Chapter 49: Message of God

Scarlet’s Point of View:

“Scarlet and Xavier! What a surprise,” I heard a familiar voice and turned around to find Max.

“Max!” I said with a fake smile. “Didn’t think you could make it.”

“Perhaps the reason you brought Mr. Valencian?”

I looked at Xavier who was about to reply when I jumped in: “No, I did not bring him with me, Max. He came alone, just like you did.”

He nodded slowly; his eyes filled with doubt. For some reason, he seemed to be a different person. It was like as long as everything went according to him, it was stars and glitters but the moment I did something wrong, he didn’t have any feelings in his eyes for me. Yes, he didn’t turn bitter— but isn’t hiding emotions and true intentions worse?

It was like he turned into someone who didn’t have a soul.

“Well, the wedding is about to start,” Xavier said to break the uncomfortable silence, “So let’s stand in line.”

We all nodded and went to the side. Mr. Cooper came to the aisle. He was dressed up in a perfect tuxedo and had an infinite smile on his face. His best man stood beside him with two other guys— whom I assumed were his friends.

We all looked towards the entrance of the church and awaited Jazelle to enter.

Within minutes, Jazelle walked inside the church, hand in hand with her father. Her beautiful dress was equipped with a long white cloth behind her— covering the ground as she moved ahead.

Her bridesmaid and a few other women accompanied her in their own beautiful dresses too. The wedding was so dreamy, I was even a little jealous that I would never get a wedding like that! I mean, I had enough complicated love life as it was, I didn’t need to add marriage to the mix.

I sighed as I looked at how mesmerizing the entirety of the scene was. Father asked both of them to say their vows. They exchanged rings and soon after, Father said: “With the power bestowed upon me, I declare you both as man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

A huge round of applause clouded the entire church as Jazelle joined her lips with Mr. Cooper. Everyone was excitingly happy and content with the perfect display of affection between the two.

I didn’t imagine their love life to be perfect, but I imagined it to be happy.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” I heard Xavier as he walked over to me. Everyone had dispersed as the food was set up outside the church.

“It was,” I smiled and replied. “Wouldn’t expect less than that from Mr. Cooper, right?”

“Yeah, and what would be the reason for such high expectations from him, woman?”

I shook my head. “He’s a billionaire with a heart.”

He smirked at me and didn’t say anything. I smiled at him as I walked out of the church— I didn’t know what I had expected when I said that to him. Maybe I expected him to say something positive, but we knew that he might care for me— in the best-case scenario, but he wasn’t the loving type.

As Jazelle planned to leave with Mr. Cooper, I met with both of them personally and wished them the best for their life. Just before leaving, all the guests gathered near their car to catch the flower bouquet. It was seen as a message from God— as a message as to who was going to get married next.

I, too, stood in the middle. Jazelle looked at the crowd and smiled.

She threw the bouquet in the air and I thought— for a second— that she had thrown it in my direction.

My inner feelings ignited. I wanted to get married too— I mean… to have such an exquisite marriage too— so I jumped to catch the bouquet.

I was successful.

…

“I guess I will be going now, Scarlet,” I heard Max say to me as almost everyone started to leave.

I smiled. “Yeah, Max. I will come back soon. I think it is best if I spend some time here alone.”

“I hope it is alone, Scarlet,” He looked over at Xavier— who was standing at a distance and then back at me, “Because you know he can’t give you anything that I can’t.”

I sighed. “I am aware, Max. I just need some time alone. Trust me.”

“It’s fine. I will be waiting.”

I nodded. As he was about to go, he suddenly asked: “Where’s Drew, by the way?”

“Back at the hotel. I thought he could use some sleep.”

He raised his eyebrow, “Which hotel are you staying in?”

“A little space, Max?” I shrugged and said in a low voice. I didn’t want to tell him because I didn’t want him showing up without notice— and I didn’t trust him. Not after what Xavier had said. For some reason, I believed that whatever Xavier was saying was true. There was something about him and I wasn’t going to be so careless until I knew for sure.

He sighed and shook his head. “It’s fine. Call me if you need anything.”

“Sure. Be well, Max.”

He smiled before he went to his car and left.

Xavier walked over to me as soon as I was alone. “I hope you didn’t tell him where you’re staying.”

“I didn’t. Now you’ll tell me what you know about Max that I don’t.”

“Are you sure you can handle the truth?”

I smirked. “I was well alive when you scarred my face, remember? I didn’t even go to the hospital. Do you think I am weak?”

“Physical pain and emotion pain are different, Scarlet.”

“You think you only hurt me physically when you scarred me that night, Xavier?” I walked toward him and looked him in the eye, “When you shattered my last hope of you to become Drew’s father? When you showed me that worse things… could come to him?”

He looked at me with a conflict of emotions before backing off. “Fine. I will tell you but I know you won’t believe my words. Do you want to go with me?”

“Where are we going?” I asked him as he started moving towards his car.

“Do you think I don’t have a secret base of Operations in Mexico?” He smirked.