onder if this is some kind of prank. I turn

him?". Cody

e, so it has to be from his. The man walks forward confidently to the front pier where our families are seated. And that's when

and even though I can't see his eyes from behind his glasses, I can tell that he's accessing us. He lets out a low whistle. "Nice couple". He says and chuckles quietly to

e sounds anything but sorry. ".....but I was just wondering….". He turns back to my

ut immediately he takes a step, the door bursts open again and two pairs of huge guards dressed in crisp black suits step it. They march to the front pier where the man

s my mon

furrowed seriously. This is probably the most serious I've seen him since the last time he

ous laugh. "We are sorry for this misunderstanding. W

his head. "Will we? I don't

Uncle's forehead. "Please…. let

nd looks at me and Cody. "

little. "The bride

is wedding won't take place. At least...

t. "What's the meaning of this Mr. L

it's nothing si….

d quiet on her seat. "Why aren't you talking, Ellie? You seemed to know how to us

"You see, this is really not th

quiet as a graveyard. My aunt and uncle glance

do

ed to hear". He snaps a finge

s hot and my head is spinning with the craziness of this situation. I grab swaths of lace and go down the stairs of the small podium that had been erected for Cody and

am and stands at probably nothing less than 6'1. My measly 5'4 doesn't even stand a chance. "Please let's not do it this way. This

you. We'll work hard to pay you back, all of us". I glance at her nervously. I don't know what she means by all of us but I hope that doe

s dryly. "And what could yo

it's me she's talking about. Eyes wide and heart in my throat, I turn so fast to f

tie!

ther shouts at the

and my dad. "You abandoned them, didn't you? I had to care for them. Didn't I raise you for the past 10 years, Vanessa? Everything we

nd then she would get us a new pair or two and with each minute, remind us of how "privileged" we are to have her. Usually, we'd spend the next week or more still thanking her for her kindness. I don't even know the amount in question but co

hat's not

e'll work hard to pay up. My niece will contribut

lking. Does that mean he's contemplating it. I ask the

ally, "Five million dollars". Uncle mumb

I screech. "How the hell am

der the possibility that he just really enjoys watching other people suffer. "This is

eed to this but my aunt quickly chips in.

ost beautiful honey brown shade ever and his nose lies a bit crooked on his face, almost as if it's been broken before. The beard has always been there but I didn't fully appreciate the precise sculpt till he took the glasses off. His hair is thick and black, carefully styled u