[KING’S COMPANY]
Indigo smiled as Tatiana’s words about joining the King’s company echoed in her ears. Even with her movie about to air, she was excited. She had spread the word to her connected friends and even promoted it.
Indigo watched the shoot and thought about asking Tatiana to join the modeling world. She would definitely do well in that area.
Her smile disappeared when she spotted Hudson. He was talking to a female artist who kept smiling at his words. Indigo noticed the interest in the artist’s eyes, and Hudson didn’t seem to mind.
Before she knew it, her feet carried her to him. They stopped talking, sensing her presence.
“Hudson, let’s talk,” Indigo requested firmly, her eyes throwing daggers at the female artist, who blinked in confusion.
“Sure, but allow me to…”
Hudson stopped talking when she shifted her cold gaze to him.
“Right, let’s talk now,” he corrected and stood to follow her.
As they reached outside, Indigo turned to him. “What were you guys discussing?”
Hudson’s brow creased. “Work.”
“Work?” Indigo asked, and he nodded. “Why was she laughing then?”
“What is the matter? Did… I do something wrong? We were just chatting. You know how Jovia Lily is.”
“So you’re making her laugh? Do you like her?” she asked.
He frowned harder. “What?”
“I told you I wanted to see you the other day, but you refused my call,” she added.
“I’ve been busy. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” She scoffed and folded her arms. “I was really upset.”
“Oh,” Hudson scratched his neck. “How can I make it up to you then?”
Indigo cleared her throat. “A dinner with me.”
She didn’t even wait for him to respond; she walked away.
—
Their fate sealed, the marriage papers were signed.
Leaving the registry office, Cassius didn’t take Tatiana home; instead, he took her to his personal designer.
“What are we…” Tatiana’s voice trailed off as the curtain before her opened. There stood a magnificent wedding gown.
“What in the world,” she mused and approached the gown. The word gorgeous was too small to describe it. It took her breath away. The dress was a masterpiece of silk and tulle that shimmered under the light.
Tatiana reached out to touch it, her finger trailing down the unique pattern adorned with diamonds. The edges, the delicate florals, the sleeves-everything was too perfect.
She felt like a child admiring a magical creation that seemed out of this world. Her eyes teared up.
“Do you like it?” Cassius, her now husband by law, whispered behind her. His hand wrapped around her waist.
“Like? I love it,” she spun to meet his gaze. “It’s… it’s out of this world. It’s too beautiful.”
Cassius smiled. He would definitely pay the designer for making his wife smile. His eyes met those of a young woman present in the room.
She walked toward Tatiana. “This way, Ma’am, you need to wear the dress.”
“Go on, just do whatever they ask,” Cassius said to her.
Tatiana was a bit confused about why Cassius bought the dress now. The woman dressed her up and also did a makeover for her. Whenever she asked why, they would change the topic. They seemed to be avoiding it.
After they were done, they blindfolded her.
“C’mon, I’ve got a surprise for you,” Cassius’s voice sounded, and Tatiana bit her lip.
What was this man planning?
“Cash, what are you doing?” Tatiana asked as she stepped down from the car, blindfolded. He had driven her here, and her heart couldn’t help but race in anticipation.
“Patience, Wifey,” he helped her out of the car and carried her bridal style. Soon he let her stand on her feet and finally removed the blindfold.
Tatiana’s face turned pale and her face reddened at the sight before her.
A simple yet elegant altar, adorned with white flowers and veils, stood at the beach. A middle-aged man dressed as a priest stood beside it.
She spotted Dylan clad in a fine suit, an adorable smile plastered on his face. Hudson and Jolene were present, looking good too. A tear fell from her eyes.
Since when did they plan all of this?
Tatiana looked back at Cassius and saw that he was dressed in a dashing, well-tailored suit. His hair was combed back, accentuating his incredibly handsome face.
His lips curled into a smile as he raised his arm to her. “Shall we?”
She looked down at his arm and took it.
Cassius led her down to the priest, her heart racing with each step. If this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.
After saying their vows, the priest pronounced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal your love with a kiss.”
Cassius immediately pulled Tatiana by her waist and crashed his lips on hers. He had been dying to taste her lips the moment he saw her in her gown. He just didn’t want to ruin her makeup before getting here.
“Weddings are interesting. When are you having yours, Miss Jojo?”
Jolene’s clapping stopped when Dylan said those words to her. She chuckled and pinched the boy’s cheek.
“It’s not that easy, little lion.”
“Is that so?” Dylan looked at Hudson. “I would have said you should marry him, but he’s not your type.”
Hudson’s lips fell apart. What did he expect from Cassius’s son? Jolene chuckled.
Together they returned their gaze to the newly wedded couple.
—
That night, a nurse came to check on Cassius’s mother. She injected the usual medication into her drip. After she was done, she packed her things and left.
The steady beep of the life-supporting machine kept echoing in the room.
Suddenly, one of her fingers moved.
—
Tatiana and Cassius took a break and stayed at the apartment on the beach. Butler Conrad was taking care of Dylan.
She should also be at the mansion, but she needed to check on her father.
She stepped into her apartment and found it empty. Where did her father run off to this time? Yeah, she had been harsh and hadn’t spoken a word to him after she had yelled.
Maybe it’s better if he isn’t here. She dropped her bag and went to find something to eat. As she stepped into the kitchen, she found homemade food. Her favorite.
Her eyes spotted a letter, and she picked it up to read.
~It’s your favorite, dear. Please eat. I’ll be home soon. I went to discuss with a friend of mine to get a job. Love you, Jo~
Jolene sighed and dropped the letter.
Her phone rang, and she pulled it out. It was a strange number.
“Hello?” she rasped.
“Jo? Uh… can you come out to pick me up? I was attacked by some robbers, and I’m really hurt,” her father’s voice sounded on the other side.
Jolene’s eyes widened. “Where are you? I’m coming right away,” she grabbed her keys in haste.
In a tall building not far away, at the top, Rowen was all tied up. He trembled as the dark figure before him pulled the phone away.
“Nice job,” the figure spoke and walked toward his bag in the dark room.
“I’ve called my daughter out. Now release me and let me go. What are you going to do with her? Who are you?” Rowen asked.
“You’re not that old to ask too many questions, man. If you don’t shut that hole in your face, I’mma shut it up for you,” Tristan sighed as he pulled up a sniper rifle. Rowen’s eyes widened.
A gun?
“What… what are you doing?” Rowen struggled to remove the rope around him.
“I want to greet your daughter,” Tristan smirked and headed toward the window. They were at the top, and Jolene’s home was just below.
He set the sniper as he watched her step out of her apartment.
“Stop!!! Please don’t kill her. Don’t shoot her. I’ll do anything! Just stop!!!”
“Save your strength, old man. I’ll give you your share of death after I end her,” Tristan smirked like a devil.
He aimed for her left chest…
Just where the heart is…
His finger pressed on the trigger…