Rex's POV
"What? Cat got your tongue?" I mocked her.
She stayed mute. Her body quivered at the sight of my gun. I playfully moved the gun round her face and intentionally stopped at her neck. I put out the lit cigarette.
"You want an answer, don't you?" I asked her ironically.
She closed her eyes frighteningly and bit her lips. The clacking of shoes got my attention. I lowered my gun and hid it at the back of my pocket. I glanced at her and smirked.
They had brought the priest along with them. His face was covered with a bag. I left her and walked towards the priest. I removed the bag over his face.
"Finally! You made it. I thought you weren't coming." I said, maintaining my smirk.
"Rex, you-." The priest said, speechless.
"Yes, Father. It's me. I didn't bring you here for another confession." I said as I walked behind him. I stopped and had my gaze at the lady in front of us.
"I know this might be on a short notice. I had no idea I was to get married until last night. I would've come to the parish for the official arrangement. Do most of the paperwork, go through the procedures and stuff like that. But I didn't trust anyone."
"I need you to officially pronounce my bride and I as husband and wife." I added.
"You do know that doesn't work that way. The lady has to give her consent in order to be your wife. Marriage isn't something that needs to be rushed." The priest said feebly.
"But she has, haven't you?" I said, seeking her opinion.
She looked at me timidly. She fidgeted her fingers and had her eyes on the floor. I knew she was about to ruin things. I walked towards her and grasped her arm.
"Go on. Tell the priest that you've agreed to be my wife." I said plainly, looking at her blankly.
She flashed a glance at me and then the priest. She remained silent. I waited for her to say something but the result was the same as earlier. I groaned impatiently and pulled out the gun again.
"For the last time, tell the priest you've agreed to marry me."
Her eyes became teary. She stalled again and replied in a nod. I raised her chin using the gun.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" I said coldly.
"Rex, you shouldn't have dragged this innocent lady into this." The priest said.
"I didn't drag her. She came on her own. I wanted someone else but I guess she is the angel sent from Heaven." I said,
"I apologized for not being in full outfit. You see, my bride had second thoughts about the wedding."
She bravely broke off from my grip. She looked at me angrily. From her eyes, I could see so much bitterness. Her weak state only made me to snigger at her. I looked at her and shrugged off the thought.
"Let go of him."
The bodyguards nodded and let him go. The priest lost his balance and fell down on the floor. I slapped my face in disappointment.
"I said let go of him and not drop him."
These fools can't tell between a simple instruction and an order. Why did I hire them in the first?
They helped the priest stand on his feet. I walked towards him and brushed off the dust from his clothes.
"Now, you're ready for the ceremony."
"You're making a big mistake, Rex." He warned me.
I have been hearing those words all my life. It made no difference now. I walked away and got hold of my bride. I held her hand but she pulled it out. I let out a sigh and grasped her arm again. We stood in front of the priest.
"No long sermons. Just skip the boring part." I said plainly.
The priest looked at the lady with a pitiful look. I rolled my eyes. Damn! He is too soft!
"Move on with it."
The priest stalled for a minute and glanced at the ceiling. I moaned annoyingly. He looked at me and then the lady.
"Do you, Rex Northman, take this lady to be your wife? To love-." He said, saying the words off heart.
"Yes. If I didn't, you wouldn't be here." I scoffed.
He turned towards the lady.
"Do you, my dear, take Rex to your husband? To love and take care of him, in sickness and in health? Whether rich or poor, in good or bad time until death do you apart?"
She flashed a glance at me and broke down again. Can't she do anything else asides crying? I am beginning to miss the bold lady I met minutes ago.
"My dear?" He called her softly.
She looked at him tearfully. She sniffed.
I leant closer.
"If you don't say yes within the next minute, you and that innocent priest will be force to go an unplanned trip to the netherworld. You wouldn't want that, would you?" I threatened, whispering to her ear.
Her eyes widened and she looked at the priest. She glanced at me and sadly looked away.
"30 seconds gone." I reminded her.
"What's your answer, dear?" He asked coaxingly.
"I-I-." She stuttered.
"I, I do."
He hung his head. He glanced at me, seeing the smug smile I had worn. He let out a sigh.
"By the power vested in me by the church, I pronounce you husband and wife." He said.
It seemed it was going to be like forever.
"Thank you, Father. I guess your job here is done." I said plainly. I signalled the two bodyguards beside him.
"Take him back to the parish."
They nodded and pulled the priest away. At least, I'm done with this. I took out the pack from my pocket. Two sticks gone because I wanted to get married. I lit another stick and took a puff at it. I turned round and heard an annoying sound.
I looked at the direction where it came from and moaned. It was just my wife's sniffs. Can't she at my be grateful that I saved from living the rest of her life as a single woman.
"What now?"
"I hate you!" She said bluntly, not hiding her anger.
"Really?" I said jovially, purposely to annoy her. I got hold of her arm and pulled her closer.
"Look at your eyes. You've strained them with these tears."
She tried to break free but she couldn't. She tried consistently until she gave up. I had my arm wrapped round her.
"You shouldn't waste your energy. It is worthless. You're married to me, Cupcake. You belong to me." I said.
"I'll never be yours." She objected boldly.
"Character; you never seem to amaze me. I beginning to like you." I said, caressing her face with my finger. I moved it close to her lips.
I let go of her. I stood a distance away from where she was and took a puff at my cigarette.
"Take her back to the house."
"Which house, Boss?" One of the bodyguards asked.
"Are you that dumb or what?" I snarled,
"My house."
The bodyguards nodded and walked towards her. They got hold of her.
"Be careful with her. If I see any scratch on her skin, you'll pay for it." I said airily, without making eye contact.
"I hate you! I hate you!" She screamed as she was pulled away by them.
