.

****

“Lizzy,” 

I raised my head just as Eleanor entered the limousine with me and it started moving.

“Are you okay?” She asked and I laughed softly. 

“Do I look okay?” 

“No.” She reached for the loose strand of hair that had fallen on my face and tucked it behind my ear. “I could see the way you are forcing the smile.”

I swallowed and leaned my head, trying to just rest before the reception. 

“My face hurts.” I murmured.

She chuckled.

“I would be worried if it didn't.”

Ella understood me and didn't say anything after that. 

The silence between us was comforting.

The limousine slowly pulled up outside one of the most luxurious hotels in New York, the ballroom where the reception was being held 

The moment the limousine stopped, another wave of camera flashes exploded outside.

“They're here too?” I asked, surprised by the number of reporters. 

Eleanor laughed.

“Did you think they were only invited to the wedding?”

Apparently not.

Security opened a path through the crowd while hotel staff waited at the entrance.

One of the wedding coordinators opened my door. 

“Mrs. Hayes.” She greeted me gently but the title sounded strange to me. “It's time to change for the reception.” I looked down at the heavy wedding gown. 

Honestly, I couldn't wait to get out of it as soon as possible. 

****

Twenty minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom wearing a midnight blue satin gown that hugged my waist before falling to the floor.

Compared to the wedding dress, it felt so light, comfortable, and breathable. 

“There she is,” Ella smiled. “My beautiful sister.” 

I smiled and twirled for her before we both laughed. 

A knock on the door interrupted our laughter. 

“Is the bride ready?” One of the coordinators called. 

“Yes,” Ella said and the door opened.

“The newlyweds will be making their entrance in a minute. Mr. Hayes is waiting already,” she said and I took a deep breath. 

“Ready?” Ella asked.

“Yes,” I nodded 

“I will go help Jason,” Ella said as she left while I followed the coordinator towards the ballroom.

As we approached the door, I saw Lucas waiting for me, one hand in his pocket while his other hand was holding the phone against his ear and talking on the phone. 

The moment his eyes landed on me, he froze. 

Just for a second, forgetting he was saying something. 

Then his usual smirk returned, and he ended the call.

“You clean up nicely,” he said as I got to his side. 

“Let’s do this,” I said, ignoring what he said. 

He offered me his hand, and I slipped my hand through his arm. 

“With pleasure.”

The door opened wide, and we walked into the reception together. 

The ballroom erupted into applause the moment we stepped inside. 

The ballroom was breathtaking, and there was a live orchestra playing softly from the corner of the room. 

The wedding coordinator guided us to the center of the ballroom. 

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the emcee announced with excitement, "please welcome the newlyweds… Mr. and Mrs. Hayes!”

The applause grew louder, and the emcee continued. 

“We will have the couple's first dance.” The music changed.

“I don't know how to dance,” I whispered to Lucas. I have never learned ballroom dancing.

“Just watch my steps and follow my lead,” he said. 

Before I could protest, he rested one hand lightly on my waist while taking my other hand in his. 

The music began. Slow, elegant, and romantic.

I tried following his lead, but I kept stepping on his feet.  

“Sorry,” I whispered countless times. 

“You have killed all the cells in my feet.” He smirked. 

“Sorry. I have never learned to dance like this.” I said as I followed his movements. “I didn't know you could dance.”

“There are many things you don't know about me, fatty.” 

“I am not interested in finding out,” I said, lowering my gaze to his shoulders.

For one second, I thought he would change. Then he opened his mouth. 

Around us, the guests were smiling while the cameras continued flashing.

To them, we looked like two people hopelessly in love. 

They didn't know it was all an act. 

This should have been Dave and me. A sharp wave of grief hit me, but before I could dwell on it, the music ended to another round of applause. 

I blinked, forcing myself back to reality. 

The rest of the evening passed in a blur.

At one point, Richard tapped his champagne glass. 

“I would like to make a toast.” The room went gradually silent. “Today, not only have two wonderful people been united, but two families have become one.”

More applause followed. 

“I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, a long and fulfilling marriage, and many more years together.”

“Hear, hear,” several guests echoed, raising their glasses. 

Lucas and I exchanged a glance before lifting ours as well. 

If only they knew.