Chapter 43 Oscar
THIRD PERSON’S POV.
Damian got a call from Oscar and left the hotel room to meet him downstairs.
The moment the door closed, Trisha leaned closer and whispered, “Serena, Damian can’t find out Oscar and I are sleeping together.”
“You are right,” Serena replied quietly. “Especially if he plans to tell Damian you were the one who gave him the idea of marrying me.”
“I need to speak to Oscar alone before he starts blabbing to Damian,” Trisha said urgently.
“I’ll step out,” Serena offered, “ then I’ll find a way to get him in here.”
With that, she exited the room and went looking for Oscar.
She spotted them the moment she turned the corner.
“Serena, good thing you are here, have you called your lawyer?”
“Yes, he’s on his way.”
“Perfect, because the priest just got here. Let’s go meet him,” Damian said already leading her to the chapel where the priest was.
“Oh” she turned to Oscar, “Oscar I really don’t want to leave my friend alone. Can you stay with her until I’m back?
“Sure thing.” Oscar replied, heading for Trisha’s room.
When everyone needed for the marriage joining had arrived, they gathered in Trisha's room, since she couldn’t move.
“Good day everyone.”
The priest started.
“Can the bride and groom step forward please.”
Serena and Damian moved forward. Stepping closer to the priest. They locked hands and waited for him to continue.
“Marriage is a sacred covenant, but it does not require a grand altar or a gathered crowd. What it requires is intention.”
He looked at them both.
“In the presence of these witnesses, you are declaring your decision to bind your lives together, to stand with one another in responsibility, in loyalty, and in care.”
He turned slightly toward Damian.
“Do you, Damian Crowne, take Serena Gregory as your lawful wife, to love her, to honor her, and to stand beside her from this day forward?”
“I do.” Damian replied
Then to Serena.
“And do you, Serena Gregory, take Damian Crowne as your lawful husband, to love him, to honor him, and to stand beside him from this day forward?”
After their responses, he nodded.
“By the authority entrusted to me, and in accordance with the law, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
A brief pause.
“You may seal this union.”
Damian leaned in first, slowly. He cupped her face with one hand and brushed his lips against hers. His tongue gently parted her lips, and Serena closed her eyes in anticipation,
But he pulled back almost as soon as the kiss began.
She offered a tight-lipped smile.
Their witnesses applauded loudly, murmuring words of congratulations.
“How does it feel to be a married woman?” Trisha teased.
Serena reached over and lightly pinched her.
Damian stepped closer “Can I speak with you privately for a moment?”
Serena excused herself and followed him out.
“I understand this whole thing was impromptu,” Damian said. “But you realize you are going to have to move to my place right?”
She knew although she had avoided dwelling on it, but right now it was starting to feel all too real.
“I know that. But It will take a few days though.”
“Remember, I got married so the public can see me in a different light. You living far away from me defeats that purpose.”
“I can’t just up and move, Damian”
“Yes you can, you have today and tomorrow to pack up. I’ll come pick you up personally.”
“Fine,” she exhaled, “but on one condition.”
“Name it”
“Trisha will come stay with us until she’s back on her feet.” Serena said. Trisha was in no condition to be alone right now.
“That’s fine be me,” Damian said, extending his hand, “so we have a deal then.”
Taking it, she nodded, “We do.”
Just then Bill, her lawyer, approached them.
“Congratulations to both of you.” He said shaking hands with Damian and pulling Serena in for a brief hug.”
“Thank you for coming on such short notice Bill.” Serena said.
“I wasn’t supposed to be seen with you until after the reading,” Bill admitted, smiling, “but I wanted to be here for this.”
She smiled at him sweetly. Their eyes lingering a moment too long.
Bill had always had a soft spot for Serena but he never capitalized on it. Mostly for fear of upsetting her grandfather, after he died, he had considered it an opportune for both of them to start on a clean slate, a better slate.
Apparently he had waited too lon
When Serena called earlier asking him to be present at her marriage joining, he had simply accepted his loss.
Damian noticed the exchange and immediately his heart started to palpitate uncomfortably, he didn’t want her looking at another man that way. He moved closer to them.
“Bill, are you heading out now?”
“Yes.” Bill answered, finally breaking eye contact with Serena, “my services are no longer required here.”
“Good. Then we can walk out together.” Damian replied, already stirring him away from Serena.
“I’ll see you at the reading,” Bill said, kissing Serena’s cheek. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Bill.”
Trisha’s hospital room, once packed full with people, suddenly felt empty.
Oscar stood by the corner watching her pretend to sleep, he knew she was faking it because he could see her eyes twitch from time to time.
When he cleared his throat to speak, she squeezed her eyes shut even more tighter,wishing him away.
“You know keeping your eyes closed won’t make me automatically disappear right?”
He said.
“Who said anything about making you disappear?” Trisha snapped.
Oscar crossed the small room and stopped beside her bed.
“Why are you so determined to keep our relationship a secret, Trisha?”
“Because it’s not a relationship,” she replied, “it’s barely even a fling. And Damian doesn’t need to know all of that.”
“Oh did Damian tell you this?”
“You know what I mean, he has a lot on his mind right now so let’s save him the knowledge of this unnecessary information.”
“But Serena knows, doesn’t she?” Oscar asked, confused.
“It’s different, Serena is my best friend.”
“And Damian is mine. So what’s your point?”
Trisha took a slow. Calming breath before speaking again, “look,I’m tired and my body hurts and frankly, I’m bored with this conversation.” She turned to face the wall. “Close the door behind you.”
And he did, walking out of the room without another word.
Although, he did wonder, why was Trisha so desperate to hide their affair from Damian? Is there something going on between them?
Whatever it was, he decided he was not going to rest until he figured it out,