The Bad Boy And The Mermaid

Chapter 32

Blue

It was time.

Time for me to finally take the marriage vows with Hunter.

An hour ago when Adrian brought my brother, Apollo to into my room. I was shocked and I hadn’t known what to say. We’d stared at each other for so long, I’d started to wonder if it was a dream.

Without thinking I’d ran into his arms and sobbed into his chest. It’s during that time I realized how much I’d missed my family. To have my brother here on my wedding day was making me even more emotional.

And then a new fear had crept into my mind.

What if he forced me to leave with him?

I was surprised when Apollo didn’t ask me to leave with him, only asked me if I was sure about my decision.

“Blue, you’re getting married to a human. Marriage is a union that’s not easily broken, at least not for us merfolk. If this Hunter takes liking to some other woman and decides to get married again, you will suffer along with him.”

“I trust him,” I said.

“You’ve known the man for just three months; you hardly even know his character.” He said.

I placed my hand on my heart, “I’ve read his thoughts, and I’ve seen the deepest part of his feelings for me. He loves me. He would never break my heart. I won’t marry anyone else.”

Apollo had just nodded, “I knew this would happen.”

My gaze snapped at him in surprise. He went on. “I sensed this the second I knew that you were staying on land that you may have fallen in love with a mortal.”

“I can’t help how I feel.” I admitted, “I miss our world, but also I cannot leave Hunter.”

Apollo pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. “I trust your decision, aderfí, but I need to speak with the human and I’ll judge him myself. If he is hiding his true feelings in the pits of his heart, I’ll find out.”

I smiled, “He’s a good man, my Hunter. You won’t find any faults in him.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

And then my brother had left and for the next thirty minutes, I’d been beside myself with worry. I was scared Hunter would say the wrong thing and maybe set off Apollo. If Apollo made one bad impression about him, it would stick with him permanently. Hunter would never get a second chance to prove himself.

When my brother appeared smiling and told me everything was okay, I hugged him once again and thanked him.

I was so, so happy. It was scaring me.

My brother walked me down the aisle with all the guests looking at us with awe. My full attention was aimed at Hunter.

He looked like a prince. With his golden-brown hair so nice and thick, slight stubble of golden hair grazing his jaw, he had the mature today. Those warm silver eyes looked adoring. The cream tux fit him so perfectly, I was having a hard time breathing just looking at him.

He gave me a huge grin when he saw me walking towards him and his eyes stayed focused on me.

If I wasn’t mistaken...

I saw his eyes fill with tears. I’d never seen Hunter cry. He quickly began wiping his tears. Fred whispered something in his ear.

Why was Hunter crying now?

Had Apollo said something to him?

Or had he realized that marrying me was a wrong decision and was crying because he couldn’t cancel the wedding before now?

All at once, I felt scared and I knew I’d stopped smiling.

* * *

Hunter

When I saw Blue walking down the aisle, with her brother on her arm. It was too much.

She looked so fucking beautiful, just downright gorgeous with her aqua blue hair in curls and the little crown holding the veil at the top of her head. Her dress was simple and elegant, not too fluffy, and decorated with lace and beads. Her lovely figure showed in the dress. I’d specifically told Hannah and Elaine about the dress having no deep necklines. It was just low enough to tease me and did not seem too scandalized.

Looking at her walking towards me with a bright innocent smile on her face, it brought tears to my eyes.

It just made me realize I’d done nothing to deserve this, nothing to deserve someone so pure like her.

When she approached closer, her smile suddenly faded; her blue eyes were peering at me guiltily.

And I wondered why. What happened to the radiant smile she was giving me a second ago? Was there a pimple on my face she was disappointed to find? Maybe she didn’t like my new hairstyle?

Apollo took her hand and placed it in mine. Softly he whispered, “I hope you love my sister more than she deserves to be. Blue is precious to me. If you hurt her, I’ll have your head, Brantley.”

I smiled at him. “You’ve made yourself clear.”

The ceremony proceeded. I’d told Hannah to pick a ring for myself but she was just smiling sneakily in the corner. I was touched when I saw that Blue had a ring made specifically for me. I guessed she’d blown off her pay from the Lockhart’s club.

We exchanged our rings and vows, and then the minister announced us, man and wife, I leaned in to kiss my wife, a simple peck on her lips but Blue held my face in her hands tightly and literally began French kissing.

In front of my parents.

In front of the fifty guests. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I had to pull myself away from her reluctantly, feeling embarrassed for both of us. The people in the front row appeared half scandalized.

When Blue flung the bouquet of flowers behind her, a large number of my cousins were wrestling for it like she was throwing a bag filled with billion dollars and not just flowers. If it was a billion dollars, Fred and I would have gladly joined the gang. Hannah was right at the center to receive it, but my cousin Hailey from New York pushed Hannah out of the way to get it. Her face, it lit up like she’d won the Oscars awards.

The ceremony was followed by the reception. Phoenix Lockhart’s heavy metal band ′Black Aesthetic′ was performing on the stage. Phoenix was the bandleader and drummer. I was kind of shocked he’d agreed to play for my wedding. I guess he was doing it for Blue. I’d also noticed Alec sulking in the corner until Hannah had dragged him to dance with her and Fred.

A long table was arranged with the food and the wedding cake appeared to be non-existent. At least, I’d managed to get one bite before it was completely gone. People were stuffing themselves with the pizza, slider burgers, croissant sandwiches, spring rolls, sushi, roast meat and dishes that I didn’t even how to pronounce.

The opposite side of the table had all the desserts lined up. From cakes, brownies, tarts to ice-creams and fruit salads. Elliot, my six-year-old cousin was demolishing a tower of colorful macarons.

Well, someone was going to have a stomach ache tonight.

Since I didn’t have time for a bachelor’s party, my cousins had made me a target of all the teasing. They were telling me I shouldn’t have too much to drink unless I wanted to snore on my wedding night and leave my new bride hot and bothered.

I wanted to tell them my bride wouldn’t care if I snored on my wedding night because Blue would assume it’s a tradition and maybe snore in bed with me.

The men chattered, one cousin named Ronald was complaining about how he wanted to get married too, but his girlfriend wouldn’t agree. After a while, I’d tuned them out, my eyes were searching for Blue. I spotted her by the Cupid fountain, talking to some of Hannah’s friends. A lovely smile on her face. And then it was almost like she felt my eyes on her because she turned, and held my gaze for a minute. I raised my hand and waved at her.

Like an idiot.

She grinned and waved back.

One of the girls caught her hand and dragged her towards the dance floor.

I checked my watch. Two more hours and then I would have Blue’s undivided attention. Somehow time seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace.

It was time for the couple to dance, and everyone had already chosen their partners. I placed my hands on Blue’s waist, her arms around my neck and we swayed to Elvis Presley’s Can’t help falling in love. I wasn’t even a sappy guy, but this was so romantic, I knew the song by heart and found myself lip- syncing to it.

Wise men say....

Only fools rush in...

But I, can’t help, falling in love with you...

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin...

If I can’t help falling in love with you...

We danced to our heart’s content and then I had to tell my family secretly that we were leaving because a lot of our family was either pulling me or Blue away to talk. And right now, I wasn’t in a mood to talk. I told them if I wasted any more time in the reception, I was going to turn into the Incredible Hulk.

I was in for a surprise when I walked to the front of the house and found my red Maserati decorated in flowers with a heart in the back that read ‘Just Married.’

It was the same car that I had to give up when my father had taken away all my resources as a punishment for my wrongdoings.

Right now, I couldn’t wait to sit in this car and take Blue away from all the chaos.

When I noticed that Blue was alone finally, I dodged through my cousins and pulled her against me. “Let’s get away from here, Mrs. Brantley,” I whispered in her ear.

Her eyes widened at the mention of her new name. She giggled, “Is it all over?”

I smiled. “Do you still want to stay for the after-party?”

“I think I’ve had enough of food and dancing.” She admitted.

“Then let’s go,” I said pulling her away from the mansion.

She took off her shoes and allowed me to lead her to the car. I quickly asked the butler to load our luggage into the trunks and gave him a few dollar bills to keep his mouth shut about us leaving. He gave me a sneaky smile. I was feeling lucky today, and maybe even a little rich.

Blue had to stuff her dress into the passenger seat. She seemed excited, “Are we going somewhere?”

“You’ll see.” I winked at her.

* * *

We reached the destination two hours later. My family owned a country home in the outskirts of town, that we used to visit when I was a kid. Ryan, Hannah and I used to spend our summer vacations here. There was a sense of tranquil surrounding this place that you wouldn’t find in the city.

I loved the peace, and the quite that this place offered. When I’d turned down my step-mother’s offer to pay for our honeymoon tour package to Paris, she’d suggested that I took Blue to our vacation home

and I’d agreed.

Plus, we didn’t have enough time to make a passport for Blue. I couldn’t just tell them that my wife would swim across the ocean without needing any passport or a visa.

Blue had taken off her veil, leaving the crown on her head. She looked nothing short of a princess. Throughout the drive, she was humming a tune, and fiddling with the radio. She kept pointing her fingers at the window.

She was counting trees.

I couldn’t control myself, I laughed.

She passed me an alarmed look, “why are you laughing?”

I waved my hand. “It’s nothing.”

“Hunter, you can’t always laugh at me like that and say it’s nothing. I’m your wife now.” She scrunched up her nose adorably, showing me that she was angry.

“Who says I can’t laugh at you just because we’re married?”

“Hmph!” She folded her arms across her chest and turned away.

I maneuvered the car into the parking space outside the house. Next, I killed the engine, climbed out of the car and went to open the door for my wife.

She stepped out and looked around in awe. “It’s a lovely home, Hunter. Is this also yours?”

I shrugged, “Yes, it’s a family home.” I smiled and took her hand in mine. “And you know something, it’s yours too now. Everything mine will be yours.”

“Really?” She asked innocently. “So...Leslie…is he my doggie too, now?”

I chuckled, “Of course.”

If there was a pile of treasure lying at one side and if there was Leslie sitting on the other, it was pretty clear what the mermaid would pick.

Such innocence.

My heart ached.

I told the house butler Steve to unload our luggage from the trunk and take it to our room upstairs.

“Congratulations Mr. Brantley, Mrs. Brantley.” The butler smiled politely as he took the car keys from me.

I half suspected to see the house filled with servants standing in line to welcome us, but then I was relieved to see the French cook Marie-Alix who did not speak but cooked some of the best food I’d ever had. There was also, Marie’s niece Delphine who Hannah and I used to play with when we visited.

“Monsieur, madame, I made everything ready upstairs,” Delphine said with a hint of her French accent as she led us to the first floor.

I climbed the marble stairs. The house was well-maintained and I noticed there were some changes made to the decor but other than that, it was all the same; immaculate, cozy and elegant.

Delphine asked us if we would like to have dinner. After the food we’d stuffed ourselves with during the reception, I wasn’t ready to eat more and neither was Blue so I politely declined.

“Madame, if you need anything, just call me.”

“Can I scream your name?” Blue asked her.

“Only to press the bell, Madame.” The maid replied, managing to keep a straight face.

“Thank you, Delphine.”

The maid smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her and leaving me and Blue alone.

This was one of the largest rooms in the house. A white marble fireplace was facing a king-sized canopy bed, with velvet drapes. A lovely design of a heart was made out of rose petals at the center of the bed-sheet and the room was lit dimly by small lights. The room lingered with the scent of the cocoa scented candles. Right next to the bed, the coffee table held a bottle of Champagne and two flutes. An expensive box of custom made truffles sat beside it.

Huh.

They had prepared everything. My cheeks were flaming as I thought of Steve, Marie-Alix, and Delphine making all the arrangements knowing what was going to happen tonight.

Would they also keep their ears attached to the door all night?

Yeah. Gotta tell the staff not to step on the fucking floor.

I sneaked a look at Blue. She was staring at everything with an expressionless face.

Was she as nervous as I was?

What did husbands say to their wives when they stepped into their private room? I needed to pick the guide to ′How to be a husband 101.′

My confidence had taken a vacation on a cruise.

I cleared my throat and that caught Blue’s attention. “They...they...”

“Yes?” She asked. Blue was braver than I was.

“They decorated it nicely. The room I mean.” I finally said.

“Yes. It is beautiful, especially the heart of petals on the bed.” She pointed at it. “I don’t know how I can sleep on it now without spoiling all the work.”

Uh-oh.

“Do you think they have extra beds that we could put on the floor to sleep?”

I didn’t laugh this time only because I was nervous. Blue should have been a stand-up comedian. What was she doing here with me?

She walked to the coffee table, settled down in the leather chair and began popping in the truffles into her mouth. With a mouthful of chocolate, she moaned, “Hmm…delicious. Do you want some?”