Chapter 4. The Priest Is Waiting

The following days passed by in a blur for Racheal.

The presidential palace was busy with activities. The wedding was to be held here, in attendance of all political dignitaries from both countries.

On the morning of her wedding, her face looked flawless as she sat waiting in a thick white lace wedding dress.

She noticed her maid scurrying away, and looked up at the door. Her father stood, beaming with pride at her.

This was the first time he had ever stepped foot in her room or even suite in the eighteen years they had lived in the presidential palace, first as a vice president and then a president.

She wanted to hate him, she resented him a little even, but she could not hate him.

As much as she wanted to, as much as she thought she should, she just couldn't.

He was father, he was also the only living reminder of the pleasant parts of her childhood.

"You look radiant." He said moving close to her. "Stand up so I can see you."

Racheal obeyed quietly.

"The only thing missing is a smile." He said looking at her. She remained silent and did not attempt a smile. She couldn't have succeeded even if she had tried. Her face felt stiff.

"With this attitude she would have the whole country asking unpleasant questions." Roslyn said walking in. Her daughters followed in tow.

They were dressed elegantly. Roslyn in a gold dress, her daughters in peach coloured dresses. "Smile." She barked.

Racheal bowed in greeting but did not smile, could not smile. She ignored her step mother's glare and returned to her seat.

Her room door flung open and she heard the thick leather boots, thumping loudly on the floor. She looked up at the officer who had just come in and was now whispering in her father's ear.

She immediately thought of Maxwell, and wondered where he was.

She had not set eyes on him since that day they broke up, and he no longer stood with her personal guards outside her room or even suite.

"It's time." Her father announced. She stood up and wove her hand into his. As he led her out of the room, she wondered and even hoped Maxwell would save her.

If he changed his mind now, there was still time to save her. Maybe he would find some backup and charge in like they did in the movies and rescue her.

The thought sounded silly, but that was all she had left, hope.

She stood beside her father, waiting outside the heavy church doors.

Her life was about to change in a few minutes, she would be someone's wife, a man she had never met, and a political hostage. Her heart was breaking and her eyes burned with tears.

She sniffed quickly to hold the flood back.

"Don't you dare cry now." Her father fiercely whispered. Racheal nodded.

The heavy wooden doors swung open inward, with a light sigh.

The pianist began to play a solemn wedding tune and the church, filled to the brim with important looking people, stood up and turned to watch the president walk his daughter down the aisle.

"Smile." Her father commanded. The ice on her face finally broke. She managed to put on a smile and they began their walk down the long, long aisle.

A few seconds into the walk, as they nodded to everyone at the edge of the aisle, she began to hear the whispers.

"She is the daughter they are always keeping away."

"My God, she is a vision. Look at all that thick golden curls."

"I love her dress."

"I can imagine the pride her father must be feeling. She is so beautiful."

The comments came from different parts of the church as they continued the longest walk of Racheal's life.

She finally returned her attention to the present when she saw the man standing at the altar.

She had never paid attention to the enemy country's news so she did not know their president's son.

In the last few days, she feared he might be old and ugly, but drawing closer to him now, she realised he was not.

He was very tall, almost too tall. He had flawless olive skin, dark hair and blue eyes. He seemed to be looking at her with surprise too. Pleasant surprise.

He stepped forward and nodded at her father, before taking her hand in his. She could not help but shiver at his touch.

He furrowed his eyebrows and then smiled at her. For the first time in days, Racheal smiled genuinely, back at him.

That brief exchange though did not stop her from glancing at the door, again and again as he read his vows.

Even now, when it seemed hopeless, she wished Maxwell would charge in and save her from marrying this stranger, no matter how kind he looked.

And then she saw him.

Maxwell stood at the door, handsome as ever, neatly dressed in his uniform. He scanned the church and his gaze rested on a spot, a little too long that Racheal turned to look too.

She saw Celia, who winked at him and to Racheal's horror Maxwell blushed, smiled and then quickly found a seat at the back.

"Miss Rana" She heard the male voice as if from very far away. She turned and saw her soon to be husband looking at her with a little confusion on his face. Her throat felt clogged with tears so she could not risk speaking.

"The priest is waiting."

She turned to the priest and could only manage to nod in apology. Maxwell had betrayed her. Maxwell had betrayed her in a worse way than she thought he did earlier.

"Say the words after me. I, your name, take you." The priest said.

"I Racheal Rana take you." She repeated, absentmindedly. She completed her vows, tilted her chin up to receive a soft peck on the lips from her husband, and turned around to smile at the congregation all in a trance.

Her movements were mechanical, like a zombie's. She could not shake the shock away, the shock that chilled her bones and made her unable to concentrate or be present in the moment.

She felt like she was watching the whole activity from outside her body.

"Come. Our fathers are waiting to have an important talk with us." Her new husband said, gently leading her out of the reception hall a few hours later. Pressmen, local and international took pictures as they left.