Chapter 20 Because you never asked
“I promise to love you and always be by your side, through all of the ups and downs.”
“I vow to always be faithful, and always be your best friend, no matter what the future might bring.”
“I promise to always root for you, cheer you on, and be your biggest fan.”
“I promise to love and support you.”
“I promise to spend the rest of my days loving you unconditionally.”
“I promise to cherish you for the rest of your life.”
“Before our family and friends, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, I promise to love you and spend the rest of my days with you.”
Tihana watched as Aiden went on and on to say these vows before he finally puts the ring on her finger.
The priest made her repeat the same thing and she hesitated before saying them.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Aiden lifted her veil and gave her a quick kiss.
She closed her eyes as he kissed her. Not because she wanted the kiss but because she was trying hard to hold in the tears threatening to fall.
She was seriously hurt.
Everyone was happy but her? Everything was just fake and Tihana just doesn’t understand why Aiden have to make it look so real.
Her mouth trembles and she push herself not to cry, this was tearing her up especially after knowing all the vows he had just made were all fake.
It is just an act and everything is gonna end sooner or later. Tihana raised her ring to show the gathering and they all cheered.
Her eyes meet with that of Diana who could understand what she was feeling inside and Diana just gave her a warm smile.
Aiden held her hand as they climb down the aisle.
Flowers were thrown from different angles and she could see smiles on people’s faces.
She managed to smile to avoid suspicions from the people around.
“Congratulations daughter.” Aiden’s mother said and embraced Tihana.
“Thank you ma.” Tihana replied in a smile.
“Congratulations son. Wish you all the happiness in your new home.” Aiden’s mother hugged her son in all smiles.
“Congratulations grandson, you’re finally a man.” Grandfather said as he walked up to them and engulfed Aiden in a hug.
Aiden managed to free himself from the hug and scoffed within himself.
He has finally done what he has always wanted.
“Congratulations dear. You’re now part of the family.” Grandfather faced Tihana and she smiled.
“I got you a personal gift for this blissful union.” Grandfather stretched out a envelope towards Aiden and he collected it.
“What’s this?”This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“Open it and see for yourself.” Grandfather grinned and Aiden opened it, staring suspiciously at him.
He finally opened it and his eyes widened a bit. It was tickets to Canada.
“I just saw tickets.” Aiden said hoping it wasn’t what he was thinking.
“I sponsored your honeymoon. Congratulations once again.”
“You can’t run from this grandson because it connects to your business trip.” Grandfather smiled at Aiden as he hugged him once again and whispered to his ear.
“Can’t you always try to mind your own business?” Aiden whispered back.
“If you weren’t my family then that would have worked on me, grandson.” Grandfather withdrew from the hug.
Wayne who was standing behind the couple, collected the tickets from Aiden.
“I believe the couples should go home now as they must be tired.” Grandfather said again and Aiden walked out of the church with Tihana behind him.
They entered the limousine that was already waiting for them and it drove away.
Tihana waved back at the people waving at them in a smile.
She took a deep breath when they were out of sight and rested back on the chair.
She stole a glance at the man beside her and as usual, he was on his phone.
She finally let the tears that she’s been holding fall.
What would become of her now?
She has always wished to marry after she become an independent woman and to a man who would love and cherish her but all that was shattering right in front of her.
She was now married to her worst nightmare.
“Drive us to the reality show.” Aiden said to the chaffeur still on his phone.
“Okay sir.” The chaffeur replied and took a another route.
Huh?
What were they going to do there?
She hopes it wasn’t what she was thinking.
___
Rebecca opened the pot and took a piece of pasta into her mouth. She shook her as she tastes it and brought out the salt container.
She sprinkled some salt into the pasta and added water. She closed back the pot for the pasta to cook.
Ever since they threw Tihana out of the house, she has been the one doing all most everything in the house.
Her daughter Emma doesn’t help with anything and when she confronts her, she uses school work to give flimsy excuse.
She made to start washing the plates when her daughter rushed into the kitchen.
“Are you done with your school work now?” Rebecca said sarcastically.
“Mother, this isn’t time for this. You have to come with me.” Emma said in a haste.
“What is the matter?” Rebecca said in a panicked voice but her daughter didn’t reply, she just grabbed her mother’s hand and took her to the sitting room.
She made her mother sit down on the chair and sat beside her.
“You called me here from where I was cooking for you to eat just to watch this?” Rebecca asked as she stared at her daughter unbelievably.
“Shhh mom.” Emma shushed still watching the TV.
Rebecca raised her hand about to give her daughter a resounding slap when her eyes caught something on the TV.
She watched with widened eyes and her hand still up.
Who was she seeing? Or was her eyes paining her?
She decided to comport herself with a negative thought.
“What crime has the stupid girl committed that made her appear in the news?”
Emma scoffed and faced her mother.
“Crime? Can’t you see she’s wearing a wedding gown and beside her is one of America’s billionaire?”
“Why is she wearing a wedding gown? Was she caught trying to force a man marry her? Because I know for a fact no one would willingly marry her.” Rebecca grinned.
“Mother, just pay attention and you’d understand.”
Rebecca did as her daughter said and what she heard next shocked the living hell out of her.
“How did you both fall in love?” The interviewer asked.
“Well after weeks of being friends, we both realised we wanted to be more than friends and here we are.” Aiden replied in a light smile.
“But why haven’t we seen her with you before?”
“She actually hates public things.” Aiden answered immediately and then faced Tihana who had a bright smile on her face.
“Mrs Tihana, you aren’t saying anything? Or like your husband said, are you really shy?”
“Maybe.” Tihana replied and they all laughed.
Rebecca scoffed and stood up. She took the remote and switched off the TV.
“Mother, why did you turn it off?” Emma said as she stared at her mother.
“Is that what you are watching? Are you happy for her or what?” Rebecca ranted out.
“Of course not mother. You and I know I would be the last person on Earth to be happy for that wretched soul.”
“But there’s nothing we can do. She is now married to a billionaire and they look madly in love with each other on the TV.” Emma said again jealously and rolled her eyes.
“Are you truly my daughter? or you were switched after birth?”
“And what is that supposed to mean mother?”
“You are sounding like an idiot right now. What do you mean by there is nothing we can do?”
The smell of something burning stopped Emma from saying the next thing on her mind.
“Mother, weren’t you done cooking?” Emma asked as she smelled around her.
“Of course I was done, foolish girl.”
“I’m asking because something seems to be burning. Can’t you smell it?”
“Oh goodness! My food.” Rebecca rushed back into the kitchen and Emma shook her head.
She stood up from the chair and went to room.
___
“This is literally the worst day of my life” Tihana tells Diana on the phone as she climbs down the stairs.
“I know sweetheart and I can feel your pain.”
“You know, even if you asked me not feel guilty, I can’t help it.” Guilt was evident in Diana’s voice as she spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you saying sorry? I’m the one to apologise to you.” Diana corrected immediately and Tihana sighed.
“It’s fine.”
“Alright, I’ll call you tomorrow. I have something to deal with now.”
“Okay.” Tihana hung up and joined Aiden at the dinning as they ate in total silence.
___
Diana dropped her phone and faced Wayne.
She had asked to see Wayne in his car this evening and he granted her wish.
“So, how are you related to Aiden Turner? Why were you his best man at the wedding?” She asked the questions on her mind since the wedding.
“Which one should I answer first?”
“Yours to choose.” Diana shrugged.
“Fine. I am his right hand man and he is like a brother to me.”
“Oh!” Diana muttered.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” She said again.
“That is because you didn’t ask.” It was Wayne’s turn to shrug.
Diana rolled her eyes and got out of the car without saying anything again.
“Are you angry?” Wayne yelled after her as she entered into her house but she didn’t reply.
Wayne sighed and drove away.