Chapter 129 WEDDING GIFT
Maddox put the phone down. Neither Jaxon nor Drexton was reachable. He was calling to inform them he's coming home today. There's no need to stay in the clan again. Nelly is getting married to Slade after all.
He has booked his ticket. The only thing he'd been waiting for was for the damn wedding to be over. Not like he cares again, as long as it has to do with Nelly, he's backed out.
He stood in front of the mirror and stared at his reflection. He's less pale compared to before, and his wounds are healing. What's the point of risking his health when it's not worth it?
Someone knocked on the already-opened door. Still staring at the mirror, he saw Slade with that same annoying smirk.
"I didn't expect to see you here." Slade walked in.
Maddox didn't reply nor did he turn.
Slade brought his hand to his face, and a shopping bag dangled in his hand.
"Since you want to witness our wedding, I brought you a gift as my fiancée's best friend."
Maddox finally turned to him and slowly collected the bag.
"How thoughtful of you," Maddox said, staring directly at his face since they're of the same height.
Slade let out a lopsided grin. "I want to believe it, but I know you. You will try to stop the wedding."
This time, it was Maddox's turn to smirk mockingly. "You should drop whatever gave you that idea. Ruin your wedding? Insane." He took a few steps, looking directly at his face. "You wanted me present, you'll have it. Take it as my wedding gift...to you." He stretched the last part, giving him a daring glance.
Slade raised his hand between their faces, the shopping bag blocking the space between them.
"Don't forget the gift. Wear it," Slade said, his tone commanding.
"If it's your wish, I will," Maddox collected the bag from Slade, and their gaze became stronger. Both in a thought of their own, glaring, plotting, alert just in case one decides to attack.
"Shouldn't you go and get ready? Your wife must be waiting," Maddox broke the stare.
He turned his back on Slade.
Slade wanted to leave while sliding his hand into his pocket.
Rushing behind Maddox, he curled his arm around Maddox's neck and pressed a knife into his throat.
"Don't even think of acting smart with me," Slade warned, increasing his hold around Maddox's neck.
Maddox smiled, getting tired of the silly threats.
"Aren't you such a coward, sneak attacking when you could have attacked from the front?" He held Slade's hand.
His muscles stretched, veins lining up as he broke Slade's grip and faced him.
"Here I am. Stab me."
Slade's hand trembled around the edge, anger boiling within him. Maddox's confidence is the type that annoys him. The type that makes him want to blend a person and feed their remains to the owls.
He let out a side smirk and slid the knife back into his pocket.
"Be there on time," he said, venom threatening to spill out from his voice.
He left after casting Maddox a warning death glare.
Maddox's finger curled tightly around the shopping bag, almost squeezing out its life if it had one.
With that same anger, he tossed the bag harshly onto the wall.
The bag landed, and the stuff spilled out.
He wasn't expecting less, it was a black tuxedo.
His mind went to Nelly, and at that same time, someone knocked on the door.
"I got the thing," the maid said, holding a tiny shopping bag.
Maddox collected the bag and gave her a nod. His way of saying thank you.
She flashed him a small smile and walked away.
Carefully, he took out the gift box as if it were a piece of glass he would treasure for the rest of his life.
Fixing his gaze on the box, his mind reeled back to Nelly.
\--
Slade came to J. K immediately when he left Maddox's room. For the past five minutes, he hadn't said a thing to J. K, just smoking one cigarette after the other.
They were staring down at the altar that was decorated with red and black lights. Tables, chairs, glassware, fine china; they were all red and black. It didn't look like a wedding altar, but rather like a place for midnight sacrifice.
"Any news?" J. K asked, breaking the silence between them.
"The wedding is going as planned," Slade replied, partially paying attention.
His mind was running wild with thoughts about what to do to keep Maddox in place. Maddox might look like someone who has backed out, but he's sure something is going to go wrong at the wedding.
Nelly's not the soft girl; she can defend herself if the need arises, and he's aware that if she wants to escape, she could do it. She didn't want to marry him willingly.
He thought, flickering the lighter on and off.
Could they be seeing each other behind his back?
He shook off the thought, thinking of it being the most disgusting thought ever.
He's been keeping an eye on them, day in, day out.
"What happened?"
"I want all the guests invited to be canceled," he said.
J. K shifted his gaze to Slade. "What are you saying?"
Slade nodded. "I don't want any outsiders in the clan. The only people that should attend the wedding are maids, guards, you and Maddox. It would be easier to deal with the enemy here than to have an outsider spy on us." He puffed out the last smoke, tossed the cigarette on the floor and stepped on it.
J. K sighed. "Just as you want." He had nothing to say. At times, his son took after him with cruelty. Other times, he comes up with a sickening idea.
"Get the priest," Slade said and walked away, heading straight to Nelly's room.
\--
Sitting in front of the mirror, she creamed her body, while looking point blankly at the mirror.
Today is the day, the day she wished she hadn't met Slade. The days she missed her sweet life before she decided to become Nashira. A part of her she will regret for the rest of her life.
But, no more regret and guilt. She admits she lied to Slade and almost ended his life, but she wasn't the one who changed him. She deserves to feel loved again, and if only...
The echoes of Slade's footstep brought her back to reality.
Before she could wrap the towel around her body, he held it.
Her eyes met his annoying smirk.
"Let go," she muttered in a cold voice.
"Why?" he asked, sitting at her dressing table. "You are going to be my wife soon. There's nothing to hide."
"I need to get dressed."
"That's why I'm here."
The jingling sound of a key caught her attention as he brought out a key.
Her eyes widened madly as she recognized the key.
"W-what are you doing with that?" she asked.
Just like the way he was twirling the key around his finger, he had her life on that same finger. That key is the reason why she's been lying to Maddox, and the reason why she's going ahead with the ceremony. It contained one single key which had a tiny red button in the middle. With one push of a button, Maddox's life will end.
"It's a friendly reminder," he said, his eyes fixed on his finger.
"We had a deal."
"I won't break the deal as long as you keep your path. You know what I'm capable of," he reminded, his eyes darkening with evil intent.
"I won't try to stop the wedding," she murmured.
"Good," he stretched and put the key back into his pocket.
He glanced at the clock and back to her. "Hope you like the outfit? Get ready soon. I will see you at the altar." He leaned in and pressed his lips on hers.
Nelly stayed quiet, balling her fist underneath the table.
He broke the kiss and flashed her a smile before leaving.
Nelly bit her lips hard, trying to bite out his lips if possible. She only stopped when she felt a light pain in her lips.
She stood up and put on a casual dress.
\--
Nelly's breath hitched as Maddox's scent filled her nostrils. She's only realizing how addictive his scent had become to her. She forgot he was standing outside her room, her head resting on his chest, but he wasn't touching her.
At first, she was shocked to see Maddox outside her room, but she got over it almost immediately.
God, she could sniff his scent all day.
"What are you doing?" he asked, breaking her weird thought.
She stepped away from him and lowered her gaze. "Nothing."
He stared at her for a while before remembering the reason he had come to see her.
"Congratulations," he said.
Nelly slowly looked at him straight into his eyes.
"On your wedding," he added, as if she were clueless.
She couldn't speak as no word agreed to form. Her throat bubbled with the truth, but she swallowed it with great difficulty.
"Hold on, I got a gift for you," he said, and brought out the tiny gift box.
Making sure to hold their gaze, he opened the box, and a diamond necklace shone brightly, causing Nelly to close her eyes.
Maddox placed the box in her hand and stood behind her.
She opened her eyes, her breath turning raspy.
His finger slightly brushed her shoulder, sending cold shivers through her.
"It will look good on you."
She wanted to turn, but he grabbed her shoulder and held her in place.
"Not so soon. I want to see how it will look on you," he whispered, his hot breath fanning her neck.
She curled her toes, gulping nothing.
She felt the cold necklace sliding around her neck, so cold that it felt like it had been brought out of ice.
He came to her front, fixing his gaze intently on her.
She traced her finger up to her neck and touched the necklace.
"The gift wasn't needed," she muttered, trying to convince herself that inwardly she wasn't happy.
He might have gotten the gift because he's angry, but it's the first thing she's ever received from him. He has given her a thing to cherish for eternity.
"I wouldn't want you to get jealous. I gifted your soon-to-be husband. It's fair I do the same to you," he said, having no emotion in his eyes.
His voice carried the emotions he thought he was hiding. His voice was calm despite humiliation, not the typical Maddox.
"I won't wear this," she said, her voice barely audible.
Maddox didn't reply as he started walking towards her. She stepped back, checking for any sign of Slade.
What if he sees them together and does something worse?
Sweat appeared on her hairline as he caged her to the wall.
"M..."
"Then don't," he whispered, and raised his thumb, caressing her chin softly. "I wish you a happy married life."