By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Everyone stood up and cheered, pleased with this union. Then the pastor pronounced Michael and Chioma, husband and wife after reading through the ceremonial speech and taking marriage vows which both of them answered with two simple words of I do.
The music slowly continued, and the sunshine quietly shone through the French windows and onto the couple as Michael's graceful hands lifted Chioma's veil and he took her into his arms. Then he kissed her gently and firmly, and all Chioma's tears melted away. Michael smiled at her, pleased to have made Chioma his wife. Then, the pastor introduced them to the crowd as mister and missus, and they walked down the aisle together as the guests came around to congratulate them.
A warm romantic, candlelit wedding reception was the next, very soon the sun began to set and the guest started arriving in Aso Rock Villa. Each member of the media was given a huge brown envelope; this wasn't for them not to report aggressively but for them to cover the news in such a way that no entertainment news will beat this wedding. The reporters simply took photos when needed and allowed the guests to feel relaxed. Anyway, Michael had allowed the media to attend because they had signed a confidentiality agreement beforehand. None of them would have to go against him else they would be blacklisted.
Of course who would dare go against Michael? Besides, he gave them a huge brown envelope which made them to smile from ear to ear. They wouldn't take the risk of ruining their profession.
As the night arrived, the luxurious hall entirely decked in roses, twenty seven wedding cakes, Luxurious chandelier, resounded with melodious sound of violins and the beautiful decorated hall filled with top government officials, celebrities and rich business moguls. Michael was dressed in a white handmade suit with a rose pinned to the front of his jacket. His arm was hooked around Chioma who was wearing a Valentino white lacy gown with matching veil for the reception.The couple looked like a match made from heaven, and it looked like Chioma originally came out from Michael's ribs, just like Eve was created from Adam's ribs.
They guest came around greeting them. The moment Michael wanted to kiss Chioma, the master of ceremony said, 'sorry to interrupt your kiss but we know that the groom met the bride at Jimmy Carter Street, could it be that, he knew the bride before then? Is there something you're not telling us?'
The couple stood on the stage as Chioma hid in Michael's arms. He then laughed, 'If I had met my wife before that day, I would have married her before now and we would have made twelve football players.'
The entire guest burst into laughter. Chioma's eyes were smiling and the corners of her lips curled beautifully. She was brimming with happiness.
'Chioma, you will like to give me twelve footballers, right?' Michael teased her.
Chioma turned her head and gave Michael a scolding glance, muttering,'When did I become a baby making machine?' The microphone on her dress made it possible for everyone to hear what she had said. Everyone laughed again.
Michael copied Chioma's tone of voice and calmly said, 'I wouldn't want you to beg me to give you twenty children. If you secretly beg me to give you a child, I will pinch your face before I agree.' He teased her even more.
Chioma was speechless by his word, and when she heard the sound of the laughter below, her face flushed, her cheeks puffed up, and she secretly cursed him, he was so annoying as well as adorable. Michael couldn't help but laugh at her expression.
Below the stage, Audrey shot Daniel a glance and laughed. Daniel laughed as well, understanding each other even without saying a word. Their wedding was to take place soon, and the both already knew what each other would say at a moment like this.
'In this lifetime, I will only love you,' Michael whispered to her ears alone. 'If we had gone to the same secondary school, I would have loved it. I wish my youth began with you...' His tone of voice was filled with passion.
The two of them looked at each other and smiled. The song in the background played on. It was the melodious song of Shania Twain’s From This Moment On.
'I wish my youth had you, and yours had me...we would have shared wonderful memories together.' Chioma blinked her eyelashes and said in a low voice.
After a pause, the two of them opened their mouths, and said together, 'I will always love you.'
They hadn't rehearsed this, and yet they had said it together as though they had planned it. They were truly meant for each other.
Michael gave Chioma a gentle smile, and then he lowered his head and deeply kissed her lips. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he gave her a deep kiss. Chioma raised her arms, hugged his neck, and shyly kissed him back.
Everyone was aware of Michael's stern personality. But the fact that he talked to her with love in his eyes, was enough proof that Chioma was extremely precious to him.
The guest watched silently at the couple who stood at the centre stage kissed as though there was no one there. The glistening crystal lights turned endlessly, and the special effects of falling petals floated without stopping. The romantic song continued playing at the background as Michael and Chioma kissed deeper.
When Michael finally released her, he rubbed the tip of his nose against Chioma's and mumbled with a sexy and husky voice beside Chioma's lips. 'We will have twelve footballers or rather twelve tribe of Israel to make.'
Chioma grabbed onto Michael's face and smile. ‘I am your woman, so you decide how everything works.'
The whole audience remained in complete silence. Then, Michael hugged her tightly.
Audrey and her group couldn't stop smiling. All her female friends, including Celine and Catherine wore three piece dresses, which included a cream coloured cashmere sweater, white shorts and tulle skirt overlay.
Chioma looked up at Michael and said after a moment. 'Do you know what I want to say the most to the guests?'
Michael looked at her with love in his eyes, 'Even I want to hear it,' Michael said in his memerising voice.
'Michael belongs to me. I adore him and love him. I want to take care of him and understand him for the rest of my life. Don't any of you dare to even dream of being with him.'
Before Michael could reply, there came a wave of applause from the guests. Michael hugged Chioma tightly in his arms, not wanting to let go as he drank from her unique fragrance.
As Catherine wanted to leave the hall to receive a phone call from her cousin, she spotted Audrey and Daniel walking hand-in-hand while mingling with friends. She couldn't help but tease, 'you can't even separate for a second? I wonder what you would have done if today were your wedding.'
Audrey didn't get flustered, she even held onto Daniel's hand tighter, 'Stop teasing us, Catherine. I know that you love my brother, go to him.' Audrey gestured. 'He's waiting.'
Catherine turned around to look at Felix who was with Andrew and Chisom. He seemed to be discussing something important with them as they took sips of their glass of wine. 'Get some rest,' she turned back to Audrey and said teasingly.
'In that case, Daniel will bring me home later,' Audrey laughed.
'Uh huh,' Catherine nodded gently, smiling.
Just then, Felix walked up to the stage, and said in his magnetic voice, ‘I did order for Meghan Markles’s The Bench for everyone here as a take-home gift aside from the gifts you have received already.’
Everyone applauded him.
Michael was surprised for a moment, he was speechless. It turned out that Felix had secretly ordered for millions of the book in honour of his wedding. He couldn’t thank Felix enough for doing this. It was obvious that he was grateful for what Felix had done.
‘Thank you, but I am not done yet,’ Felix said to the guests who were applauding him.
Audrey was proud of her brother. The corners of her lips curled into a beautiful smile, causing her to look like a delicate rose. She turned her head a little and looked at Daniel with her most winning smile. ‘When we get married, I’m going to always write you poem.’
‘Why?’Daniel’s brows cocked, pleased by what Audrey had said.
Audrey hugged his arm. ‘Because I know that you’re going to be a good father…you’ll be my inspiration.’
‘But you could do that before we get married. I can’t wait to read poems written by you.’
‘Okay, I’ll do that.’
Daniel gave a smile as he touched the back of her neck. His handsome eyes seemed as though it was praising her for thinking of him as her inspiration to write poem.
On the other hand, Celine lifted her wine to her thin lips and gave it a gentle sip, ‘I didn’t know that my brother ordered The Bench from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.’ She looked up at Prince and said.
‘A few days ago, my father mentioned something like that arriving Nigeria but I didn’t pay much interest to it.’
Celine took a deep breath and her eyes sparkled as Prince put one hand on her shoulder.
Felix lifted one of the books and said, ‘This book is about the relationship between Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor told by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan received her inspiration to write this book from the relationship that her husband has with their son…She had initially written it for her husband during Father’s Day, but seeing that the book captures the evolving and expanding relationships between fathers and sons, she had to make it available for everyone…’ he paused, ‘Today, I am gifting this beautiful piece to everyone here. Children love to listen to bed time stories. The book is well illustrated. You all will love it. On behalf of my brother and wife, I asked for these books to be distributed to everyone.’
Immediately he waved his hand, a few black suited men came over and began distributing the books as the guests received it with open arms. Who wouldn’t want to read the book written by the Duchess of Sussex? Besides, mothers who are still raising kids and the newly weds would love the book for their children’s bedtime story. Michael held Chioma’s hand as he walked over to Felix. He smiled at Felix. ‘Thank you,’ he said to Felix.
‘We’re brothers. There’s no need to thank me.’
Michael nodded with a smile.
The wedding reception continued until 11pm. Robert announced from the door that the cars were ready. Among chuckles and friendly farewells, the young couples walked towards the white luxurious Rolls-Royce prepared specially for them. Michael carried Chioma into the car, fastened her seat belt and gave her a kiss on the lips before getting inside the driver's seat. He wanted to drive Chioma himself; he didn't want any chauffeur to drive them home. Today was the beginning of the new chapter in their lives, and he wanted to begin it alone with Chioma.
Behind them were different colours of
Laraki Epitome, plus other luxurious sports cars. The long stretched entourage
got people speechless. This was the first wedding in history to have such a
huge entourage escorting the couple in their honeymoon ride. Anyway, for
today Michael and Chioma were going to spend the night in Njemanze Villa, and
tomorrow, they will take a private jet to Italy for their honeymoon.
With the couple out of sight, Catherine
turned to Felix who stood at the entrance. Then, she walked towards him, and
requested that he take her home. Felix glanced slightly at her, then nodded. It
seems he wanted to give another try to another relationship but that doesn't
mean he would love Catherine more than he had loved Chioma.
Catherine's face lit up with a beaming
smile. She wasn't asking for too much, but just to be with him. Audrey and
Daniel would begin from tomorrow to plan their wedding. Andrew and Chisom would
follow, Nathan and Jessica. Prince and Celine would settle down after the
graduate from Harvard. Catherine was hopeful about Felix. Sharon and Johnson
would have a beachside wedding. Sharon like the thought of a beautiful archway
decorated with fresh flowers, and the winding path that led to the archway covered
in pretty pink rose petals.
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