Chapter 188: Don’t Unlock
Thea finally found Charlotte sitting alone on a bench. As she approached, her concern grew. "What’s the matter with you?" Thea asked, standing beside Charlotte. "Why weren’t you answering my calls?"
Charlotte slowly lifted her gaze to meet Thea’s. Thea’s eyes narrowed, noticing the tears that had welled up in Charlotte’s eyes, though they hadn’t spilled over.
"Are you crying?" Thea asked, her voice soft with concern, as she sat down beside Charlotte, her eyes locked on her friend’s tear-stained face.
"Thea, seeing him with her... it hurts me.." Charlotte admitted.
Thea’s face filled with compassion as she wrapped her arms around Charlotte’s shoulders.
"Your makeup has already smudged.." Thea said, eyeing Charlotte’s face.
Thea looked at Charlotte’s face and let out a surprised cry. "What!!"
Charlotte quickly opened the camera app on her phone and examined her reflection, tilting her face from side to side. Her eyes widened in dismay at the sight of her smudged makeup.
"Thea, do you have to lie to me too?" Charlotte asked, her voice trembling. "Even Cousin Roan deceived me. No one is trustworthy... all of you lied to me.." she accused, her voice cracking as she sniffled back tears.
"This time, your makeup is really going to get smudged," Thea warned.
"The wedding is about to begin, and Uncle and Aunt are searching for you. Let’s go to the washroom and fix your makeup," Thea suggested.
But Charlotte hesitated. "I don’t want to face that...Ava," she replied, her voice laced with disdain.
Thea shook her head in exasperation. "It’s your cousin’s wedding, not hers. Why would you let her ruin it for you?" Thea asked, her hands on her hips as she stood before Charlotte.
Charlotte’s mind was racing with anger. "She did that on purpose," she thought, her emotions simmering.
Taking a deep breath, Charlotte stood up and walked to the washroom, seeking a moment to collect herself. Thea watched her go, then trailed behind her.
As they took their seats, Mila turned to them with a curious expression. "Where did you two disappear to?" she asked.
Charlotte replied calmly, "We just stepped out to the washroom, Mother.
Then she wentto take her seat which was beside her grandmother. Thea too take her sat down beside Charlotte, the two friends flanking Grandma.
The bride’s graceful walk down the aisle was met with the groom’s beaming smile. As they stood together, they exchanged heartfelt vows, sealing their promise to love and cherish each other. With a tender kiss, their union was complete. The officiant’s joyful declaration - "Husband and wife!" - sparked a joyful outburst of cheers, applause, and happy tears from the gathered guests.
"I’m angry with Roan, but I’m glad he’s found his true love.." Charlotte said.
"Why are you angry with Roan, dear?"
"Did he scold you after you teased him?" Grandma Agnes asked with a hint of amusement.
"Grandma, it’s not that. Please, don’t make fun of me."
The groom took the microphone, beaming with happiness. "Hello, everyone! Thank you all so much for coming to celebrate this incredible day with us. It means the world to me and my beautiful bride that you’re here to share in our joy."
"To my family, friends, and loved ones, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for your love and support."
Wren,took the microphone from Roan’s hands. "Now, it’s time for a fun game! We have two bowls containing chits with numbers. Here’s the twist: you’ll need to choose your partner’s favorite number. If you choose correctly, you’ll dance with your partner. But, if you choose incorrectly, you’ll still dance – with the person whose number matches the one you picked."
Charlotte turned to Thea. "Want to join in?"
Thea hesitated. "I don’t think so."
Ariella chimed in, turning around. "Come on, Thea! We’re not taking no for an answer. You have to participate."
Thea looked uncertain. "But, Sister Ariella, I don’t know how to dance."
"Don’t worry, Thea. Your best friend will be there to guide you."
The three of them made their way to the bowls to select their numbers. They randomly picked a chit, eager to see whose number they would match.
Wren, looked around the room, ensuring everyone had chosen a number. His eyes landed on Saul, who was standing alone, observing the commotion.
"Has everyone chosen a chit?" Wren asked, his voice loud and clear. Noticing Saul, he walked over to him. "Saul, why are you standing there? Join the game!" Wren exclaimed, gently dragging Saul to the bowls to participate.
Ava’s voice dropped to a persuasive whisper as she leaned in close to Ryan. "I want you to join the game.." she said, her eyes holding his in a steady gaze.
Ava’s intention went beyond mere participation, however. She aimed to send a pointed message, one that would not be lost on Charlotte. With this gesture, Ava sought to assert her claim on Ryan, making it unequivocally clear that he belonged to her.
"Number 5, female partner, please raise your hand.." Wren announced.
Ava’s eyes scanned the room, expecting Ryan to raise his hand as her partner. But to her surprise, he remained still.
Isn’t 5 his favorite number? Ava thought to herself, confusion etched on her face.
Just then, Wren announced, "And here we have our Number 5 male partner."
Charlotte caught Ava’s eye, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips. She seemed to be suppressing a laugh.
"Tsk...Even luck isn’t on her side..." Charlotte whispered, her voice barely audible.
The game continued, with Wren calling out, "Number 8, please raise your hand."
Ariella glanced at her chit before raising her hand.
"Who is Number 8 male partner?" Wren asked.
"Oh, it’s Saul. Number 8, please join your partner."
As Ariella heard the name, she froze. Charlotte’s voice cut through the air, "Sister Ariella, your partner is Saul."
Ariella’s response was a simple "Hmm" before she made her way towards Saul, her movements stiff.
Charlotte turned to Thea, a sly grin spreading across her face. "What’s your number?" she asked.
Thea replied, "Mine is 12."
Charlotte’s grin grew wider. "Just like the number of kids you’re going to have in the future.." she teased.
Thea hardly pinched Charlotte, who let out a weak mock yelp.
"Number 10!" Wren announced.
Charlotte’s hand shot up, and she exclaimed, "That’s me!"
Wren’s voice came over the mic. "Number 10,male partner please raise your hand."
A hand rose from the crowd, and Wren announced, "And Number 10 is ...."
"Ryan. Charlotte, Ryan is your dance partner."
Charlotte’s face fell, and she whispered to Thea, "I don’t want to dance with him."
Thea whispered back, "Go and dance. See, Ava is shooting daggers at you."
With a proud smile, Charlotte said, "Baby, I’m impressed! You’re picking this up fast. I’m so proud." She pinched Thea’s cheek.
Charlotte’s eyes locked onto Ava’s, whose face was twisted in rage. Charlotte smiled sweetly, thinking, ’I’ll let her stew for a bit longer.’
With a provocative glance at Ava, Charlotte made her way to Ryan, a spring in her step. Ava’s anger simmered, but Charlotte’s happiness only grew.
"Don’t want to greet me?" Charlotte asked Ryan, her tone playful yet hinting at annoyance.
Ryan merely replied with a nonchalant "Hmm."
Charlotte shrugged, her expression dismissive. "Suit yourself." She folded her arms and turned her back to Ryan, her attention shifting to Thea.
Just then, Wren announced, "Number 12, please raise your hand. Who is the male partner for Number 12?"
A friend whispered to Roan, "Bro, why isn’t the male partner for Number 12 raising his hand?"
Roan scanned the room, his gaze finally landing on Wren, who was holding a chit. Wren looked at the chit, sighed, and realized, "Oh, I forgot I’m participating too."
He asked, "She’s Charlotte’s friend, right?"
Roan nodded, and advised, "Hmm, don’t trouble her."
Wren reassured him, "I’m not like that guy. You announce the rest; I’m going to join my partner."Wren handed the mic to his friend and walked over to join Thea.
Meanwhile, Ryan glanced up from his phone and found himself staring at Charlotte’s back.
Ava, standing nearby, gazed at her own dance partner, frustration etched on her face. "Why did you have to choose Number 5? Didn’t you have any other options?"
Her partner shrugged. "I wanted to pick that number, so I did."
Ava’s annoyance grew. "That bitch took my boyfriend away from me..."
Ava, standing nearby, gazed at her own dance partner, frustration etched on her face. "Why did you have to choose Number 5? Didn’t you have any other options?"
Her partner shrugged. "I wanted to pick that number, so I did."
Ava’s annoyance grew. "That bitch took my boyfriend away from me..."
you have to choose Number 5? Didn’t you have any other options?"
Her partner shrugged. "I wanted to pick that number, so I did."
Ava’s annoyance grew. "That bitch took my boyfriend away from me..."
you have to choose Number 5? Didn’t you have any other options?
