Chapter 32
Today is the big day!It”s also the most exciting and stressful moment of my life. Last night, with Manille, we finalized the last details, but more importantly, we took care of decorating the location where the ceremony will take place. I”m proud of our work, but I won”t be able to release the pressure until this weekend is over. For now, I need to be on the lookout, ready to react to any issues, ensuring everything goes smoothly.
With Corentin”s arm wrapped around my waist, I gently detach myself and straighten up. I turn my head toward the lawyer, still deeply asleep. Some strands fall on his cheeks, and I can”t help but gently slide my hand into his hair and place my lips on his rugged cheek.
My eyes analyze the room in which my redhead grew up. The walls are painted in a sober gray. Above the headboard is a small shelf with a Christmas ball and classic books accompanied by art books. I leave the sheets and get off the mattress to walk toward the desk. The window there offers a beautiful view of the beach, where I can admire the sunrise.
Sketches cover the entire surface of the desk. I had no idea Corentin drew. From what I see, he was quite good, and I wonder why he didn”t continue. Turning my attention to the wastebasket, I”m surprised to find law books in it.
I don”t have time to ask more questions when my phone starts ringing. I hurry to pick it up and answer the call, praying not to have awakened Corentin. My eyebrows furrow as the photographer”s name appears on my screen. The moment he speaks, I understand something is wrong. Despite his attempt not to convey his anxiety, I can feel it through the trembling of his strangely low voice.
I don”t like it, not at all.
“Eugene, may I know what”s wrong?”
Might as well get straight to the point.
“Uh—I have an issue with my car.”
Anything but that! Not today!
“How so? Is it serious? Do you think you”ll be there on time?” I ask more coldly than intended.
The following silence is enough of an answer for me. I bite my lower lip in the hope of keeping my calm. I”m organizing my first wedding, and here the photographer abandons me at the last minute! I couldn”t have dreamed of a worse start to the morning, but I have to pull myself together, and fast. I can”t let stress take over, or I won”t make it.
“I don”t think so,” he admits. “I broke down on the highway about half an hour from the meeting point for the photo shoot of the preparations. I called a tow truck, but the only available one can only come in an hour, at best, and renting a car will also take some time.”
“I see. Let me think,” I mutter.
A noise behind me catches my attention. I turn and see Corentin sitting up, his eyebrows furrowed at the sight of my tense expression. I walk toward him and grab the hand he offers me. My friend pulls me toward him to hug me. His touch reassures me as I actively look for a way to solve the problem.
The ceremony will start at four o”clock, so I”m not worried about that. But if I don”t look for the photographer immediately, he”ll miss the preparation of the brides, and they won”t have any memorable photos. I can”t allow such a thing to happen.
“Send me your location by message, I”ll be on my way in a second,” I finally order.
I don”t wait for his response and hang up, then turn to Corentin, exasperated.
“Do you think I could borrow a car from your father?”
Surprised, he slowly becomes aware of the problem as he furrows his brows.
“You can take mine; it hasn”t been driven in ages, but it”s almost new; there shouldn”t be any issues. The keys are at the entrance. But what”s happening? And where are you going a few hours before the wedding? Is everything okay?”
I quickly take off my top and find myself topless. I pull my suitcase from under the bed to get a suitable outfit. I might not have time to come back and change, having my own professional obligations, so I might as well get ready now. I toss my makeup bag into my handbag and rush into the adjoining bathroom to brush my teeth.
“The photographer is stuck on the highway; I have to go get him. I think we”ll be back in a little over an hour, if everything goes well and there”s no traffic.”
“Okay, but if someone asks for you?”
“I”ll take care of notifying Manille; she”ll know how to manage the time until I come back.”
I put on a small salmon-pink dress and white heels.
“Can you help me, please?”
The parquet squeaks under his increasingly close steps, and quickly, one of his hands presses on my hip. His breath grazes my neck, making me shiver. Behind me, he zips up the dress with unbearable slowness and then buries his head in the hollow of my neck to deposit a rain of wet kisses.
“You look beautiful!” he whispers in my ear.
“Thank you, but I”m not the star of the day.”
“Of course you are. You”re my star, today and forever.”
As Corentin utters these words, I feel a thrill of emotion run through me. His support gives me the strength to face this difficult situation. I hug him, filled with gratitude for his presence by my side.
“Thank you, Corentin.”
He smiles gently at me, his eyes reflecting unwavering confidence in me. We exchange one last kiss before I rush out of the room, determined to overcome this obstacle. As I leave the house to reach Corentin”s car, I know whatever happens, I have to trust myself. élise warned me things wouldn”t go as I want, and that”s okay. I can do it.
I will do it!
* * *
When I dropoff the photographer at the manor, a sigh of relief escapes me as I see the guests arriving little by little. I grab my makeup bag, give myself a quick touch-up, and fix a few strands of hair before stepping out of the vehicle.
“Eugene, don”t forget the ceremony is in two hours. Take some photos of the venue before and after, at half-past four,” I remind him.
A nod from him, and he leaves to prepare his equipment. I walk through the garden, checking all the vendors are in their places and carrying out their tasks perfectly. With Manille, I discuss the final details while she arranges the flowers and other decorative elements around the white chapel and chairs. The weather is beautiful, amplifying my good mood. I haven”t seen Corentin yet, which is understandable since I”m bustling around to ensure a perfect harmony for the event.
The ceremony will take place in the garden, spacious enough to accommodate the fifty or so guests present. As for the meal, it will be served on the other side of the property, with a section of the space reserved. When everything is finally in place, Manille and I meticulously examine the decoration. White and pink flowers punctuate the four corners, and white veils drape over the chairs.
“So, what do you think?” I ask Manille.
She remains silent for a moment before a smile stretches across her lips.
“It”s good; we did an excellent job.”
Congratulations pour in for the entire team, and as I keep an eye on Eugene taking photos, arms wrap around my waist. The familiar scent of Corentin envelops me as he gently turns me to plant a kiss on the tip of my nose, then descending to my mouth.
“You”ve done an incredible job,” he whispers, visibly proud.
“I wasn”t alone but thank you. However, it”s time to get back to work, Mr. distract-me. I still have things to do. I”m a conscientious employee,” I joke.
His hand on the small of my back pulls me closer to him, and he leans in again for another kiss. The fire ignites within me, but he deliberately pulls back at the moment.
“I think it”s time, madam.”
A quick glance at my watch confirms his remark. It”s time to start the ceremony. The sun is slowly declining, bathing the garden in a golden glow, and excitement mixed with emotion fills the air as the long-awaited moment approaches.
A light melody emanates from the small orchestra, filling the air with sweetness. Family members take their seats at the front, in the designated chairs, while others sit a little further back. Corentin places his hand on the small of my back, and we advance. Despite the warmth emanating from the carefully prepared decoration by Manille, I sense a certain coldness enveloping me as we approach the area reserved for the family.
A shiver runs through me, carrying a completely different energy from the romantic atmosphere we”ve created. Corentin moves forward in silence, almost as if nothing is wrong, but I perceive the tension rising in him, the bicep under my fingers tensing imperceptibly. I make an effort to do the same, making sure to show only my best side.
For someone who has consistently avoided being the center of attention, I”m served. Despite some indiscreet looks making me uncomfortable, I remain stoic. After all, no one expected the organizer to show up on the arm of the bride”s brother.
“Here I am,” he says coldly when we join his father and Jackie in the front row.
I give a subtle elbow to my neighbor to make him understand his rudeness.
“Corentin, I”m surprised to see you,” his father begins. “I thought you would have already left.”
Although he doesn”t say it with a frosty tone, his words carry a sting. I feel I”m not the only one to perceive it, as Jackie discreetly sighs, accustomed to such situations.
“Good morning to you too,” he responds with a dry voice.
I clear my throat and put on a wide smile.
“Hello, trying to bring some enthusiasm to lighten the atmosphere.”
I”m not sure if I succeed, but it”s better than nothing.
“Hello, Florence,” Jackie replies with genuine warmth.
This woman radiates a kind of light warming everything she touches. As we prepare to take our seats, murmurs about me reach my ears.
“Isn”t she the one organizing the wedding?”
“Yes, I saw her talking to the staff. I wonder what she”s doing here.”
“She”d better go back to work instead of fooling around with the bride”s brother,” a voice sneers with disdain.
The punch to the stomach is painful. Even in a joyful and important moment, people seem incapable of being courteous. Corentin, having heard as much as I did, clenches his teeth, and turns his head toward them, a severe expression on his face. He”s about to retort, but if someone needs to put these people in their place, it”s me. I furrow my brows, turn to them, and lift my head.
“I was invited by the bride, and I think she is the best person to decide who she wants by her side on this special day. As for the person I”m ”fooling around with,” with all due respect, ladies, it”s none of your business. Even if the person is the brother of the bride, who, by the way, is of legal age and perfectly capable of making his own decisions, whether you like it or not. Now, if you please, let”s put an end to this gossip because the wedding is about to begin.”
I give them a smile while they grimace as if they”ve tasted something awful, while Jackie and Edward appear taken aback but pleased with my boldness. I”m caught off guard by this sudden surge of confidence, but increasingly, I realize that those who don”t like me can go to hell. I readjust in my chair, feeling Corentin bring his lips closer to my ear.
“Bravo! You”re finally asserting yourself!” he whispers.
“They could have been a little more friendly, or at least discreet.”
“My aunts have this irritating side sometimes. I hope you don”t run into them often.”
He shrugs. “I adapt. After all, I can”t judge because, according to them, my character isn”t any better.”
Frowning, I turn abruptly to Corentin. “Nonsense, don”t listen,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Okay, you can be challenging to approach, but you”re kind and respectful, much more than them.”
He raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Wasn”t it you who said I was cold, arrogant, and unapproachable?”
I can”t help but let out a discreet giggle.
“Yes, but because I didn”t fully understand you at first. When you finally let me in, when you lowered your defenses, I discovered someone warm. You have a good heart. You are a beautiful person, Corentin. The most beautiful one I”ve had the chance to meet.”
I smile at him with tenderness, feeling he is touched by my sincere words.
“Regarding what they said, I”m sorry you had to hear that. My family is a bit peculiar,” my neighbor continues.
“They have the right not to like me, even if they didn”t bother to get to know me. But they could at least remain polite. I haven”t wronged them as far as I know. And besides, what do they expect from me approaching the ceremony? I”ve already checked everything is in order, and I”ve entrusted the rest to Manille so I can be here and make the couple happy. And in the end, I”m being judged for that.”
“Don”t take it personally, they”re mad at me, not you.”
“How so?”
Corentin looks down and shakes his head. “It”s a conversation for another day. However, I must admit, Manille did a great job. She”s talented.”
“She”s the best,” I affirm without hesitation.
Corentin”s compliment makes me smile proudly, even if it”s not directed at me. Decorating a place is always challenging, especially when aiming for speed and efficiency, but she excelled. I choose not to dig deeper. He”s right; we”ll discuss it another time.
My friend grabs my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine. He places a kiss on the back of my hand and looks at me with deep intensity.
“Do you feel better?”
My smile brightens at so much tenderness and attention.
“Yes, thank you. And you, how are you?”
He shrugs and looks away, seemingly observing the people around us.
“I want this to end quickly. It will be better when we”re back home.”
Why is he in such a hurry to leave?
I understand his relationship with his father is complex, and he feels uncomfortable with his incessant jabs, but it”s still his sister”s wedding. Shouldn”t he be happy to share this moment with her?
“They”re coming,” he warns me, snapping me out of my thoughts as the music starts.
We stand up and admire the brides moving toward the altar. It”s the first time I”m participating in a ceremony I”ve organized. Even when I was Cécile”s assistant, there were consistent last-minute details to refine at the reception venue.
Clara advances slowly on the arm of her beautiful partner, radiant more than ever in her ivory mermaid dress. Simple and fitted, it hugs her body like a second skin. She”s beautiful! As for Naisha, she has nothing to envy. Opting for a champagne-colored princess dress, she is equally dazzling.
Seeing happiness shining in the eyes of the two young women uniting for life can only make me happier. And sharing this moment with Corentin is a real satisfaction. I take out my phone and take a photo as the officiant utters the long-awaited phrase. “You may kiss the bride.” The two embrace passionately under our joyful applause.
I love my job, and I can”t help but think my profession is not easy, but the more I advance in my career, the more convinced I am I”m in the right place. As the two brides face each other while signing the marriage register, my own tears mix with the ambient joy and streak down my cheeks. Fortunately, Corentin hands me a tissue. A quick glance shows me the delight in his eyes, as well as the emotion.
“It”s so beautiful,” I whisper not to disturb the ceremony. “I wonder what it”s like to get married.”
“You”ll know when your turn comes,” he responds softly.
“I doubt it. I don”t think I want to.”
I don”t need to look at Corentin to guess he”s furrowing his brows.
“Why?”
As he gives me an inquisitive look, it”s up to me to shrug.
“I”m too afraid of being left standing at the altar. After what I”ve been through with my father, it”s hard for me to imagine trusting a man enough to commit for life.”
A silence stretches for several seconds as I watch the brides and witnesses sign the marriage register. Then, I turn to Corentin and am caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze.
“I would not abandon my wife,” he finally murmurs, not releasing his gaze.
Strangely, his words reassure me as much as they squeeze my heart. One day, he will have a companion, a wife, a family.
“She”ll be lucky,” I say, pushing past the nausea and the painful twinge in my chest.
“I think I”ll be the lucky one in the end,” he responds.