The Gold and the Forest

XXXIX

Chapter 39: Forever

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"Carl!" Vivien groaned for the third time. "We're seriously going to be late!"

Carl struggled to fit the dress shoes onto his foot. Vivi decided to take the matters into her own hands and shove it on. He breathed out a sigh of relief when it went on and gave her a quick "thank you." She pushed him down to the door and they both hopped into the car waiting for them. Vivi fixed her dress quickly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

She then fixed her gaze upon her unfortunate boyfriend. He looked nervous upon her scrutiny, and wondered what part of his suit he had not put on correctly. Her brows furrowed, and she reached up to adjust his collar, and then pecked him.

"Vivien." He blushed, making it known to her that the driver was still present.

"Oh, you're so handsome." She cooed, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture of him. She sent it over to Min.

Min received the image back over in their apartment, and Kade rolled over at the ping that came from her phone. "Who's texting you, babe?"

"Don't call me babe." She groped his face without turning back to look at him. "Awww, look!"

"I would if you removed your sweet little hand." Kade reminded.

Min removed her hand and Kade nestled into her shoulder, looking down at the phone and chuckling.

"Woofer got dressed up well." He chuckled. "Whose wedding are they crashing?"

"Crashing?" Min snickered. "I think it's her cousin or something."

Kade breathed out a sigh against her neck and pulled her closer in. "Min." He groaned. "We have yet to study for the final."

"Like you need to study."

"You do. C'mon, I'll feed you himalyan sea salted black chocolate!"

Min pouted, considering her options. "Right, right. Let go of me."

She made the move to get up but fell back into his arms. She let out a cry of desperation and he laughed evilly.

---

The ceremony was long and arduous, and Carl kept eying the cake on the side. He knew he should pay attention to the compliments that Vivi was allowing out of her mouth, since her eyes sparkled upon the wedding decorations. She looked even more infatuated with the ring sparkling on the bride's finger, and Carl had a vague feeling she wanted something similar for herself.

"Carl," Vivi gasped. "This is so wonderful, everything."

Carl nodded supportively.

Vivi shot him a stinky glare. "You aren't paying attention, are you! Did you hear their vows, Carl, did you!?"

She shook him by the collar, and he closed his eyes, letting out a tired sigh.

Vivi's pout intensified, and she was acting like a little child who didn't get the toy they wanted. He kissed her forehead, which placated her for a few moments. He stole away and went to go examine the culinary options.

Vivi had started up a challenge with Angel and Min on who was going to get engaged first. Angel strongly believed she was the headrunner and that Min and Vivi were going to eat her dust. At first Vivien didn't agree, but now, looking at her boyfriend, she wasn't so sure about her chances. She decided to go throw more hints at him.

"Carl, do you think I'll look good in a wedding dress?"

It was the afterparty, and they were finally allowed to eat something. Some people were up and about, dancing. Carl had explicitly stated that they were not going to dance until Vivi's sore ankles magically healed themselves.

Carl glanced over at the married couple and then at Vivi, his expression asking: "That one?"

"Any." She tilted her head to the side, earrings dancing. Her eyes waltzed along with them.

Carl finally got it.

"I think you'd look beautiful in anything." He mumbled.

That answer didn't satisfy her. "Even naked?"

Carl went silent, feeling like he had been air dropped into a minefield.

He shrugged quickly, mentioning something about champagne and making a run for it.

"Carl!" She called after him, but gave it up. Her cousin settled into a seat next to her, chuckling after her boyfriend.

"Cornering your man?" She raised an eyebrow, speaking in french.

Vivi sighed, resting her head on her two hands. "He doesn't want to propose."

"You two are still young," Her cousin giggled. "What's the hurry?"

"I have to win a challenge!" Vivi protested, curling her lips down in a show of determination.

Her cousin laughed at her antics, giving her a reassuring pat. "You have to be sure you want to marry him, since it's forever, after all."

Vivi stopped, these words were common, but she never stopped to apply them to herself.

When Carl came back, he set the glass down in front of her, and quickly apologized upon realizing that he had not gotten one for the bride who had settled in at their table. The bride waved him off, offering a smile. She whispered something into her cousin's ear and then got up and went over to speak to her other guests.

Carl settled in beside Vivi. "What did she say?"

"What?" Vivi smirked. "Forgot the phrases I taught you already?"

Carl gave her a flat stare before she burst into giggles.

"She said she approved."

"She approved?"

"Of you." She tapped his nose, taking a sip of her drink. He was taken aback.

"Now, don't get too drunk, did you dilute some of the champagne with punch?"

Carl sighed out, pushing the drink away from him. "I'm not that bad anymore."

Vivi smiled at him, drinking in both her champagne and the sight of him. She stood, pulling him up.

"Let's go dance, Carl."

"What about your ankles?" He fussed as she approached the dance floor.

"You can carry me home." She put her arms around him.

He looked down at the beautiful girl before him and wondered what was running through her complex mind. She certainly had some plans for him that she wasn't revealing. Though, he wasn't sure he minded. 

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The next chapter will be the last. I may not update it next week.