Chapter 3: Ode To My Family
━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━
"No way in hell I'd marry him," Vivian stood up from the seat, startling everyone in the room. The Butler and his son looked at each other and then at the man, standing at the door with a vacant smile. The man looked utterly handsome and perfectly defined, making the maids and Vivian's mother stare at his graceful aura.
"Good morning Eomoni," He greeted as he bowed to the older woman and then looked into the fiery eyes of the woman beside her. He just bowed, totally ignoring her previous words as he entered the room.
"Eomma, are you sure this is the person because I am quite certain what kind of an asshole this man is," Vivian rasped and her mother glared at her.
"Vivian, stop behaving like a kid. Is this the way you talk to people? Apologize and state the reason for your misbehavior," Mrs. Perez chided at her daughter who muttered indefinite curses under her breath.
"It's okay, Eomoni. She doesn't have to apologize to me. We'd probably be family soon so it's not necessary," the man spoke and the girl scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"I am sorry. I don't get what you mean but I think you deserve an apology as my mother thinks so because my past with you was unexplained. Am I right, Mr. Kim Taehyung?" Vivian asked, crossing her legs as she set her eyes straight at Taehyung.
"Your past with him?" Mrs. Perez asked and Vivian let out a sarcastic chuckle.
"This guy is my ex, Eomma. A memorable one indeed for I could not forget the days ruined because of him," Vivian spoke, turning her head away. Taehyung lowered his head, glancing at Vivian fidgeting with the ring on her finger,
"What do you mean, Vivi? Is it the truth, Taehyung ssi? Do you know our Vivian previously?" Mrs. Perez asked, dumbfounded by the truth presented before her. For a moment, she was doubtful of leaving her daughter in the hands of a liar.
"I am her ex-boyfriend Eomoni. I did my Masters at Harvard and I met your daughter there. We dated for a while," Taehyung confessed and Vivian chortled.
"What did he do to you, Vivian? You said your days were ruined because of him? Did he hurt you? Did he cheat on you?" Mrs. Perez asked, wanting to know how the man her husband entrusted with, had treated her daughter.
"No, he didn't. He just left me. He just left me without any reason. He left me when I needed him the most, without a message, without a notice," Vivian explained and continued playing with the ring on her finger.
"I was called back due to an emergency in the startup I have invested in. I knew it was wrong of me to leave the place abruptly, leaving her without a proper goodbye but it was a dire emergency and I didn't have time to contact her. And by the time, I found time, I was pretty sure she would hate me either way," Taehyung expressed his reasons, looking at Vivian.
"A message wouldn't steal your time. It wouldn't even hurt your fingers to type," Vivian argued, making the Butler and his son chortle. They quickly stopped when they noticed Taehyung's gaze falling on them. But what shocked everyone was the man in front of them going on his knees in front of Mrs. Perez.
"I'll take the responsibility for the mistake I have done. Please forgive me. I would not like it to ruin what we have here," Taehyung begged for forgiveness and Vivian looked at the maids around gossiping in each others' ears.
"Eomma, I need a moment to talk to Mr. Kim Taehyung," Vivian asked and Mrs. Perez nodded, leaving the room.
"Alone," Vivian emphasized and everyone in the room left silently.
"Stop the act and get up," Vivian mouthed and Taehyung got up, brushing off his pants.
"I need to earn her trust either way," Taehyung muttered as he took a seat on the sofa, crossing his legs.
"Why are you desperate to marry me? It's not like you still share the same feelings towards me," Vivian questioned, unsure why Taehyung was trying too much to clear the air and gain good impressions.
"I am not quite sure of my feelings but then, I am not doing this to get you back. I'll be honest about that. Your father has been a good person to me and I promised him to marry you," Taehyung voiced out and Vivian tsked at his words.
"Just tell no to this marriage, will you? You don't want to marry me because you wanted. You don't have to do that because of a promise. It's your life, it's your choice," Vivian spoke calmly, intending to push the blame on him as to why she couldn't fulfill one of her father's last wishes.
"And this applies to you as well. You could just say no because you don't want to marry. You don't have to swing your life in the way your father imagined you to," Taehyung counter suggested and Vivian counted numbers inside her head so as to not lose control over her sanity.
"I don't want to deny my father's last wishes but it doesn't have to be me who has to stop all this. You can just help both of us by rejecting this proposal," Vivian suggested, her words in haste as she was out of choices. She knew he was the only string that she can pull. Even though she has to power to end all this, she didn't want to disrespect her late father's wishes.
"My respect for your father shall never waver. I will not disappoint him by going against his wishes. This is the least I can do to your late father," Taehyung was stubborn at his decision and Vivian huffed out a breath.
"Alright, let's just comply with his wish then. Let's marry this weekend. My secretary will manage the business sector articles and announcements. Just buy a wedding suit and I'll do the job from my side. Rest, my mother will manage. You can just communicate with her since you are already on 'Eomoni' terms with her" Vivian spoke curtly and stood up to walk out of the room.
"Do you realize what you are getting into, Viper?" Taehyung asked, looking at her with an emotion indecipherable to Vivian's eyes.
"I am not scared of anything, Taehyung. And I hope you stop calling me Viper from now. You are not close enough to me to call me by that name," Vivian snarled and stormed off the room.
"Please plan the wedding this Sunday, Eomma. I hope you take care of the wedding arrangements, Mr. Jung and Hoseok ah," Vivian informed her mother and walked away with the excuse of a business meeting. Her mother looked at her retreating figure in concern but she was aware her husband would never make a bad decision for their daughter.
┈┈┈┈■┈┈┈┈
"Yes, I am waiting for that dumbass at the airport. I really hope Hannah is being a good maid of honor. I feel so bad for missing the opportunity. Jackson should lick my ass for booking a different flight from mine just because there was no good cuisine on my flight. I believe I wasn't in my right mind while befriending him," Mei rambled on and Vivian laughed at how adorable she was.
"By the way, don't you think you are rushing things? I really hope your bitchass didn't make the decision in haste," Mei spoke on the other side of the phone and Vivian stayed silent. When her friends first heard of the news, it took them five hours to accept the truth. All their bets that Vivian would never marry even if a grim reaper tells her the exact date of death were in vain.
"And what about your groom? You literally gave us no information about him. Is he rich?" Mei asked, giggling and Hannah facepalmed herself.
"He is," Vivian answered as they were adjusting the dress on her. Hannah was just praising her best friend looking ethereal in white while enjoying Mei's silly talk on the phone that was kept on speaker mode.
"Is he handsome?" Mei continued.
"Yes, he is. But would that matter? Beauty is subjective," Vivian answered.
"Dear Viper, he is rich and handsome, you're such a lucky bitch. Let's just hope he is good at sex," Mei tittered and Vivian laughed. She was so nervous on the inside but she knew there was no stop sign ahead to make use of.
Just when she thought marriage was something planned on her list, she had to encounter another hurdle. Marrying Taehyung was something she expected herself to do. It could be a great business merge and would earn amazing profits but she was not ready to be labeled in the name of a relationship.
"Do you have a picture of him?" Mei asked and Vivian didn't speak a word.
"Fuck you, Jackson, do you know how much of a shithoe you are? We are gonna get late because of you," Mei yelled and Hannah knew she doesn't need a phone to be heard.
"Ehm" a voice interrupted the girls talking and everyone in the room looked at the man, standing at the door. Hannah was baffled at the person standing in front of her and Vivian sighed in regret. She didn't know her fiance would be allowed in her room and didn't care to explain her friends yet.
"Eomoni allowed me in as you were completely dressed up," he broke the silence and the staff in the room giggled.
"Are you on drugs, seriously? Kim Taehyung out of all people? Are you in your right mind? That bastard?" Hannah yelled, quickly getting up from her seat. Mei and Jackson were beyond shocked to hear Hannah's words.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" They could hear Mei
"I literally expected nothing but still got disappointed," Jackson released a sigh of disappointment.
"Can we have some privacy?" Vivian asked and the staff left the room without a word.
"I swear I don't mind killing him for what you have gone through. Do you really expect us to allow you to marry that trash bag? He doesn't deserve you," Hannah cursed at the man who decided to remain silent until the friends finish their line of insults.
"Oh yes, Hannah. Hold her until we come there. We are not allowing that bitch to fall into that seaweed's trap again. Let this get into his thick skull that he is never going to get our golden girl," Mei was determined and Vivian huffed.
"Guys, guys, stop it now. I am doing this and it's totally my decision. It's not like I can't manage myself. I may not be happy with this but my Appa would be. He rarely asked me for anything. This is the least I can do for him." Vivian defended her decision and the three friends stayed silent.
"Winter and Winnie would not like it if their mom is like this. But she is built that way, isn't she?" Jackson spoke and smiled to himself.
"Can I hit him before he could marry you?" Hannah asked and Vivian shook her head. Even before she could stop her inhumane friend, she grabbed a cushion in her hand and started whacking him with it. Taehyung kept bending and moving around as Hannah is no normal being when it comes to seeking revenge.
"Oh my god, Hannah, stop," Taehyung was running around and giggling while Hannah was behind him with full-on beast mode.
"Okay, stop it. It will be getting late and this is a public wedding. The media will be there and they'd start gossiping about how I am so lazy on my own wedding." Vivian jested and Hannah ignored her.
"Taehyung, don't step on my veil. I don't have any backup. Ugh! If you keep running like that, you're neatly pressed suit is gonna get ruined. Hannah, you're makeup will be spoilt. STOP BEHAVING LIKE KIDS, BOTH OF YOU," Vivian roared and the two people halted, taking deep breaths.
"She is a savage," Taehyung commented and Vivian pulled Hannah to her side.
"Is there anything you want to tell me? What was the reason you came here?" Vivian asked and Taehyung looked at her whole frame. She was drop-dead gorgeous and had he been in love with her, he would have definitely pulled her in for a kiss.
"Umm- I- I just wanted to know if my outfit is proper for the wedding," Taehyung stuttered and Vivian knew she should not speak beyond what he deserves. He was extremely charming and no one would dare deny that.
"You don't look bad. A white suit is proper enough for a wedding," Vivian subtly complemented, earning a smile from her would-be husband. Taehyung just nodded and walked out of the room.
"He looks so ugly. You look like a queen tho," Hannah muttered and Vivian laughed out. She could understand why they hate him so much. In fact, she does too but it wasn't the right time to gather the negative feelings towards him.
"What about Mei and Jackson?"
"They are on their way. They hung up the call. They'd probably be dissing about you in the cab," Hannah replied and Vivian pouted.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Vivian?"
"Hannah-"
"No, forget about the media, forget about the promises, forget about the world that doesn't give a damn about you. Are you sure you can do this? Are you certain that you could manage all this? Perhaps, your father could be a little upset, but he wouldn't want anything that'd make you unhappy," Hannah spoke her mind and Vivian held her best friend's hand.
"It will be hard. I am not gonna lie. But I'd want to give it a chance. If something wrong happens, I'd not hesitate to divorce him. This is more of an alliance, out of responsibility and given promises," Vivian stated and Hannah just nodded.
"And regarding society and media that never concerned me before, I don't think I can avoid the flashes of the camera here. In the States, I am known as Viper, here I will be known as Vivian Perez, daughter of Richard Perez, which makes me accountable for my family's reputation. Although I won't do everything to kiss the paparazzi's ass, I still have to be careful of my attitude and acts," Vivian was aware of how twisted media could be and she didn't want to risk anything, especially when it affects the company.
"You're stuck in deep shit, trust me," Hannah responded and Vivian chuckled.
"And I know y'all would be there for me, with me," Vivian spoke as she hugged her best friend.
"Yes, always," Hannah hugged back and Vivian held in her tears. She was grateful to her friends for just existing. They paint her life with a different shade, a hue of pleasantness, joy, and comfort.
"Vivi, dear. Are you ready?"Mrs. Perez walked into the room, gleaming at her daughter looking so beautiful. She never thought she'd be able to see her older daughter's wedding and seeing her prepared to wed made her teary for some reason. She hoped their marriage to bloom and her daughter to stay cheerful all the time. She doesn't wish for more.
"Oh my God! You look so pretty. My daughter is so lovely," Mrs. Perez placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead and smiled fondly. Hannah and Mrs. Perez helped Vivian to fix the veil on her head.
"Let's get this done with now"
┈┈┈┈■┈┈┈┈
The lights flashed on the carpet as the mother walked her daughter down the aisle. Many loved her style and kept talking about the heiress of the company that they have never seen until today. She looked elegant yet there was some power in the personality she carried. Perhaps, that was the reason she was hidden from the world until the day she could take the chair.
She looked at the familiar man standing behind Taehyung.
Mr. Park Jimin?
Mrs. Perez gave her daughter's hand to Taehyung as he took in her hand tenderly with care. Vivian looked at her mother who then nodded at her with a smile.
"My husband entrusted you with my daughter. My daughter could be a little too much to other people at times but she is rightly enough. If you ever hurt her, you'll have to face my wrath," the protective mother warned and Taehyung smiled, nodding at her.
"I'll be the husband she dreamt of, Eomoni. I'll not let the trouble touch her feet," Taehyung promised as he walked his bride to the altar.
"Be calm. It's alright. It will pass away," Taehyung comforted Vivian as she stared at him through her white veil. She looked at Hannah who was holding a bouquet of favorite flowers, standing behind her. She turned around to check if Mei, Jackson, and her babies arrived or not. She lightly frowned upon not seeing them
Vows were exchanged and the people around cheered for them with excited smiles. The merger of two multinational companies had rose the interest of the business tabloids and the citizens of Korea.
"Do you take Ms. Vivian Perez to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?"
Everyone looked at Taehyung for an answer and he looked at Vivian, raising her brows, asking what was the problem. He raised his hand and asked for the mic from the pastor. Mrs. Perez got anxious at Taehyung's actions and everyone in the banquet hall was waiting for him to speak.
"I am sorry to interrupt but I have a reason to pause the event," Taehyung started and looked at his clearly confused bride.
"Vivian's best friends are on their way to the venue and it would take a few minutes by the time they reach here. I apologize for the delay but our Vivian here would be happier if our wedding happens in their presence," Taehyung announced and everyone in the room smiled brightly.
"It's okay, we'll wait," the pastor was cool with it.
"You know you don't have to do that. They don't like me marrying you anyways," Vivian mumbled while Taehyung chortled.
"You've been looking at the door ever since the event started. I need a breath of air as well. I am not doing it just for you," Taehyung retorted and Vivian muttered inaudible curses under her breath. They have stayed in their positions for around ten minutes only to hear a few footsteps at the entrance.
"They're here," Hannah screamed and Taehyung smiled, looking at them.
"Oh my god! Winter and Winnie," Vivian exclaimed as Jackson carried them inside the hall. The two friends had their cheeks turning red with all the attention from the people in the hall. They did not anticipate their friend to wait for them.
"Thank you for coming. Now, shall we continue?" Taehyung asked and handed the mic over to the pastor.
"Do you take Ms. Vivian Perez to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?"
"I do" Taehyung answered as he slid the ring on her finger.
"Do you take Mr. Kim Taehyung to be your husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and to honor him all the days of your life?"
Vivian looked at Taehyung and then at her friends. This is the right moment where she could end all this, where she could run away from all the duties. Just a single 'No' would save it all. She thought for a moment and wandered her eyes to her mother who has tears in her eyes.
Never knew she'd be weak for the emotions of her loved ones.
"I do" she replied, a lone tear escaping her eye though she made it quite unnoticeable to the audience. She slowly slid the ring onto his finger. They were the ones her father preserved for her and she found them classic, just to her taste.
"You may now kiss"
Taehyung and Vivian looked at each other and the crowd that was cooing at them. Taehyung slowly held her hand and planted a soft kiss on her wrist, letting out an assuring smile. Vivian released a breath and stepped ahead, holding his face with her palm. Pulling her veil up, she titled her neck and pulled him in for a short kiss, making the crowd applaud for them.
"This is not something I want. Marriage is not my thing so I don't owe you anything," Vivian whispered, locking their foreheads close.
"A marriage without trust, affection, and most importantly love is not my dream either. I don't owe you anything either," Taehyung snapped back in a low whisper, making his now-wife chuckle.
"Glad we are both on the same boat"
━━━━━━━━━▼━━━━━━━━━
Author's Note: Happy Reading!
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top