Bound to the Billionaire: His Defiant Queen-Chapter 48: RINGS, ROSES AND RE-UNIONS

HARLEM

I run my fingers through the layered truffle of my $900 dress; it’s a light pink sleeveless dress that flows down to the ground. It’s the day of the wedding and I’m certain the colour pink and peach are going to be the death of me. I really thought Violet would choose her name for her dress code colour but she didn’t.

I look at myself in the mirror of the dressing room to the event centre where the wedding is holding. My makeup is spotless and my hair is pinned beautifully to perfection and I’m just loving the vibe of my heels. Ezra dropped me here a while ago and left to go get ready because Vi insisted all her bridesmaids get ready with her, in the same building, so Ezra hasn’t seen me yet. Not that I’m looking forward to it or anything.

Anyways... I should probably go check on said bride. I step out and almost crash into a human-like wall. Strong hands steady me and I look up into the diamond green eyes of Ezra Roth.

"Careful, Harlem." He mutters and I swallow. I steady myself and take him in. He’s dresses in a nicely tailored suit with a crisp light pink shirt and black bowtie. Also, he’s holding a bouquet of flowers. My mouth almost drops open because it has to be a crime to look THAT good. I look away from the way his suit hugs his arms just to find him staring at me. Or rather my dress. I think.

My toes curl nervously and I clear my throat and his eyes snap back to mine and I’m too scared to decipher the look in his eyes.

"Sorry. I tend to be clumsy in heels." I mutter, avoiding eye contact.

"You’re stunning, Harlem. I have to say; being a bridesmaid looks stunning on you." He says, stepping forward. We hold eye contact and I can’t look away because I hear and see the yearning in him. But for what?

"Thank you. You look great as well." I mutter back and he bites his lip like he’s trying not to smile. We just stand there; like two idiots, staring at each other.

"These are for you." He whispers, handing me the pink artificial roses that probably cost my rent and I take them, barely breaking eye contact.

"Thank you. Again." I tell him and he nods rapidly, still staring at me. I stare back and before I know it, my mind wanders to what his lips would feel like. I feel his eyes on my lips as well and I try to think of why it would be a bad idea to figure out how he tastes but I come up empty.

He takes a step forward and I stand still; he reaches out his hand to brush a stray hair from my updo. "My beautiful ice princess." He mutters and suddenly, he starts leaning in. I hold my breath, heart beating way too fast because I’m sure I will regret this but I can’t bring myself to stop it.

I feel his breath on my skin and goosebumps erupt EVERYWHERE on my skin. His palm brushes mine and my eyes start feeling really heavy and I feel myself gravitate towards him.

Before, he can make the next move, Mom bursts in through the door. Her eyes go wide when she sees me, then Ezra, then the flowers. She tries not to but smiles mischievously and I mentally roll my eyes, giving Ezra a LOT of space; he notices and I think I see a jaw tick but he doesn’t say anything and turns to my mom.

"Oh Uhm, sorry for interrupting." She REALLY doesn’t look sorry. "But Harlem? Violet needs you upstairs, if you don’t mind." She says with a sly smile. I sigh, placing the bouquet on the nearest table. People really don’t knock no more.

"Sure, mama." I say, giving Ezra one last look before heading out with Mother. I feel his eyes on my back the whole time.

-----

I walk into Violet’s dressing room and I’m stunned speechless, almost tripping on my feet. She looks ethereal standing with her glittering white dress and perfect makeup. Her veil is being placed on her head by one of the artists. Yeah, Zaron is definitely one of the luckiest guys.

She sees me and instantly lights up. "Harlem!! You look dashingly beautiful and stunning." She says as I walk over to her and we share a hug, trying not to ruin her makeup.

"Vi, you’re kidding. I’m literally no match compared to you. You look so gorgeous, it hurts." I tell her, smiling like she’s getting married to me. Basically.

"Stop. I don’t want to cry and ruin my makeup before Zo even gets to see me." She says sniffling a bit and I chuckle tenderly.

She asks me to teach her how to walk down the aisle in a ’model-like’ way and I can’t help but laugh at the sudden randomness and eventually teach her. Mom watches from a corner with a melancholy-sweet expression on her face almost as if she might cry. Thank God I didn’t inherit her crybaby character.

After about an EXTRA hour on touch up, I head to the event center on the ground floor which has been improvised as the venue for the church wedding. After, there will be pictures and then what Violet likes to call ’The Ball Wedding’ after which will be the after party that I may or may not attend. Girl put in her all for this.

I spot the other bridesmaids and go to join them. Zeke appears on my way there and we greet shortly before he rushes up to escort Violet and walk her down the aisle. I spot the girls I made conversation with at Vi’s bachelorette party and we greet and complement each other. Basically, we’re meant to walk in after the children flower girls; which are Vi’s best friends’ kids and Vi will come in with Zeke behind us.

We don’t have to do much except to walk in slowly to the piano and stand opposite the groomsmen at the alter section. I try not to worry too much because it’s not me getting married and I won’t be alone but I’m slightly nervous at the thought. Never been a bridesmaid before.

"Hey, Harlem. Vi told us you’re a runway model. Maybe you could teach us how to walk?" one of the bridesmaids I don’t know asks me.

I point to myself and she nods. Of course, Vi told them. She does this thing where she brags about me like she’s my mom. Deep down I’m a fan.

"Oh sure, I don’t mind. I can show you the basics." I reply and they all nod in anticipation.

Okay, here goes. "So basically, you just slowly place one foot in front of the other, keeping a perfect straight back position while angling your hips slightly forward and swaying simultaneously. I like to add a bit of a bounce to mine and it works extra if you don’t smile, but I think you need to for this event."

They look at me like I just spoke Jewish during the Nazi days. I blink at them and they blink back. "Okay, let me show you." I say chuckling slightly. They smile and watch me as I try to take it slow and easily. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

One by one they all try and I pinpoint the ’basics’ their missing and eventually, I just taught a whole bridesmaid train how to cat walk. For a wedding.

Just as we’re rounding up, people start coming down from the stairs in large numbers and we know that’s our sign to suit up. Eventually, everyone gets in the hall and the door closes; at this point it’s only the bridesmaids outside and we wait for Vi to show up. So does everyone in the hall.

Vi walks down five minutes later with Mom and Zeke, looking like the most stunning human on the planet. The other bridesmaids praise her and I smile at her because how is it possible to look that good?

Mom later goes in and the flower girls arrive and we arrange ourselves the way Vi told us to. We stand in front of the doors and wait, some of the girls thank me for teaching them and I feel a lot lighter than before, reading to be the best bridesmaid Vi has ever had.

The doors open, finally, and I see everyone stand. The little flower girls start spraying flowers everywhere, literally, and we begin our ascent. Watching the other bridesmaids do their walk makes me happy and I don’t even know that I’m smiling until we reach where the groomsmen are and stand opposite them.

I face forward and immediately lock eyes with Ezran. He’s smiling at me and I don’t look away; we stare at each other while Zoran and Violet exchange vows.

I break eye contact when everyone goes up in applause as they share a kiss. I smile, the feeling somewhat melancholy, someday I believe I would get to experience such.

When the church wedding, we’re all told to the reception area for food and pictures; I look around in the bustling crowd for a certain dark hair and green eyes but only lock eyes with brown ones. Asher.

He smiles at me and starts walking over, I wonder if it would look weird if I pretended not to see him and ran out. Literally.

But it’s too late though, he’s already in front of me. "Hey Harlem. It’s so nice to meet you again."

I smile, even though it feels more like a wince. "Nice to meet you too, Asher. Thanks for coming." I offer my hand for a shake but he all of a sudden, pulls me in for a hug. A tight one.

My eyes go wide and I try not to cringe and the unwanted physical contact and just end up looking so tense. My eyes meet green ones staring at... no, not me. Asher. His head is slightly tilted and I can’t really decipher the look in his eyes but I’m glad it’s not directed at me. I look away, quickly.

Then, I nonchalantly escape his, for some reason, really tight arms. He’s smiling at me like he knows a secret I don’t and I’m not about to hear whatever wants to come out of his mouth so I turn slightly looking for someone, anyone, I may know; to pretend to cling to when I suddenly feel large palms envelope my waist from behind. I turn sharply and meet Ezra’s green eyes; he glances briefly at me and offers Asher his hand to shake and they do, very briefly. How the hell did he get over here so fast?

Asher’s brows furrow and he’s about to speak when Ezra cuts him off. Somewhat rudely. "My girlfriend and I were just about to head out for the reception, you are?"

My eyes widen slightly and I feel my body burn from the contact and a certain thrilling feeling rush through my blood like I took something illegal and addictive, but my acting skills are way too sharp to expose me and I just pretend he didn’t just make me want to climb him. No. Bad Harlem, down.

I clear my throat and feel Ezra’s palm tighten "Oh um, sweetheart, this is my college friend, Asher. Asher this is my boyfriend, Ezra." I make eye contact with his green ones and I regret it instantly because I feel a certain beat between my legs, again.

I look back at Asher who looks at us like he can’t believe it. Thank God for the sweet escape.

"Oh. You have a boyfriend. I wasn’t aware." He says. Sheesh.

"Yeah, he’s not really from around here. Anyway, it was nice catching up. Goodbye Asher." I tug Ezra along by his suit sleeve and he follows closely, his palm never leaving my waist. When we’re far enough and safe from roaming eyes, I turn to him.

"Nice save. Thanks." I say avoiding his eyes. His hand leaves my waist and lands on the wall beside my head, blocking me in.

"Vi told me who he was to you in college. You said he wasn’t a problem." He narrows his eyes. Mine widens past acting. Damn it, Violet.

Something in the air between us shifts instantly and I bite my lips and stare at him, trying to regain composure but he keeps making it hard with THAT look in his eyes. His eyes glance briefly at my lips and I feel the room instantly go hotter. I feel the trail of his eyes as he scans me slowly from head to toe. Uh Oh.

"Ezra, he’s not a problem. And that depends on what you define as a problem. You and Violet really ought to stop discussing about me. Besides, I doubt I asked for your help." I shrug.

His eyes narrow even more and he stares at me and I instantly regret saying that. I closed up, again.

I open my mouth to tell him I didn’t mean that when Zeke shows up from nowhere, his eyes narrowing on Zoran. "Harlem, we need you at the reception. Like right now."

"Coming." I say and straighten to leave but Ezra’s hand still obstructs me. I look at him and he’s still staring at me, barely acknowledging Zeke. After a beat, he drops his hand and I slip away, following Zeke, feeling like shit. Great.