𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒

Chapter 6

She has finally arrived at her own wedding. The sky was so bright and sunny, showing their happiness from the above. The birds are tweeting happily through the sky, singing gloriously.

Seraphina gripped her bouquet tightly, while walking towards the closed door of the church. The weather and sky are in good condition, but hers was in a bad condition.

"Are you ready, Ma'am Watsons?" The young girl asked her gently, asking for some confirmation to open the entrance so that the wedding would start. Seraphina observed the people who were all around her, they were all in a glee.

Seraphina didn't reply for a moment, still compressing her mind and heart, but she knows that she will never be at peace. The young girl waits patiently for her, the girl lowkey understands her situation. The girl thought that she was nervous, but the truth is she was in wrath and rage.

After a while, Seraphina nodded her head without saying anything, too numb to form words. The girl smiled and signalled some personnel that the bride was ready.

Seraphina took a deep breath and prepared herself for her upcoming miserable new life. She cursed at her breath while trying to control her fast heart rate.

She heard the door was finally unlocked and opened slowly. The sight of the millions of flowers and aroma immediately greeted her nose. She heard some muffled gasps and mutterings. She heard some cameras clicking.

Seraphina took her first step towards the aisle. As she looks at Zachariah she regrets her decision for not running away earlier. Marriage is like a cage for her, no freedom.

As she walked further, her parents went beside her. She linked their arms with her dad, her dad walked her towards Zachariah. She looked at her dad, and saw a peaceful and content smile on his face. It looks refreshing.

"I know Zachariah will take good care of you." Her dad genuinely whispered while smiling. Seraphina scoffed while still maintaining her fake smile to show everyone that she is happy. "I can take  good care of myself." Seraphina replied back with aggravation.

After a few seconds, they arrived at Zachariah's place, waiting patiently with a pure smile cornered around his corner. His eyes were sparkling and unreadable. Seraphina broke their staring contest and looked at the altar.

Seraphina's father guided her hand through Zachariah's hand, making them connected and being one. "Take good care of my daughter. I'll leave my trust in you." Warnold whispered while smiling, making Zachariah smile brighter in return, "I promise, Dad." They both shared a smile.

Zachariah held Seraphina's hand with so much care, while walking towards the priest. The priest was softly smiling at the two, showing them the greatest welcome for their new beginnings will start today.

Zachariah and Seraphina stood by the altar and faced each other. They were still holding their hands. Both of them were lost in each other's eyes, the mutters went deaf towards their ears and focused towards each other.

Zachariah squeezed her hands, sensing that Seraphina's hands were already shaking. He smiled sadly and comforted her silently while intertwining their hands together.

Seraphina looked at him with pain inside her eyes. While Zachariah looked at her with an adoration filled inside her eyes. Both of them hold opposite emotions together.

The priest started to soliloquy to everyone who is present to witness the two 'couples' for their wedding ceremony. Expatiating the value of marriage and the importance.

"Dear beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses that are here today, to join together this man and woman in holy matrimony." The expounded.

"Marriage is a sacred institution, a union created by God. It is a bond not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, and lovingly." The priest stated warmly as he looked at the couple and the guests.

The priest prompts the couple to exchange their vows. "Do you, Zachariah Ashford, take Seraphina Watsons to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" The priest asked seriously.

"I do." Zachariah solemnly uttered with a loving smile plastered on his face while caressing Seraphina's hands softly, looking at her with a fond and pure adoration filling inside his eyes for her.

"Do you, Seraphina Watsons, take Zachariah Ashford to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" The priest asked again seriously while looking at Seraphina.

Seraphina didn't answer. She looked at Zachariah with a hesitation lingering inside in her eyes. She gripped at Zachariah's hands tightly. Zachariah looked at her with so much concern in her eyes.

She saw her parents looking anxious on why she hadn't still responded her vow. The guests are now murmuring about the silence of the bride. She was getting anxious and troubled.

Her mouth couldn't form a single word, it looks like it didn't want to. She bit her lips to stop quivering.

"I... I do." Seraphina stuttered while releasing a sigh. Zachariah's tensed shoulders are now back to normal. She watched their parents release a relief.

The priest delivered words for exchange of rings. "The wedding ring is a symbol of your love and commitment. As you place these rings upon each other's fingers, it may be a constant reminder of the vows you have made today."

As with that, Zachariah held Seraphina's fingers delicately and inserted the ring inside her fingers slowly and carefully. Seraphina followed the steps and inserted the ring to Zachariah with shaky hands.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace." The priest uttered religiously.

"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal your vows with a kiss." The priest pronounces the newly wedded couple as married with glee in his face.

Seraphina's breath hitched, as well as Zachariah too. They looked at each other with an unknown look in their face. They both stood awkwardly, but remembered that there are many people who were looking at them right now. They didn't wanna suspect this marriage was only an arrangement because of the conflicts of the Watsons Company.

Without a choice, Seraphina closed her eyes and waited for Zachariah. Her heart was very fast right now, and she's sure that Zachariah already heard her heartbeat because of the loudness. Zachariah opened her veil slowly and carefully.

She felt strong arms snaked through her waist and pulled her closer to his warm chest. She felt a gentle cup on his cheek. Her breath quickly quickened, but she didn't dare to open her eyes. She can feel the warm breath of Zachariah fanning on her face, it smells fresh minty dew.

She felt a soft lips on the corner of her lips. She realized that Zachariah didn't kiss her on the lips, but on the corner only. The guests cheered cheerfully, not knowing that they were not really kissing, only the angle makes it look like they are.

Zachariah pulled out his lips and looked at her with a smile. The genuine action made Seraphina breath in relief.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to your Mr. and Mrs. Ashford. May your marriage be blessed with love, joy, and peace." The priest happily announced through the crowd with the following claps and yells.