Chapter 177: Go On
Behind Keith’s statue body, Jeremy took back his eyes from the bride and pushed him with a grinning murmur, “Come on! Go and pick her!”
Keith’s frozen face melted to a smile, too, and he turned himself to the Riley’s.
Clement Riley’s eyes never left his daughter’s face, seeing her so eager to see this other man, his feelings were mixed.
As a father, he had always cherished her like the only treasure in the world. He had never made a choice for her or asked her to meet his standard. And today, it was almost like her grown-up ceremony, and he had to give him to another man he had never met a year before.
“Go on,” He uttered.
Cathryn’s hand left her father’s arm as she went next to Keith and took his hand like she always did.
She felt his hand tighten. His palm was not dry but cool and a bit wet like never before. Looking up, his face was sharp as always, but she soon noticed that he was somewhat stiff.
Cathryn’s heart was pumping, but it was this nervousness, along with his, that kept her on the ground. Her feet were on the solid ground, her handheld in his, so tight that she felt so secure and hopeful about the future.
“Are you nervous?” She softly pinched the back of his hand and whispered.
He raised his head stiffly and stared at her moonlighted face behind the veil.
“I want to kiss you,” Keith whispered, his lips barely moving.
Cathryn’s smile went bigger, reaching out and touching his elbow. His bicep went soft with the rough feeling of her white gloves.
“You will,” Cathryn smiled with happy tears in her eyes.
After he had given Cathryn to Keith’s hand, Clement, as rehearsed, silently went to sit down next to his wife. Victoria looked at him and reached for his hand, Clement’s hand shook a little, and he suddenly felt relaxed. He held his wife’s hand instead and gave her a reassuring smile.
Hand in hand, the young couple smiled at each other and turned to step forward toward the pastor.
The pastor, waiting for the music to pause as he stood behind the lectern, and began.
“Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of this man and this woman in marriage. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other have grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.”
“Will you, Mr. Keith Clarkson, take Miss Cathryn Riley as your wife in this sacred marriage, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to respect, to comfort, to cherish, and be faithful to her from this day forward until death do you part?”
Keith, “I will.”
“Will you, Miss Cathryn Riley, take Mr. Keith Clarkson as your husband in this sacred marriage, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to respect, to comfort, to cherish, and be faithful to him from this day forward until death do you part?”
Cathryn, “I will.”
Looking at this beautiful pair full of love for each other, the solemn pastor bent his lips.
The priest said, “Now, please exchange the rings between the bride and groom.”
The best man and the bride’s maids brought the ring boxes, and they held each other on the ring.
The wedding ring was designed by a renowned French jewelry artist who’d designed it for Helen and Richard’s wedding. Keith’s was a platinum ring that came with a complicated hand forging process, giving it beautiful natural patterns.
Cathryn’s ring was made with the same process, it was thinner, and the patterns were low-key but dazzling on her pale, thin finger.
The ring exchange ended quickly, and the wedding was coming to an end, the priest smiled sincerely, and his light green eyes were warm, encouraging turning to Keith.
“Now, you may kiss the bride.”
Raising his lips, Keith steadily lifted the veil with both hands.
Her eyes were bright and tender, looking up at him.
Keith’s heart rippled, leaning over and kissing her lips. Their soft lips stuck together, crushed together, and all the emotions were melted together.
It was a short kiss, and the ceremony closed at the climax. Everyone laughed relaxingly and began to chat with each other. They left the auditorium in the backyard. After a variety of photo-taking and traditional joking rounds, they went back to Clarkson’s Mansion to have dinner.
The dinner was in traditional German style. As the band was playing, the guests were seated.
After the appetizer, it was the first dance of the bride and groom.
Cathryn had practiced several times with Keith before the wedding. She had changed her wedding gown to a claret silk dress that was elegant and chic for the dance.
The dance was lingering. The love of the golden boy and the fair lady is always pleasant to watch.
It was the same song from their first dance at the masquerade. It had now become their song and their dance.
Cathryn’s dancing skill was much better now. Her flexible figure, along with the passionate music and movements, won bursts of applause from the audience.
After the dance, Cathryn had a thin layer of sweat on her cheek. Keith took her to the seats and offered a white tissue. He spoke to her ear while delicately cleaning for her.
“Are you hungry?”
Keith was the kind of man that never needed to flirt: his body exuded sexy hormones naturally.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
Cathryn felt her torso soft. Wondering if he had anything serious to say, she answered, “Not really, why?”
He didn’t reply but smiled mysteriously. Before she could realize it, Cathryn felt her legs suddenly leave the floor, and her whole body lost its balance. She screamed and found that Keith had held her up and was walking up the stairs.