Elliot opened his eyes, annoyance flickering in them. “She’s still not here?”
The emcee nodded.
Elliot’s face darkened, his irritation flaring as he shot me another message.
[What the hell are you doing? Get to the hotel within fifteen minutes, or this wedding is off.]
Minutes passed, but there was no response.
Fuming, he dialed my number, only to be met with silence.
Nearly yelling, he turned to his assistant. “Find Leah and bring her here! I need to know what’s going on.”
The assistant rushed out, leaving the hall full of guests exchanging puzzled looks.
Then, Tessa appeared at the entrance, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Elliot’s panic was immediate.
He rushed over to her, grabbing her hands, his words stumbling. “Tessa, I…”
Tessa choked back sobs, her voice trembling. “Elliot, I wasn’t really asleep.”
“I was only pretending. I know I have no right to stop you from marrying Leah.”
“But I underestimated how much I love you.”
“The moment you left, I couldn’t stay away. I just had to see you one last time.”
“I needed to hug the man I loved before you became hers.”
“After today, you’ll belong to her. And I’ll lose the right to love you.”
Elliot held her close, his face soft with tenderness, as he tried to reassure her.
Suddenly, as though a lightbulb had gone off in his mind, Elliot pulled out his phone and began recording.
“Leah, are you still going to leave me hanging?”
“I’m giving you five minutes. Get here, or I’ll marry Tessa instead.”
“If you don’t show up, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Tessa’s eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope, her expression a delicate mix of bashfulness and eager anticipation as she watched him.
Elliot sent me the video and his frustration was evident in every frame.
But once again, no response came.
Grinding his teeth, Elliot muttered through clenched jaws, “Alright, Leah, you’re really testing my limits now, aren’t you? This is your choice. Even if you beg me on your knees later, don’t expect another chance.”
He turned to Tessa, his voice now softening as he held out his hand. “Tessa, will you marry me?”
Tessa’s face lit up as she nodded eagerly, her excitement radiating.
The ceremony unfolded just as they’d rehearsed.
Elliot and Tessa stood before each other, eyes locked, reciting vows of eternal love.
Yet, despite the moment's intensity, Elliot felt an odd sense of distraction.