Mistaken by the Billionaire Marquess

CHAPTER 50: Wedding

– LIA –

APOLOGIES and hugs. Those were the things that my real parents did after we found out the truth about my identity.

At first, I still can’t believe it. All my life, I was thinking that I am a normal girl who grew up in a poor life. I used to believe that I can’t feel the love of my parents anymore. However, looking at the two lovers in front of me, I would say the opposite.

A lot of things changed after that day. My parents processed my documents immediately so that I will bear their surname. I’m glad that they let me use my adopted name, Ma. Mahalia, instead of the old one. They told me that Mahalia is such a lovely name that they don’t want to change it.

Days passed and I finally became a Cortez. As I changed my surname, my social status went with it. All of a sudden, I’m inside an office, doing business tasks and learning more about investment. It was such a tiring journey, but my family and boyfriend made it easier for me.

“Are you ready for your special day, mi hija?”

I look at the mirror and saw my Mama standing behind me, having a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

I nodded. “I’m so excited Mama. I can’t wait to become Mrs. Gonzales.”

Mama helped me stand up and fixed my wedding gown. “You look very elegant today, mi hija,” she spoke with teary eyes.

I stared at myself on a life-sized mirror. In my whole life, I never thought about marriage. I was too busy solving cases, catching criminals, and surviving everyday. But now, I look stunning.

My wedding gown is a white off-shoulder one with ruffled fabric that extends from my two shoulders and encircles my body. The upper part, from my waist to chest, is filled with blue small flower design. My ball-gown-style skirt extends several meters that we needed almost 10 people to help me carry it.

What’s amazing is that the skirt is filled with blue diamond, from the waist until to the very end of the fabric.

“I’m afraid to walk, Mama. Some of the diamonds might fall,” I said while pouting.

Mama Tine gently touched my exposed shoulder. “I’m sure that you’re soon-to-be husband won’t mind.”

We were busy talking about the upcoming wedding when one of the organizers informed us that the limousine we’ll use to travel to the church has arrived.

The travel to Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar was uneventful. Mama and Papa both have teary eyes while reminding me to enjoy my wedding.

“I can’t believe that my little girl is now grown up,” Papa Ezekiel said while we were walking towards the entrance of the church.

My eyes explored the exterior of the church. The design is very different from the ones we have in the Philippines. The huge circular design in the middle of it caught my attention. It looks so unique in my eyes.

I simple looked around and I noticed that there are a lot of people sitting outside the venue. The exterior was like an extension of the interior of the church. Ladies in blue gown and men in suits are standing and staring at me.

“Are you ready?” my parents asked me in unison.

I slowly nodded before taking a deep breath. As the door opens, the melodic music started playing. Hundreds of people greeted me with their smiling faces.

With my parents on both sides, I started walking. My eyes don’t have the time to look around, for it was glued on the man standing at the altar.

He’s staring straight back at me. His smile never fade as I walk slowly towards him. The time passes so slow that I felt like it took forever for me to reach me.

“Take care of our daughter and make her happy,” Papa Ezekiel told Kelleon before handing me to him.

Kelleon smiled. “I will, Papa. I promise.”

He intertwined our fingers together before we face the priest. “You look beautiful, mi amor. ”

“And you’re not so bad yourself,” I responded with a smile.

As the ceremony started, my lips are still in a smile. The wedding seems so long and unending until the priest asked the both of us.

“Marquess Kelleon Gonzales, do you take Lady Ma. Mahalia Cortez as your wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her so long as you both shall live?”

As fast as a lightning, Kelleon answered. “I do, Father.”

The priest looked at me before asking. “Lady Ma. Mahalia Cortez, do you take Marquess Kelleon Gonzales as your 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?”

My head slowly turned to Kelleon. His eyes were filled of worry and fear as I look at him with no emotions. Everyone inside the venue was quiet and waiting for my answer.

Just before Kelleon could open his mouth to speak, I smiled at him widely. “Of course. I do, Father,” I said before making a smug face at him.

Some of the guests laugh when they realized that I was making fun of Kelleon, while other blew out a sense of relief, especially our parents.

Kelleon leaned towards my ear before whispering. “I’ll punish you real good for doing that.”

He was about to bite my earlobe when he realized that I was wearing a veil. He backed himself and I gave him a judging look.

The priest cleared his throat before he continued. More words and then we came to the part where we’ll say our vows.

Kelleon picked the ring with a medium-sized blue diamond crystal on top of it. “Mi amor, from the moment I first saw you, I already know that you’re the one I will marry. You’re different. You caught me when I heard you laughing with your friend,” he chuckled as if he remembered a funny part of his life. “I didn’t know that someone could really laugh as loud as that,” his lips formed a smile.” “You look so happy everytime you eat a good food. You look beautiful in my eyes even if you think you look like hell.”

His hand slowly placed the ring on my finger. “With this ring, I promise to make you smile everyday. I promise take care of you and protect you from any harm that will come on our way. I promise to be a good husband and father for our kids. There are a lot of things that I want to promise to you, countless that I can’t say them now. But I assure you that I have a lifetime to prove my love for you. Te amo mucho, mi amor.”

I tried not to cry because I still have a speech to say. My hand reached for the other ring and slowly placed it on his finger.

“Cariño, take this ring as a sign of my love, loyalty, and trust for you. We met each other in a very unusual way. I still remember the time you shouted at me when you mistook me for someone else,” Kelleon suddenly became stiff. “and by the way, I already forgave you for that.”

I gave him the sweetest smile I have. “We encountered a lot of hindrances on our way, but you held my hand tight and fought with me. Your love never faded after all those things that happened to us. You decided to trust me, and I can’t thank you enough for that,” I paused for a second. “I promise that I will stay by your side for a lifetime. I promise to make a happy and comfortable home with you. I promise always understand you and take care of you. I promise you my love. I love you, my lord.”

Our eyes never leave each other’s gaze after that. I can hear the priest talking about something, but I am too focused on the man in front of me, looking at me with such love in his eyes.

I consider myself lucky for meeting him. If not for Denisse, maybe Kelleon and I already have our own family.

It was a delayed love story, but I don’t care. What I care the most is that he will be officially mine, and we will make this lifetime a good experience for the both of us.

“I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may now kiss the b-”

Kelleon hurriedly remove the veil covering my face and attack me with a kiss. The whole church was filled of claps and cheers for the newlyweds.

The day passed slowly. We had a celebration in a reception wherein lots of Spanish and Filipino delicacies where present. I tasted every dish and my husband is very willing to feed me.

Our godparents and some of the sponsors gave us money as we had our first dance as a married couple. Some of the money were paste together to form a cape or a skirt. Others were in a form of cheque. I couldn’t count all of it and Cloud was the one who took care of that.

There are also other gifts like jewelries, dresses, appliances. Others even gave us a brand new yatch, which made my jaw dropped.

In the middle of dancing happily, Kelleon put something on my neck.

“Oh, my god,” I said while looking down and holding the blue necklace he gave.

He planted small kisses on my cheek. “This was stole by Dennise before, but I was able to retrieve it from her. This is the heirloom of our family. This necklace is being passed down to the first woman in our family,” he stopped before looking at my eyes. “I have no sister, and since you’re my wife, this necklace will now be yours.”

I wasn’t able to say anything aside for a thank you.

After some moments, Kelleon whispered in my ear.

“Let’s ditch them, mi amor? I can’t wait for our honeymoon.”

I didn’t speak. As a response, I grabbed his crotch. I pulled his hand towards the exit of the reception while giving Mama Tine and Mama Thea a meaningful look.

“I want to try the beds in our new yatch,” I said as we enter the yatch that was a gift to us.

My husband playfully licked my earlobe and showered me with kisses. “Te amo, mi amor.”

“Te amo tambien, cariño,” I said before giving him a deep, passionate kiss.

It was a touch journey, but we hold on. At first, I thought that my vacation in Spain was turned into waste. But looking at today, I have never imagined that being mistaken by this billionaire marquess will lead me to this perfect life.

– END –