Chapter 10.

Although time passed by quickly after he left the girl and the old man by the river, he didn't think he would see her so soon.

The lady now looked a lot better, happier. Slade could sigh in relief. But when he realised where she was, he couldn't help but wonder again. Does she perhaps live here? Because she didn't look (dress) like someone who was here for the wedding.

"Good day, miss." Matthew's face turned warm when he saw the beautiful lady. There was a fat smile on his face.

When the lady looked up and saw Slade, she was surprised. She recognized him instantly.

"This fool here has come to cause trouble," Matthew explained to the lady. "You're just in time; this thief might have stolen or copied your father's ring. We're about to take him to the police station."

Father! The Paxtons were stunned as they looked at the girl in front of them.

She's the only daughter of Jendall Kurtis. The heiress of the Kurtis mighty family!

Although Candyce was the only daughter of her father, she wasn't always in the magazines and on the news. So, not many people knew her in person.

"Yes!" Mrs. Paxton quickly stepped in. "This miser must have stolen or forged the ring! How in the world would he be able to lay his hand on a precious treasure like this?"

"This is my father's ring!" Candyce, the lady, exclaimed.

She has been staring at the ring for a while now and could tell that it was her father's ring. Even if someone was to forge a ring that looked like it, there was a small tint in the corner of the ring that could never be imitated.

Candyce could tell in one heartbeat that it belonged to her father.

"This is the real ring of the JK family?" Mr Paxton asked in utter disbelief.

"Does that mean that the ring was not forged?" Mrs. Paxton asked, unwilling to believe.

"Yes." Candyce nodded softly, agreeing to the claims.

“Then we have strong evidences to send you to the office!”

Candyce looked deeply at Slade.

"Thank you for saving me before, my savior," Candyce said. "I'm sorry I haven't thanked you in person. I don't even know your name."

"My name is Slade Nyther," Slade replied.

"Mr. Nyther, do you need me to help you deal with these unpleasant matters?"

"Just call me Slade," Slade said. "There’s nothing unpleasant here, just a few small misunderstandings."

Seeing Candyce so respectful to Slade, the Paxtons were dumbfounded.

"You must have mistaken someone, Miss Kurtis!" Mr. Paxton blurted out.

It was no wonder they were so agitated; after all, not even the patriarch of the Langley family could meet Candyce Jendall Kurtis at will.

"Let go of him at this instant!" She snapped at Matthew.

Mr and Mrs Paxton were stunned out of their wits.

What the hell was happening? Why was she yelling at Matthew and not Slade?!

Candyce walked closer to Slade and slowly bowed to him in both a feminine and respectful manner.

"I'm so sorry for disrespecting you." She said.

The Paxton's family's jaws were all over the place. This must have been some sort of dark magic. Who was this bowing to the good for nothing ex-convict?! Candyce Jendall Kurtis? The most sought beauty all across the country?

"My father said he was very honored to have given you the ring." Candyce added.

"Honored?!" Mr Paxton exclaimed. "Did she just say honored?!" His head was just about to explode.

The great and mighty Jendall Kurtis is honored to give his dearest treasure, that money can not buy, to this ex-convict? Mr and Mrs Paxton had no clue what was going on. They thought this was a video game, and they were in a virtual world, only that there was no console or helmet.

"If you don't mind, Sir. I would love to take you to any place within this estate." Candyce added.

"I'm sorry I will have to decline." Slade replied humbly, "I have to see Mariana right now. I need to clarify some things." Slade was brief and precise.

As soon as Slade said this, he started to hurry towards the cathedral. Nothing could stop him right now. Not even the mother and father of the bride or groom could stop him! Stopping him would be like trying to stop Jendal Kurtis from entering into the church!

"Where do you think you are going? Come back here!" Mr Paxton yelled with all his might. He could only shout.

"Don't go near my daughter. You murderer! Don't go near her!" Mrs Paxton screamed. "Don't trust that ex-convict! He's a murderer!" Linda warned Candyce.

When Slade heard what Linda had just yelled, his legs came to a halt. It was as though he was hit by an arm of rock that was cut out by the fiercest wind!

Linda had just called him a murderer?

Three years ago, Mariana told him that she was overspeeding! That was why he had volunteered to tell the police that he was the driver of the car. When he got to station, he was told that she had killed someone. It was a hit-and-run situation. He didn't get to ask her any question since he was locked up and she didn't show up! But with what Linda had just said, does everybody now think of him as a murderer?! Was he blamed for something he didn't do? Was he called a murderer because of what Mariana did?

The remaining part of Slade's heart became a pulp. He realised that the situation was more complicated than he thought. He was extremely angry at this point.

His need and desire to see Mariana hightened, and he continued navigating his way until he arrived at the waiting room of the bride.

Candyce had followed Slade from behind, and he didn't notice until he was close to the waiting room. He was deep in thoughts.

"Wait for me." He said to Candyce and sneaked into the waiting room.

Entering into the waiting room, he saw a lady dressed in a snow-white gown that looked extremely impeccable. Slade swallowed at the sight as memories started flowing in. Memories of them being together and sharing good times.

Not now! He blocked those thoughts out.

"Mariana." He called her name.

The call of her name made her turn abruptly. The sound of this voice sounded too strange to be familiar.

When she turned to face him, Slade slipped into deep anguish. He thought he was over this already, but seeing her face in person again stuck dagger in his heart!

He had always imagined this day. A day when he would put a ring in her finger and wait for her down the aisle as she walked towards him with a smile. But right now, the day is here, but he's not the man!

When Mariana realised who was standing in front of her, her eyes widened. She was in total awe, disbelief, and shock. She let out a shriek!

The shriek startled Slade. She suddenly pointed her finger at him!

"Slade! What are you doing here?" She screamed. "How did you get here?"

Before Slade could even answer,

"Security! Somebody! Security, help!" She was so loud that her lungs almost burst.