Silence prevailed for a moment. “I do,” Armand spoke straightaway without holding any element of
surprise. Everyone seemed to have expected his response and no one showed any surprise. “Then
Miss Gordon, will you, take Mr. Bernie as your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for
better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until you are
parted by death?”
Everyone all paid their attention to Theresa. They were still unsure of her response. Dolores seemed to
look nervous too and she inevitably clenched her fists. Matthew held her hands gently and did not look
at the two people who were going to get married at the front. To him, no one was more attractive than
her. Armand seemed all tensed up too. He was afraid that she would suddenly change her mind.
Time seemed to stop flowing. The old lady became apprehensive too. She kept on waving her hands
on Theresa, urging her to consent. Armand turned his head around with slight uneasiness. Just then,
Theresa also turned her head too. Their eyes met and Armand who was initially apprehensive became
calm from her level gaze. He held her hands and his promise sounded genuine. “I’ll treat you good for
the rest of my life.”
She let out a smile and her eyes were smiling too. Her eyes seemed to glisten with tears. She said, “I
do.” The emcee once again took his microphone and said, “Marriage is the end of being single, the
process of romance and the beginning of happiness. On this exceptionally delightful day, may you who
have tied your knots enjoy wonderful love and live happily for the rest of your life while overcoming
difficulties together!”
The old lady clapped her hands with exhilaration and countless ribbons slowly fell down from the ceiling
amidst the monotonous applause. It looked like a rainbow rain, colourful and romantic. “The groom may
kiss the bride.” Armand took Theresa’s veil off and without letting her have some mental preparation,
he stooped and kissed her. Theresa widened her eyes and was not able to respond at length.
“Oh.” Simona exclaimed while covering her eyes. She opened a gap between her fingers. Matthew
glimpsed at her and covered the gap between her fingers. Simona’s line of sight was blocked and she
immediately glared at him. “You’re naughty daddy. I want to see Uncle Bernie and Aunt Theresa
kissing.”
Matthew took her into his arms and said, “Do not look at nor listen to what is contrary to propriety,
okay?” Simona did not understand and she blinked. “What does that mean?”
“That means don’t look at anything that you shouldn’t look at and don’t listen to anything that you
shouldn’t listen to,” Samuel spoke listlessly. He shook his head as he faced his sister’s innocence and
ignorance. “Mommy should have let you go to school, now you know nothing.”
He did have a point. Samuel and Simona were now five. Samuel was capable enough to enter AC
School but Simona did not go to school. Children their age had already finished one year of
kindergarten in the country. Matthew planned to seek for a kindergarten for both of them next year to let
them experience the joy of going to school. He did not want them to achieve anything, it was just that
he thought the process was necessary for their age.
Dolores did think of letting them go to kindergarten. She was not worried of Samuel as the knowledge
taught in kindergarten was a piece of cake to him. She had sought for kindergarten for him in Country
A, but he refused to go as he thought the programme was too childish and shallow. She realized he
had the talent for maths afterwards and after letting him sit for the AC exam, it turned out he had
actually passed the exam. He then became the youngest student of AC School.
As for Simona, she was not that strict towards her. Since her daughter appeared skinnier when she
was born, she wanted her daughter to have a carefree childhood and grow up happily. That was her
biggest wish to her. She actually advocated Western education too, which was not teaching children
anything before they went to primary school but letting them have fun instead, encouraging their
curiosity towards learning.
“Sam, let’s go to the bridal chamber and ask the bride for candy.” Boyce came over. He had worn a suit
today too. He used to wear casual clothes besides uniform, and he looked quite charming in suit.
Simona yelled when she heard there would be candies. “I want to go. Uncle Shawn, I want to go too.”
“Sure.” Boyce took her over from Matthew’s arms and said, “I’ll bring them upstairs.” Matthew reminded
him, “Mind your words, don’t say anything inappropriate in front of the kids.”
“I got it,” Boyce said and he brought the kids upstairs. It was Armand’s wedding night, as his friend, he
should help go make his wedding night merrier. Matthew stood up and said, “Let’s have a walk
outside.” Dolores had not rested well these two days and she wanted to go back and sleep. “No,
thanks.”
Matthew put a down jacket on her and brought her closer to him. “Just accompany me for a while.”
Dolores looked at him and wondered why he had the time to take a walk. “What are you trying to do?”
Dolores did not think he merely wanted to take a walk. “You’ll know afterwards, just come with me.”
Matthew held her hands. Since he had made a decision, she could not refuse even though she wanted
to, and she could only follow him.
The wind was slightly strong outside. Matthew covered her with a big coat. There was a long road
outside the hotel and there were not many cars along the road. The road was a little desolate. If it was
not because of the hotel being situated there, the road might not get fixed. Dolores looked around and
noticed the surrounding was full of pine trees. The pine trees were still verdant during winter.
She could not endure it anymore and she asked, “Why are you bringing me here?” Matthew did not
speak on purpose. Dolores really wanted to know what had he gotten up his sleeve when she was
intrigued. She pretended to be angry and stopped. “I won’t go further if you don’t tell me.”
Matthew leaned towards her and his lips came close to her face. “Are you sure you don’t want to go
further?” Not knowing whether it was him coming too close to her, Dolores felt her body starting to get
warm. She could feel wind blowing near her ears. She said calmly, “I’m sure.” Matthew looked around.
The pine forest was thick and it would be a good hiding spot.
“I’m leaving.” Dolores pushed him away yet before she stepped away, she was hugged. Her face went
cadaverous as she had a trauma of being hugged that way. Matthew could sense her fear and he
spoke next to her ear, “It’s me.”
Dolores only felt calmer when she heard the familiar voice. She felt a warm arm putting around her
waist like a soft and strong python, holding her tightly. Their bodies were pressed tightly against each
other. They were at a kind of a desolate place. Dolores pushed him away a little. “It’s cold here…” What
she actually wanted to say was to ask him stop doing that.
“It won’t be cold once I hug you.” After finished, he covered her with his big coat from the top.
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