𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 | ✓

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩 𝟏𝟏

I watched as she walked down the aisle closer to me, looking far more beautiful than I'd been imagining her for the past two weeks. Her veil, flowing behind her like a river of silk, that seemed to stretch on for miles. As she drew closer, I knew that what lay beneath that veil was worth the wait.

Her eyes dart all over the room, as if she's looking for somebody specific. and I can't help but notice the expression on her face, probably because her father just whispered something in her ear. I can't stand that man, I never have, everything about him just pisses me off, I can just tell what type of man he is.

They eventually reached the end of the aisle, her father pecks her on the cheek before disappearing from her side. I couldn't help but stare at her, captivated by her every feature. Her long, flowing brunette curls cascaded down her back, framing her delicate face perfectly. I took in every inch of her beauty, from the top of her head to the bottom of her dress.

With a gentle touch, I lifted the veil, revealing the face that had captured my heart from the very first moment I laid eyes on her. But I couldn't help but notice the pain etched upon her face, she seemed heartbroken and anxious, distracted by something else.

My eyes study every movement on her face as the man beside us babbles on about 'love, commitment and honour.' Her eyes are glossy and wet, as if she was on the verge of crying and I'm trying everything in my willpower not to try and wipe them away. Until finally, "Do you, Ryder Forbes, take Vivienne Whitlock to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

I manage to peel my eyes off her and towards the officiant, "I do" before flicking them back towards her. The sudden use of her name brings her back to this moment and she replies with the same response to the question, only sounding a little hesitant and raspy.

She nervously swallows, her brown eyes flicking up to meet mine. With bated breath, I yearned for permission to finally press my lips against the ones that have been consuming my dreams. They were pursed tightly together at the moment, but I knew that with just a single nod of approval, they would part and welcome me in.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." finally.

My hands wrap around her small waist as they pulled her closer, urging to travel to every part of her body they want to touch. Her feminine scent hit me and flooded my nose, making my head spin and the urge to kiss her even stronger. I waited for her to meet me halfway, she sucked in a deep breath before tilting her head and inviting me in.

As I pressed my lips against her glossy plump ones, the room seems to fade away. The space between us explodes. My heart is skipping beats and my hands can't bring her close enough to me. The softness of her skin, the sweetness of her breath, the warmth of her body - It was as if I had been starving. At that moment, nothing else mattered but the taste of her on my tongue. It was a hunger that had been building inside me for so long, and now that I had finally tasted her, I knew I could never go back to the way things were before.

While lost in the moment, she suddenly pulls her lips away from mine. I wasn't ready. I'm already craving them, the taste of her is quickly leaving my tongue, and I can't savour it. My tongue and my hands want to roam every inch of her.

She's turned facing into the crowd, so I stand close beside her, linking my arm with hers. People are clapping with bright smiles as we head back down the aisle. I hold her close, feeling her warmth against me as we move closer to the doors.

As the heavy doors shut behind us, she's quick to slip out of my arm. She mumbles a quick apology, her eyes gloomy, before quickly heading towards the exit of the old cobblestone building. I stood there, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared through the doors.

I know I should probably go after her, but I also know she'd return, she can't make it far in those heels. I patiently wait for her appearance, but when it doesn't return, I start to grow worried. What if something were to happen to her?

Reluctantly, I'm heading towards the exit myself, my legs moving faster than my brain anticipated. When I slip out of the door, I see her in her white wedding dress, pacing back and forth with her phone glued to her ear. I frown in confusion, before making my way down the stone stairs and closer towards her.

She doesn't seem to notice my presence, so I wait until she does. I observe her closely, noticing the way she delicately brings her hand up to her nose to wipe away a single, solitary sniffle. Her eyes are fixed on the phone in front of her, her expression wrought with desperation as she waits for someone to answer on the other end.

As she let out a frustrated grunt, she turned around, abruptly met with my chest. As I reached out to steady her, I couldn't help but notice the fear in her eyes. She looked up at me, startled and on the verge of tears. "Um, some people are looking for you," I lie, pointing my thumb over my shoulder towards the towering building behind me.

As I stood there, mesmerised by her fluttering eyelashes, she gave me a brief nod and gracefully glided past me, making her way towards the building. Putting two and two together, I imagine somebody didn't show up to the wedding as she expected, and she's not so happy about it.

But it couldn't be that serious, right?

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AN/word count - 1020