Chapter 141 THE ONE
\[ONE WEEK LATER, NY GREAT HALL\]
\[BACKSTAGE\]
"Can't believe you are finally leaving the single life. My heart. I thought I'd get married first, but my life didn't go as planned," Alexa faked a sad expression.
Ixora shook her head as the beautician did her light make-up. Alexa's drama is never-ending.
"She's right," Nelly said in agreement. "I'm three years older. I should be the first one to get married."
"Then ask Maddox to marry you. He's head over heels in love with you," Ixora said.
Nelly's cheeks turned red, and she kept quiet.
"Who says a wedding could happen without the queen?" Someone said, walking in.
Ixora's eyes widened as she recognized the voice. She stood, eyes going to the door.
The person walked in with a big bouquet covering her face.
"Surprise surprise!" She lowered their bouquet, and Ixora's smile grew wider.
"Audrey!" she ran, and they shared a hug.
"That's me. Your one and only Audrey."
Nelly also joined the hug.
"You came," Ixora said when they broke the hug.
"What did you think? I'd miss your wedding. Come on, it's Ixora Castellan... Or maybe Ronald and Drexton Blackthorn's wedding we're talking about. It's all over the news. The apology was sooo romantic. It's worldwide. And you think Audrey wouldn't come." She flipped her hair. "Come to earth, girl."
Alexa came and stood in their middle.
"Okay, I know I'm just meeting you, but I'm going to say it out loud. I'm so in love with your spirit. I'm sure we're going to click together."
"Team crazy?" Audrey asked.
"Definitely team crazy," Alexa rolled her eyes dramatically.
"I just found myself a bestie!" Audrey raised her fist.
"Bestie it is." They jammed their fists together and bumped their shoulder.
"Where's Blake?" Nelly asked.
"He and Skye went to find the guys."
"OMG! This is the best wedding," Ixora squealed, and then remembered the circumstances behind why he left the country.
"How's he? He said he wouldn't come back to the country until he... Yunno move on from me."
"He just got into a relationship two weeks ago. The girl was a die-hard fan and kept chasing after him. She promised to help him move on, and surprisingly, she did. They began their official relationship two weeks ago. She's so pretty. Hold on, I have her picture." She got her phone and unlocked it.
She clicked on a photo and showed their phone screen to them.
"Isn't she pretty?"
"She sure is," they nodded in unison.
"Miss, let's finish the final touches."
Ixora went and sat down with a soft sigh.
Finally, everything has fallen into place.
\--
\[MALE'S ROOM\]
Drexton stood in front of the dressing mirror staring at his outfit.
The door pushed open, and Maddox and Jaxon walked in with a carton, which they kept on the floor.
Drexton raised his brow. "What are you doing with that?"
Jaxon placed his hand on Drexton's shoulder, panting softly. "It was supposed to be your bachelor's party yesterday..."
"So?..." Drexton asked carefully, taking two steps away from him.
Maddox tore the carton apart and took out two bottles of branded champagne.
"We're going to celebrate it right here," he said, shaking the bottles.
"No, no. It's my wedding, I have to get ready," Drexton said, stepping back.
"You still have two hours to get ready!" Maddox popped the champagne open, shaking it in the air.
He rushed to Drexton and raised the two bottles above his head, drenching him.
Drexton shut his eyes as the content slid down his clothes.
He opened his eyes to see four bottles above his head.
"I..."
He closed his mouth, the champagne sliding down his clothes. The savoring taste entered his mouth. Wetting his entire body.
"Can't believe our Bro is finally getting married. Brotherhood is sickening for real. Didn't we say we'd never get married?" Jaxon said, tossing his bottle aside.
"Guess even the devil falls in love," Maddox replied.
Drexton hung his arms on their shoulders. "Right?" He exchanged glances with both of them, pressing his body tightly against theirs.
Their eyes widened, and they pushed themselves out of Drexton's hold.
"Dude!" They stared down at the side of their bodies.
They were wet with champagne.
"It's my bachelor's day after all," Drexton smiled, picking up his own bottle of champagne.
"I don't mind getting wet, but I'm sure you do," he smirked at them.
"Dude! Hold on! Let's talk this out! Ahh!" They groaned, Drexton giving a share of their own champagne.
"It's fair now," Drexton tossed his bottle aside.
"If that's how you want it," the brothers picked up their champagne.
Drexton also picked his, waiting for them.
They rushed to Drexton, wetting the hell out of themselves.
The door forcefully opened, prompting them to stop.
"A bachelor's party without us? Not fair," Blake said, feigning annoyance, dropping the cartoon he and Skye came with.
"Welcome to the party," Jaxon said.
Skye tore their cartoon open. "More champagne..."
"More party!" They grabbed their bottles, and they began drenching themselves with champagne. Laughing. Talking. Happy.
Drexton and Blake's bodies came into contact.
"Congratulations, man," Blake said, champagne dropping his lids.
"Thanks, man," Drexton replied, both pouring drinks on each other.
Bachelor's party it is.
\--
Drexton stood on the stage, eyes locked at the door. He was expecting Eric to walk in with Ixora any moment from now.
His black suit clung to his skin like it was made for him, and his tie was balanced on his neck. His hair was tousled backward, showing his insane visage.
They all had their shower and got ready just in time.
He looked calm on the outside, but was nervous inwardly. Throughout his life, something always went wrong, one way or the other. He had everything he wanted, but not without things going wrong. His parents died, and he got his wealth. He fell for Ixora while calling it revenge, and lost her. He thought he'd lost her, but now he's eagerly waiting for her to walk down the aisle with her father. What if things go wrong, and he loses Ixora for good?
"You nervous?" Maddox whispered.
He looked hot rather than handsome. His hair was packed in a ponytail with a few strands falling on his face. He likes his long hair, and doesn't plan on cutting it again.
He and Jaxon were standing with him on the stage. Jaxon on his right, and Maddox on his left.
Jaxon looked like a bad boy, with his neck tattoo that flaunted itself. His suit couldn't hide it.
"Why would I?" Drexton replied, obviously lying to himself.
"It's written all over your face," Maddox smiled, and focused on the door.
Drexton turned when he saw Eric walking down the aisle, his arms linked with Ixora.
She had the smile he had imagined. The one that makes him want to smudge that lipstick of hers with a deep kiss.
Calm down, Drexton. Only a matter of time, and she'll be yours.
He breathed, stretching out his arm when Eric got to him.
"Take care of her."
"I promise," Drexton replied, helping her up the stage.
"Found you both," Audrey said, joining Blake and Skye with Nelly and Alexa with her.
They also changed their clothes and looked extraordinarily beautiful. All of them.
Skye flashed her a smile and pecked her cheek.
"This is DreXora's wedding, not some lovey-dovey couples show," Alexa came between them.
"Tell that to Jaxon, whose eyes haven't left you," Audrey said loud enough for many people to hear her.
Alexa's cheeks heated up as true to Audrey's words. Jaxon was staring at her as if she were the only one present in the hall.
Nelly laughed, meeting Maddox's gaze.
They shared a smile and a secret language only they understood.
Eric smiled, feeling fulfilled and proud. He gave his daughters their happiness.
"Congratulations, sir," Cecilia said beside him. She came to the wedding with a few other employees.
"Call me Eric. Stop with the sir."
Cecilia chuckled. "Eric.
"Cilia," he muttered, linking their arms together before concentrating back on the stage.
"We're here today to join the union of Ixora Ronald and Drexton Blackthorn. Is there anybody who has a reason why these two lovely couples shouldn't be together?" the marriage priest asked.
\--
"I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
Ixora's smile grew larger as she stared at Drexton.
She still can't believe she made it to this phase of her life. These words—they were once a part of her dream, and now, it's a reality.
Every pain—every suffering—every fall—turned out to be a great part of her.
Even at this moment, it still feels like a dream.
He was my tormentor, but today, he's the man she will be spending the rest of her life with.
The past is gone. Now, she's building a new future with him. The man of her dreams.
Her Flame.
Admiration clouded Drexton's eyes as he lifted her veil.
He never knew they could get this far. He never knew he could let it go. The hate—anger—and his thirst for revenge. He knew they'd go far, but never thought it would be this far.
She got trapped in his world, and he doesn't plan on letting her go.
Even at this point, love still feels strange to him, but he's sure of one thing. He needs her in his life.
After this, he'll take her to a different world. A world of his and hers, and just like always, she'll light it up once again. She's his light.
His Firefly.
And like that, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, filled with emotion. Their sadness and happiness. Their good and bad. Their flaws and perfect. All of them were sealed with a kiss.
Guests stood to their feet, clapping and cheering loudly for them. The new couple in town.
DreXora 2025.
It's not the tears that matter. It's not the pains of the past, but the love that overcame them all.
Who said 'HAPPILY EVER AFTER' doesn't exist? It does. You just have to find 'THE ONE'.
THE END.