Chapter 20
Taking a deep breath, May opens the seemingly heavy door. She doesn't spot anyone right away until that familiar voice she's missed says, "What now?"
Closing the door behind her, May looks around to see a head of green behind a chair since the chair is facing away from her. His head is leaned back while his eyes are closed. He looks miserable. She could leave right now and he'd have no idea. No. May needs to do this. She's come this far and so many people have risked a lot to help her.
"Are you happy?" Gosh, May! She has no idea why this is the first thing to come out of her mouth. She doesn't even greet him or say his name, but she asks him about his happiness? Well, this couldn't get any better, can it?
Hearing her voice makes the man instantly stand up in shock. When his mother had come in a minute ago, she forced all of the guards out. Something about needing their help with the wedding and the back doors. He was grateful just to be alone for once. The guards have been suffocating him this past week, though Drew knew better than to try and escape. Just because the guards are not directly on him, it doesn't mean that the exits aren't heavily guarded.
When shocked green meets nervous blue, the two lovers just stare at each other. No one knows what to say. What had May asked? Is he happy? Drew blinks at her as he's starting to fall out of the trance. He thought Solidad's plan was off. Did May change her mind? He'll have to thank Solidad and Dawn later.
Giving the woman a small smile, Drew replies, "Now, I am." His heart is fluttering just by knowing she risked everything she loves for him. For this moment that had a high chance of failure. She must still care about him, right?
May finally breaks eye contact with him, so he approaches her. With her arms outstretched to keep him away, she quickly says, "Stop!"
He gives her a confused look, but he does stop. "Why?" Hasn't she missed him too?
May's gaze remains away from him. "You're marrying another woman today."
"I don't like her." Drew sighs. "I love you, May." Just saying those words ache his heart because he knows he can't have her. However, he wants her to know that his heart belongs to her.
May's glossy sapphire eyes look at Drew's emerald orbs as she's still registering the situation. Yes, she's been prepared to see him again, though now that she's actually here, she's at a loss for words. Did he just say he loves her? Gosh, she wants to believe him so badly. Please don't let him still be a notorious playboy who will use her as a mistress!
Once May's eyes meet his, Drew walks closer to the frozen woman. She doesn't stop him so he envelopes her in a tight yet gentle embrace he's missed. He takes in a whiff of her scent, and it makes him tear up. Damn, he's really missed her. This is just torture because he knows he won't ever be able to see her again after this moment. Nevertheless, he'll enjoy these last few minutes with her before turning his heart cold to the world.
Despite not wanting him near her earlier, May melts in his hug. She resists the urge to cry into his comforting chest, but a few tears do slip out. "I love you too, Drew." She whispers, which he hears.
The two stay in each other's hold for what seems like mere seconds, though it's been a couple of minutes. These past couple weeks apart have been full of uncertainty and worry. However, just seeing each other like this, it feels like all the pain is gone. Nevertheless, Drew knows it's only going to get worse. This really is a cruel world he lives in.
The door opening abruptly gets their attention as Drew quickly lets go of May, and she tries to find somewhere to hide. Fortunately for them, it's just Solidad at the door. The older woman frantically looks at them. "The guards are on the way!"
May's gaze shifts from Solidad to the handsome man in front of her. His hair is styled in a combover while he's in a black suit with a red rose buttoned on his jacket. "Let's go, Drew!" This is the next part of the plan: them escaping to the outside where all the reporters are.
Taking a deep shaky breath, he mutters, "I can't."
Her confused blue eyes meet his apologetic green ones. Sighing, Drew unbuttons the rose from his jacket. He never wanted to use roses at this wedding, but Brianna wants to drown out all memories of May from him. Thus, Brianna chose roses for the groomsmen to wear on their jacket along with Drew.
"Why not? You said you don't like her!" May's heart is breaking just knowing he's marrying someone else. He did say he doesn't like her, so what's he doing?
Approaching her, he extends the rose to her. "I'm sorry for breaking my promise."
She furiously shakes her head as she fights back her tears. "No way, Drew! We came all this way for you!" Dawn, Solidad, her, and even Drew's mother! How dare he just give in like this!
"I know. And I appreciate it." Drew nods at Solidad before returning his attention to May. "But I can't put the children at risk for my selfishness."
"We'll be fine! We planned for this!" May insists.
"Yeah, Drew! You know the plan!" Solidad adds as she pleads with him too. She just wants her friend to be happy. Why is he making this so difficult?
Drew gives them a sad smile. "You know that once the media dies down, this will just happen again. It'll keep happening until the orphanage is finally shut down. This is the only way for it to stay open."
"Brenden is helping us legally!" May exclaims.
"And my family and the Wakanas can hire many more better lawyers! He's just a law student!" It irks Drew to learn that May's been relying on another man while he was gone. However, he can't be mad because he's been spending nights with another woman who he's supposed to marry within the hour.
Hearing footsteps down the hall, Solidad says, "What's your final choice, Drew?"
With his hand still extended out to May, Drew says, "I'm sorry, May." He chokes back his sobs. This is the last time he will ever say her name again because he doesn't deserve to say it when he's the one breaking it. He sees it all over her face as she realizes he's going to marry Brianna. Drew can sacrifice his happiness for the well-bring of the orphanage. He's sacrificed his happiness for his parents many times already. It's what he's always done, so this is nothing new. It was naive of him to think that he could actually live a happy life with May.
May slaps the flower out of his hand, and it falls to the ground. Glaring at Drew, she tells him, "Don't ever come back to the orphanage!" This is more than just her! It's about Betty, and Tyler, and Benny, and all of the children at the orphanage who look up to Drew as an older brother. As a mentor and leader. A role model, but just like all the other people in their lives, Drew is leaving them.
Although shocked by the scene, Solidad knows their time is up. She rushes over to grab May's arm. "We have to go!" exclaims the older woman while dragging out an angry May.
The last thing Drew sees is his happiness being pulled from the room while she looks at him with intense pain in her eyes. Despite her angry demeanor, Drew can read those broken eyes he knows he's the cause of. Stomping on the rose on the ground, he heads out of the room where the guards have now returned.
"Ready, Master Drew?" one asks.
Nodding, Drew straightens out his jacket. He takes in a deep breath as he makes sure his face looks stoic. This world is all a show for money and power. He's grown up knowing how to put on a show to the world, so the next hour won't be too bad, except for the fact that he just broke the heart of the woman he loves, and he's going to marry a woman he absolutely despises. "Ready." He lies, but it's not like he has another choice.
Elsewhere, May is quickly following Solidad through the halls. May can cry about Drew later, but now is not the time. However, she's telling herself that that jerk doesn't deserve her tears anymore. He's already gotten more than enough. Coming here was definitely a mistake. This is the last time May lets anyone convince her of anything. She will cut ties with everyone from this world once she's out of here.
"I'm sorry, May." Solidad mutters from ahead. She sees where Drew is coming from. He and May can't be together if it means the children suffer. May would hate herself for that, and Drew would too. To protect the orphanage, he had to break their hearts. Sighing, Solidad wishes Drew would've given them a shot with the media, even if it's a long shot.
May heard her loud and clear, but the younger woman chooses to ignore the words. Of course Solidad is going to cover for her best friend. She works for the Hayden family. May and Solidad round a secluded corner. With the wedding ceremony starting any minute now, most guests have since stopped roaming the halls. They'll all sitting in the large room where the ceremony will be occurring.
"Just a little further." Solidad whispers. No one should be here since they're all inside the large wedding hall. However, that also means May and Solidad shouldn't be roaming the halls either, especially Solidad who is supposed to be helping with running the wedding.
"Stop right there!" The high pitched shout makes both women freeze since they recognize that voice. Knowing that she's already lost, May turns to glare at the bride storming towards them with guards.
Brianna had gotten news that Solidad was suspiciously moving around prior to the wedding, so she had someone watch her on the security cameras. However, the people didn't see May because Solidad had been separated from her by then. When Solidad wasn't seen inside the wedding hall despite it starting soon, Brianna had her people search for the Public Relations Coordinator again where they now find her with a well-disguised May Maple. However, Brianna already had an idea that May would try to sneak inside.
Glaring back at the intruder, Brianna spats, "Your orphanage is shutting down. I wanted you!"
"You and Drew deserve each other." May snaps back. "You're both selfish. Keep the innocent children out of it."
"Selfish? Says the one risking the orphanage by showing up here!" Brianna is furious that this lowly woman is talking back to her, and on her wedding day too!
May is unfazed by Brianna though because May is still upset at Drew. "I just came to tell him to never come back. It's what you want, right?"
Although taken aback by her comment, Brianna mentally agrees. She wants Drew to stay away from the orphanage, and especially May Maple. It seems like May just decided that for Drew. "He doesn't want you anymore. You were just some fling he felt bad for." Brianna had said this to May before, but it still aches May's heart.
"Look. You're never gonna see me again, and Drew will never come to my world again. Now just leave the orphans alone." May's cold eyes challenge Brianna's teal orbs, which makes the wealthy woman flinch in slight fear. How can someone with no power be so fearless? May Maple is very naive and foolish.
"You need to get to your wedding." Solidad knowingly tells Brianna, which makes Brianna turn her attention to Solidad.
Brianna has never liked her because Solidad is always helping May as well as helping Drew get away from Brianna. "And don't think you're getting away with all of this." Brianna warns the older woman. However, Solidad has been prepared for the consequences.
"No." May's stern voice gets both of their attention. "I forced her to take me to see Drew again. If anything, she helped me break off my relationship with Drew." Gosh, it hurts May so much to say this, especially his name. However, she can't cry. Not in front of Brianna. Not now. She'll cry in the comfort of the orphanage later unless she manages to hold her tears back since she's cried enough over Drew.
"It doesn't matter." Brianna narrows her eyes at the women. "You'll both pay for what you did here today. And don't think I don't know about Miss Berlitz helping you too." While Brianna doesn't have any evidence of Dawn helping, she does suspect the bluenette aided in disguising May. Dawn is close to May and a friend of Drew's. Plus, Dawn is the heir to Berlitz Beauties. It only makes sense that Dawn is aiding May too.
Nevertheless, May won't let on that Brianna is correct. She won't let Brianna gain any satisfaction from her because Brianna already took Drew from her. Brianna won't take May's dignity too. "Are you gonna go marry Drew or keep me here?" May asks annoyedly.
Brianna snaps her fingers at her guards, which makes two of them step up. "Escort them out."
"What about Ms. Solidad?" one asks.
"I said them!" Brianna shouts angrily. This wedding has been very stressful to plan, and Drew has been very distant towards her. Brianna is fed up with it right now, and she just wants it to end, but May just had to show up. The bride takes in a deep breath to calm herself. Everything will be okay soon. The troublemakers will be gone, Drew will be hers, and she will be a very wealthy woman.
Each guard roughly grabs each woman's arm. May pulls her away and exclaims, "I can walk myself!" The guards look at each other and shrug, so they let go of the women. Like May had said, she and Solidad walk themselves out.
Brianna watches them walk away and yells, "Know your place, scum!"
May is used to this language though. Being an orphan but going to the public school nearby, she was teased a lot growing up. She ignores Brianna rather than make things worse with arguing. There's no reason to argue with Brianna anymore since it'll only put the orphanage at risk. The only reason May used to put up so much of a fight was for Drew, but he's already made it clear that he wants to marry Brianna. Therefore, May doesn't need to fight Brianna anymore.
Once May and Solidad make it out of the building, May walks away from the older woman. Chasing her down, Solidad calls, "Wait, May!" May doesn't even care that there are reporters and guards curiously looking at them. She rips off the black wig while briskly leaving. Solidad manages to catch up and grab May's arm. "May-"
"It's over, Solidad!" shouts the frustrated young woman. May just wants to go back to the orphanage already.
"Listen to me fir-"
"He made his choice!" May shouts. "You heard it!" Her angry blue eyes meet Solidad's sad blue ones, which makes Solidad let go of May. "Don't ever come to the orphanage again." May coldly says as she continues walking away. "I want nothing to do with this world anymore."
While Solidad watches the heartbroken woman leave, her own heart is aching. This is not how everything was supposed to happen. This really is a cruel world, and it's about to get worse. Taking in a deep breath, Solidad bypasses the reporters to find her car and leave too. She doesn't deserve to be here either, and she just wants to cry for May and Drew.
Inside, the ceremony is concluding. "Do you, Brianna Wakana, take Andrew Shu Hayden to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?"
Brianna gazes up lovingly at Drew's uninterested face. He's not even making eye contact with her, but she still loves him dearly. "I do."
Turning to Drew, the officator asks, "Do you, Andrew Shu Hayden, take Brianna Wakana to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you…"
Drew's eyes haven't even looked at Brianna. Everyone can tell he doesn't want to be here. His vows were written for him, which he actually read off of notecards in a monotone voice. He is currently scanning the crowd where he spots Dawn's hopeful blue eyes.
Wow. He just broke May's and Solidad's hearts, and now he's going to break Dawn's too. Just when Drew was starting to become happy with his friends and lover, all of this had to happen. It's what he gets for being such a rebel and reckless person for years, even if May was the one to change him.
"Andrew?" the officiator curiously looks at Drew, which brings Drew to snap his attention to him.
"Huh?"
"Do you take Brianna to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Even though the officiator said a lot of other things with this, he paraphrases it this second time for Drew. The officiator can visibly see Drew does not want to be here.
Still avoiding Brianna's gaze, Drew sighs. This is it. It's now or never. He looks over at Dawn again. Solidad must still be helping May escape because Drew hasn't seen his childhood friend since she took May away. May. He inwardly grins to himself. Gosh, if this was May, he wouldn't even hesitate to marry her. He wouldn't be this absentminded and depressed.
"Andrew?" the officiator nervously asks once more, which causes the audience to murmur because they're unsure as to why he's hesitating.
This irritates Brianna because today is supposed to be her special day, though it's been going very wrong. With a sweet face, she growls, "The orphanage, Drew." It's quiet enough where only he hears it, and it makes him glare at her.
What did May ask? Oh yeah. Is he happy? He was. When he was with her. However, he's miserable now. "I'm ready." Drew replies to the officator. "Say it again."
"All of it?" the officiator questions.
Shaking his head while his eyes continue to glare at Brianna's teal orbs, Drew says, "Just the one sentence."
Sighing, the officiator once again asks, "Do you, Andrew Shu Hayden, take Brianna Wakana to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
I wish I didn't work early in the morning because I wanna type more. I have the motivation to right now, but I need to go to sleep. :( Anyway, things are gonna heat up before they go back down for a bit. I plan to update by the end of the week. Enjoy!~