80. Walked to the altar together

As we both step into a new phase of life, we want you to be right by our side. Through the years, we've made incredible memories through the good times we've had and the friends you've been. We honor your presence as requested. Fill us with your love and light, and make our sweet beginnings even sweeter. -Braun & Briella She held tightly to the wedding invitation card she had made and given to her friends and family. This is it! She took a deep breath and looked at the yacht where Braun was on board. In just a few moments, they would see each other and be together. For the past six days, they both had to endure and accommodate their parents' belief in Filipino superstitions. Her heart was filled with intense joy, nervousness, and excitement. If she couldn't control himself, he might have been crying since earlier. She looked at herself in the mirror; she only did her makeup. She didn't want to rely on others to prepare herself anymore because they had done so much for her. From the mirror, she saw her wedding dress, designed by Janice herself. It was a fit-and-flare mermaid wedding gown with a bodice of lace motifs and sheer detailing, flowing into a tulle skirt trimmed in horsehair. Beaded lace motifs adorned the illusion-plunging sweetheart neckline, while beaded spaghetti straps glided into a sheer back accented in lace motifs and finished with covered buttons over zipper closure. Janice perfectly captured the wedding gown she wanted to wear on this special day. It had the essence of the wedding gown she wore before, which Fate Hemliton liked, but if she were to choose, the wedding gown she wore now was even more beautiful. She heard consecutive knocks on the door, and when it opened, she saw two older women entering. Even though they had just arrived, both reasons why they were there that day with Braun and her were already in tears. 'You're magnificent, Briella! I know you will look your best when you wear your wedding gown," Braun's Mommy said with a smile as she hugged her tightly. She returned the hug, and so did her Mommy. There was a glistening light coming from the door, and when she looked, she saw Chelsey wearing her gown. It was simple, but because of her innate natural beauty, her extraordinary beauty that she rarely saw shone through. This was because she didn't like dressing up and always only wore pants. 'You're finally getting married, Briella! There's no turning back now!" Chelsey said with a smile as she took some photos of her before helping her parents put on her wedding gown. As she faced the mirror, she couldn't help but shed tears of overwhelming joy. She had dreamed of walking towards the person she would dedicate her entire being to - heart and soul. And now, here she was, wearing the wedding gown she had chosen herself. Her mother hugged her from behind while Braun's Mommy held her hand and gently wiped away her tears. 'I know it's very emotional here, but try not to cry. It's too early for your eyes to get swollen. Do you really want Big Boss to see you with swollen eyes on your wedding day?" Chelsey joked. She laughed and playfully rolled her eyes while Chelsey wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes as she took photos of her. 'Thank you," she whispered her gratitude. Chelsey approached her and hugged her tightly. 'I wish you all the best, Briella. As I always say, you deserve someone who would treat you like a queen," Chelsey said and kissed her on the cheek. 'I have a favor to ask, is it okay?" she asked. 'What is it?" Chelsey asked as she adjusted her hair. 'Can you catch the bouquet later?" she asked with a smile. 'Huh? Why me? I don't want to get married yet!" Chelsey exclaimed, shaking her head firmly. 'I'm just kidding," she said to her. They heard a knock on the door, and the three other women who had been part of her and Braun's lives appeared. His ex-girlfriend, Janice; his sister, Nami; and his sister-in-law, Kimineah. They were all wearing ocean blue cocktail dresses, and Chelsey was her Maid of Honor, so she was wearing a different dress, but it was the same color as the bridesmaids. 'Is the Bride ready?" Janice asked with a smile as she glanced at her from head to toe. 'Wow, you look so stunningly beautiful, Briella! That wedding dress suits you perfectly!" 'You don't look like you're two months pregnant. You look so sexy! I hope I can achieve that kind of figure," Nami admired, full of admiration. 'Shall we start eating ube ice cream with nachos?" Kimineah jokingly said as she approached her to give her a tight hug. 'Congrats, Briella. Someday, I'll be the one getting married and wearing such a grand wedding gown. I'll ask you to teach me how to achieve that kind of figure so that even if I'm pregnant when I get married, I'll still look sexy." 'Make us your mentors, and I know all of Briella's routines. I used to be her assistant, remember?" Chelsey said with a grin. She raised the hanging camera and took pictures of them laughing. Her mother then placed her white veil, adorned with small diamonds, on her head. They all gasped in unison as she faced the mirror and looked at herself. The light hit the diamond-studded crown, making it sparkle and shine in her reflection in the mirror. After getting dressed, they had a photo shoot while waiting for the wedding to take place. They were inside her room, and Braun was in the adjacent room with the groomsmen. Shortly after, there was a knock, and when Kimineah opened it, her youngest brother, looking very handsome in his black suit, entered. He approached her and hugged her. After their family picture, Jeydon left and went back to Braun's room. Meanwhile, in the other room, Braun couldn't sit still; he had been pacing back and forth, trying to memorize what he had written on his phone. He did that because he might not be able to speak when facing Briella and exchanging their wedding vows. 'Dude, what's going on with you? Relax, you'll only get more flustered if you don't calm down," Travis said, pretending to sit and have his photo taken by Janice's photographer assigned to Bali. 'He's right. Why don't you sit down and contemplate? It's better if you're calm when facing Madam Briella," Luigi added as he handed him his blazer. He took a deep breath and followed their advice, but he still couldn't shake off the nervousness he was feeling. 'You don't know how I feel right now, jerks!" he said with a sigh. 'That's okay, son. I felt the same way when your Mommy and I got married. It's normal to feel nervous; everyone who gets married feels that way. It's also okay to cry tears of happiness," his father said as he approached and patted him on the shoulder. 'Just be yourself, and everything will turn out good." He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He didn't know why he was feeling this way; it was the first time he had felt tense and nervous. His intense excitement to see his wife again after not seeing her or being with her for several days compounded his feelings. When Jeydon entered, he saw the unusual smile on his lips as if he were delighted, which was evident even in the sparkle in his eyes. 'How's it going there?" he couldn't help but ask. 'Perfect! She's so perfect!" Jeydon answered with a smile. They had more photo shoots, and then his mother and sister arrived to take their family picture. He kept glancing outside and at the clock on the wall; to be honest, he felt that time was moving too slowly now, and if he had his way, he would have already pulled the clock's hands to make time go faster. Janice then arrived, and they had another set of photos taken - him, Luigi, Travis, and Janice. Everyone was having fun, and like him, they couldn't wait anymore. He stepped out onto the terrace and looked at their wedding venue set up by the shore. Some musicians and staff were already there, preparing, and the wedding organizer was busy overseeing everything to ensure that the wedding would be smooth and orderly. He looked at the room where he and Briella were staying; he felt like calling her and peeking, even if just for a moment. It would be enough for him to see her even briefly. It was as if his wish was heard, and the door to the terrace in Briella's room opened. He held his breath as Briella slowly stepped out and, like him, surveyed the place where their wedding would take place. He stared at his wife in her entirety; several times, he had to blink because he felt his mouth dry up from seeing her beauty. She seemed surprised when she suddenly looked in his direction, but it was only for a moment, and then she smiled and waved at him. Damn! I think I will always fall in love with this woman, over and over again. He smiled and waved back at her, noticing Chelsey coming out as well. She was surprised to see him but quickly snapped a picture of him. 'Alright, Briella. I want you to face me and lean closer to the trail," he heard Chelsey instruct Briella and then looked at him. 'Big Boss, could you move a bit and pretend to kiss Briella on the cheeks!" Without hesitation, he followed her instructions and did as she asked. They took several shots from that angle before Chelsey clapped her hands and gave the okay sign. Chelsey was good, and even though she claimed she didn't finish her photography course, her shots could be compared to those of professional photographers. Janice wouldn't regret hiring her services, he thought. He even planned to talk to Briella about having Chelsey stop being her Assistant/Manager because, in his opinion, Chelsey would excel more in her true passion. Briella looked at him and mouthed the words, ‘I love you.' He smiled warmly and mimicked her, saying, ‘I love you too.' They locked eyes for a few more seconds before Chelsey interrupted them and told them to go inside and get ready. Luigi came out, too, to remind him. This is it! The moment we've all been waiting for. They were the first to descend and head to the venue. Upon arrival, he scanned the entire place. About ten meters from the shore, a large floating glass stage covered with rose petals served as a carpet leading to the altar. To the left of the altar was a small group of musicians. The wedding organizer approached him and led him to the side of the altar with his father and his best man, Luigi. He took a deep breath and surveyed the surroundings again. The sun was setting, and the floating lanterns at the edges of the pathway were ready, along with the Priest who would bless them. There was only one thing missing... He felt Luigi tap his shoulder. 'Congrats, dude. I'm here as your best bud today, not your assistant. I'm happy you finally reached your dream," Luigi said with a smile. 'A word of advice: don't hold back your tears. I want to see how a devil and a heartless King would cry." Instead of getting annoyed, he laughed at Luigi's advice, patted him on the back, and thanked him. Since he entered their world, Luigi had always been there for him. Not once did he complain, even when Braun yelled at him or when he gave him too much work. He stayed by his side, always guiding him through his duties in the company. He offered Luigi to be his business partner before, but he declined and chose to stay by his side as his assistant. 'Here comes the Bride!" shouted the wedding organizer. 'We'll start the wedding!" He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, along with the booming of his heart. Briella was riding in a sedan chair carried by six people. They stopped right in front of the glass boardwalk adorned with white rose petals. One by one, their families and friends marched, and when they were all there, the white curtain covering his beautiful wife was parted. Exactly as Briella started walking towards the altar, the song 'Perfect" by Ed Sheeran began to play, accompanied by the calm ocean and the cool breeze that sent shivers down his spine. Briella strolled towards the altar with her mother by her side. He bit his lower lip to keep from gasping and calmed himself. He knew his tears were welling up, but he didn't care; he couldn't take his eyes off his wife. He waited eagerly for Briella to approach after years of patiently waiting to cross paths again and believing that they were destined for each other. As Briella stepped in front of him, it felt like a cold hand stroked his heart when he saw tears welling up in her eyes as well. 'Please take care of my daughter, Braun. I entrust her to you," Briella's Mom tearfully said to him. He smiled and nodded, bowing his head. 'I will, thank you," he respectfully replied. Briella's mom hugged him tightly and held one of his hands while the other held Briella's hand. His whole family approached and hugged Briella, then they held hands and walked to the altar together.