XXVI

(A/N: My late gift for you guys. Merry Christmas! GOD bless :))

XXVI

The luxurious hall of the Dorchester hotel transformed into a dreamland, it was hard to imagine that this kind of scenery could be possible in reality. Everything was perfect. Everyone was perfect. Except for me, of course. If I summed up all my money and properties, it was like an ant compared to the six-foot pocket of these people. Besides to their wealth, these people were beyond beautiful. They all wore their dresses and suits as if it was the most correct way to wear it.

What really amazed me here was how the women wore their headdresses very stunning? I mean, I had one on my head–a red small hat with a black net that covered the right side of my forehead–and I felt like I was the only one who wore it erroneously. Just include the matched red dress, fitted on my torso–with long sleeves–and loose on my thighs, a red shoes and royal-inspired black belt.

Princess Victoria was the one who made me wear these things and I had no right to reject. I had a right but I did not use it against the kind princess of England. I could not repel her! For me, she and her brother shared same genes regarding to the could-not-repel-them effect. Speaking of her brother, I had not talked to him yet. Possibly, he was avoiding me as a result of his bloody nose.

"Hey, Taylor Swift, can you sing for us while we are waiting to start this party?" I looked at Hi who was sitting right beside me. He was chubby with small cute eyes and irremovable grin. He was keeping on talking and joking and teasing and irritating Ben (only him), as an effect, I felt the air in my stomach.

"Taylor Swift?" I said, "Seriously?"

"Look at you," he gestured his both hands in front of me, "Red dress, red shoes, red headdress, red lipstick I like it," he leaned closer as if he would kiss me, but instead he sang, "But loving him was red. Oh, red. Burning red."

I was speechless. It was Shelton, who responded, "Hi, you better shut up," he whispered, "Not only because you're a terrible singer, but also Ben is staring at you as if he is currently murdering you in his mind."

Shelton was far way serious guy than Hi. And he was much thinner than the latter. He had fashionable eyeglasses and wearing his physique like telling all the people that he was a genius. Oh, Hi had already told me every single detail about their group so I had an idea that Shelton was their computer wizard. Hi really did not know how to shut up.

And, he was not going to shut up. He told Shelton, "He is only observing how handsome I am."

"Probably, planning how he will remove your head from your body," Shelton laughed and smacked Hi's shoulder.

Hi cursed and both of them laughed until Princess Victoria stopped them by saying, "Hey, the ceremony will start, will you shut your mouth for a moment."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness," Hi mockery responded.

Before the conversation went in another direction because of Ben deadly gaze, the sound for wedding march played in the background. The people clapped their hands when the door opened, revealing the groom. Mr. Isaac Warden.

He was sizzling gorgeous mid-thirty man who stood in all his pride and business appearance. He was wearing all white three-piece suit, which paired with a white pair of leather shoes. He nodded in some people he recognized and grinned at the cameras that flashed every second.

Everyone smiled and happy–or at least showing they were happy–about the beginning of the entourage, even me but I could not show it on my face because of the man beside the groom. The man who got my attention in no more than half second after I landed my eyes on him. He smiled at me immediately as if I was the only one with him in this room.

I heard Hi whispered, "Mr. Warden's the best among the best friends, the Almighty Prince Alexander."

'...he wanted to attend Mr. Warden's wedding that will be held this week...'

I recalled what Princess Victoria told me three days ago. I forgot to consider that the Mr. Warden she was talking about that time and yesterday were the same. If only I knew that Prince Alexander would be here, I had never considered their offer to me to attend this wedding of the decade of London.

I did not know why I was a little afraid to be in the same area with this arrogant prince after I made his nose bleed. Maybe I was scared of his fight back, or what he could do to me. But, I would not regret what I had done. It never crossed my mind. Serves him right.

The congregation watched the groom and his best man walked elegantly in the aisle. If ever I did not know the real persona of his Majesty, I might believe that he was like the prince who had been in children's fairy tales. Except that he wore his two-piece black suit in the fatally erogenous way. I suddenly wondered if princes charming wore their clothes that way.

When they passed in the row where we were sitting, I saw he glanced in my direction and winked. What did it mean? I panicked and wanted to run all of a sudden. He had a bad plan, I swear, I felt it. In his silence for almost forty-eight hours, I was sure he formed the greatest revenge to me.

I was stuck in my place, I didn't know how much time passed, when people applauded again and a young man walked in the aisle. He wore the same suit as the groom, and resembled almost everything of the groom. Chestnut hair, jasper eyes, strong jaws, small lips and manly nose. Except that he was several years younger than a groom. They were brothers, maybe.

"He is Eleazar Warden," Shelton said, knowing the question forming in my brain, "The fifteen-year old son of Isaac Warden. He is the heir of Warden Security Company, if you only want to know."

I looked at him with a confused face, "Son?" I tried my best to lower my voice.

Shelton nodded and I returned my stare to the boy, Eleazar, who currently carrying the rings and gracefully walked toward his father. He explained, "Mr. Warden was married before, but his wife died after giving birth to their first child, Eleazar."

"Oh, I thought he and his bride have a child first, then fifteen years after, they got married," I did not know if I was going to laugh at my words or mentally slapped myself because I sounded so idiot especially when Shelton responded.

"Five year old child doesn't get pregnant right," I raised my eyebrow at him, "I mean, Ella was only five years old when Mr. Warden had Eleazar in his life. He was twenty by then."

"You mean, Ella is only twenty now," he nodded in my obvious statement, "Fifteen year gap?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" he awkwardly smiled, "I mean, as long as they love each other, age is not a problem."

I would agree, but the 'here comes the bride' instrumental march played and everyone stood from their seats. While facing the double door at the back, claps were not faded because the stunning bride was standing there with her parents in each side.  The veil covered her face, but I saw her smile when she saw Princess Victoria standing in her wedding ceremony.

They were really best friends, I realized.

Ella, the bride, started to walk, but it was visible how nervous she was. Her parents were behind her now, giving space for the big long gown. The beautiful flowers, designed at the side of the carpeted long way, was not noticeable as it was earlier, because they were covered by the loveliness of the woman of this night.

Her groom was patiently standing at the end of the lane, trying not to look at his bride. As what I had heard, it was a tradition.

I had a thought of what my wedding would be looked like. Since, I was not rich like the Wardens I would not get a wedding like this. Simple, but full of love, that was okay with me. What was important to me was to marry the man who really loved me.

With that thought, I saw the glimpse of Prince Alexander watching me and he looked away when our eyes met. He looked at the bride, and whispered something to his best friend.

That idiot, I thought.

The wedding ceremony started solemnly as the parents of the bride handed their daughter to the groom. The smiles of the both parties could not erase from their faces, especially when the minister spoke the promises.

-----

The reception was held in the five-star restaurant located in the top of the Dorchester hotel. The food was made of gold, I was only using figurative language because I knew how much each pinch cost. The waiters were busy giving the guests their plates while some of the visitors were giving their greetings to the newly wed.

I was busy observing how Brits celebrated this kind of event when I realized I was doing this because I was searching for someone. I felt nervous when I saw him walking around, evil grin plastered on his face while several prominent individuals were speaking with him.

Then my heart sank when I noticed the woman beside him. She was wearing a black dress, which gave the best window for her cleavage and only covered her sensitive parts. His strong arm was around her waist and the real-life Barbie doll was taking advantage. Her hand kept touching on his chest and they almost kissed in front of their audiences because their faces were so close.

I wanted to pull her light blonde hair, almost white, off of her head. In addition, I wanted to punch again Prince Alexander. How dare he?

As if our feelings were mutual, Princess Victoria said in irritation, "Alex is really getting on my nerves, what an attitude to bring a female dog here."

"You know your brother, all he wanted in his life is to have naughty things with whores," Hi laughed.

Princess Victoria glared at him, but after a second her expression smoothened, realizing Hi was right. "He needs to stop or that girl will be suspected as his fiancé again for like a thousandth time," she sighed exhaustedly and looked again at her brother.

"I'm just curious," Shelton spoke out of nowhere, "Why you, Shirley, is not yet included in His Highness collection."

I smiled, trying to be unreadable, "I'm working as a professional. He only sees me as his employee." Even though he kissed me multiple times.

"Really?" Shelton gave me a disbelieving look, "I mean, someone as pretty as you will be never left alone by Prince Alexander's eyes." He adjusted his eyeglasses before he added, "And you're not just ordinary pretty girl because you look like Princess Emily."

"Shelton!" Princess Victoria yelled to stop Shelton speaking further.

I stared at her worried face, then back to Shelton's shocked expression, "What do you mean?" I asked.

However, he had no chance to explain his words anymore because someone held my both shoulder and said, "Shirley, you're here."