Chapter 1298 - Here Comes Marija (the Second Time)

Not so long ago, downstairs, at the party… 

The hotel where Sarah's and Aiden's wedding party is being held is on a small peninsula on the Lake Brienz. 

Two sides of the hotel are facing the lake, out of which one expands into a sun terrace with a seating and an open access to a dock, and the other side of the hotel has a two terraces: one on the upper level with seating, and the ground level is much larger with tables, a spacious open area for dancing and a stage for a band. This ground level terrace curves around the building before it opens up to a well maintained garden. 

The ground level of the hotel has a banquet hall which opens up to both terraces and provides stairs to go to the upper level. 

Most of the older generation is sitting on the upper level terrace, enjoying the delicious food while chatting and observing the views of the lake and the party below them. 

All the guests saw Sarah and Aiden coming down with a parachute and are expecting them to come down. Any minute now… any minute. Or so they thought.

The local band is entertaining the guests with music and their repertoire are covers of famous rock and pop songs in English, mostly from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The atmosphere is lively. People are chatting and laughing. There is plenty of snacks and drinks, some of which are brought from the United States, and some are local products. 

As a bonus for the guests, the dock of the hotel is lined with power boats which can take up to eight passengers each. The powerboats are available for the guests to use them to cruise on the lake as long as they know how to drive one. There is even fishing equipment, and everything they might need for water skiing. And kayaking is available as well.

The indoor hall has in one corner setup for karaoke, and the room in the back has pool tables and dart boards.

The bar offers an exotic variety of freshly brewed coffee and colorful cocktails which are served in small glasses for people to sample them.

The garden has a photo booth with various props where guests can take their own photos. And next to the photo booth is a huge jenga.

The garden also has a lake access with a pebble beach, and the large stack of wood pieces piled up upright is a giveaway that later they will get to enjoy a bonfire on the beach. 

No one will be bored at this wedding.

At this time, Ade spotted Sarah and Aiden walking out on the top floor balcony. He waved to get their attention, but it didn't work so he did the next thing which came to his mind: he whistled loudly. 

"What are you doing?", Jamari grumbled.

Ade grinned while slapping Jamari on the chest with the back of his left palm and waving vigorously with his right arm while looking up.

Jamari followed Ade's sight and his eyes lit up when he saw Sarah and Aiden. Then he started waving as well. 

The two youngsters attracted attention of other guests and within few seconds all the guests waved up.

"Look at the newlyweds!", Nico shouted with a big grin on his face.

"They look amazing together.", Masika said at the same time.

"When are you coming down?", Wally's yell covered Nico's and Masika's words.

Others were saying something as well, but it all blended and ended up being just… noisy.

Aiden and Sarah waved toward the guests before going back inside.

"They are coming down, right?", Sean asked Ron, Allen and Julius who were standing next to him.

Allen and Julius bobbed their heads. "Eventually.", they said in unison.

Oni was still looking at the balcony where Sarah and Aiden stood with a gentle smile lingering at the edge of her lips.

"You are happy.", Michael's voice sounded.

She glanced to the side and met his eyes. "Yeah. I am happy for them. Love like that is difficult to find."

Michael leaned closer and said softly: "Every couple is different, and there are no two loves which are the same. If you stop looking up at them and pay attention around you, you might find that your love is much closer than you thought."

Oni was unable to stop blinking rapidly. Why is he looking at her with such a gentle gaze? And what is with that sly smile on his face? 

"I… I need to check something…", she stuttered and dashed inside the event hall.

Michael looked after Oni and a smile was still lingering on his face. He is in a good mood. Slowly he will win her back. He knows that.

As much as there is music, food and entertainment, Sarah's and Aiden's kids understand that the security is their top priority and most of them are vigilant. Especially the generals. You can never be too careful. 

With all the security and the drones, no one can come and cause any real harm, but there is a chance that the mood will be ruined, and no one wants that.

Felix is the main contact in case anything goes wrong, Steve is his backup, and Sarah's and Aiden's kids are taking turns in patrolling the area.

Most of the people present are aware in one way or another that Sarah and Aiden went through many trials before reaching this point, and the biggest one was three months when Aiden was in a coma. 

There are few which don't understand how deep the bond between the newlyweds is and are treating this event as any other wedding. One such a person is Marija.

Marija's eyes are not leaving Michael and she noticed that he is treating her differently. Usually, in front of the people he would be aloof, but today he is avoiding her. She also saw that Michael is sticking to Oni most of the time. What is up with that? Why would such an indifferent guy stick to a teenage girl?

Well, she is not the one to keep the things hanging in the air. She spotted the opportunity when he went to the garden and she followed.

"Are you avoiding me?", Marija asked when she was few steps away from Michael.

"Yes.", he said bluntly.

Marija was stunned momentarily by that brutal honesty. "Why?"

"Because I don't know how to tell you to stop following me."

Again, Marija was stunned. She didn't expect this. They were getting along fine only few days ago. And she is not aware that anything bad happened. 

"Well… you told me now.", she said after some time.

"I guess I did.", he acknowledged.

"I understand that you are busy. You have a special role at this wedding. We can meet later, after the event.", Marija said with a smile and turned to leave.

"No. Not now, and not later."

Michael's words made Marija rooted in spot. She faced him in slow motion and said irritably: "Is it because of that girl, Oni?" 

Michael can see that Marija is getting upset, and he does not want to risk putting Oni into an uncomfortable situation, because if he says 'yes' as an answer to Marija's question, who knows what Marija will do?

However, that second of silence was the confirmation Marija needed.

Marija nodded knowingly. "I see. She seduced you."

"It is not like that."

"And how is it?", Marija asked mockingly. 

"If you must know, she rejected me."

Marija shrugged. "She is playing hard to get? That works also."

Michael gritted his teeth. "She is not playing anything, and she has nothing to do with this. Don't drag her down for no reason."

"I see… she is not playing because she is an inexperienced girl. Is that what makes you tick? You like them young and untouched?", Marija's voice was filled with provocation. 

Michael balled his hands into fists and told himself to calm down. Losing his cool will not help anyone. Especially not Oni. "Do you need to be like this? We didn't date and I never promised you anything. We shared two nights over the course of nine months. Can you let me go without spoiling my image of you?"

"Sure. No problem. Have a nice life, Jesse.", Marija said dejectedly and walked away.

Michael took a deep breath. He hopes that this is over but just in case… his fingers moved swiftly in the air and on the Eve-vision he set an alert: if Marija approaches Oni to notify him. With drones watching over the whole event, he should be able to see if Marija is about to cause trouble.

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