Page 13 of Neptune

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CASSIE

W hen I enter the famous crystal garden in which my wedding will take place, my heart beats like a drum in my chest. The garden is beautifully decorated, filled with flowers, most of which are my favorite white daisies, except for the aisle, which is covered in white rose petals.

All the guests stare at me, stunned, watching as I slowly make my way down the aisle with Oscar.

I smile softly even though my heart is restless—I'm trying my best to ignore the thought that they're mocking me in their heads, and what Luke said back in the dressing room helps, boosting my confidence and keeping my shaking legs moving forward.

Then I see him. My ex-boyfriend. Jude Scott. It's impossible for my eyes to escape him because he's standing next to the aisle. What shocks me even more is that he brought a date with him, and the girl isn't the backup dancer with whom he cheated on me.

I know this new girl. She's a famous model.

Typical Jude with another shiny girl toy. Such a heartbreaker. Why am I even surprised?

I'm trying my best to control my emotions, involuntarily gripping Oscar's arm as I continue walking. Oscar stiffens, knowing exactly why my mood suddenly becomes worse than it already is.

When I pass Jude and his pretty companion, I can feel him staring at me. His gaze is piercing, like he's stripping all my clothes off and seeing right through me.

I quickly compose myself, still looking straight ahead. The closer I get to the altar, the clearer I can see Luke. Our eyes meet, and he stares at me so deeply and intensely that I feel like breaking our eye contact.

But the hold he has on me is too strong, like there's so much more he's trying to say to me.

Shit . He can't possibly have been serious when he said that he's going to fuck me at the altar, can he? Because that's the only assumption I have about his mind right now.

I hate him even more because he just made me see Jude again with another girl right before I enter a marriage that I don't even want to be in.

That's a reminder of how messed up I am.

When I finally reach Luke and face him, I'm too angry to feel depressed.

The procession begins, and I listen as the priest says, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to join this man and this woman together.

In this holy estate, these two come now to be joined.

If any man can show just cause as to why these two may not be joined together, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace. "

No one interrupts, and I don't know whether it's fortunate or unfortunate.

The priest clears his throat and continues, "Lucas Klein, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, will you keep only unto her, as long as you both shall live?"

"I will," Luke vows. There isn't the slightest hint of doubt or guilt in his voice, like he was born to lie.

I take a deep breath, waiting as the priest opens his mouth to say the next words for me.

"Cassandra Castillo, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, will you keep only unto him, as long as you both shall live? "

Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I muster all the strength in me to keep calm, to face what needs to be done.

"I will," I say, my voice slightly shaking, but I think that it's only Luke, the person standing closest to me, who can notice it.

It's done. I'm fucking married to this bastard. I don't even know what will happen to me after we live together. I just hope that I'm still alive at the end of the day.

When it's time to put on our wedding rings, I notice that Paul, who brings them for us, is tearful. He has such a soft heart.

Luke and I place our wedding rings on each other's fingers one after another, and I'm glad that the childish ring that was once on his finger is now gone.

"Because you have consented together to holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have given and pledged your loyalties one to the other, and have evidenced this by the giving and receiving of rings and joining hands, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you as husband and wife," the priest says. "You may now kiss the bride."

I feel like I want to vanish into thin air in an instant. Kissing Luke is the last thing I ever want to do.

But we have to finish the procession. Besides, everyone is watching. Everyone . Including Jude, who is now happily standing with his new date, as if he's done nothing wrong to me.

Right. The thought of him daring to step into this place with his new girl and make another hurricane inside my heart is enough to cause rage to consume my body.

And did you see how he eyed me earlier when I walked down the aisle? It's as if he challenged me to go on with this bullshit in front of his eyes.

I clench my jaw while Luke's face draws closer to mine, our noses touching. But then, he tilts his head slightly to lean closer to my ear, and I can hear his light chuckle.

My blood boils even more. He must have realized that my mind is somewhere else, definitely occupied with jealousy and frustration due to the sight of my ex-boyfriend. Then I realize that if I show how distasteful I am about this marriage, it will only entertain Jude.

"Still thinking of not kissing me?" Luke whispers in my ear, so softly, his breath tickling my skin.

And blood rushes through every vein in my body, the anger in me escalating. Luke focuses back on my lips, and that's when I crash my lips against his, surprising myself.

Damn you, Luke.

I can feel him smile in our kiss before he kisses me fiercely, pulling me closer to him, while I wrap my hands around his neck.

The atmosphere in the garden brightens, the guests cheering and applauding as the ceremony ends, marking the day when I belong to him.