Chapter 3 Greed

Laura...

"Ryan Richard, will you have this woman, Laura Allen, to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage, will you love her, comfort her, honour her and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, so long as you both shall live?" The priest's voice pulled me to reality from the deep ocean of my thoughts.

"I do," Ryan said with a very calm voice, his head held low.

My heart started thumping against my chest fast as the priest looked at me. "Laura Allen, will you have this man, Ryan Richard, to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage, will you love him, comfort him, honour him and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, so long as you both shall live?"

My hands clenched into fists, my heart started bleeding as I forced myself to let the two simple words out. "I do." And it's done.

Alex, his best friend who was the best man today handed us the rings.

I extended my hand to him and he slipped the ring into my finger. I felt calm suddenly as he stared into my eyes with his warm yet foreign gaze that sent shivers through my spine. I slowly held his hand, and my hand started trembling. As he noticed that, he put his other hand below my wrist. I took a deep breath and slipped the ring into his finger.

It was supposed to be Aaron. The guy I love. It was supposed to be the best day of my life.

"Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have- the gifts of your lives united. And may your days belong on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest announced us as the husband-wife and all the guests who were present clapped their hands.

Now I didn't dare to look at Ryan. Though I stopped him from asking for any kind of husband's rights from me, I can't stop him from this. It's a must. And I hate it the most.

I prepared myself before he slowly started leaning towards me. My heart beating fast that I feared that it will jump out of its place. I have never imagined someone else kissing me. It has always been Aaron. It's okay, Laura. It's just a lip kiss like a simple peek. You can do this. And it's not that he will kiss my lips.

Who would miss the chance to kiss my lips?

When I closed my eyes and was ready to face the next moment, I felt his lips on my cheek. The breath that I was holding inside came out of my mouth like the leaking gas of a balloon.

I was slightly taken aback but tried to look normal as I felt he was staring at me.

He tried to prove himself innocent this time, didn't he? Of course, he planned it. He is already so lucky, the breadwinner but I think he wants more.

People are just greedy animals. When he gets a seat to sit, he wants a bed to lay down. Greed is all about acquiring things. Acquiring money, acquiring power, acquiring attention, acquiring time and so on. The running mantra is "I want. I want. I want."