Chapter 5 The rejected bride

The day had jerked back to it's usuals yet the gossip and headlines weren't changing. Stacy was sighted sitting on her couch and focused on her tv screen before her. As a famous celebrity, her life was never private and everything revolving around it was known by the public. It made her miserable that she growled, kicked her legs and gasps and even cried.

It seems she was the queen of tears, nothing breaks her down than being rejected. She was having a rollercoaster of emotions. Her phone kept ringing countless times and she had to switch it off to avoid disturbance. She looked like a half dead soul striving to breath as she watched different news channels discussing about the next empress wedding.

Her ruffled hair covered her face as she gasped softly having no excuse to tell her family mostly the one whom she feared the most. The devastated lady buried her head in shame, swallowing the pain in her chest, if she doesn't find her groom, she would expose herself to the family but how humiliating and her dream wouldn't come true.

This woman had never been this worried over a man and Ryan was changing her policies. She looked even more petrified than when her engagements and wedding were called off. The fact that he made her heart flutter and pounce at every touch made her wonder if she was herself. It had been half a day still no trace of the young man whose thought had taken control of her. It was perplexing as she curled her kneel to her breasts, then rolled her eyes to the couch and suddenly found a letter almost sinking down.

Hastily, she took it, got it opened and scoffed at the write up. Her mood changed instantly and her face had brightness all over. Like an excited chick, she scampered from her seat, grabbed her phone and stormed outside. Stacy didn't mind what she wore as her outfit looked like a stray child.

Though, she took a face cap and nose mask to hide her identity. Finding herself in the garage, she intended to take her lamborghini but finds it quite attractive, hence she decided to board a taxi across the cross walk close to her house. While she was taking the drive, a call came through from an unknown number. It turns out to be the spy she had assigned to find her runaway groom at any cost. She replied his call and the first words he said were:

"Found him"

An evil smile left her as she beckoned on the driver to gear up just to reach the current location her spy had given on time. There was no way he would hide from her clutches especially when she had influence and power around the country. From the looks of it, luck was on her side and that groom was going to pay for last night and keeping her troubled.

***

His fingers clicked against the mug of coffee in front of him as his eyes studied the love shape designed on the foam bubbling in the mug. It was quiet here and had no peeking eyes. Ryan had to wear an outfit that would make him unrecognizable because of preying eyes which would make him uncomfortable and nervous. He disliked unnecessary attention.

From yesterday, his moves and existence would be known and followed up by fans or non-partisans. Ryan was waiting for Scott to show up but then, he widen his eyes when a female called his name.

"Ryan"

Who could have recognized him when he had his face covered with a cap and nose mask. He shoved his face slightly at who called him. His heart had ceased pouncing as he knew that voice even before looking at her.

"Miranda" he muttered standing from where he sat as agony had now taken over him at the sight of this woman who was holding firm to her hand bag.

Meanwhile, Stacy had halted close to the coffee shop. Earlier, she had seen his address on the letter and phone number but then, her spy confirmed that he was presently at a coffee shop. She let out a sided smile and hop down while attempting to stride inside the coffee shop only to sight her groom holding the hands of a woman outside the shop. He looked like he was forcing this woman to stay against her wish as she tries wriggling her hand from his hold. Though, she couldn't hear their conversation but the situation wasn't likable and how demeaning he could be, forcing a lady without her will. She didn't want to mind who that woman was as he was married to her alone from yesterday.

He could chose to be with another and that's after their wedding falls through, for now, he was the public's perfect prince charming. Her bright face turned dark as she folded her fists and clenched her teeth. Her attention shifted to some neitzens around who had began pointing fingers at him as he looked familiar to the groom of yesterday.

Stacy had to save the situation no matter how. She suddenly began to run towards him, spread her arms freely and in the presence of this strange woman, she embraced her groom warmly causing him to let go of the woman he was pleading with. Her body jolted against his as time had to stop for these two newly wedded. The first woman gawk at him and took her leave instantly. He suddenly became speechless at Stacy's act that he couldn't try stopping that woman who turns out to be his ex-wife from leaving.

Her embrace made the world stopped still on its axis. It was an unwelcoming hug but he needed it as his shattered heart desired someone to fill it up and tell him everything was fine. He felt his heart pouncing fast as this woman hung her head lazily on his shoulder. She tighten her grip around him as her cold face rubbed against his neck tickling him. Her voguish clothes still kept captive an aroma redolent of cinnamon and meadow-fresh mint and it's scent lingered around his nose.

There was no time, no wind, no rain. Ryan's mind was tensed as his eyes tailed on the woman leaving him and rested on his accidental bride who took him by surprise. She felt her body press in, soft and warm. He smelt refreshing unlike last night and she felt like staying in that position forever.

Stacy wished for a warm cuddle and someone who genuinely would stay beside her during her turbulent times and whispered that he loves her for she was but that seems impossible. His hands weren't around her but that wasn't her concern. The world just needed to know that she was his for now. She remembered when he had pushed her in for cuddle in the sitting room before resuming his hot kiss. Though there was no emotion attached, she felt connected. He tried to terminate the hug but she whispered;

"All eyes are on us just act like we're in love"

It tends to be that her words didn't register in his head as he hauled her away from him and intended to race after that woman but Stacy held him tight on the wrist not wanting to let him go because she felt they would never cross path again. Those peering eyes had left them alone as only them stood outside this cafe. Stacy tottered him to a corner of the shop were people couldn't be sighted and heaved an angry sigh.

"We're married... remember?" She broke out hoping that he doesn't act cold and leave her sight like the other men do. At least, not today, because the old man needs to approve them before death consumes him. Stacy had managed to convince her father that she would show up tonight with her groom but would that come true? Only Brian can decide that. Her eyes were fixed on him, they were pleading for him to understand.

The young man placed his grip on her hand holding his wrist, it was trembling and then he pulled it gently away. His weary gaze could prove he was contemplating but yet he couldn't connect with her words. He apologized for last night claiming he wasn't in his right mind and then finally concluded with an agonizing line.

"I'm sorry but there can never be an us"

As soon as he said those words, he stride away, leaving her like a forgotten bride, tears gathered in her eyes and she winced watching him fade away gradually.

"He left again" she proclaimed feeling disdainful.