Chapter Four

Ryan's POV:

It is time to say our vows. But her Highness is still not here. Did she ran away? If she did that I aren't going to leave her. How dare she?

Why I am getting hyper? Isn't it good for me if she doesn't come? I can easily get rid off her then.

But I am feeling angry.

No don't get the wrong impression. I am angry because if she ran away then it will hurt my ego and you know the reason. I am the most eligible bachelor of the state, Ryan Anderson. It will be a matter of shame if she did something like that. What will be the reaction of the public? It will be allover the media.

"Someone is becoming restless to marry." I heard Damon McLaren, my best man cum best friend snickering behind me.

"Just shut that mouth of yours. I have no wish to marry that barbie doll." I hissed.

"Really? Then move and let me marry her. Marrying Pearl. It will be an honor." He chuckled as I glared at him. If there were any system to burn someone by glaring then by now he would have became ash.

"Go and marry her then." I said through gritted teeth.

"Cool down man. By the way where is princess? Isn't she late." He cocked his brow up.

"How would I know where she is? She is embarrassing me. I swear-" I stopped in the middle of my sentence as I saw her walking down the aisle followed by her bridesmaids.

She is looking beautiful though I can't see her face because of the veil. Her father is holding her right hand and two really cute little girls holding flowers were walking in front of her. They were the flower girls I suppose.

I looked around the church and noticed every young man gasping. I know they are envying me for marrying the most beautiful heiress. I felt proud for a moment but it quickly changed into frown. Why is she looking like that she is shaking. What took her so much time?

***

Pearl's POV:

I am walking down the aisle holding my papa's hand. I looked up to see Ryan and he is practically frowning. I felt so guilty like I cheated on him. But there was nothing like that. He kissed me forcefully and I didn't kissed him back. I am a girl who wanted to give her first kiss to her husband. But he stole it. I never even imagined that he will do something like that.

"Relax my princess, don't be nervous." Papa patted on my back to stop me from shaking. He thought I am nervous. If only he knew.....

Flashback:

"What are you doing here?" I asked trying to catch my breath.

"Please Pearl, don't marry him. I can't leave without you 'cause I.... I love you." He said trying to touch my face but I moved away before he could do that.

"You love me? I'm going to be married in less than half an hour and here you're asking me to not marry him because you love me! Are you insane?" I whisper yelled at him. I ushered him towards the balcony door saying, "Go."

"I won't. Why are you doing this? Cause I know this can't be for love. Then why? When I know you love me then why are you going to marry him?" Desperation was clear in his eyes as he uttered the words.

I looked away from his eyes as it was too much for me. "I don't love you and you have no right to ask me those questions."

"You loved me." He pressed.

"I don't. Now go."

"I'm not going anywhere without you. You're going to come with me and we will get married today, here, in this very Church." He said as he grabbed my hand and started pulling me.

"I won't marry you. The only man I'm going to marry today is Ryan." I said and started hitting him on the hand which was holding mine. But that didn't affect him even a little bit.

"But why? I will keep you happy more than he ever can." He said in a tone which we use to talk to a five years old.

"How can I? Or more precisely why will I? My whole family is waiting there for me to come. Today is my wedding day and I'm Ryan's bride for God's sake." I was controlling the sob which was threatening to come out at any moment.

"Why will you? Right! My whole life Pearl, my whole life I dreamed to make you mine, my wife. I was planning to how to ask for your hands for years. But I never got the chance. I bought the ring to propose you last week and what I got to hear the moment I kept my feet on NY this morning? That you are to be married? I can't take this Pearl. Please, please Pearl marry me." He said kneeling down on the floor and it broke my heart to see him like this, so vulnerable.

"You know I can't. Just go away. Anyone can come here at any moment." I said and sat down in front him, trying my best to make him understand.

"Do you love him?" He asked, looking into my eyes. His eyes were red and tears were rolling down from them.

"I do." I lied but I had no other way to make him go.

"There is no chance for us?"

"There is no us." I said looking down.

"I'm sorry then." He lowered his head in shame.

"Why?" I asked, my voice sounded out of breathe even in my ears.

"For.... For kissing you like that." He stuttered and my heart clenched for him.

"It was my first kiss you know? I was waiting for Ryan to take that." I was ashamed for making him more guilty. But I had to tell that to someone. I knew it was selfish of me to do that to him but I couldn't control myself.

"I... I am really sorry. I wasn't in my right mind. I don't know what came into me. I will go faraway from here and you won't have to see my face again. I will...." He started crying hard before he could complete.

"Hey, it's OK. I understand and it was selfish of me to tell you that. You don't have to go anywhere. Please stay." I tried coaxing him with my words though I know it would have gone in vain.

"I can't Pearl. I have to do this for me. If I stay here, everyday I have to see you with him. That would be so hard for me." Saying that he stood up.

"I know. But still..."

"Don't ask me to do something that will hurt me in return. I have to go, even if it is for a while." He wiped his tears away and gave me a small smile. I never wanted to see him like that. So, I gave up and accepted what he wanted to do.

"Okay. If that's what you want, I won't stop you. But please promise me that you will come back. This is your city Nathan. You can't leave it forever. One thing more, though I don't love you, I care for you deeply. So please come back whenever you are ready." I requested as I stood up also.

"I know Pearl that you care for me and I thought that was your love for me. Well, that was in the past. Now, there is no misunderstanding. And I will come back. So don't worry." He looked at me and his face had softened. "If Ryan gives you a hard time then don't forget to tell me and I'll come to take you with me. It doesn't matter you want that or not."

I smiled on that. "I won't forget to tell you."

"Till then bye, Pearl. Take care of yourself." He said with a smile and went to the balcony's door.

"I will and you take care of yourself also. And remember, I care for you may be more than Ryan. If you had proposed me before I would have accepted that. But today is my wedding day and my family will be hurt if I do something like that. Though, I told you before that I love...." Nathan stopped me, nodding his head.

"I know you don't love him." I looked at him with surprise evident on my face. "No need to be surprised. I am psychiatrist after all and I can see that you don't have the spark in your eyes that a bride should have. But I also know that you can't marry me even if you want and it's not your fault. It is my fault that I'm too late." His eyes were watery but he still smiled at me. The sight made me hug him.

"Thanks Nathan, for understanding. I hope I will see you soon." I said pulling away.

"I hope so too my princess. Always remember that you are my princess. It doesn't matter that I wanted to make you my queen. What matter is, you will be my princess and if you need anything then I'll be there for you, forever." He kissed me on my forehead and with that he left the room.

"Bye Nathan, bye my Prince." I whispered to myself.