Chapter 252 - The Islet Mystery 68

Andy had already noticed that someone was following him wherever he went. On that week, Andy stayed at his apartment most of the time. He only went out every time Jullien asked him to go out with her. He already resigned from his work and made himself available for her on these remaining days before her wedding with Ryan. He wanted to stay with her, even on the last night before her wedding. It may be the most painful moments, but who could judge him? He already knew from the start that Jullien was not for him, but still, he persisted. He accepted the gamble out of his love for her, even if he knew he would lose in the end.

The night before the wedding, where he expected to make love to her in a most unforgettable way, Jullien did not come to their agreed place. He waited until the scented candles burned out, and the dews on the flowers dried up. Tonight, he would have wanted to say his vow to her—to pledge his love for her forever, even if she would marry someone else the following day. Instead of being bitter, he wanted to make the most of their moments together and create the best memories they could both look back together. Yet, the dawn came, and Jullien did not come.

He blew off the remaining lights of the candles, and he changed into a travel attire. He then pulled out the luggage he had prepared ahead and went out of the room. Twenty hours from now, he would already be on foreign land to start a new life without Jullien. And from then on, she would just be a memory he would treasure forever.

Just after he closed the door and picked up his luggage again, two men in sturdy built appeared and aimed their pistols at his head.

"If I were you, I wouldn't move and resist," one of the men spoke out, his gaze was sharp and threatening.

Startled and afraid, Andy dared to ask while trying to conceal the hints of fear in his eyes. "At least, let me know who you are, and why do you arrest me."

"We are the men of Mr. Gavin Sy, and he summoned you to answer for your sin against him."

Hearing the name of Jullien's father, he resigned to his doom. He deserved to get the punishment for drawing their daughter's heart away from her betrothed husband.

"Alright, don't worry. I will cooperate."

The men had him followed them in the parking area. He knew then that they were indeed Mr. Sy's men because of the expensive car they were using. One of the men slid into the driver's seat, and the other ushered him inside the car. After a few minutes, the man beside him tied a thick blindfold around his head.

The few remaining minutes towards their destination was too mind-grueling for Andy. His imaginations of how Mr. Gavin would execute his fury against him terrified him. Nevertheless, he set his mind to accept his fate. He knew the pain would finally ebb down, but the thought of losing her forever the next day made him willing to take death and punishment.

Soon, the men led him out of the car, and they walked towards what seemed like a cemented path. Then, they stopped, and he heard a creaking sound of an opening door. The men let him in, but still, the blindfold was on.

"You are going to present yourself to a panel of interrogators. Dress accordingly."

"I didn't bring any of my formal suits."

"Mr. Sy expected this, so he prepared it for you."

Andy's brows gathered in a puzzled knot, yet he still cooperated. He felt with his fingers the soft fabric of the cloth the men handed one by one, imagining the horrible and intimidating faces of the interrogation panel. In a few minutes, Andy transformed into a handsome scientist in a formal and expensive suit, ready to appear in front of his juror.

While standing later at a corner, he heard a piece of beautiful music from what seemed like an orchestra. He also heard soft footsteps, and it seemed like they were walking through a carpeted floor. After a few minutes, one of the men placed into his ears a wireless earset.

"When I say stop, then stop. When I say open your blindfold, then open it."

"Got it," Andy replied, pondering on the man's words. It only meant that a few minutes from now, he could see where he was. Yet, that didn't make him happy; his thoughts were on the ordeal he was about to receive.

"Now, walk slowly. Count from one to three before making the next step."

_____

As the bride in her dazzling wedding dress stepped into the aisle according to the rhythm of the march, the congregation rose up. All eyes were on her, admiring the gracefulness and beauty that held the gaze of a hundred guests. In both of her sides, were her parents who walked with smiles in their lips and unshed tears in their eyes.

They stopped halfway down the aisle, and their eyes were on the handsome groom walking towards them. Traces of confusion and agitation painted his face, yet it didn't diminish his attractive features. When he finally stopped and stood before them, the bride lifted both of her hands to her face and pulled out the blindfold from his eyes.

Startled, the groom's eyes widened like a full moon as the beautiful smile of the bride greeted him. His hearts raced in immense joy, heightened by the loud sound of applause erupting from the crowd. He stood frozen for a moment, too overwhelmed by the surprise. He only returned to his senses when Mrs. Sy placed her arms around him for a hug, followed by Mr. Gavin Sy.

"Andy, thanks for loving our daughter," the couple said in a soft and gentle voice that almost made him drop down to the floor. His face started to flush as tears were threatening to flood down  from his eyes

Before he could break emotionally down, Jullien clung her hand into his arm.

"Later, I will answer your many questions, but at this moment, you are not allowed to cry," she chuckled before pulling him to march down with her on the aisle towards the altar.

It didn't take long, and the ceremony flowed out according to its order. The officiating minister then proceeded to the highlight of the program.

"Jullien, do you accept  Andy as your lawfully-wedded husband?"

"With all my heart," Jullien replied as she tenderly fixed her eyes to her groom.

"Andy, do you accept Jullien as your lawfully-wedded wife?"

"With all my heart and soul," Andy answered, and this time he was no longer able to hold back the tears that trickled down in his cheeks. Who would have thought that this day would come? Who would have thought that Jullien would find a way to his heart? 

Without the instruction yet from the officiating minister that they could hug, Jullien wrapped Andy in a tight embrace as tears of joy welled down from her eyes.