Chapter 84

"You heard me correctly. Make sure everyone is aware...... Including, Harlow" he instructed and opened the car.

"Yes sir" Gerald responded hesitantly, igniting the car.

Gerald stopped by Chester's mansion and President Chester himself alighted from the car.

"Ensure to lay your hands on every useful information. I will be expecting you tonight" he instructed.

Gerald nodded and drove off.

"Chester Perkins!" Aldo yelled as soon as he walked into his mansion.

Chester sighed. "You're here already"

"What the hell do you think you're doing? You are about to be her husband! How can you abandon the preparations for your wedding to find Adriana?"

He let out a sigh and sank on his sofa. "Fuck!" He muttered, relaxing his head and back on the sofa.

"You know what? Don't worry about her. I will get some men to look into her. I will ensure she returns to you in three days, I give you my words." Aldo assured.

Chester was quiet. Instead, he was busy trying to remove his tie and unbutton his shirt.

"It's almost noon" Aldo stated, taking a glance at his wristwatch. "You still have a lot to catch up. Hurry, you need to complete your shopping. I carefully selected suits for tomorrow, you should come check it out later today and of course, I brought a great hairstylist for you from......"

"The wedding is suspended" Chester cut in.

Harlow and Aldo looked at him in disbelief.

She chuckled softly. "You don't mean that do you?"

"We.... sorry, I have to find Adriana" he explained further.

"What do you mean? What are you trying to say?" Aldo probed, his tone progressing to an aggressive tone. "You don't mean this, do you?"

Chester looked up to his father. "I do, Chairman Aldo"

Aldo took his hands and dragged him out to the rooftop.

While they were away, Harlow broke down in tears. She was muddled after Chester's announcement. At that particular moment, she could not tell if she was upset, broken, or frustrated. How could this happen to her when she was so close to becoming his wife?

"Argghhhhh" she screamed out, squeezing the sofa angrily.

*******

"What do you think you're doing? Have you forgotten the rumors three years ago? It was the reason why you publicly announced your relationship with Harlow. How can you suspend the wedding now?" Aldo nagged.

"I am not calling off the wedding. I'm only putting it on hold and what do you mean? Your granddaughter is missing!"

"No, Adriana is missing. What is wrong with you Chester Perkins? Have you forgotten who you are? Are you not aware that the entire country is looking forward to your wedding? You and I know that this wedding is beyond your union with Harlow, it's about countering the fact that there's something wrong with our family"

"I am not you, Aldo!" He interrupted angrily, pointing his index finger at his father.

"But that is not what people think! Everyone thinks we all killed our first wives to obtain power and wealth."

"No, you killed your wife. That is your story, Chairman Aldo Perkins, and not mine. I am getting married to Harlow, I will be a better husband and father"

"Then prove that by getting married to her. What's fucking wrong with sacrificing just two hours tomorrow?"

"Everything. Entirely, everything. This is my life, I am Chester Perkins, and I decide what I want and how I want. It's my fucking wedding, Aldo. I'm the groom here and I decide how my wedding should be done"

"And there's a bride!" Aldo shouted. "You are the groom and there's a bride!" He repeated in a soft tone. "Your mother died when you turned 10. It was tough to move on and carry on with life. I found it difficult to settle with another no matter how much I tried. I lost some contracts due to the rumors and...." He paused when he realized Chester was laughing.

He turned to his father. "What do you really take me for, Aldo?" He questioned, his cracked chin molding back into shape. "Your wife died because all you cared about was a crazy company you couldn't even maintain! What did you say about trying to move on?" He chuckled and continued. "No, Aldo, don't makeup stories before me. I'm not a journalist or your Attorney" he warned and turned to walk away.

"You know what? Let's get married tonight or maybe now! Yes, let's do that. We can throw a party whenever you're ready and announce our union. I can contact the priest. We have the ring ready, please Chester" Harlow pleaded desperately, holding his wrist. Her eyes were wet, her hair was scattered, and she looked really distressed.

Chester turned to her. "I'm sure you do not mean that Harlow, your wish is to get married in a grand style and I will grant that wish. Just give me some time"

"I don't fucking care anymore! All that matters is that I want to get married to you" she stated while the tears gushed out of her eyes effortlessly. "I don't care anymore, Chester" she repeated. "I've waited so long for this, please"

Chester was surprised when Harlow fell on her knees, holding his wrist and pleading with him. He knew Harlow to be someone full of herself. She hardly pleaded or showed any remorse if she needed something genuinely. Falling on her knees was proof of desperation and sincerity.

She looked up to him as soon as thought struck her. "You know what? Let's look for her together, we can go on the search for her tomorrow. She's my daughter anyways but please, let's get married tonight"

"No, Harlow. There is no wedding until Adriana is found" he responded and walked away.

She fell to the floor, crying profusely but Chester was not moved, his mind was certain.

"Fucking ask Olivia to bring her here. Get your men, bring Adriana to him! I must get married to Chester, Aldo, I must!" She cried out