1 A 32-year-old Sherdan Cohen
The noisy room became momentarily silent after the wide and tall church door was opened. The previous loud conversations and laughter of delight quietened down, leaving only the silent whispers.
Everyone focused their gazes on the wide entrance, waiting for the people to arrive. And true to their expectations, the priest entered and walked towards his designated place.
A minute hadn't even passed, but the groom, dressed in a white tuxedo, followed suit.
Friedde stood 5ft and 7, his features aren't too rough, but it is manly. His dark chestnut eyes give off an alluring aura.
He was originally handsome. But now that he was so well-dressed, he became even more appealing to the eyes.
Furthermore, he walked neither slow nor too fast towards the aisle, remembering the painstaking lectures he had to take for this day that he will marry his dear future wife.
Remembering that, he smiled radiantly.
Right! He's marrying her today. Finally, after several years of enduring.
He stood there while glancing at the door, waiting for the bride to enter. Several ladies and gentlemen had already entered and played their roles, all dressed in either light gray or white.
The best man, Friedde's closest friend, laughed after seeing Friedde's agitation. The same goes with the other guest, they laughed and called out to him for being so lovesick. Friedde, who was rather proud, will only reply with a chuckle.
And then, a lady covered in a long veil appeared. She wore a long wedding gown, adorned with several diamonds and exquisite patterns. Some are scattered at the top of her chest and some on her long slender neck. Like fluttering butterflies or a blossoming flower, it was both bewitching and glamorous.
This aesthetic dress made Imogen who already possesses a lovely feature, look even more dazzling.
Beside her is a tall and handsome man.
Friedde was truly handsome, but if compared with this man, one would realize he's rather mediocre.
This man has short black wavy hair that is parted between his forehead. His eyes were a little slanted, making him look mean and rude, it was accentuated by his light hazel eyes that turn gold-colored under the rays of the sun.
His nose is pointed and his thin reddish lips above his pale white skin, made him look like a blood-sucking vampire.
However, by no means does he look feminine. His jaw was like those sculptured statues of Greek Gods. His body is robust and his muscles could be seen from the forms it made under his black tuxedo.
He walked there beside the bride, after all, he's Imogen's older brother, Sherdan.
Despite being so eye-catching, almost all the guests were from Imogen's circle of friends, so rather than staring at Sherdan, they glance at Imogen to spectate the latter's upcoming wedded life. And, aside from that reason, looking at the distant and cold Sherdan gives them chills, they're afraid the other will glare at them when he noticed.
Although, that's probably just a misconception.
Sherdan walked Imogen to the aisle, toward Friedde.
The responsibility of walking his sister down the aisle was supposed to be his parent's, but since they're long dead, it became another one of Sherdan's.
Imogen glanced at her brother, with an awkward smile. She was guilty of taking his precious time.
Sherdan only indifferently glanced at Imogen, ignoring her in the end. That made the latter look away from him, almost about to cry once again.
Right, how could she forget? Her brother rarely cares about people. In his mind, this is probably just one of those businesses he's obligated to do.
"Don't mind him." A hand touched her's, and Imogen heard the familiar soothing voice, in an instant her sadness was wiped away.
Right, it doesn't matter now. She already has Friedde, her longing for a family will soon be fulfilled. And then, she'll be able to finally feel the familial love she had missed for several years.
"Thank you. Friedde." She said voice laced with love and gratefulness. The man smiled at her lovingly, but when his gaze swept to Sherdan, who was still standing beside them, he turned distant and cold. The warmth was gone in an instant like it was just a hallucination.
Sherdan glanced his way, with an even more indifferent look. His eyes had no shine in them, completely blank, and desolate. The room was silent all of a sudden, the pressure from the two made everyone in the room feel awkward.
In their eyes, Sherdan was probably the villain here. The evil stepmother, as they call it in fairy tales. The one who brings nothing but unpleasant things.
Probably, no one knows that he's the victim in this charade. He's the one they should pity.
At least that's what his secretary thinks. After all, he was the only one here who witness, Sherdan and Friedde's years of relationship.
Secretary Brailey Lincoln had been Sherdan's closest companion for several years, he became his secretary a few years after his father, who was once Sherdan's parent's secretary, died of a heart attack.
Just like those loyal butlers of a noble family you would often see in movies.
Lincoln was once Sherdan's junior under the same university. When he was a kid, he stayed with his mother in the province, so he never saw the young master his father will often mention.
Whenever his father speaks about the young Sherdan who's supposedly sooo responsible and smart', Lincoln will just laugh and say that he's probably exaggerating it.
But all those wrong impressions he had about Sherdan vanished in the instant he saw him struggling to study and at the same time, maintain the company.
At that time, Lincoln's father was already dead, and Sherdan's secretary was someone arranged by his relatives. Sherdan was fighting a lone battle, against the burden of the obligations above his shoulder, and also against the dirty plots of his relatives.
At that time, Lincoln who was once reluctant to listen to his father's wish to become Sherdan's secretary, instantly feel like he could devote himself to this man. And just like his father, become a loyal and efficient secretary.
"I will take care of Imogen," Friedde said. It was a sincere statement, but when he said it to Sherdan, he looks so cold. Like the reason, he said it was only for formality, and no matter what the other said, it wouldn't matter.
Sherdan gave a perfunctory nod, glanced at Imogen for a second then went to his supposed seat.
There was no 'congratulation' nor 'be happy', only a brief uncaring gaze. However, no matter how Imogen hated this situation, her sour heart was already too used to her brother.
So she decided to fight back her tears, and enjoy her grandiose wedding.
After the ceremony was done, everyone was brought to the reception area. Well, except Secretary Lincoln and Sherdan who hurriedly left right after. Imogen decided to just ignore it, and Friedde doesn't even care.
The moment they entered the car Secretary Lincoln spoke.
"President, about the scheduled meeting at Central around 10, I already rescheduled it for tomorrow. I advise that you rest for tonight." Lincoln said, voice laced with worry.
Sherdan nodded and stared outside the window of the car. It was a rainy season, but, surprisingly today the weather's friendly. His sister was blessed to have such nice weather during her wedding.
As Sherdan remembered her sister who had now become so matured and independent, he couldn't help but feel a bit happy, but also a bit sad.
He had neglected her for several years. The broken bond could not be restored anymore. And now that the circumstances had spiraled into such a mess, Sherdan refuses to continue this sufferance.
The moment the car stopped in front of his house and he step foot out of its confines, he felt the coldness of the night.
The lights on the first floor were lit up, the maids and the guards stationed to their posts were probably still up, cleaning till not a speck of dust can be seen. This was mostly because of Secretary Lincoln, that guy had an extreme OCD, he couldn't take it if even a single thing is out of its place.
The second floor, however, was dim. Showing no signs of life. When Sherdan entered, he went past the maids and guards and went straight ahead to the second floor, where his room was located.
Secretary Lincoln on the other hand bid farewell after inspecting the house, and when satisfied he praised the waiting maids.
He was still worried about Sherdan, but the latter would probably dislike it if he barged in again to his space. Sherdan had developed a bit of an introverted personality, if not for business, the other would probably stay inside his house until he's all deathly pale.
Sherdan, who had arrived at his room loosened his tie and changed his clothes into a more comfortable wear. He walked towards the huge balcony and smoked a cigarette to calm his nerves.
The black cigarette camouflaged with the darkness of the night, and the only faint light of red looms, gleaming at the inscrutable face of the man. He laid his back on the cold chair and some smoke escaped from his mouth.
He was trying to quit smoking. But, the heavy scent and the faint taste of sweetness in his mouth were already too familiar that he's no longer able to stop. Anxious whenever he stops himself from smoking, he just decided to let go of the idea.
Today, was exceptionally tiresome. To spectate the union of his younger sister and his ex-boyfriend, he couldn't help his mouth from curving into an ironic smile.
He wanted to give a sincere blessing to his sister, but can he do something like that...?
He had his work cut out for him.
After a long while, he stood up from his seat and got rid of the cigarette. He strode towards the large bed and lay flat on the soft mattress.
A moment later, the room turned dreary.
