The wedding hall was filled with excited chatter and flashes from cameras as guests eagerly awaited the arrival of the bride and groom. The scent of fresh flowers wafted through the air, and the delicate rustle of expensive fabrics underscored the grandeur of the day.
The event was taking place in a luxurious hotel, with the bride and groom still in their rooms preparing for the ceremony.
In the bride's suite, the atmosphere was lively and affectionate. Flora's family and friends surrounded her, teasing her lovingly as the stylist adjusted her gown and gave her makeup a final touch.
Flora sat gracefully, glowing in her wedding gown, her eyes twinkling despite the heavy truth that lingered quietly in her heart—she knew the groom did not love her. And yet, her smile did not falter.
---
Meanwhile, in the groom's suite, Alder stood before a mirror adjusting his black suit.
Reed Cloud furrowed his brows as he watched. "Why would you wear a completely black suit on your wedding day? Can you at least change the shirt to white?"
He shook his head, the exasperation in his voice barely hidden. "I swear you're obsessed with black."
"I thought I was the only one against it," Leif added with a sigh.
Alder didn't say a word. He simply continued dressing, unbothered by their comments.
"Why do you love black so much?" Reed pressed on, unoffended by the silence. He was used to Alder's habit of ignoring people when it suited him.
Alder finally answered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Someone told me I look good in black."
"It must be that lady—and she's deceiving you," Reed joked, clicking his tongue. But they all knew he wasn't referring to Flora.
"Are you saying I look bad?" Alder asked with a smile playing on his face.
"Of course you do," Leif replied flatly.
Reed quickly turned on Leif. "Big bro must be jealous of your good looks!"
Alder chuckled at their antics while Leif rolled his eyes, ignoring the banter. He was used to the way Reed and Alder insulted and defended each other in the same breath.
A sudden knock at the door broke the rhythm.
Reed opened the door and found a room attendant standing there.
"This is for Mr. Alder Smith," she said politely, handing Reed an envelope and offering him a polite smile before walking away.
"Thanks," Reed said, shutting the door. He turned to Alder. "Someone sent this for you."
"Maybe it's from the bride," Leif guessed.
"She probably wrote about her undying love for you," Reed joked.
"When did you become a chatterbox?" Alder asked with a raised brow.
"He has always been one—you just didn't notice," Leif muttered.
Alder pulled the letter from the envelope and read silently.
Can you please meet me at the parking lot? I really need to talk to you. Please come alone. Yours sincerely, W.L.
He stared at the initials, a flicker of something unreadable flashing across his face. Without another word, he murmured, "I'll be back," and walked out.
Reed stared after him. "Maybe they're meeting in a secret place before the wedding."
"Do you have to talk?" Leif asked, shaking his head.
Reed hs completely different behavior as a boss and when he's Alder and Leif
---
After several minutes passed and Alder hadn't returned, Reed and Leif started to worry. The ceremony was moments away and they couldn't find him.
At the wedding hall, guests were beginning to shift impatiently. The groom was still absent.
Juniper, Iris, and Sage approached Leif and Reed, with concern written all over their faces.
"Where's Alder?" Juniper asked, her voice tense.
"He received a letter. He left and hasn't come back," Reed answered, his voice carrying an edge of anxiety.
"Have you called him?" Sage asked quickly.
"Yes, but he's not picking up," Reed said, exchanging a troubled glance with Leif.
"Let's ask Flora—maybe she sent the letter," Leif suggested.
"Let me call her," Sage said, pulling out her phone. But Flora didn't answer.
"Did he run away from his own wedding?" Iris asked, her tone half-shocked, half-incredulous.
"He's not someone like that," Leif said firmly. He knew his brother. If Alder didn't want the wedding, he'd say it. Boldly.
"Let's go to Flora first," Juniper said, and they all headed to her room.
Flora turned at their entrance, confusion on her face.
"Did you see Alder?" Juniper asked, worry laced in every syllable.
"Alder? Where's he?" Flora asked, clearly concerned.
"He got a letter and he's been missing since then… I even thought the letter was from you," Reed said.
"I didn't send any letter," Flora replied, her voice trembling slightly.
"What's going on?" Laurel, Flora's mother, asked, stepping forward.
"Alder is nowhere to be found, Mom," Flora said, panic rising.
Everyone in the room went quiet, the tension heavy.
"Did you call him?" Laurel asked.
"We did, but he's not picking up," Reed replied.
"Where's the groom?" Noah, Flora's father, asked as he stepped in. "It's time for him to enter the hall."
Flora's hands trembled as she clutched her phone. "Dad… Alder's missing."
"What do you mean?" Noah asked, eyes narrowing.
"Did he run away from the wedding?" Laurel asked, folding her arms.
"Are the Smiths trying to humiliate my daughter on her wedding day? Don't think just because you're wealthier, the Montclairs are people to be trifled with!"
"Calm down. We also don't know where he is right now," Reed said.
"He might even be in danger," Sage added.
"What's going on Juniper? The guest have been waiting" Aurora Reed mother said followed by Ocean her daughter
"Alder is missing" Reed replied
"What?" Ocean said with concern
"Who brought the letter?" Noah asked not ready for the mother and daughter's surprise.
"A female room service attendant," Reed replied.
"Can you recognize her?" Juniper asked.
"Yes, I can," Reed affirmed.
"Let's go find her then," Iris said. Even the bride, still in her wedding gown, joined them.
At the hotel counter, they described the woman, and one of the workers immediately recognized her.
"Hi. You delivered a letter to Room 1105—can you tell us who gave it to you?" Reed asked.
"A young lady in a black tank top and black cargo pants. She was a bit tall and… beautiful," the room service attendant added, nervously glancing at Flora.
"Beautiful?" Flora echoed, her voice sharp. The attendant swallowed hard.
"Did she say anything to you?" Sage asked, steering the focus.
"She just said to deliver the letter to Mr. Alder Smith and that it was important."
"You don't even know who that person is and you delivered her letter? What if it's something dangerous?!" Flora shouted.
"Calm down," Noah said, gently steadying his daughter.
"What if it's dangerous, Dad?" Flora asked, her voice breaking.
The manager arrived. "What's going on here?"
"Mr. Smith," he addressed Leif, "is everything alright?"
"Can we check the surveillance camera?" Leif asked.
"Of course," the manager agreed.
---
In the surveillance room, they watched the footage.
"That's her," the attendant said, pointing.
The woman matched the description exactly—getting out of a black Jeep, wearing a mask. She spoke with the room attendant before handing her the letter.
"Willow?" Sage and Reed said simultaneously.
"Willow?" the others echoed, brows raised.
"Check the parking lot footage," Leif said.
The camera showed Alder walking into the parking lot. A car flashes its lights. He approached it, spoke to someone inside, and then entered. Moments later, the car drove off.
"Did he just leave willingly with her?" Laurel asked.
"Something must be going on," Leif said defensively.
"Your brother just insulted my daughter by leaving with her—and you think you can defend him?!" Noah snapped.
---
In Alder's hotel room, everyone sat in silence until Laurel's anger exploded.
"Alder wants to ruin my daughter's life!"
"I think he was kidnapped," Iris tried to defend him.
"He's a grown man—you think he was kidnapped by that petite lady?!" Laurel scoffed.
"Anyone can be kidnapped" Ocean defend
"We should call the police," Noah said.
"Do you really think it's kidnapping?" Juniper asked.
"He doesn't need to be kidnapped to follow Willow," Flora said, her voice laced with pain.
"They haven't been in contact for years," Sage offered, though her heart was uneasy.
"Let's call the police. This wedding must proceed," Noah declared.
Leif and Noah made calls, and Juniper contacted someone to block the airport, in case they tried to flee.
---
In a old but clean apartment hours away from the hotel, Alder woke up tied to a chair.
His jacket was gone. He was still in his black dress shirt and pants.
He tried to break free, but the ropes held firm.
A voice broke the silence. "You're awake?"
"No, I'm still dreaming," Alder replied, voice dry.
"Did you dream about me?" Willow asked with a smirk.
"More like a nightmare," he muttered.
"It's evening—it must've been an evening-mare," Willow joked.
"What's the meaning of this nonsense, Willow? How did I get here?!"
Flashback
In the parking lot, Alder approached the car.
"What do you want?" he asked Willow.
"Can we talk in the car?" she smiled.
He hesitated, then opened the passenger door.
Before he could sit fully, a heavy scent filled the air. "What exactly did you spray—"
He collapsed mid-sentence.
"Sorry," Willow whispered, and drove off.
End of Flashback