Her Wedding: Ch. 05

Smile, like you’ve practiced in front of the mirror ever since you were sixteen.

“Congratulations,” I smile and shake her hand. It is the same smile I taught myself ten years ago. It takes every inch of my willpower not to pull her away from her husband.

She turns to the groom and says, “Dear, these are my secondary school friends!”

For a split second, I scowl at the word “friends”.

I offer to shake the groom’s hand, “Congratulations, you’re a lucky man.”

“Thanks. Wait… Are you…? Are you Satan Incarnate?”

My uninterested eyes gaze into his.

“Wow! I can’t believe it! The cold-blooded Satan Incarnate at my wedding! This is going to be the topic of the year!” He turns to her enthusiastically and exclaims, “Bae, you never mentioned that the notorious Satan Incarnate is your friend! It’s an honour!”

She is dumbfounded. What is he talking about? Even in Law School, she has heard of the callous prosecutor’s reputation. But she never imagined that the finest counsel in Law Society would happen to be me.

I can feel it again. The same unease when every eye in the room scrutinises my every movement. The groom’s family and friends watch me suspiciously. Among them are prominent figures. I recognise a handful of them who are partners of established laws firms, various influential politicians and socialites. The rest is made up of their congregation. I am pretty sure they recognise me as well. Or at least, my alias. Others are apprehensive upon hearing the taboo word which they avoid. It feels as if I am transported back into the courtroom, where I am being judged by refined monkeys in an enclosure.

“You’re exaggerating… You’ve far more renowned guests at your wedding tonight. You don’t have to be overly excited about my presence,” I state as a matter of fact.

The groom, not taking the hint, turns around to look at the group of elites holding champagne glasses, engaging in small talk.

“Yeah. They are close friends of my daddy. Uncle Roland, that’s Justice Ee for your information, has been a close family friend ever since they were in college. Godpa Joe goes way back. He’s my grandfather’s business partner’s son.” He turns back pompously to face me, proud that he has such extensive connections.

My tolerance for this boy is at its limit. I feel a surge of boiling blood gush up my head. Maintaining my grin, I bluntly retort, “If you say it this way, how much of your pocket-money did you earn yourself?”

I stare at him pointedly, waiting for his reply. He looks at me horridly and gasps. All he says is, “Your eyes… They’re red…”

Without delay, I excuse myself to the washroom.