From Useless To Indispensable

Laughingstock

Richard saw the commotion going on. He found his newly wedded wife beside the man who shared a resemblance with the man in the photo. He saw how his wife was pointing fingers at him and laughing. The others weren't exempted even the people who didn't know him before joined in the laughter. This made Richard shudder even more.

"How am I going to handle this?" He asked rubbing his temple in frustration as he started biting his fingernails. Richard gazed at his phone one more time, seeing the photo and the man who was being humiliated made him go weak on his knees. "What should I do now? Liana is a deep trouble."

His best man, Larry, saw Richard's shaking figure from afar. He knew things weren't going well with the latter as he approached him making Richard startled.

"Gosh, you startled me," Richard said in shock.

"What's the matter? Why are the seats empty? Your mother-in-law and the others are waiting for you and your bride in the room." Larry informed. He focused his gaze on the congregation and saw a man standing amidst them as fingers were pointed at him.

"Larry, I'm in deep shit!" Richard said in frustration as he rested his arm on Larry's shoulder for support.

Confusion etched on Larry's face as his focus deviated from the laughingstock to the man beside him. "What's wrong? Your wedding has suddenly crashed, it has turned to a place of mockery already." Larry face palmed himself, sighing.

"My wedding has completely crashed, not just because the seats are empty it's because my wife doesn't know who she's dealing with," Richard said, with beads of sweat already forming on his forehead.

Larry gave him a questioning look, oblivious to everything Richard had just said. With a sigh, Richard handed over this phone to Larry and showed him a message and the photo that was sent to him by his boss.

"Oh my goodness!" Larry exclaimed as he read through the message. He gazed up at the man who was being mocked by the entire people who came for the wedding. He took pity on the man and at the same time took pity on everyone who was mocking him as they didn't know who they were dealing with.

"Fuck! This is crap. What am I supposed to do? The boss would have told me that his grandson was going to come visit." Richard muttered under his breath, he continued sighing in frustration as he didn't know how to handle the situation.

An idea jolted Larry as he removed Richard's arms from his shoulder. "You have to be strong. You need to help your boss's grandson now unless the company that was handed over to you would be gone for good and don't lie to your wife you inherited it, you fucking didn't inherit any shit." Larry gave a strict warning that he was sure Richard would adhere to.

Richard just nodded in response as he composed himself, taking in a deep breath and adjusting his necktie. With a final sigh, he walked up to the crowd and their laughter made his ears twitch in disgust.

"The groom is here!" A certain person announced with a loud voice as Richard's presence became noticed.

Liana's face brightened up as she locked her gaze with her husband who had a deep frown on his face. She walked up to him and took his hand undermining his mood.

"Honey, this is the pauper you met at the graduation ceremony. The one I broke up with because he has nothing to offer." Liana said a satisfactory smile played on her lips as she threw death shades at Chris who was fixing up his tie.

Richard knew how much the suit cost and he knew undeniably that his wife had humiliated the grandson of his boss and he'd be in trouble because of her. If only he knew that Chris was the grandson of his boss the other day at the graduation, he wouldn't have accepted Liana and agreed to marry her. Thinking about it made his heartbeat accelerate.

Liana noticed her husband's change of mood but she didn't digress from the topic as she'll stop at nothing until she makes life unbearable for Chris.

"Honey, do you have a cleaner that's I'm charge of the sweeping? If not, he'd be a big help." Liana said and everyone laughed at her words.

Richard couldn't bear it any longer. Chris on the other hand couldn't stand the shame and embarrassment. The pitiful look on Chris's face made Richard dive into action as he raised his hand and slapped Liana across the face making the whole room silent.

The sound of the slap echoed in the room as Liana held her face in shock. Her makeup was ruined, and his five fingers were etched on his face in shades of red.

Chris, however, didn't expect that to happen as he was surprised too. "That serves her right." He said, his voice barely audible. Now the table has turned for Liana to be the laughingstock on her wedding day.

"Richard, what...did...did you just slap me?" She shuttered in disbelief.

Richard's frown deepened. "And I'll do that again if you don't kneel and beg for his forgiveness."

"What?!" Liana exclaimed.

The colleagues and congregation that joined in the laughter all ceased to laugh as their jaws dropped to the happenings, their breath hitched as they couldn't believe Liana was being slapped on her wedding by her husband because of what...?

"Do that now?" Richard yelled.

Liana glanced at the confused-looking man that she had mocked and humiliated a few seconds ago as she was the one being humiliated in his presence.

Larry had a proud smile on his face as he watched them from behind. "Now, that's what I'm talking about." He laughed.

Richard ignored Liana as he went down on his knees in front of Chris and bowed. Liana couldn't believe this was happening and didn't know what was wrong with her husband. She tried telling him to stand up that he had got the wrong person but he pushed her away.

"You can't humiliate my boss in my presence." Were the words that came out of Richard's mouth leaving Liana completely dumbfounded?