Chapter 160 - Runaway Bride

As Alice got off the car, she even made sure that no one would come out to the courtyard to disturb Zirui. Aunt Nyra had already taken the Mou family aside to tell them everything and they would come out at any moment to 'stand' for Zirui. But since the girl had asked for time, she would have time. Alice had looked at the beefy and muscled security guards and explained again,"No one, I repeat no one is supposed to go from the church to the courtyard unless I say so."

Zirui leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes letting the tears fall. She no more hard a concern for her make up or her hairstyle. When Grandfather and Shantao had chosen that person for her, she had not agreed instead choosing to be with Kieran. 

She had only ever asked him to act as he fiance but he had been the one who insisted that he really was her fiance. They had been friends for a few hours before they had become an engaged couple. If he had left her at the altar at that time, she could have understood him.

But now, she had no idea why he did this. Was her judgement of men so bad that she inadvertently fell in love with men who would humiliate her?

Logically, she knew what she should do. What a strong woman like Alice would have done. She would have kicked aside the humiliation and enjoyed the reception and the dances. Or she would have stood on stage and cursed the jerk who dared to abandon her before announcing that the wedding was called off. But she did not have the courage to do so. 

She knew she was not as strong as she made the world believe. She was still that introverted shy teenager on the inside.

Just as she was trying to gather courage to go inside, she heard the door of the car open and then shut with a click. Zirui did not bother to open her eyes to see who it was and when a pair of arms gathered her in an embrace without a word, she simply broke down and sobbed loudly.

On the other hand, in the small room, old Man Mou almost roared when he heard the explanation and vowed to kill the man when he was finally brought in. Aunt Nyra tried to explain that Kieran must have gotten cold feet and he would definitely marry Zirui once he returned.

But this time the Mou family scoffed and the old woman aodnwith dignity,"We are not that desperate to marry off our granddaughter that we would tie her to an unwilling groom. Let Kieran be brought here to give an explanation to the guests and then we will take our daughter and leave with dignity.".

Aunt Nyra wanted to protest while even Alice wanted to say that Zirui had not yet decided but before either of the parties could say anything, the priest said,"Let me talk to the children. We usually insist on having a couple counselling session before the wedding. We can consider that. Even if the groom had cold feet, I too have seen for myself that both the children really live each other. To err is human. If humans did not make mistakes then they would turn into God, would they not?"

Sighing, the Mou family agreed to take a break and let the priest try and handle it. The only person who did not agree was Shantao who stood in the back quietly wanting to punch the man.

Meanwhile Apollo, Felix and I.M were chatting up in a corner. While everyone was busy gossiping about the sudden delay in the wedding, they had been subject to so much gossip that they had long ago decided to never indulge in such malicious and wasteful past times. As Apollo regaled to them stories about his back breaking training in the army and Felix and I. M about the bloopers they made in foreign countries and languages, it was like the old times again. Only this time their experiences were different and the reasons for their cribbing were also different. 

It was only a little later each of them broached the topic of Gyeom ignoring them. Both Apollo and I.M complained about not being able to get in touch with Gyeom and how he had taken to answering their texts with single word messages, they felt about guilty towards the boy. He was the youngest of them all and yet they had been selfish in their own pursuit of happiness.

Finally Felix looked around the place and said,"He is not avoiding us because he is angry with us. The idiot is nursing a broken heart."

Shocked that their little brother had even had a girl, and had his heart broken, the two people looked at Felix in shock. Felix shook his head and said,"If only you would be a bit more observant. At least Adam used to be observant but now all his focus is on Alice so even he did not realize this.. Who do you think the girl could be when we hardly had any girls around us?"

Apollo and I.M both frowned in thought before Apollo clicked his fingers and said in shock,"Is it sister in law?"

I.M looked scandalized at this and even Felix looked ready to smack the man as he said,"Are you trying to get Gyeom killed? Don't let Adam hear you say something so stupid. Even though we have come go know Alice well, Gyeom has a good memory and has not forgotten how scary Alice can be. Think again."

When I.M and Apollo continued to look blank, Felix said,"Why do you think Gyeom did not come today?"

To this, Apollo answered but then stopped mid sentence as finally the reality sunk in,"He said he was busy...."

The three people stayed silent for a while as they pondered this situation. Just then, Adam returned and sat with a sigh. Unknown to these three, the church had been emptied about as they had continued to talk. The guests had seemed to realize that something was wrong and had tactfully left the venue.

Wordlessly, the three people then stared at Adam with a silent question. Lowering his voice he then said,"The groom has cold feet. The priest is going to have a talk."

Nodding sagely, as each of them had suffered from the same at least on some stage, they did not say anything and continued in silence. They were good friends of Zirui and would have left earlier but they knew without any discussion that if Kieran really did back off or if Zirui decided to not go through with the wedding, then that would have to give Kieran a beating on principle alone. That brother of hers was no match for Kieran."

Just then, Apollo, who was still shocked at his recent discovery, muttered, "We need to call Gyeom.."

"He had called a while ago. Why are you thinking of him now?"

"He called? Why did he call you?"

"I'd sent over a coffee truck to him yesterday."

And he called today? At this time? When he knew you were at Zirui's wedding.."

Adam who was distracted did not find anything amiss but the others slowly exchanged a glance. 

Finally, Felix asked," Does Gyeom know about this?"

Adam frowned in thought. He had called in the time when he had just discovered that Kieran had gone missing. But did he tell him? After thinking for a while Adam shrugged and said,"I have no idea..."

Once again a look was exchanged and Felix decided to enlighten their intelligent friend. But before he could have uttered a word, Shanta barged in with panic eyes and shot straight towards Adam,"Where is Zi zi?"

Adam scowled at this and snapped back,"She is in the car outside. Have you forgotten?"

"No she is not! She is not there and neither is the car!"

Alice who had just walked in followed by Kieran stopped as she heard this. "What do you mean? If she is not in the car, then she must have gone inside to meet the priest."

Just as Alice was saying this Shantao caught a glimpse of Kieran and forgetting his initial worry for Zizi, charged ahead and punched the other man but Kieran was not ready to take any punches and pushed him back as he scowled,"Zirui is gone, isn't she? You might not know where she is but I do. She must be really relieved that I have gotten out of her and Gyeom's way! She has always loved that man anyways.! And now you see! The first opportunity I give her and she takes off with another man! Do I need to marry such a girl so that she can cheat on me later on?"

Before Kieran could continue, however, he was pulled back by the shoulder and came face to face with Gyeom who finally delivered the blow every man there was itching to give.