(Eva's POV).
The wedding veil was heavier than I expected. I had a pretty lace, pinned into the waves of my blonde hair, framing my vision in a soft blur. I could barely see the path ahead of me, but I knew it was lined with white roses, with fragrance thick in the warm air. Behind me was the big blue ocean, just like the pictures Alexander had shown me when we talked about having a wedding in a special place. He had said it would be somewhere I would never forget.
I held my bouquet tighter, my hand brushing against the diamond ring on my finger. It was absurdly large, shining under the afternoon sun. It reminded me that I was starting a new life, one that was quite different from the one I knew before. One with lots of money, power, and love. The music got louder and I started walking down the aisle.
Alexander was already waiting for me at the end of the aisle. He looked devastatingly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo. His black hair was neatly done, and his grey eyes looked at me with so much focus that it made me feel butterflies in my belly. He was a man who had everything, and he had chosen me.
My sister, Racheal, was sitting in the front row. Her green eyes were unreadable. She had been lively all morning, helping me with my dress and holding my hands when I got nervous. Her gaze funnily flickered between Alexander and me, but I just took it as Racheal being Racheal, who was always careful about people who seemed too perfect.
I couldn't listen to what the preacher was saying when we reached the front. I was just lost in Alexander's warm touch.
"Do you, Eva Monroe, take this man?" the preacher said.
A fresh breeze rolled in from the ocean and hit my skin softly. I thought about my father, and how he had promised me all the good tidings in this life one day, but the day never came.
I swallowed the lump in my throat."I do."
Everything happened smoothly after that. Alexander said some sweet words into my ear, making my heart swell.
"From this day on, it's just you and me. Forever," he whispered into my ear and kissed me.
We turned around to face everyone. Alexander held my hand as tight as he could. Everyone cheered and raised their glasses. Some started taking pictures of us, and also themselves. I was now Eva Cross and all I could think of was how my life had elevated from a normal working class to a billionaire's wife.
The party was outside under a canopy of lights, covered elegantly over the open-air terrace of Alexander's private estate. There were fancy chandeliers on the trees, and soft music played in the background. Just by mere looking, it was obvious to anyone that it was an extravagant wedding.
Alexander kept me close to himself, as we walked through the crowd together. He wrapped his arm around my waist. Everyone wanted to talk to him and congratulate him. Sometimes, they would just turn to me, in admiration and wish me well.
"You have got everything a woman desires in a man," a woman had said, standing in front of us. She was about thirty-five, if not more.
"Thank you," was my only reply.
Everybody treated Alexander like he was Perfect, and this made me feel awkward. I had never seen a man being treated like a god, the way Alexander was treated by people. He had this aura that oozed out from him anytime he walked.
After long dancing and cake-cutting, I gently slipped away from the crowd. The terrace led down to a quiet beach, where the waves lapped gently at the shore. I stepped into the soft sand, breathing out heavily as I was finally alone.
"Are you running already?" a voice pierced the silent moment I was having.
I turned around, and I saw Alexander, standing at the edge of the terrace, watching me.
"I just needed a moment," I said.
He walked toward me, loosening his tie. "You are mine now, Eva."
I let out a soft laugh. "I believe that's what the ceremony was for."
His fingers brushed my cheek, then trailed down my arm. "You don't regret it, do you?"
I shook my head, forcing a laugh. "Of course not."
I had no regrets marrying Alexander, but I was just getting used to it. To be accountable to another man was a whole new thing for me. He leaned closer to me, his lips was almost touching mine before the moment was shattered.
"Mrs. Cross," a voice called from the terrace. I pulled back from Alexander's embrace. One of the waitstaff stood near the steps, not sure whether to say anything.
"Theres someone here to see you," he said.
"Now?" I said, frowning my face.
The fury in Alexander's face didn't take time before it started to show. He tightened his jaw as hard as he could. "Who is it?"
The waiter got startled by his chill voice. "He said his name is Damien Blackwell. He insists it's important."
Alexander breathed out in frustration. "We are in the middle of our wedding reception," he said calmly, but coldly.
I looked between the two waiters who had now become stiff and nervous. I heard never heard of Damien Blackwell before.
"I'll handle it," Alexander said, walking toward the house.
"No. I want to see him," I said before he could take plenty of steps.
I was also curious, so I wanted to be there with him. "Lets go together," I said, as I held his hands and headed towards the door.
Alex turned around, slowly. "You know I got this, right?" He said, softly.
"I know, Alex. I just want to be there," I insisted.
He allowed me to follow him. Inside the party was still full of laughter, music, and some people dancing under the blue lights. As far as near the hall, a man stood apart from the crowd.
He was tall, muscular, and has a slightly messy hair. His brown eyes flickered as he approached me. He looked odd apart from the tuxedos and gowns. His expression was unreadable too.
"Damien Blackwell?" I asked.
He nodded. "Mrs. Cross."
There was something about the way he looked. For a second, I had thought he was a policeman disguised as a commoner. Perhaps, a secret agent looking for information, but I just let the thought slide and focused on him.
Damien glanced at Alex, who had followed me inside, standing just beside me.
"What's this about, Mr Damien?" I demanded.
"It's about your late father, Frank Monroe."
Before I could fully process what Damien just said, a loud sound of a broken glass of wine fell from Alexander's hands.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my face full of concern.
"Yes, am…I am fine. It slipped off my hands," Alex said, nervously.
I had never seen him being nervous, not even for a bit before then. One of the workers quickly ran in to clean the mess.
"I hope everything is okay, Mr Cross?" Damien said, stretching his hands, as if he was trying to calm a wild animal.
"Yes, he seems fine now," I said, rounding my hands over his waist.
Damien cracked his throat and continued. "I have information about your father's sudden death, who they said died in what could have been a car accident…"
Alex interrupted him. "You know her father is late. News like this shouldn't be announced in her wedding. Who even let you in in the first place?" He demanded, but none of his workers replied.
I wanted to protest, but what Alex was saying was the truth. I was already emotional upon hearing the name of my Dad. He was one of the most hard working men I knew. Even though he had little, he made sure we could afford to go to school and get a good job.
Tears were already visible in my eyes, and I requested that Damien should leave the talk for another time. He left the premises at once, and Alexander hugged me.
"It's fine. Forget about what just happened, let's focus on the wedding and this beautiful moment," he said.
The wedding was coming to an end, as people started to leave. There were lots of gifts, and unfinished treats left behind. The workers in the mansion were already cleaning the place and making it look tidy again.
Rachael came to me. She was still wearing a long face, and I could not tell what the problem was.
"Did any man came looking for you?" She asked, looking curious.
"Yes. A man came saying he had some information about Dad, but I dismissed him before tears nearly dropped from my eyes," I replied.
"You should have called me to handle the issue, rather than sending him off," she said, looking furious.
"Listen, Racheal. It's my wedding here, and I don't want anything aside from positivity to come in. Dad's already dead and it's not like any form of effort will bring him back," I snapped.
Rachael looked at me for a while, silenced. She didn't know what to say, and was surprised on my outburst. "Suit yourself then," she said, and left.