Bands of the Unpaid Dowry

Chapter 37

There was an anxious air around the men dressed in neat suits as they slowly took their spots. Jace was accompanied by Sean into the building of the church and his father walked up to him as they took their position in front of the church waiting for the bride to arrive. He smiled when his father stepped down as if walking to his seat but then turned momentarily to his son and placed an affectionate hand on his son's shoulder. Sean looked around the interior of the building and at the numerous people gathered in the vicinity dressed in ostentatious outfits with a merry buzz among them as they awaited the highlight of the ceremony.

"I never thought I'd see the day you would willingly settle down." One side of Jace's lip twitched, an action that hid a lot of nervous energy while Sean tuned in to the conversation and grinned knowingly in response.

"Trust me dad, I never knew this day would come." His eyes glinted and they turned to gaze at the entrance longingly.

"Never knew someone could snug him, Anthony." The men smiled reminiscing the old days and with an encouraging tap, Anthony conveyed his acceptance through his eyes making his son's smile broaden.

"I'm sorry I ever thought of Gwen as an option." Jace's jaw clenched a little as people from their seats looked at the group in curiosity especially with handsome white men that some women thought they would have a chance befriending. His eyes dashed to the entrance that had been decorated again and he heaved out an impatient breath.

"They'll be here soon." Anthony teased his son and threw a meaningful gaze at Sean before stepping into his seat in the congregation.

Just as he sat, he felt his phone vibrate from within his suit's pocket. Jace watched as his father frowned and abruptly stood. His heart rate spiked and he watched the concerned look take over Sean's face. They both knew that nothing took Anthony Elrod by surprise unless it was absolutely alarming. His face composed the look he had as he threw a quick glance at the men who were up and waiting for the arrival of the bridal team which was due about five minutes ago and walked back and out of the exit of the church. Jace panicked but looked at the people who were smiling and waiting and reminded himself that Millicent was coming with her brothers.

"I'm sure they are fine and are going to arrive soon. I never knew you could get jitters too." Sean tried to alleviate both their worries as his blue eyes darkened and shot a hot and disturbed look at the entrance himself. He forced his hand down when it tried to run through his neatly styled hair in worry.

Jace was just about to step off his place when a calm looking Anthony walked back in with his communicative gaze trained on his son. The look caused both men to relax in understanding as it screamed one thing. It's okay. Whatever happened is under control. It's going to be a good day.

"That was such a weird encounter and it has made us a little late." Manuela commented from Millicent's side as she also pondered on the strange event that took place just a few minutes ago. Those men looked like bodyguards but no one was allowed to leave the car as instructed by their driver who had looked to be on edge. He worked for Anthony and Millicent tended to listen to the father of her husband to be as his knowledge she had come to know surpassed theirs in ways beyond comprehension. Her mother and brothers who were driving behind her had been alarmed by the incident and were getting antsy they had been held back by Josephine who was in there with them.

She turned to her friend and spoke through her eyes turning them to the driver. "Hey Travis, what was that about back there?"

The man looked up through the mirror in front of him with a grim look. "It was nothing, miss, there was just some nuisance who didn't seem to know how to drive. Some of Mr. Elrod's guards cleared the road."