Page 30 of Conquered

“You’re a filthy ex-convict who deserves to rot in jail. If you ever come near me again, I swear I’ll have you locked up even if I have to use all my fiancée’s resources.”

Fear crossed his face. He backed away mumbling as he rubbed the palm print on his face.

“This is not the last you’ll hear from me,”

Noelle decided against mentioning the encounter to Hunter. He had a lot of things on his mind and he was seldom around that whenever he was, Noelle just wanted to spend time with him.

Noelle eventually got caught up in the frenzy for her wedding preparation that she managed to put Diggs out of her mind.

***

The day finally arrived. Today was her wedding day. Hunter hired the penthouse suite of a five-star hotel for her and that was where she now stood breathlessly gazing at her reflection.

As she gazed at her image in the mirror, she thought her wedding gown was the most enchanting creation she had ever seen. The couturier was selected from a French atelier. Noelle insisted she wanted to merge simplicity and classic styles. The couturier delivered.

The dress was made of hand-cut English and Chantilly lace that included surprise detailing like images of various flowers embroidered on the bodice and skirt. Silk organza covered buttons ran the entire length of her back. It hugged her body because of the narrowed waistline, giving her an hourglass figure. Her veil was ivory lace and displayed similar flower patterns as the skirt. The train was ten feet long.

When her makeup was being applied, she insisted on a natural look, not realizing the “no make-up look” took hours to achieve. Her hair was pulled away from her face and lay in soft waves against her shoulder.

“You look stunning,” Lisa who entered the room silently whispered in awe, “Hunter would approve,” she remarked, wiping a tear from her eye.

Noelle saw Lisa for the first time without her outrageous hair color. As a concession to the boss she adored, it was now silver colored with streaks of gray. It suited her. But a gown was still a no-no. Instead, she opted for a silk pantsuit.

“Lisa…you look beautiful,” Noelle gushed.

“Bah! Today is not about me. It’s about you and Hunter.”

She herded Noelle's glam squad out of the room informing them that coasters waited at the lobby to ferry them to the church. When they were alone once more, Lisa clasped her hands together in happiness looking at Noelle.

“I’m nervous,” Noelle admitted.

“Nothing to be nervous about. You’re just marrying one of the richest men in the world. Women are probably cursing you right now,” she laughed.

Distress fleeted across Noelle’s face.

“Now now, I was just trying to make you smile.” Lisa took her hands and said, “He chose you. That’s all that matters. Hunter is a keeper. Look at me. I’m still in his life.”

Noelle wondered if Lisa knew the terms of their marriage. Hunter wasn’t marrying her for love. He was marrying her out of need - Just as she was. The only difference: she knew she loved him while she was clueless about the state of his heart.

Hunter liked her, she was certain. But as she prepared to meet him at the altar, that wasn’t enough anymore. It could be the dress, the make-up, the fairytale setting, or, the reality that the whole wedding was more of a show to get him closer to his ambition.

But Noelle wished for nothing more than to someday hear him say “I love you.”

Church bells rang as the white limousine ferrying her entered the driveway of the cathedral. The clanging of the bells was in perfect harmony with the wild beating of her heart. A flock of white doves suddenly filled the air, released on cue, from the belfry.

The church was packed, evidenced by the sheer volume of expensive cars lining the boulevard. Policemen on horseback were patrolling the streets, keeping the curious onlookers and media frenzy that broke out occasionally, restricted to the other side of the road.

A cacophony of camera shutter sounds filled the air as Noelle stepped out of the limo. Paparazzi called her name even as wedding planners and her personal glam squad surrounded her, fixing the creases on her dress and retouching her still perfect make-up.

Noelle entered a Zen state, allowing them to do their job. Mr. Brain commanded Mrs. Heart to get lost, and took over. A serene calmness filled Noelle’s being. She raised her chin and relaxed her shoulder. A deacon led her to the closed door of the basilica as strains of the Wedding March, played by the string quartet, emanated from the inside. Then the doors were dramatically pulled open, giving the audience, who all turned to her direction, a view of her silhouette with the sunlight streaming behind her.

An audible gasp filled the air.

Noelle stepped into the darkened interior entrance of the church and saw Nikko standing there. He was marching with his mom to the altar. The sight of the little boy, so dapper in his white three-piece suit, almost brought her to tears. But Nikko grinned happily as he took his Mommy’s hand.

The red carpet was lengthy as Noelle navigated the aisle leading to the altar. Seeing the familiar face of Miranda who gave her a thumbs-up of approval was comforting. There was Lisa who dabbed a hanky to her eyes. Noelle recognized some of the guests from the governor’s ball including James Powell who grinned from ear to ear.

Then… there was her groom looking so devastatingly attractive, so self-assured, waiting to meet her at the foot of the altar. Her son’s suit was the perfect replica of Hunter’s own. Nikko shook hands solemnly with Hunter before he took his place in the front pew.