Other bridesmaids would have been excited. But that’s not how Candy feels. Her father’s wedding bored her. She hopes the marriage celebrant will finish the ceremony easily.
She looked around stifling a yawn. None of the guests would think that the bride came from a well-to-do family. It was a simple garden wedding held in their garden. Other than the beautiful flowers around which the bride had requested, there were no other decorations.The guests are selective. Probably no more than thirty people - who were already friends of the groom.The best man, Kenneth Ruiz, was the bride’s younger cousin and the only relative who attended her wedding. The parents of the best man are currently in Italy for an important convention. Apparently, the best man’s youngest brother also did not make it to the wedding.Also, that wedding was quickly planned, and it understandable that the three other members of the bride’s family would not have arrived.Well, it wasn’t as if this was the bride’s first wedding, thought Candy peevishly.Karen had been married when she was very young. She divorced her first husband a year later. And now she will marry her daddy again.An impatient sigh she slowly let out as she stared at the two getting married, though she wasn’t really seeing them. Her mind was not there. She couldn't even notice some young people casting admiring glances at her.Although Karen was stunning in the off-white wedding gown, which became even more glamorous with the pleasure reflected on her face, Candy undeniably caught the attention of the young people present.She was wearing an off-shouldered old rose gown exposing a swan-like neck and smooth shoulder. Her hair is in a French braid adorned with a Swarovski hairclip. Young people are increasingly expecting her to focus on them despite the fact that everyone knows she already has a boyfriend.But none of this caught her attention. The smile she gave them was impersonal.Throughout the ceremony she looked back innumerable times, hoping to see the one that she’s waiting to come. The more she didn't pay attention to the next best man who didn't want to hide his mouth every time she glanced at him - oh, well, his animosity was for her alone.As if she cares!According to Candy’s readings on Social Media sites, Kenneth Ruiz had a reputation as a man with an infinite capacity to charm. He was also a shrewd businessman and he collected money as fast as he collected her women. Only he retained the money and discard the women later on.Well, Kenneth Ruiz hadn’t charmed her. Not a bit. And she didn’t care a lot about his money either. She also doesn’t bother to think about what makes him angry. She had no time to think about that.After all, this is a stranger. She had only met him twice. The first was when Karen introduced it to her when they talked about her and her daddy's wedding a month ago. Kenneth represented his parents.And the second is the occasion itself today. And on the two occasions mentioned she doesn't remember her facing him with a smile. He was too polite to the point of rudeness.As far as she knew from her daddy, Karen was just young when her parents died in a plane crash. The Ruiz adopted it. Karen’s mom and Kenneth Ruiz’s mom are siblings.And if Kenneth doesn't want his cousin to marry someone they don't belong to, that's a problem. She also didn't want his cousin to be a stepmother. She could not, however, be able to voice her disgust. There was only one thing that mattered to her, to see her five-year-old widowed father happy.“… You may now kiss the bride…”Candy let out a deep sigh at the end of the wedding ceremony. Dutifully, she immediately approached and greeted them. She hugged and kissed her father on the cheek.“I wish you all the happiness in this world, Daddy,” she said sincerely, almost emotionally."Thank you, honey." Gabriel’s smile was radiant.Then she turned to Karen and kissed the air on her cheek. "Congratulations," she said, a false smile plastered on her lips. Candy was afraid her face would crack any moment.“Thank you, darling,” Karen said with a smile.When one by one the guests approached to greet as well she took the opportunity and tolerated she turned around and stepped away.She had not gone very far when she felt in her arm the seemingly iron hand that restrained her and face her.“I know you don’t approve of this wedding, Candy…” he hissed. "But you don't have to be rude."She didn't say a word right away. She was suddenly aware of Kenneth’s hand against her skin. She wanted to shake that off however there are people around. Instead, she raised her face to it."Who gave you that idea?" She tried to refute what it said.“Today, to make your father happy, you smiled and played bridesmaid. You can fool your daddy and the guests, but not me and Karen.” His mouth turned down slightly in a mocking expression."Is it hard to convince yourself that not everyone is interested in your attractive cousin becoming a stepmother?" Sarcasm flows in her voice.“I'm not interested in your opinion, Candy. What matters to me is Karen’s happiness. And if your daddy is her happiness, I will do everything so that no one can stop her, not even you.” His voice was soft, but it emphasized the last word as a tolerated warning.She glanced at the newlyweds. Her daddy smiled and welcomed the greetings. Next to it is the new wife who is also smiling like her father. Karen looked so happy, as if so totally in love. Karen must be a very good actress.She rarely sees pictures of her on Social Media sites where various well-known people are included and connected.At first, Candy couldn't understand what she saw in her father. Not that her father was unattractive. Far from it. At forty-nine, Gabriel Alarcon was still physically fit, handsome and dashing.Ever since he was widowed, he has seen not a few women suggest that he would notice them. But those women are just like them.Certainly, you don't consider them difficult. But their status in life is very far from that of the Ruiz. Heaven and earth, that is, although Karen is not a direct member of the Ruiz because she is Kenneth's cousin. Still, Karen inherited her parent’s money when they died.She looked back at Kenneth and slowly withdrew the arm he was still holding. “My father’s an old man and -”"Don't be misled by Karen's youthful appearance, Candy," he interrupted. His mouth compressed into a thin line. “She’s thirty-seven. Not that young anymore. If you think it won't be long before Karen leaves your daddy for another young man, you are mistaken.”"Isn't that what happened to her first husband?" she challenged.Anger flashed in Kenneth's eyes. “You knew nothing about her previous marriage which happened to be ages ago. And you have no right to judge her. She loves your father.”She did not answer there. At first, she doubted why Karen had not chosen to marry one of the men belonging to a rich society. And that doubt was answered when she discovered something here a week before the wedding."Karen isn't the right woman for Daddy," she said, and it was too late to imagine that Kenneth would have interpreted what she had said differently."Really?" His eyebrows rose, the faintest touch of ridicule in his voice. “You can't accuse Karen that she only wants money from your daddy because we both know that Karen inherited the wealth of her parents, Candy. It would be the other way around.”Her face warmed under its mocking eyes. "Daddy is not interested in Karen's wealth!"“Oh, I know that. So, should I attribute you going against this marriage to pure and simple selfishness?”How can she say here that more than anyone else she wants to see her father happy? Her father deserved a second chance to happiness. It had been five years since her mother had died and she had seen how over the years her father had been devastated by grief. She never once hoped that she would marry again if that would bring him happiness.Then three months ago, he met Karen. As she believed, her daddy's life took on a new lease of life. Although she was overwhelmed by Karen's situation in life, she felt even happier when her father revived her.If Karen is her daddy’s happiness, who is she to oppose that? Until two weeks ago. But she did not want to reveal to this man the real reason for her dislike of this marriage.In fact, Candy tried to tell her father what she had discovered about Karen. But he’s just starting to get scolded for it and just laughs instead. If her father didn’t believe her, this man would be even more who’s treated Karen like a goddess.From behind them appeared the two they were talking about, which saved Candy from answering Kenneth's question.“Hey, Kenneth, darling, what are you and Candy doing here? Why don't you interact with the guests?” Karen said followed by a weak laugh. She turned to Gabriel affectionately and clasped her arm around his.Candy grimaced silently. What an actress Karen was!“The best man must entertain the bridesmaid, Candy, isn’t it?” Kenneth replied, the smile ready immediately for the beautiful cousin."Oh, you don't have to do that," Candy said quickly before Karen could answer. A strained smile flashed on her lips. And when she looked up at Kenneth she saw the hidden amusement in its eyes.‘Oh, so he was amused at her expense!’Before her daddy could notice her irritation, she immediately apologized. "Excuse me, I just have to talk to someone."She no longer waited for someone to speak and quickly turned away
Candy accompanied the guest to the bathroom upstairs and helped rinse the wine-soaked skirt with water. Fortunately, it was floral and less obvious.When she finished, she went down first. At the door, she met Karen.“Oh, Candy, darling. I've been looking for you. I have something to tell you.""Are you leaving now?" she immediately asked here. She knew that after the wedding the couple would only spend an hour for the guests and then travel to M City. Tomorrow morning, they will fly to Japan for a month-long honeymoon."That's exactly what I want to talk to you about, Candy, darling…"But she saw something outside that distracted Karen. And she didn't even pay attention to her calling to her as she hurriedly stepped out onto the porch. From there she glanced at the familiar white Montero parked right in front of their gate.It was Richard’s father’s car! But when her boyfriend worked in M City, Arthur Thomas let his son use it.
Candy wasn't sure if her sheer amazement had gotten her to hide or not. Nor was she sure how she remained standing there. She heard Stella's voice again.“Oh, I know you had this thing going when you were teenagers. But Richard said it was just some sort of calf love and it’s over a long time ago.”"R-really?" That one word almost came out. The shock had done something to her vocal cords. Richard and Stella are lovers! And already told the Thomas to get married!Those words echoed in her mind as if a bell was ringing and deafening her.Stella was in B Province just last summer and she knew about Richard and her. Although she could not deny the strange look and tenderness it gives to Richard every time the two meet in their house."Hey," Stella whispered to her. "Won't you greet us?"“O-of course…” She belatedly congratulated them. She wondered if her voice was still intact."Stella's a commercial model now, Cand
Candy sighed. She had no idea what he could do. His lips were cool and firm and dry against hers. She caught the faintest scent of something indefinable that seemed to be the very essence of Kenneth Ruiz.To her amazement at what it did, the lurking tears seemed to flow back into her tears ducts. She seemed to have been knocked to the ground.Richard had kissed her many times. And Richard’s kisses were tender and warm. But Kenneth's lips claim, evoking a faint feeling she had never dreamed of feeling.Adriana didn't even realize that her hands were spontaneously wrapped around his waist. She closed her eyes tightly in an effort not to think about what was happening and just respond to what it wanted.And if she is going, to be honest with herself she wants to… she wants to…Suddenly he ended the kiss and pulled her towards the top of the stairs."Why did you do that?" She turned to him confused and angry. "You deliberately kissed me
Candy quickly confronts her daddy for allowing her to go with Kenneth back to M City."Dad, can we talk?""Sure honey, have you packed your things?"“That’s exactly why I want to talk to you, Dad. Why did you agree to let me go with that stranger?”"Candy, Kenneth is not strangers anymore, we are family now.""I can't accept that Dad and I will never."His father's smile faded and the sadness was seen in his eyes. Candy suddenly felt guilty about what she had said to her father."Sorry Dad, I know that Karen is your wife now, but we don't fully know that Kenneth yet.""I believe and trust in Karen's word that he is a gentle and good man.""But Dad—"“Let’s stop this argument, Candy. Get ready to leave. You will spend the night on the road.” After saying this he turned around and walked towards the remaining guests to entertain again.On one side of the garden, she s
When Candy opened the room allotted to her she was amazed at its beauty. It was well furnished and everything was expensive and elegant.‘This is the room of the rich. It’s twice the size of my room in our home,’ Candy said to herself in amazement.Candy didn't realize that Belen was behind her so she accidentally backed away and collided with her.“Sorry Belen! Are you hurt?" she quickly apologized for it."That's okay, I wasn't hurt much so don't worry."“It's good then. I’m really sorry.”"Maybe it's better if you take a shower first to refresh your body from the long trip," she suggested."You're right," Candy quickly agreed and walked to the bathroom. She was at the door when Belen spoke again.“I will prepare dinner for you first. I will come back here later to move your clothes to the closet.”"Don't worry about my clothes, I'll take care of it." She smiled at
"Is there something bothering you?" impatiently Matthew asked because of the inexplicable expression on Candy's face.“Nothing. Don’t mind me, I’m okay,” she said reluctantly.“Well, good then. Hurry up and eat. We will be leaving in five minutes.” He dropped the newspaper he was holding, stood up and walked out of the dining area.Candy's gaze followed Kenneth and examined it from head to toe. Even his back is nice to look at, the posture is elegant so it is not surprising that so many women stumble just to get his attention. Even well-known celebrities are also linked to him. And if she is not mistaken a famous fashion model is his ex-girlfriend who is also from a prominent family.‘Why did they break up with his girlfriend or did they really break up?’ Candy asked herself. If Kenneth was a good and loving boyfriend, in the state of his life a woman would never want to be separated from him. But according
The elevator stopped on the 23rd floor. Kenneth quickly stepped out of the elevator as it opened and Candy followed. When Kenneth suddenly stopped walking, Candy didn't expect the sudden stop so she collided with his wide back.“Ouch! Why did you stop suddenly?” Candy asked angrily."I just forgot something." After speaking this he reached out her hand again before continuing to walk.Candy just shook her head. She couldn't really understand this man's behavior.They entered a beautiful room. She estimated that it was 200 square meters wide. There are two large bedrooms, a living area, a dining area, and a kitchen.Just a few minutes after they entered the suite they heard a doorbell. Kenneth got up from his seat and approached the door. When he returned, he was accompanied by four people and they were all carrying cosmetics. Candy wondered if they were just carrying makeup and if Matthew and she wouldn't be coming home to get dressed s