Chapter 3 Part 3 : The Wedding

"Please, don't!!!"

Vallerie suddenly woke up from her sleep. Even Bryan woke up alongside her.

"What's wrong, darling?" Bryan asked, sounding worried.

"I had a nightmare," Vallerie replied.

Bryan immediately got out of bed and brought her a glass of water.

"Thank you, Bryan," Vallerie said, drinking the water until it was all gone.

"Do you feel better now?"

Vallerie only nodded. She lay back down on the bed, and Bryan wrapped his arms around her.

What did she just dream about?

She couldn't even remember. All she knew was that she was being chased by someone in that dream.

"Bryan..."

"Hmmm?"

"What about the investigation into my accident?" Vallerie asked.

"The police are still looking into it, darling. Just leave everything to them. You should focus on your health instead," Bryan said, tightening his embrace around his wife.

Vallerie returned his hug, making Bryan kiss her forehead repeatedly.

"Alright, let's go back to sleep. I'm still tired," Bryan murmured.

"Okay," Vallerie responded with a smile.

❤️❤️❤️

The next morning, Vallerie woke up abruptly. She was startled by the sounds of people chatting and bustling outside. She looked over, but Bryan wasn't by her side.

Her eyes suddenly fixed on a beautiful white wedding dress, elegantly displayed on a mannequin.

"Why is there a dress here?" Vallerie asked, confused.

But she couldn't deny how much she admired the design of the white gown.

A knock on her door startled her even more.

"Come in!" Vallerie called out loudly.

"Good morning, Madam," greeted Karen, who entered with a tray of fried rice, a cup of hot tea, and a slice of cake.

"Good morning to you too. Can you please stop calling me 'Madam'? Just call me 'Sis,'" Vallerie said, feeling a bit uneasy, as they were only four years apart in age.

"Sorry, I can't, Madam. It's a direct order from Mr. Dominic," Karen replied with a bow.

"Alright," Vallerie sighed.

Karen placed the tray beside Vallerie's bed.

"Oh, by the way, why is there a wedding dress in this room?"

"Mr. Dominic wants you to wear it, Madam. He's planning to redo your wedding ceremony today," Karen replied, as she began to remove the cast from Vallerie's leg. Vallerie only nodded, imagining herself wearing the beautiful gown. She hoped for a miracle once she put it on.

"Finally, I'm free from that thing..." Vallerie said, now able to walk normally again. Karen was just as happy for her.

"So, the people downstairs..."

"Yes, they're the guests for your wedding with Mr. Bryan today," Karen answered while tidying the bed and moving the tray to a small table.

"Let's have breakfast first, Madam, and then you can wear the dress," Karen added.

ʕ⁠っ⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠ʔ⁠っ ʕ⁠っ⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠ʔ⁠っ

Bryan was chatting with some of his business colleagues in the backyard. The theme for today's wedding was outdoor. He had meticulously planned everything, and the decorations were extravagant.

His attention was drawn when the guests began murmuring. The person he had been waiting for finally appeared. Vallerie looked stunning in the white dress, with her long hair cascading beautifully and a bouquet of flowers in her hand. She walked slowly, accompanied by Karen. A sweet smile never left her face as she greeted the guests.

Bryan rushed over and immediately took her hand, kissing it gently. "You look absolutely beautiful," Bryan complimented her with a warm smile. Vallerie's heart nearly leaped out of her chest at the compliment.

"Do you like all of this?" Bryan asked, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Of course, but it feels so sudden."

"I just wanted to surprise you," Bryan replied, never taking his eyes off his wife.

Vallerie smiled as she took in the beautiful decorations of the wedding.

"Was our original wedding like this too, Bryan?"

"Of course," Bryan responded.

But Vallerie sensed something odd. Why didn't anyone here seem to know her? Why were the guests only chatting among themselves?

"Bryan..." Vallerie said.

"What is it, darling?" Bryan asked, kissing her hand again.

"Why-" she started, but was interrupted by someone.

"Mr. and Mrs., it's time to begin the ceremony. The officiant is here," John said.

"Come on, darling!" Bryan urged.

The two of them sat before an officiant who appeared to be in his fifties. Vallerie didn't recognize him either.

Her heart started to race as the officiant began to speak. She wanted to object to all of this, but she didn't know why.

"Think positive, Vallerie. Bryan is your husband, and you have to trust him," Vallerie thought, battling with herself.

She watched as Bryan held the officiant's hand.

After the wedding ceremony was over, they kissed each other. The loud applause from the guests made the wedding celebration even more festive.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in her mind, a faint image of another man's face. But who was he?

Bryan turned to kiss her forehead, followed by kissing her hand again.

"Now, you have no more doubts, right?" Bryan asked.

Vallerie simply shook her head and smiled warmly.

They sat down together, enjoying the wedding reception. "Bryan, do I not have any friends?" Vallerie asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, none of the guests seem to know me," she said, her face showing sadness.

"Vallerie!" someone shouted from a distance.

A woman came running toward her. "Did you forget about me too?" she asked.

Vallerie looked confused, not recognizing the woman in front of her.

"I'm Emily. We were schoolmates," she said, pulling Vallerie into a tight hug.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Bryan said, giving Emily a look before walking away.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Vallerie," Emily said, tears in her eyes.

Vallerie smiled, relieved that someone knew her.

"Why didn't you visit me at the hospital?" Vallerie asked.

"I was out of the country at the time," Emily replied, still hugging Vallerie.

Vallerie felt a sense of comfort in Emily's embrace.

"How did you end up in that accident?" Emily asked, curious.

"I don't remember anything," Vallerie answered sadly.

"It's okay. Just forget the past and focus on your new life with Bryan," Emily suggested.

Vallerie nodded in understanding.

"But, something feels strange. Why do I feel so familiar with you?" Vallerie wondered.

"Because we've been friends for a long time, of course, you'd feel that way."

"But with Bryan?"

Emily glanced around nervously before answering Vallerie's question.

"Well..."

"Ahem..." Bryan cleared his throat, cutting Emily off.

"Darling, we need to greet the other guests. Some of my business associates from abroad are here," Bryan said, taking Vallerie's hand.

He gave Emily a sharp look before leading Vallerie away.

"God, please protect Vallerie," Emily whispered.

TO BE CONTINUED...