Saving the Villain

After the best man's speech, Sarah also made her speech as she was the bride's maid of honor. Unlike Luke, whose speech was ninety percent troll, making fun of the groom, Sarah's speech was way more serious.

Sarah thanked Cosette for their friendship and for the opportunity of making her Cosette's maid of honor. She then went on, sharing with the guests her relationship with Cosette.

"To be honest, I don't believe in marriage. My parents divorced years ago, and that separation almost ruined my and my sibling's future. As a teen, I had myriads of questions about why things went how they did. You can say I was traumatized, twisting everything, and believing that everything had its end." Sarah smiled bitterly. "However, as I stand here, looking at how happy you two are, I want to believe I was wrong."

"Regardless of my twisted outlook in marriage, I sincerely and deeply wish you two nothing but happiness." Her eyes softened. "Maxen, to be honest, I didn't like you at first. I thought you were scary and arrogant — the pole opposite of Cosette."

"He is still an arrogant prick, and he knows that!" Luke yelled from the crowd, making everyone laugh.

Sarah cleared her throat as she continued. "But after years of standing on the side, watching you two, I know you genuinely love Cosette more than anyone could imagine. Still, I ask you to take care of Cosette and make her the happiest because she deserves it."

"Cosette is very precious to me, and I'm sure she took up a spot in everyone's heart that no one could ever replace." She looked at the guest, catching them rocking their heads in agreement. "You might've been tired of hearing these now, but… we love her just as deeply as you do. So, take care of her. Don't make her cry, don't disappoint her, or even make her angry. It's impossible, but be extra patient with her."

Cosette couldn't stop her tears again, but this time, she held onto Maxen's handkerchief to wipe her tears. Maxen nodded at Sarah, making the latter smile back at him.

"Cosette, my dearest friend, I know how much you waited for this day. And I'm happy that you finally tied the knot with the man you loved so dearly," Sarah continued, this time addressing her message to Cosette. "I mentioned it before, but I will say it again. Thank you for giving me the honor of becoming your maid of honor. Thank you for being my friend and for saving my life."

"You might not know it, but I owe you my life. Those days you lend your ears and held my hands as you listened to me without saying anything meant a lot to me. Now, on this day, I wish you nothing but the best. They said marriage is full of ups and downs, but if you ever needed an ear or a friend, I am just one call away." She offered the crying bride a gentle smile. "No matter where I am in the world, I will rush to you."

"Be patient with your husband, understand him, and love him just like how you wanted to be loved. I believe if you two do this, everything will be fine." She raised her glass of champagne. "I offer this toast to my dearest Cosette and Maxen. I wish you nothing but the best. Congratulations on tying the knot."

Cosette chuckled through her tears, reaching for her glass to toast with her dearest Sarah. As the bride and groom raised their glasses, the guests also raised theirs, toasting and wishing the newlyweds a love that would last for a lifetime.

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After the main ceremony, Cosette was escorted to their hotel room to change and wash up for their wedding night. Meanwhile, Maxen had to stay in the venue a little longer to accommodate the guests. This brief separation was to increase the anticipation for the newlywed on their first night together.

The mischievous Luke dragged Maxen around, partying, making Maxen drink a bit more than he should. Maxen thought he wouldn't be able to escape. Fortunately, while he was cheating shots, Luke wasn't. In the end, Luke passed out and Maxen was able to join his wife.

Knock…

Maxen knocked on the door once, stopping as he realized he also had the keycard. Yet, he didn't enter immediately. Instead, he stood in front of the presidential suite for a full minute.

'Why am I suddenly nervous?' he wondered to himself, loosening his tie to breathe. 'It's not like this is the first time I'm going to spend a night with her.'

His already reddish cheek turned redder at the thought. It was true that this wouldn't be the first time he would spend a night with her, but now, they were legal to become one. All these years, Cosette and Maxen could only be satisfied with a level of intimacy that was a mix of torture and pleasure. But now, they didn't have to call it crossing the line. If anything, it would be called doing marital duties.

'Damn you, Luke.' Maxen shook his head to get rid of the perverted thoughts clouding his mind. He let out a huff and tapped his keycard, entering the presidential suite instead of idling outside.

As soon as Maxen stepped into the lobby of the penthouse, he looked up at the second floor. From his spot, he could see the door of the master's bedroom. The door was open. He gulped, taking a step toward the stairs. However, just as he did, he stopped, sniffing hard to smell himself.

'I reek of alcohol,' he commented to himself, glancing at the second floor. 'I should wash up first.'

Maxen nodded and instead of going straight to where Cosette was, he went straight to the bathroom on the first floor to wash up. He washed and scrubbed every inch of his body, brushed his teeth at least three times, and then stared at the mirror for minutes.

It took him at least half an hour before he mustered enough courage to go to the second floor in his bathrobe. Since the door of the master's bedroom was open, he didn't need to knock. His mind had imagined different scenarios of what Cosette might be doing, but as soon as he reached the room, the bed was empty.

Maxen searched the room with his eyes, only to see Cosette sitting on the chair behind the small round table. She was writing something in a notebook, smiling happily.

'Is she recording what happened today?' he wondered, leaning his side against the jamb. Maxen folded his arms under his chest, watching her write happily. At this point, he already knew Cosette had a habit of writing in her 'diary.' He found it adorable.

After some time, Maxen peeled his side from the jamb, marching inside slowly.

"Whenever I see you writing in that book, my interest in reading it jumps." Cosette jolted when his voice pierced the silent air, making her look up at him. "You said you'd make me read it one day. We're married now. Isn't it the time?"

"Nope!" Cosette closed the journal while moving her finger sideways. "Not yet."

"I thought the time you're saying is when we're married, where there will be no secret between us."

"Hehehe." Cosette planted her hand on top of the journal, walking in his direction until she was standing in front of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, batting her eyes coquettishly. "It's not a secret, though. It's not like I didn't want you to know, but just not the time yet."

"Why does it need the perfect timing?"

"Because…" she trailed off and grinned mischievously. "It's a secret."

Maxen frowned, snaking his arms around her waist. "Any hint, at least?" he suggested, pulling her body closer.

"Hmm…" Cosette hummed a long tune before she smiled brightly. "You can read it when I can no longer write."

"You mean when you are older?" he arched a brow while she just giggled. "Then that would be a very long time. I should maintain good eyesight."

"Hehe." Another giggle slipped past her lips, staring at the face of her husband. "Max."

"Mhm?"

"Aren't you excited?"

"About?"

"That both of us will finally lose our virginity." His face turned red in embarrassment while Cosette laughed like an evil witch. "Let's do it now! I've been waiting for this for many years — let's do it!"

"Cosette, can't you wait for us to build the mood?" Maxen sighed in distress.

"Weren't we already in the mood already?" she cocked her head to the side, making him sigh helplessly once again.

Maxen stared at her pretty face, pinching her chin with his thumb. His eyes lingered on the lips he had kissed many times, yet his hunger for it was still the same. He slowly raised his eyes to meet hers, smiling at the same time as her.

As Maxen leaned forward, her eyes softened. Cosette slowly closed her eyes, allowing him to claim her lips. His arms around her waist tightened, pulling her closer until there was no more space between their bodies. Reluctant to part from their fiery kiss, they blindly walked to the bed, and before she knew it, Cosette's back already felt the soft mattress.

"Hah…" Maxen reluctantly parted his lips from hers, resting his forehead against hers as he caught up to his breathing. He then pushed himself away slightly, staring at his beautiful wife lying underneath her. "Cosette… my wife."

The corner of her lips curled up, stretching her hands to cup his face. "Yes, my husband?"

Maxen took one of her hands from his cheek, planting a kiss on it while keeping his eyes on her. He didn't stop there as he kissed his way from her hand to arms up to her shoulder, neck, jaw, and lips.

That night… was only the first among the countless round of passion Cosette and Maxen would share. And each time, their hunger, passion, and love were deeper than it already was.

He thought… this happiness would last for a lifetime, but life had a different plan for them. Because after this wedding, it was only a carousel of agony.