The cars stopped one after another outside the hotel. Family members stepped out, dressed neatly in colorful clothes and suits. The evening sun made the glass doors shine as everyone fixed their clothes and looked around.
Ulmea stepped out behind Liora, holding Flossy's hand. Her eyes moved towards the hotel entrance, scanning for two faces that weren't there.
She turned to Riley. "They're not here yet?"
Riley shook his head, trying to keep his tone light. "Not yet. Maybe they're stuck in traffic."
Ulmea frowned. "But Aslan left over an hour ago."
Altan placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "He said he'd be back. Let's wait inside."
The family walked into the hall. The lights above sparkled gently, and the tables looked nice and tidy. The stage shone with soft white light. Waiters were busy moving between the tables, making sure everything was just right.
But something felt off.
As they walked to their table, Liora leaned in and whispered, "They'll come. They promised."
Ulmea nodded, though her chest felt tight. She checked her phone again. Still no reply.
___
Wystan reached the office and parked his bike near the gate. The building looked quiet from the outside, but something didn't sit right. Two police vans were parked just a few steps away.
He hurried through the glass doors and walked down the hall. As he neared the main office area, voices grew louder.
Then he heard it.
"Aslan Anders!"
The voice wasn't angry, it was official, commanding. The kind that demanded answers.
Wystan stopped for a second, his hand on the edge of the wall. Then he stepped forward.
Through the glass window of the meeting room, he saw Aslan standing by the conference table. Two officers sat across from him. A man in plain clothes was typing something into a laptop. Caleb stood awkwardly near the door.
Something was definitely wrong.
Wystan's eyes narrowed. This wasn't just a routine check.
He pushed the door open.
"Aslan," he said.
Aslan looked back. "Uncle... I was just about to call you."
"What's going on?"
"They got a complaint. Said it's about fake transactions. Someone framed us."
One officer looked up. "We received an anonymous report of suspicious financial activity. The data flags were too specific to ignore."
"We have a wedding today," Wystan said calmly, though his jaw tightened. "We'll cooperate fully, but not now. Give us some time."
"Can't," the officer said flatly. "We have a legal warrant."
Wystan clenched his jaw and pulled out his phone. "I'm calling our lawyer. He's five minutes away. Until then, you get only what's necessary."
The plainclothes officer stood. "We need files, transaction trails, and statements. Now."
Aslan and Caleb moved quickly. They opened systems, printed papers, and connected drives. The minutes passed quickly.
The lawyer soon arrived, storming in with a firm tone. "This whole thing is baseless. You want cooperation? Then follow due process."
"We have," one officer argued.
"My client will cooperate, but they're not happy about it. I'll also be pushing for a full investigation into who submitted this false report."
The officers weren't pleased. They gathered the evidence, muttering as they went. When they left, their steps were loud. They didn't go quietly.
Aslan rubbed his forehead. "This was planned. Someone is framing us."
Wystan stared at the door. "We'll find out who. This isn't over."
He turned to Aslan. "Let's go. We're already forty minutes late."
They stepped out into the dark evening. The city lights made long shadows. Music from the nearby hotel floated in the air softly.
The wedding was happening. People laughed, glasses clinked, and cameras took pictures.
Outside, two men walked towards the entrance, moving steadily and looking calm.
They had decided not to say anything. Not yet. "Just bad traffic," they would tell the others with a light shrug.
Only the close family would know the truth that the delay had nothing to do with traffic, and everything to do with a storm no one had expected.
And the night, dressed in lights and laughter, hid something heavier beneath.
Only Wystan and Aslan carried the full truth. They had chosen silence, not out of fear, but caution. For now, the rest of the family would believe the story they were told. The real reason could wait.
Not every truth needed to arrive on time.
The ceremony ended with the soft sound of music and the flutter of camera flashes. Smiles were wide, clothes perfect, and hands held gently in blessing.
The guests began to gather around the newlyweds. Hugs were shared, photos taken, and small tears wiped away by proud mothers.
Fiora stood beside Riley, looking elegant and calm, her hand resting in his. She gave small, graceful nods to the guests, her eyes glowing with quiet joy.
Soon, it was time to take the bride.
Lyra stepped forward and gently touched Fiora's arm. "It's time, dear."
Fiora turned to hug her mother. Her brother couldn't make it; he was abroad. They smiled, but their eyes were full.
Alex and Liora helped with the flowers and train of her dress, making sure everything was in place.
Outside, the car waited, decorated with soft ribbons and petals. Riley held the door open as Fiora walked slowly with him, hands linked.
"Take care of her," Fiora's mother whispered to Riley just before he stepped in.
"I will," he said quietly, his tone sure.
Aslan stood a little away from the group, watching everything quietly. Wystan stood beside him.
"She looks happy," Wystan said.
"She does," Aslan replied.
The car doors closed. The driver started the engine. Family members stepped back, waving.
The car pulled away slowly, taking the bride with it.
___
The cars returned to the house, bringing the bride along with the rest of the family. As they reached the gate, the entrance lit up with warm lights and soft music, welcoming them back home.
Inside, women gathered near the entrance, ready with rose petals and small trays. The house had been decorated again, this time to welcome the bride.
As Fiora stepped out of the car, Ulmea and Flossy stood with flower petals in their hands. Liora smiled and walked ahead, guiding Fiora slowly inside.
"Welcome home," she whispered.
Riley held Fiora's hand as they walked inside. Lyra followed closely behind, her eyes warm with emotion.
Flossy whispered to Ulmea, "It feels like a dream, doesn't it?"
Ulmea nodded slowly, smiling. "A really good one."
Liora guided Fiora gently past the doorway. "Watch your step," she said cheerfully.
"You're officially part of the chaos now."
Alex chuckled from the back. "Too late to run, Fiora. You're one of us now."
Fiora laughed softly. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
Everyone moved into the living room. Tea was served. The air was light with chatter and laughter. But beneath the smiles, there was still a weight only two men carried.
Wystan sat quietly in the corner, sipping his tea. Aslan stood near the window, his gaze calm but watchful.
The celebration was not fake. The joy was real. But they knew this night had almost taken a different turn.
Only they knew.
And for now, that was enough.