Chapter 461 - The Wedding (M&H) (3)

The venue opened its door to the wedding guests at noon, and under the guidance of the staff, people located their seats and found out about other accommodations available.

Families with small children did their best to arrive ahead of time so that they can settle their kids before joining the grownup-only party.

It's not that Mia and Hunter didn't like little children, but Madeline warned them that little angels can easily turn into devils when they throw tantrums and misbehave in general. Kids can ruin the wedding because non-parents get annoyed, while parents get embarrassed, especially in this society where people are quick to point fingers at others.

"We spent a lot of money on this event and I want it to be perfect. Children don't like weddings where they need to sit stiffly for hours without making loud noises, and parents are not enjoying the event where they need to shush their kids. Like this, kids will be settled nearby in the area where they can engage in safe activities under the watchful eyes of experienced staff, and their guardians and nannies will have full access. With this arrangement, it will be a win-win for everyone. Kids will have their fun and we will have our perfect wedding…", Madeline explained her approach.

In truth, it was the first time for her to host a grownup-only event, but the two wedding planners assured her how that is the common practice for high-end weddings, and that options are usually either not to allow kids at all, or to provide separate accommodations for them.

"For the parents who want photos will all family members, they can bring their kids to the area where Zack will be shooting and after their photos are taken, the kids will return to their area…", Madeline made sure that Mia and Hunter were aware of all the arrangements. "Even William will be in the infant section with Rosie, so that Sabrina can come and check on him anytime and breastfeed if needed…"

When Mia and Hunter heard that prince Anderson (aka baby William) will also get to stay in the section with kids, the couple knew that Madeline ensured little ones get the VIP treatment.

Back to the present…

The band was playing light music and there were snacks and beverages that guests could enjoy. There was also an option to order a meal from the exclusive menu that the establishment provided; this was a handy option for people who came to the wedding before they had lunch.

One of the guests that arrived was Julian Temple, with his +1. Of course, that +1 was Suzy. The security personnel verified that Julian's identity matches the one on the invitation, and after passing through metal-scanners and next to dogs that sniffed for bombs, the couple was allowed to enter.

Suzy was delighted that she got in, but… now what?

It was after one-thirty, which meant that the ceremony starts in less than half an hour and if she does not make her move by then, she will be too late. Well, not really too late, but it's much easier to get rid of the fiancée compared to the wife. What if they sign a prenuptial agreement that guarantees Mia to take millions from Hunter? That clause alone might make Hunter reluctant to divorce Mia no matter in what scheme she falls into.

Since her failure on the previous night, Suzy's mind was spinning with various plans, but Suzy was unable to come with anything good because she was under the pressure of this being her last chance to prevent Hunter from marrying that wretched girl (aka Mia).

Normally, Suzy would use someone to do her dirty work, but she was out of helpers. Julian was useless, only thinking about getting his hands on her and talking about his business which can't compare to any subsidiary of the Alpha group. Truly useless. But he got her in, so he did his part.

Considering that she was running out of time, and had no help, the only option left for Suzy was to do something herself. She considered the possibilities of putting a stop to this wedding without exposing herself and realized that there is only one thing to do.

Suzy didn't come unprepared. She knew where the wedding will be held, and Suzy acquired information about the building, staff, and the practices they follow.

Ten minutes before the ceremony, the staff prepares special cocktails for the bride and the groom (and their wedding party) as the last drink before they unite in marriage, and Suzy was confident that this was her last chance to stop this madness. She needed to reach the kitchen where the staff will be preparing the elaborate cocktails.

Thinking about this, Suzy excused herself. "I need to go to the ladies' room. It might take a while…", she said awkwardly to Julian.

Julian assumed that she needs to poop. "Take your time but try to return before the ceremony starts. I will be at our table."

The ceremony will be held outdoors with one hundred guests watching from the previously arranged chairs, which are reserved for the closest friends and family. The other guests will watch the event from the big screens that are placed in strategic places, indoor and outdoor. This arrangement allows for everyone to see all the details without squeezing in around the bride and the groom.

…

In the bride's room.

Zack finished taking photos and went outside to capture guests in the pre-ceremony atmosphere before getting into the right position for the grand event. Of course, Zack had a few helpers to take photos (all from Reynolds Media), but he was the main photographer and the only one with access to the bride and the groom directly.

"Are we ready? What's the status with Hunter? Where is my dad?", Mia asked nervously. Now that Zack left, Mia became aware that she is only minutes away from stepping out of that room and becoming Mrs. Hunter Anderson. Her father needs to come, and they will walk together down the aisle.

"We still need a special cocktail!", Sabrina chimed in.

Sabrina was excited because this was the only drink with a bit of alcohol she was allowed for today (because of breastfeeding). Sabrina is not really a heavy drinker, but she indulges in a glass of wine in the evening. However, since she became pregnant, she was avoiding alcohol which inevitably led to the situation where she felt deprived without it.

Mia was on the verge of hyperventilating. "What cocktail? Is that a show-stopper? Where is it?" She was ready to gulp down the damned thing and move on to the part where she meets Hunter. Only when she sees him, her nerves will stop acting up. Maybe.

Liz lifted her hands, gesturing to Mia to calm down. "I will go and check on it…"

"No!", Brianna exclaimed. She can see that Mia is bouncing from anxiousness and if Liz leaves, that will make Brianna the next in line to calm down the bride.

"As a maid-of-honor, you should stay with Mia. I will check…", Brianna said and dashed out of the room before anyone could stop her.

Liz looked at the door helplessly before turning her attention to Mia. "It is fine, we still have fifteen minutes. Breathe…"

Mia grimaced at Liz. "Breathe? Do you think that is easy in this dress? I am thirsty! Ahh! I need to pee!"

Liz was not sure if she should laugh or cry. "Take a small sip of water. Come, let me help you to the bathroom. I will hold your dress so that it does not get messed up…"

…

Brianna stepped into the kitchen that was steaming from the food that was being prepared. As the next-in-line appetizers, they had steamed dumplings and Brianna could smell them from the hallway. The scent made her tummy rumble and she glanced at the three cooks who were busying themselves next to the ten-burner stove, focusing on making their dishes perfect, and they didn't notice when Brianna entered.

Brianna sneakily snatched one dumpling and stuffed it into her mouth. It was good.

Brianna's gaze moved over the kitchen and she spotted a lady at the beverage station. She was wearing the uniform that indicated she is one of the servers, and she was gently placing pineapple and mango wedges in the glasses, careful not to stir the drink.

"What's the status on the cocktails?", Brianna asked.

"Two more and I'm done with drinks for the groom and his party.", the lady responded with a smile without lifting her gaze to see Brianna. She assumed that it's one of the wedding planners because they come in every few minutes, and regular guests would never come to the kitchen (the security will not allow them in) while the staff is too busy with their own tasks to inquire about others.

Brianna frowned. "What about the cocktails for the bride?"

The lady tilted her back to the side and Brianna saw another woman in the server's uniform pouring and mixing something in glasses with hurried movements.

Brianna inched closer to the woman. "How long will this take?"

The woman jolted. "A minute…", she responded nervously.

Brianna pressed her lips into a line and her eyes settled on the woman. She looked familiar.

"Excuse me, have we met before?", Brianna asked, making the woman freeze for a moment.

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