RISING STAR BOUFFE
"Have a nice date, Sky," Mrs. Karina smiled as she dropped Skylar off. Skylar didn't reply, simply stepping out of the car and heading into the bouffe.
"I hope Warren can melt that icy heart of hers," Mrs. Karina sighed.
"He will. Even if he doesn't melt it, I'm sure he'll carve out a space for himself in her heart," Granny Suzy replied.
"I hope so. He's waited long enough for her," Mrs. Karina said, driving off.
Inside the bouffe, a well-respected and professional waiter approached Skylar.
"This way, young miss. Master Kurz is waiting," the waiter said, his tone polite yet firm.
Skylar raised a brow at him as if he'd grown horns.
"Let's go," she finally mumbled, following him.
He led her to a more private and exclusive section of the bouffe. The moment they arrived, he stepped away, leaving Skylar alone with the man who hadn't yet noticed her presence.
Her eyes traveled over him, taking in every detail—the neatly styled hair that fell over his left eye, the finely sculpted jaw, the deep red lips, and the lean but muscular build. He was undeniably handsome, and she had to admit it. But what caught her attention the most was his outfit. Unlike the typical billionaire businessmen she knew, he wasn't dressed in a suit.
Instead, he wore a pair of tight black ripped jeans, an oversized black silk sweater, and matching black-and-white sneakers. A golden chain hung around his neck, completing his effortlessly stylish look.
Skylar thought he was just her type.
Warren, flipping through the menu, turned toward the entrance as if sensing something. The moment he saw her, his heart did a backflip.
Dressed in a simple yet elegant black-and-white ensemble, a small black scarf tied around her wrist, she looked breathtaking. Her long lashes fluttered as she blinked, and for a second, he forgot how to breathe.
"Mio Amore," Warren called out, his voice deep and rich.
Skylar blinked, startled back to reality.
Her brown eyes met his striking forest-green ones, and a sudden warmth spread through her chest.
A slow smile spread across Warren's face. He had waited for this moment for years—for her. She had always been his, but soon, he would make it official.
"What did you just call me?" Skylar asked, stepping closer.
"Mio Amore," Warren repeated smoothly, standing to pull out a chair for her.
"Don't call me that," she muttered, sitting down.
'He's a gentleman,' she thought as she set her panda backpack beside her.
The moment she settled in, Warren snapped his fingers. Two waiters promptly rolled in trolleys—one carrying an array of dishes and the other holding two specific drinks.
Skylar's gaze flickered between the food and Warren, who was watching her with a look she couldn't decipher. Then, her eyes widened in surprise.
Every single dish in front of her was her favorite.
Even the drinks—one of them being her absolute favorite, peach yogurt smoothie.
Skylar's cheeks heated up, a soft pink blush dusting her skin. Embarrassed, she quickly covered her face with her hands.
For the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt... shy.
"I—I'll be back," she stammered before rushing to the washroom, completely unaware of the soft, triumphant smile on Warren's lips.
He had an effect on her. And he loved it.
Skylar, on the other hand, leaned against the bathroom sink, her heart pounding.
Why did it feel like she had met him before?
And why did it feel like she had loved him before too?
WEDDING DAY
"Does it have to be in a church? And why do I have to wear this huge dress?" Skylar muttered, staring out at the grand church on her right.
Mrs. Karina, sitting beside her, sighed. "It's your wedding, Sky."
"Contract wedding," Skylar corrected, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, contract. But you're still wearing the gift he gave you," Alice teased from her other side, adjusting the veil on Skylar's head.
"Hey," Skylar grumbled, narrowing her eyes.
Alice smirked. "Whatever. I'm heading in first—it's almost time." She stepped out of the limousine, leaving Skylar alone with Mrs. Karina.
Skylar sighed, shifting uncomfortably in her dress. "I don't get why it has to be so soon. Can't he wait?"
"That's enough," Mrs. Karina said firmly, adding the final touches to her look. "Your groom is waiting, Sky. Let's get going. And here—" she handed Skylar a small sticky note.
Skylar eyed it suspiciously. "What's this?"
"Your vows," Mrs. Karina smiled.
∞∞∞∞∞
The grand church doors swung open, and a hush fell over the guests as Skylar walked down the aisle.
All eyes were on her, but none as intense as Warren's. He didn't blink, didn't move—he was utterly mesmerized. Even under the veil, Skylar's beauty was undeniable, and his heart pounded at the sight of her.
But not everyone in the room was admiring her. Among the sea of awestruck faces, one pair of eyes burned with jealousy. Linda.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she glared at Skylar. She knew she would never have Warren, but she wasn't ready to give up—not yet.
Skylar's steps were slow and deliberate as she approached the center aisle, where her father, Mr. Josh, stood waiting for her. He looked dapper in a fine blue suit, his expression calm yet proud.
The guests were dressed in coordinated colors—women in soft pink with red roses pinned to their hair, men in blue.
Skylar, despite her deep dislike for physical contact, had no choice but to let her father intertwine their hands. The sensation made her stomach churn with discomfort, but she forced herself to bear it.
Mr. Josh led her toward the altar, where Warren stood waiting. Behind him, Raymond grinned like a fool, while Alice stood across from him, a knowing smile on her lips.
Skylar's gaze flickered to Raymond, confusion creasing her brow. Why was he smiling so much? She understood Alice's smirk, but Raymond…?
Before she could dwell on it, she turned her attention to Warren—his unreadable green eyes locked onto her, holding something deep, something dangerous.
Something that made her stomach flip.
Mr. Josh, still holding her hand, smiled knowingly at the silent tension between them. In a matter of seconds, Skylar was standing face-to-face with Warren.
His stare never wavered.
Slightly irritated, she tightened her grip on the bouquet of fresh red roses in her hands, focusing on the flowers instead of the overwhelming presence of the man before her.
Among the crowd, three figures watched the ceremony with keen interest.
"Now I understand why he wants her so bad," the girl in the middle whispered to the boy beside her.
"Yeah, like crazily bad," the boy—known as Flame—replied, his fingers brushing over the faint scar on his left cheek.
"Gosh, she's so cute," the girl gushed, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Just shut it, would you, Barbie?" the other girl groaned, rolling her eyes.
"No, I won't, Venom! She's so darn cute!" Barbie insisted, still swooning.
Meanwhile, back at the altar, the vows had begun.
Warren's voice was steady and deep as he spoke. "I, Warren Kurz, swear on my life to always love, respect, honor, and cherish you. I have waited so long to have you to myself."
Skylar glanced down at the note Mrs. Karina had given her, then at her mother sitting in the front row. Her grip on the vows tightened before she slowly lifted her gaze to Warren.
After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"I, Skylar Brown, vow today to honor and respect you… and will try my best not to ever kill you."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by muffled chuckles.
Warren only smirked, completely unfazed.
The priest cleared his throat. "Do you, Warren Kurz, take Skylar Brown as—"
"Yes, I do," Warren interrupted without hesitation.
The priest smiled knowingly. It was obvious Warren truly loved her.
"And do you, Skylar Brown, take Warren Kurz as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Skylar, her patience wearing thin, let out a slow breath. She was tired, overwhelmed, and frankly, confused about everything happening.
"I do," she muttered, barely masking her boredom.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared. "You may now kiss the bride."
Warren's smile widened as he stepped closer.
Skylar blinked in confusion, her mind barely processing what was about to happen before he reached up, lifting her veil.
The entire room fell silent.
Raymond, Alice, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Warren's parents, his sister, and Granny Suzy all held their breaths, anxiously waiting for what would happen next.
Would it be good?
Or would it be a disaster?