The Billionaire's Backup Bride

NAOMI'S POINT OF VIEW

People say weddings are magical....They're lying.There's nothing magical about running across a five-star hotel in four-inch heels while balancing a tray of champagne and trying not to get yelled at by your boss.

"Naomi!"I stopped so abruptly that two champagne flutes nearly toppled over.

"I'm here!" I called, turning toward the frantic voice.My supervisor, Monica, marched toward me with a clipboard clutched tightly against her chest. Even from across the ballroom, I could tell she was seconds away from a meltdown.

"Where have you been?"

"I just delivered the flowers to the bridal suite."

"Good. Now take these seating cards to table twelve. The photographer is looking for the bride's bouquet, and someone spilled wine near the stage. Fix it before the guests notice."

Before I could answer, she'd already disappeared into another crowd of panicked staff.I sighed.

Another day,Another luxury wedding......Another reminder that I was helping other people celebrate the happiest day of their lives while mine felt like it had been on pause for years.

Balancing the tray on one hand, I glanced around the ballroom....It was breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled above us, casting golden light over rows of beautifully decorated tables. White roses covered almost every surface, while a string quartet rehearsed softly near the grand staircase.

Everything looked perfect,Expensive and elegant.....Exactly what you'd expect from the wedding of one of the richest men in the country.

I had heard the staff whispering about him all morning.Xavier Kingsley,CEO of Kingsley Group....A Billionaire.

Apparently, he'd closed a multi-million-dollar deal while attending his own engagement party last month.

I snorted quietly.Imagine checking business emails on the happiest day of your life....Rich people were strange.

"Naomi!"I looked up again.This time, it was Mia, another event assistant.She rushed over, her face unusually pale.

"Have you seen the bride?"

"The bride?"

"No one can find her."I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." She lowered her voice.

"She's missing."I laughed.

"She's probably just nervous."

"I thought so too."Mia shook her head.

"But the bridal suite is empty."

"What?"

"Her dress is still there."A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

"Maybe she's in the restroom."

"We've checked."

"The garden?"

"Checked."

"The spa?"

"Checked."My smile slowly disappeared.

"Oh..."Mia looked over her shoulder before whispering,

"The wedding starts in thirty minutes."I stared at her.

"You think she ran away?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."Before either of us could say another word, Monica's voice echoed across the ballroom.

"Everyone!"Every employee immediately stopped what they were doing.

Monica climbed onto the small stage, trying her best to smile despite the panic written all over her face.

"There has been... a slight delay."Guests exchanged curious glances.

"The ceremony will begin shortly."The lie was obvious.Even the violinists had stopped playing,The atmosphere changed instantly.Whispers spread across the room like wildfire.

"What's happening?"

"Why hasn't the ceremony started?"

"Is something wrong?"I exchanged another look with Mia.Something was definitely wrong.

**

**

**

An hour ago......Everything had been perfect.Now.....The wedding of the year was falling apart.

******

"Naomi!"I turned just in time for Monica to shove another clipboard into my hands.

"I need you upstairs."

"Why?"

"Just go."I hurried toward the private elevators reserved for the bridal party.The higher I climbed, the louder the chaos became.People were running through the hallway.

Two security guards rushed past me and A makeup artist stormed out of the bridal suite, muttering under her breath.

"This is a disaster."Inside the suite, dresses, shoes, and bouquets were scattered everywhere.It looked as though someone had left in a hurry.

"Did anyone check the security cameras?" someone asked.

"We're reviewing them now."

"What about her phone?"

"It was left behind."I froze.Left behind?Who leaves their phone on their wedding dayMonica pulled me aside.

"Naomi."

"Yes?"

"Take these emergency bouquets downstairs."She handed me two arrangements of white roses.

"And don't ask questions."I nodded.Working events had taught me one important lesson.

The less you knew...The less trouble you got into.

As I stepped back into the elevator, I couldn't stop thinking about the missing bride.Would she come back?Had she changed her mind?Or had something happened to her?

The elevator doors opened onto the main floor.The ballroom was even louder now,Guests were openly gossiping.The photographers kept checking their cameras.

Outside the hotel's glass entrance, reporters had already begun gathering.

News spread fast when billionaires were involved.I adjusted the flowers in my arms and headed toward the reception area.

Halfway there........Crash!

A young waitress stumbled, sending an entire tray of champagne crashing onto the marble floor.Glasses shattered, the golden liquid splashed across the entrance.

"Oh no!"The waitress looked ready to cry.

"I'm so sorry!"Several guests stepped back to avoid the broken glass.Without thinking, I set the bouquets aside.

"It's okay."I knelt beside her.

"I'll help."Together, we quickly gathered the larger pieces while another staff member fetched a mop.

"You should go," I whispered.

"I'll explain to Monica."Her eyes filled with grateful tears.

"Thank you."I smiled.

"We're a team."She hurried away.

I picked up the last shard of glass and stood, brushing invisible dust from my uniform.That's when I felt it.....Someone was watching me.Slowly...I looked up.

Across the grand lobby stood a tall man in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.His tie hung loose around his neck.

His dark hair looked as though he'd run his hands through it one too many times.

Several men in expensive suits stood behind him, talking anxiously, but he wasn't listening.

His eyes.....Were fixed on me.For a brief second, the noise around us seemed to disappear.I frowned,Did I know him?....He looked kinda familiar.....No....I'd definitely remember a face like that.He looked away first.

One of the men beside him leaned close and said something.

The stranger gave a short nod before walking toward the elevators without another glance.I watched him leave.

"Who was that?" I murmured.A nearby employee looked at me as though I'd asked who the president was.

"You don't know?"I shook my head.

"That's Xavier Kingsley."My stomach dropped....The heir of Kingsley Enterprise.....wow... he's the groom??

I looked toward the elevators again.....The doors had already closed behind him.Poor man.....No matter how rich someone was...No one deserved to be abandoned on their wedding day.

I picked up the bouquets again.Hopefully...They'd find the bride before everything fell apart.Little did I know... before the day ended, my own life was about to change forever.

**

**

**

The moment I returned to the ballroom, Monica was waiting for me.She folded her arms.

"Finally."

"I'm sorry. One of the waitresses........."

"I know."Her expression softened for a second.

"I heard what you did."I blinked.

"You did?"She nodded.

"You covered for her."

"It wasn't a big deal."

"It was."She handed me another file.

"That's why I'm trusting you with something important."I looked at the folder in my hands.

"What is it?"

"The marriage certificate."My eyes widened.

"What?"She sighed.

"The bride signed most of the documents this morning. The officiant needs the originals before the ceremony."

"Oh..."

"If anyone asks, you're taking them to Mr. Kingsley's wedding coordinator."I nodded.

"I'll be careful."

"You'd better be."She lowered her voice.

"Everyone is already on edge."I tucked the folder safely under my arm and hurried toward the private corridor leading to the groom's waiting room.The hallway was almost empty.Only security guards and hotel staff moved through it.

As I approached the large double doors, raised voices echoed from inside.

"...we've searched every floor!"

"I don't care!" another voice snapped.

"Find her."I slowed my steps.Someone sounded furious.A second later, the doors burst open.

A man from earlier in a navy suit stormed out while speaking into his phone.

"Check the parking garage again."He nearly collided with me.

"I'm so sorry," I said quickly.He barely looked at me before rushing away.....I exhaled.Definitely not the time to be here.

Before I could knock, the door opened again.This time, another man stepped out.He looked a little younger than Xavier.Friendly face,Sharp blue suit....Unlike everyone else, he wasn't panicking.

His eyes landed on me.

"You work with the event team?"

"Yes."

"What do you have there?"

"The marriage documents."He stared at the folder for a second.

"Come in."I frowned.

"I... I was told to give these to the wedding coordinator."

"I know."He held the door open.

"She's inside."I hesitated before stepping into the suite.The room looked nothing like the glamorous ballroom downstairs....It looked like a war room.Several lawyers stood near the windows.

Two security guards were speaking into earpieces.

An elderly man with silver hair sat in a leather chair, gripping an elegant walking cane.His expression was unreadable.Standing in the middle of the room........was Xavier Kingsley.

His jacket had been removed,His sleeves were rolled to his forearms.One hand rested on his hip while the other rubbed the bridge of his nose.

He looked...Exhausted.Not angry,Not arrogant.Just...Tired.

The room fell silent the moment I entered and every pair of eyes turned toward me.Immediately I froze.

"I... um..."Why was everyone looking at me?The younger man smiled politely.

"She's from the event team."The attention shifted away from me....Thank goodness.I quickly walked toward a woman arranging papers on a table.

"I was asked to bring these."She accepted the folder with a grateful smile.

"Perfect. Thank you."I turned to leave.

"...Wait."The voice stopped me and I looked back.Xavier was staring at me.For one awkward second, neither of us spoke.Then he asked,

"Your name?"My heart skipped.

"Naomi."

"Naomi...?"

"Bennett."He nodded once.

"Thank you."

".......You're welcome."That was it.I left the room wondering why he'd asked for my name before the door closed behind me.