3 THE WEDDING

When Fernando and his grandfather were informed that Frank and Sophia went out, they both went cold and shocked.

They couldn't sleep that night until they waited for Frank and Sophia's arrival.

That night, Fernando and Frank almost fought, but their grandfather stopped them so as not to spoil the wedding ceremony, which was planned to take place the next day.

Frank tried to prove his innocence, claiming that Sophia was responsible for his actions. But was it true? Not at all.

‘ Lies upon lies.’

Sophia, on the other hand, was quarreled by their grandfather, but she was too drunk to understand what was going on.

On noticing that Sophia was drunk, Fernando got angrier at Frank, but his grandfather never permitted him to react, instead, he pleaded with him to take her to his room.

“ Don't forget, the lawyer won't release your father's documents to you if you don't get married as signed on the papers. After the marriage, you can go wherever you feel like going with your wife.”

Those were the words of their grandfather to Fernando. And he was a bit calm, knowing fully that he can build any type of house he wants and anywhere he wishes to after claiming his rightful place as his father's true heir.

Fernando was curious to get what belongs to him so he can leave his father's mansion for Frank.

~~~

It was the day that everyone had been waiting for. The day for Fernando to get married.

Although Frank almost spoiled the whole thing by taking Sophia out for flirting the previous night, Fernando had made up his mind to marry Sophia and nothing can stop him.

In the enormous hall, a massive crowd could be seen. Some were sitting, while others were busy with one thing or the other.

Numerous guests and cameramen were in their appropriate positions as everything was well organized.

“ I wish my son and his wife were alive to witness this day. I wish he could have also seen his grandchildren as I have seen mine through him.”

Their grandfather mumbled as he sat in the front row of the audience. Beside him were Mr. Rowan, Sophia's dad, and his amiable wife.

Fernando and his bride, Sophia, were seated on the podium as the wedding ceremony took place.

Frank can also be spotted sitting in the front row of the audience. He was wearing a smile on his face, but one can't say his smile was real.

A clear hypocrite!

All the necessary things were done. The bride and the groom were invited to come forward to put on their wedding rings and sign their marriage license.

And after this, they would be proclaimed husband and wife. And no one would put them asunder unless they permit the person.

Standing up from his seat, Fernando romantically took Sophia by the hand and walked to the podium.

Although Sophia wasn't happy, she had to plaster a fake smile on her face so that people won't mock or tease her.

She never wished for this marriage, but her father insisted.

However, she was also marrying him for his money. Her father was also rich, but he believes that being a rich man doesn't mean your daughter would be lucky to marry a rich man too.

Old people's mentality and the youths are always different, and a rich man is always scared for his children to end up with a commoner for marriage.

They stood and faced the audience. Screaming of jubilation could be heard from the audience as everyone came over and splashed money on them.

Money was scattered on the floor like water. Surely, everyone who was there must have come from a wealthy background. No doubt about it.

The wedding rings were brought out and given to the two of them.

It was time to take the marriage oath.

Fernando stared at the ring in his palms and smiled like a baby before letting out a sigh.

“ Finally…” was the word that sneaked out of his mouth.

As time passed, he knelt on one knee on a red rug on the floor that matched the same with his wedding suit.

He opened the gold ring case and took his bride's hand. He sighed in relief and then smiled at her as his dreams were becoming reality.

Cameramen were capturing and videoing that very moment. Many others were also using their phones to snap and video.

It was time to have something to keep as history and a witness of the wedding. At least if any moment isn't captured, this very time doesn't need to be missed.

As Fernando was about to put the ring on Sophia's finger starting from the thumb, a loud unfamiliar voice echoed which called for everyone's attention.

“ STOP!”

Looking at the hall entrance was a lady standing, who was in her fifties.

Everywhere became silent like a graveyard.

All eyes were fixed on her as the woman walked up to the podium and received the microphone from the man of the ceremony (MC).

After receiving the microphone, she went ahead to speak while Fernando was still kneeling on the ground with the wedding ring in his hand.

“ I'm deeply sorry, ladies and gentlemen. I should have been here before now, but due to many reasons which are best known to me, held me behind. But I have something to say.”

She paused, which caused tension in the audience. Everybody's ears were itching to hear what she was about to say.

The woman looked around and then at Fernando, who was profusely sweating as he was tired of kneeling and was also curious to hear what she had to say.

If only she knew that he was passing through pain as he knelt, she would say what she wanted to say within seconds and disappear from the podium.

“ Stand up for a few seconds, please.” the woman said to Fernando, and without hesitation, he stood up.

She went ahead to deliver her speech.

“ This young man you're seeing here is my son.” the woman on the podium announced, and everyone present there began to murmur.

“How is that possible?” many asked themselves.

“ What! What are you talking about?” Fernando curiously asked with whispering, but the woman ignored him and continued with her speech.

“ Mr. Frederick, who we all know is the father to Fernando, had an affair with me many years ago.”

As soon as she said that, everywhere became noisier and tension filled the enormous hall as everyone began to record the incident.

“ Yes, he had an affair with me. But Mr. Frederick took my son away on the day I gave birth to him, and I was told that he was dead after giving birth.”

Fernando wanted to react, but he was held back by Sophia.

“ Let's hear what she has to say,” Sophia said to Fernando.

“ I believe none of you would be ready to hear how I get to find out that my son is still alive because it's a long story that might take the whole day telling it.”

Tears began to drip down the woman's cheeks as she spoke.

Fernando's grandfather was short of words as he wasn't in the same city with his son when he got married and raised his children.

He only witnessed his son's wedding with his wife who had passed away and he was sure that he didn't see any child when he came. It was after his son's death that he came to live with his grandchildren.

“ If any of you want to deny it, then let him unbutton his shirt and show you his chest. He has a birthmark on it.”

She explained and it dawned on Fernando that the woman might be saying the truth because, of course, he has a birthmark on his chest.

He grew up and noticed it.

After so much talk and explanation, Fernando was considered a bastard son and everyone began to mock him.

Mr. Rowan got angry and broke the marriage between his daughter and Fernando. It was a big disgrace to him after inviting all his rich friends, relatives, and family to witness his daughter's wedding.

This event just spoiled his reputation.

But Mr. Rowan wasn't ready to take his daughter back home, as he won't be able to face the embarrassment ahead of him.

Turning to Fernando's grandfather, Mr. Rowan pleaded. “ Please, allow my daughter to marry Frank, your younger grandson. I won't survive this shame if I take my daughter home with me.”

“ Why will you say such a thing?” the old man inquired.

“ It's no longer news that Frank is the true heir of his father's properties. For this reason, let him marry her, that's if he agrees.” Mr. Rowan responded.

The old man's eyes widened in shock as he wasn't expecting to hear that from Mr. Rowan. Well, he has no choice than to listen to him

Frank was called upon and asked if he would marry Sophia and without hesitating, he agreed.

However, the old man wasn't supporting it, but there was nothing he could do than to agree for Frank to marry Sophia and not Fernando any longer.

On hearing this, the News reporters began to note down and record everything as the media was on a live stream.

They mocked Fernando and the family.

Fernando walked up to his grandfather to convince him that the woman was lying.

“ Grandpa, are you believing these lies? How can someone come from nowhere and feed you with such information, and you believe?” Fernando was burning in anger as he spoke.

“ Fernando, I am speechless at the moment. My hands are so tight that there is nothing I can do about this.” his grandfather pitifully speaks out.

Fernando could see his world shattering into a thousand pieces right before him.

“ Do you have evidence that you aren't her son?” Mr. Rowan asked angrily from behind.

“ Sir, this is a family matter. Please, keep whatever you have to say for yourself.” Fernando smirked.

“ But Frank…”

“ Hey! Hey! Do not call my name. In this case, I have nothing to say because you came to this world before me.” Frank cut into his words without giving Fernando the chance to complete his statement.

Seeing that everyone was rejecting him, he tried to talk to the bride, but she pushed him away and warned him never to touch her again.

“ Never in your life should you touch me or even talk to me. I have no time for a Jelly bean like you.” She spat out angrily, and Fernando couldn't notice when tears started dropping down his cheeks.

Outsiders were mocking him, and the family was rejecting him.

What a world…

The more he raised his head and saw everyone in the hall, the more tears rolled out from his eyes.

The man of the ceremony (MC) was informed to announce to the present audience that the wedding ceremony was going to continue between Frank and Sophia, which he did with immediate effect.

Fernando was asked to leave with his mother. He couldn't believe that his grandfather who was always there whenever he needed him was chasing him out of his sight.

What an irony!

To worsen the whole situation, others joined in chasing him out of the hall to take his mother and leave.