Beckett and Vivianne’s wedding will take place at a beach in Batangas. The place is familiar to the bride, but she can’t recall where she has seen it before. It’s not just a simple beach wedding.
Expensive decorations are scattered around the venue, and Beckett has hired several teams to ensure that their wedding and reception go smoothly.
Reporters are also present because Beckett, whose name has recently been in the media, is getting married. Other notable celebrities, including Jeru and his partner Paige, are also there, causing a stir at the wedding.
While Beckett is still busy in his dressing room, Vivianne finds herself alone in the photography room. They’re supposed to take photos there after the wedding, but she’s using it as a temporary hangout to avoid interacting with other people.
However, there’s one persistent person who refuses to leave her alone.
“Wow, Beckett really went all out with this, huh?” Lily remarked as she peeked out at the beach from inside. “It feels like I’m attending a royal wedding. And look, even the weather is cooperating with your wedding. Not too hot, but not too dark-”
Lily stopped speaking when she noticed Vivianne staring blankly into space. Her friend couldn’t count how many times Vivianne had sighed.
“Hey, are you even listening to me?” Lily asked, finally catching Vivianne’s attention.
“Huh? Were you saying something?”
Lily sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Oh, dear. Am I attending a wedding or a wake? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Vivianne sighed again. “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to feel, you know? I told you about this, right? This isn’t a real wedding.”
Vivianne had already told Lily about her and Beckett, how they got together, and how they had to separate because they both had business to take care of. Now, they are getting married for the sake of business. What she didn’t mention was the part about her mother. She trusted her friend, but Lily was still a police officer.
What if she suddenly raided their house upon finding out that she was involved with the Mafia? That would be troublesome.
“Ah, so you’re sad because this isn’t a real wedding?” Lily’s lips curled up at the corner.
“No…”
Vivianne glanced outside again from the window. Lily was right. Everything was joyful, the weather was beautiful, and the decorations were luxurious.
In reality, everyone dreams of marrying Beckett. Even Vivianne. She just didn’t know if she should be happy because everything was fake.
She was about to sigh when Lily suddenly spoke up. “Instead of sulking there, why don’t you just look at the beautiful things around you now and in the coming days? That’s what I do, that’s why I can still smile even though my job is so stressful.”
Vivianne smiled upon hearing those words. She could see how passionate Lily was about her job as a police officer. She used to be the same when she was still a dress stylist, even before Beckett recruited her to Syneverse.
“It’s good to see you smiling. It would be a waste of your makeup and wedding dress if you don’t smile. They’re both so beautiful!” Lily said, noticing that her friend’s mood was gradually improving.
“Thank you, Lil,” Vivianne said, taking Lily’s hand. “You’re the best.”
Lily smiled back, but there was still sadness in her eyes, which Vivianne noticed.
“I know you’re going through something heavier that you’re not telling me. I may seem like a tough guy sometimes, but I’m a cop, you know. I have strong instincts,” she proudly said. “I just want to say that whatever you’re going through right now, you can handle it. After all, you’re Vivianne Allamino-Clainfer.”
“Really, huh?” Vivianne chuckled, but deep down, she felt a flutter in her stomach upon hearing the Clainfer surname next to her name.
“Vivianne,” Beckett called from inside the photography room.
She almost lost her balance when she saw him. Fortunately, Beckett was quick to react. He immediately grabbed the chair behind Vivianne before she could fall.
“Careful, lady,” Beckett said in a deep tone. “The reporters are requesting to take a picture of us before the wedding ceremony. Do you want to do it? If not, it’s okay.”
“It’s okay,” Vivianne replied, trying to compose herself and not think too much. “Now?”
she asked, and Beckett nodded.
She stood up, and Beckett’s hand automatically moved to her waist. He gently pulled her closer to him.
Vivianne couldn’t protest because Lily was there, seemingly thrilled by their closeness, and Beckett didn’t know that she had told her friend about their fake wedding.
“We’ll be back, Lil,” Vivianne said to her friend with a smile. “And thank you again.”
“No prob,” Lily smiled back. “I’ll go back to my seat now.” She approached and hugged Vivianne. “Good luck, girl,” she whispered, then she left the photography room.
Vivianne and Beckett also left after a few minutes. Vivianne saw the reporters waiting for them and felt nervous all of a sudden. She stopped walking, causing Beckett to look at her.
“Why?” Beckett asked before he looked at her face. His expression turned worried when he saw her pale complexion. “Are you sick? Do you want to rest first?”
“No…” she shook her head. “I’m just nervous.”
She was used to being behind the camera because of her previous job, but now, things were different. She was the one the reporters wanted to see with Beckett, and she knew not all of Beckett’s fans liked her. She’s receiving backlash everywhere.
“Don’t be nervous. You’re with me. I won’t leave you there,” Beckett replied, and Vivianne was surprised when he brushed his lips against hers. “Let’s go.”
“You!” she whispered loudly, pointing at Beckett with widened eyes. “Y-You’re such a pervert!”
“See? You’re not nervous anymore. You’re annoyed at me now,” the man chuckled, seemingly pleased with the girl’s reaction.
Vivianne was about to respond, but then she remembered they were still outside, and surely everyone was watching them. She forced a smile before placing her hand on the guy’s arm, who was still grinning at Beckett.
They walked together towards where the reporters were, and Beckett was immediately interviewed. Vivianne breathed a sigh of relief because no one was asking her anything. Perhaps it was because Beckett was holding onto her waist so tightly as if he didn’t want to let her go.
“Why a beach wedding, of all kinds?” a male reporter caught Vivianne’s attention.
“Because this is where I first confessed my love for her. And on our wedding day, I want to remember where and how we started it all,” Beckett replied, smiling, his eyes sparkling.
That’s when Vivianne remembered everything. This was the place where they first admitted their feelings for each other. “No wonder this place felt familiar to me earlier.”
“You didn’t mention in your previous interviews that you were planning to get married, but looking at this place, everything seems to be already set,” another reporter remarked. “Was all of this planned before you returned?”
Vivianne was also curious about Beckett’s answer, so she waited for his response.
“As I said in my previous interview, my girl only accepted my proposal two weeks ago,” Beckett said, tightening his hold on Vivianne’s waist. “But yes, I already planned this because I will do everything just for her to say yes.”
Beckett’s smile widened, while Vivianne’s heart beat faster. Part of her hoped that everything was real, and another part warned her not to hope too much because she couldn’t read what Beckett was really thinking.
“Was she also one of the reasons why you disappeared from the modeling industry for so long?”
“Yes,” Beckett nodded. “During the time I was gone, her well-being was all I cared about. Everything I did was for her. It was tough leaving the modeling industry for so long, but I managed because of her. It was all worth it, anyway, because she’s finally mine.”
At that moment, Vivianne realized something, causing her eyes to widen.