✿ Ulyana's POV

I furrowed my eyebrows slightly at the couple.

Wasn't Warren just with Zoltan and me?

So how was he proposing to Claire right now? And just after the whole 'I want a wedding like yours conversation' with her?

Maybe he wanted it too.

I shrugged absentmindedly.

“Not my problem” I muttered to myself.

I had my own problems to think about. Anton was gone. I was relieved but I couldn't help but dread about his return. Maybe Zoltan scared him away for good? I sighed and rubbed my arm. Claire guided Warren up and they kissed. The hall erupted into applause. I still couldn't find Mara or Geneva around.

“Worried they're stealing your thunder?”

I chuckled softly and leaned my head to the side, knowing he'd be there for me.

“You know I don't do well in the spotlight, Bubba. So I am more than thrilled to lend them my thunder.”

He hummed. I stood straight and smiled at him.

“It's over now, Bubba. Don't worry about it anymore” I assured him.

He held his hands out to me.

“Would you like to dance, my little girl?”

I squeezed my face happily and took his hands in mine.

“Always, Bubba.”

And so we danced... for what seemed like forever... yet it wasn't enough for me. When the song ended, he asked me to go dance with Chole who had been crying and blaming it on pollen. I danced with her too and I held on tightly. All this while, Zoltan was a no-show. Did I scare him away by calling him predictable? I didn't care.

But thanks to Mara, I'd watched too much trash TV to recognize people like him. And so I was damn right to call him predictable. I could tell he didn't like it, but I didn't care. I said what I said and there was nothing he could do about it.

“May I have the last dance?” Mitchell asked after Chole went to get some water. “Your groom is a no show and people are whispering.”

I chuckled.

“What are you now, a spy?” I asked as I took his hand.

Mitchell spun me around and I let out a laugh.

“Stop. I've had too much drama and very little food. I can't afford to throw up because we're doing standing cartwheels.”

He chuckled and held onto the small of my back. With one hand on his shoulder, he took my other hand in his free hand.

“Too much drama? Saying 'I do' is too much drama for you? Wow. I might never get married then” he chuckled.

I shook my head and bit my lower lip.

"That wasn't the only drama, Mitchell.”

“Oh?” he arched a brow.

The song reached its crescendo and Mitchell led me to do a lighter spin.

“Mm hm,” I hummed as I spun myself back to him.

“What else happened?”

I exhaled, as my cousin caught me with ease and dipped me.

“Anton again” I let out.

He paused, and I was thankful although he was shocked and very angry, he didn't drop me.

“Mitchell?” I called out. “Say something.”

He guided me back up and the crowd applauded. I flashed grateful smiles at them as Warren's face held no emotions. A ginger-haired caught my eye and I saw one of Geneva's brothers.

She must be around then.

I traced my eyes around that area and saw Mara instead, chatting with the wedding planner.

Gen, where are you?

Then I spotted her. She was slumped against the bar, a full bottle of wine in her hand and a look I didn't recognize on her face.

I thought she didn't like wine.

I chuckled softly.

“I'm going to kill that son of a bitch!” Mitchell let out and I realized that all this time he was still processing what I'd said about Anton.

He stepped away from me and I stopped him. I made a mental note to go check in with Geneva after this. I pushed Warren to a quiet place.

“Where is that coward huh, Uls? I won't spare his life today!” Mitchell growled.

“He's gone,” I told him.

He stopped looking through the crowd in the hall and steadied me.

“Are you okay? Did that imbecile hurt you?”

I shook my head.

“Not as much as he wanted to. Zoltan got there just in time so I walked away with just a few insults” I tried to joke.

Mitchel straightened his neck.

“Zoltan?”

I nodded.

“Zoltan” he stated this time.

“Yes, Mitch. Zoltan.”

Mitchell made a face.

“Why Zoltan?”

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant but he shook his head, stopping me.

“What did he say to him?”

“Not much” I shrugged.

Mitchell rolled his eyes and looked away.

“He just... beat the life of Anton.”

Mitchell's eyes snapped to my face and I nodded before he could ask anything.

“Anton... disrespected me again and Zoltan defended me... by beating him up.”

Mitchell was staring at me with deep interest as my hands curled around my body to keep myself from crumbling at the thought of Zoltan claiming me like that.

“Can we back up a bit, Uls? When did he hit him?”

My mind was reeling as Mitchell moved to grab two flutes of champagne off a nearby waiter's tray.

“Do you think Zoltan can do it again if I found Anton and brought him back? I'd like a front-row seat this time.”

Mitchell offered me the glass and I downed it as he continued to find humor in what I'd just told him.

“I was beginning to get worried for you, Uls. But knowing that your husband can throw punches as much as I can, I'm actually at peace.”

Deadlier punches.

I shook my head.

“You're nothing like him, Mitch” I murmured as I pushed the empty glass towards him again, waiting for him to get me another glass.

“I'm sure we're more alike than you think. Maybe you just need to get to know him better.”

Mitchell's smile widened and I rolled my eyes.

“I don't want to know him any better than I already do,” I told him, but he just shook his head and laughed.

I eyed him a little.

“Sorry Ulyana, but it doesn't seem like you have much of a choice in that matter.”

I sighed, knowing my cousin was absolutely right.

“Sadly you're right.”

Mitchell's teasing look disappeared and he put the empty glasses away to take my hand in his.

“Hey, don't worry, Uls” he whispered. “It's going to be just fine... you'll see.”

I sucked in my lips and gave him a small nod.

“I hope so.”

He smiled softly at me.

“Would you like another drink?”

I shook my head, Geneva invading my mind.

“No thanks, Mitch. I'm going to look for Gen...”

I trailed off when the spot she was occupying at the bar a few minutes ago was empty.

Where'd she go?

I sighed.

“Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Geneva.”

Mitchell chuckled.

“What's up with that? Are you two besties now?”

“Are you jealous, Mitchell?” I countered playfully.

He smiled.

“A little” he admitted and I shook my head.

“I haven't gotten a proper chance to talk to her since we left the chapel. I just want to know if she's... okay. She didn't look so good a few minutes ago.”

“I'm sure she's fine, Uls. And with the way she's dressed tonight, I'm sure she's just busy flocking away her many, many suitors.”

I smiled.

Probably.

“But if it helps you to be at peace, I'll find her for you and personally bring her to you.”

I sighed deeply.

“Yes, please Mitchell. Thank you.”

“I'll be right back with your sexy friend. Don't move” he chuckled at me and moved away.

I rubbed my arms. A few people smiled at me and offered me their congratulations as they passed by me.

“Thank you” I muttered in return.

Where could Geneva have disappeared to?

“Tate!”

Marioara wrapped me in a hug before I could fully turn to her. I chuckled and hugged her back.

“You're not going to stop calling me that are you?”

“Old habits” she giggled.

I smiled at her and she let me go.

“Okay, are you ready?” she grinned at me.

“For what?” I chuckled at her excitement.

She got excited over the littlest things. Marioara grabbed my hands in hers and squeezed.

“Guess who flew all the way from the Sunshine State to come see you get married!”

My eyebrows arched.

“No.”

Marioara grinned wider as she nodded her head continuously at me.

“You're serious, Mara?” I asked.

“Yes, she is!” her very familiar Black Orchid fragrance reached my nostrils before her voice did.

I turned with Mara still holding onto my hands, and before I could express how glad I was to see her, Mara's mother was already squeezing me into a hug. I chuckled softly as Mara let go of my hands. Her mother released me and gently touched the side of my face.

“Look at you, darling. As beautiful as always” she whispered lovingly.

“Thank you, Daphne” I smiled softly back at her. “I'm truly sorry I didn't tell you about —”

“Oh darling, it's okay” she cut me off with a chuckle. “Mara's already filled me in on everything and you know we wouldn't have treated you any differently.”

I glanced down beside me and Marioara pumped her brows humorously at me.

“Thank you, Daphne.”

“And she's not the only one who came” Marioara laughed.

Before I could guess, he popped up behind his daughter and equally grinned brightly at me.

“And here I thought I'd never see this day come” he teased. “I didn't even know you liked men.”

“Dad” Mara playfully poked his arm.

He smiled at me.

“Good to see you kiddo.”

I smiled back at him before he turned to the blonde-haired woman at my side.

“Daphne” he greeted with a stiff nod.

“Archibald... I mean Victor” Mara's mom replied.

Victor placed a hand across his heart.

“Already mixing up the names, Rose?” he questioned.

Daphne eyed him and Mara shoved her father.

“You two didn't have to travel this far” I sighed with a tiny smile.

Daphne frowned a little at me.

“But of course I had to. It's your wedding for crying out loud, darling.”

“And you do it just once” Victor added.

“You do it right, once” Daphne stressed.

“Mom” Mara called out to her in a tight tone.

“Ignore her, Chip” Victor laughed. “Your mother still hasn't learned to separate fantasy from reality.”

“Well, I disagree since I managed to do that perfectly with our marriage.”

“Stop it you two” Mara jumped between them and frowned. “This isn't about you. This is Ulyana's moment... her special day. If this is how you two are going to be at each other's throats on my special day, then I'm eloping.”

Victor nodded and immediately backed down.

“C'mon guys, it's been twenty years and you two still can't be civil with each other?” I asked with a small chuckle.

They really couldn't.

And I didn't realize how much if missed this bickering till now.

“If you're regretting us being here, it's Jeremiah over there's fault” Daphne clenched her jaw.

“Ma!” Marioara scolded.

I chuckled and turned to her parents.

“I couldn't be happier that you two are here today” I smiled. “And do you know who else is going to be thrilled to have you here? My grandfather. C'mon, lemme go introduce you two.”

Mara stepped between her parents again and guided her mother forward as I took the lead in locating my grandfather.

“Oh Tate, hang on for a sec” Victor stopped me.

I turned.

“What's wrong?”

“I just wanted to congratulate the lucky guy. It's his wedding too” he chuckled.

“Oh yes, yes, darling. He's right” Daphne agreed.

Now you back him up?

“Where's your husband?”

Husband.

I didn't know where my husband was. And I didn't want to know. Zoltan could be dead for all I cared. But before I could get to come up with an excuse and answer, the screeching of a microphone interrupted me. The murmur and laughter in the hall died down.

“Good evening everyone! We've reached the most important part of the reception... cake!” the M.C. cheered into the microphone earning cheers and laughter from the guests.

Cake?

“If we could have the couple up here to do us the honors...” The M.C.'s words trailed away as Mr. Adams hurried up to him and whispered a few words into his ears.

Soft murmurs filled the hall again and a few of the guests looked my way. I immediately drew up a fake yet warm smile. A smile that said everything was okay.

Damn you Zoltan for putting me in this situation.

“Okay everyone!” the M.C. began again.

My eyes began to scan the room. As soon as my eyes met Warren's, he drew closer to me.

“Where the hell is he?” I whispered.

“Oh... um...” he stuttered a bit, a clear attempt to lie.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“I thought he was with you” he finally spoke.

“Me? What do we have to talk about that he'd be with me?”

“There's no problem” I heard the M.C. continued. “The groom is being excused for a while so... why don't we get on to the second most important part of this wedding...”

A few people continued to look my way.

“Could you please find him, Warren? Because this is embarrassing and I'd really hate to—”

“The bouquet toss!” the M.C. cut me off.

God no!

“Come on out single ladies!” he urged.

Although a few seemed a little reluctant and more interested in the story behind my husband's sudden absence, Mara started to cheer along and the interested participants began to crowd in the middle of the room. Warren just nodded at me and walked away.

“Someone tell the gorgeous bride to get up here!” the M.C. smiled at me.

I playfully shook my head.

“No, no you don't have to—”

“Yes, you do” her voice finally filled my ears.

I turned and Mitchell did a silly bow at me.

“Told you I'd find her and bring her to you.”

I smiled thankfully at him.

“Gen, are you okay?”

“Yes of course I'm—” a giant hiccup interrupted her, “I'm okay” she laughed it off. “Just a little... *hic* drunk. This dress is doing some serious wonders for me.”

I playfully rolled my eyes at her.

“Uls!” Mara called out to me.

Oh right, right.

“Shall we?” Gen smiled at me.

“I don't want to do it.”

She shrugged.

“Well, it's not like I'm catching it. So just throw it. You can aim for Mara.”

“Okay,” I chuckled softly.

I carefully made my way up the little platform and returned one of the M.C's many, many smiles at me.

“Okay ladies, are you ready?!”

Cheers erupted behind me; Marioara's voice the loudest. I chuckled and looked over my shoulder to spot her jumping up and down. Geneva was stalking away in the back with Claire maneuvering her way to the front.

Isn't she already married?

“My lady, we're counting down on three” the M.C. stepped away from the microphone to whisper to me.

I fully turned my back to the ladies and nodded.

“Okay ladies, on three!” the M.C. instructed.

Just throw it right?

“One...” everyone began to count down

“Two...”

Three!

I hurled the bouquet behind me and turned. It was absolute chaos as they tried to catch the bouquet.

Wow.

I spotted Gen in the back... just standing there, a glass of wine in her hand and a nonchalant look on her face; not looking like she was willing to move a muscle. I found myself laughing at that. The only time she moved was when someone's stiletto flew off and into the air. And she moved to shield her face.

“Gen get it!” I heard Mara yell over the chaos.

“I'll pass!” she called back to her and stepped further away.

I shook my head. I mean I didn't believe in this whole 'catch the bride's bouquet and you're the next in line to get married' thing either. But she could at least pretend to try, could she not?

Geneva made a face at something and then completely turned away from the brawl when one of her brothers crossed her path. He said something and when she tried to get away, her other brother cornered her.

She frowned and muttered something to them... I'm positive it was a threat. Then when she tried to sidestep them both, they only began to huddle her back into the brawl.

“I got it!” someone screamed from the crowd.

My eyes left Geneva momentarily when I heard the, “No it's mine!” that followed.

I was about to turn away when the bouquet sailed towards Geneva who was arguing with her brothers.

“Gen behind you!” Mara and Claire screamed in unison at her.

She turned and traced her eyes with the bouquet that was sailing in the air right at her. She froze. I was about to smile when she did the unthinkable. Geneva took several steps back. Her brothers were so focused on watching the bouquet land that they couldn't stop her. When they realized she'd moved, the bouquet was almost landing.

Oh Gen.

But you can't escape death when it's your turn.

Geneva tripped over something that sent her flying backward. Then it happened so fast. Mitchell appeared behind her and caught her at the same time one of her brothers served the bouquet gently in her direction before it hit the ground.

The hall suddenly grew so quiet.

One...

Two...

Then Marioara started clapping. It didn't take a second for every single person to join in the applause and cheers.

“Now that's game!” the M.C. roared into the microphone.

I chuckled and stepped down from the tiny platform. Jean was going to have a field day with this news. But Gen, I could bet my last dollar that she hated karma for playing her this way.

I made a beeline for her, trying not to laugh at her predicament as I spotted her mother peppering her face with kisses. But before I could get to her, the lights in the room dimmed and the bright light that was shone above from behind me made me stop.

What the hell...?

The room grew quiet again as everyone's eyes rested behind me. The silence was ended by the melody of a piano.

Bubba?

But before I could react, what followed shut me up. A sweet sound... slow yet mesmerizing, made my heart pound faster. The sound grew louder and I could feel the vibrations tingling on my skin, cheekbone, and also my hair. The louder it got, the faster my heart raced.

Shit!

The devil was singing.

Thank you for reading!
Vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter and recommend!
See ya.
~the_atticwriter