Saving the Villain

"Woohoo!!!"

Cosette chuckled into Maxen's lips upon hearing Fay's loud cheers. She drew her head back, smiling beautifully at the sinfully beautiful man before her. Maxen gently smiled back at her.

"I love you," he expressed from the bottom of his heart. "Missus Cloven."

Her smile stretched from ear to ear, eyes twinkling with what he called her. "I love you too, Mister Cloven."

The two of them chuckled at each other before they faced the crowd.

There, several steps from the platform they were standing, were the guests of their simple and private wedding in the most private resort owned by a friend of the Blac Family. Only family and close friends were invited to this special day, and that included Luke, Remo, Sarah, Amie, and Fay.

It had been four years since Maxen proposed to Cosette on her nineteenth birthday. They were engaged throughout college, and right after their graduation, they held their wedding. At this point, Maxen was juggling between work and school to fund their wedding. His pride won't allow him to get any financial help from Conrad in their wedding.

"Woohoo!" Fay squealed once again, clapping excitedly, standing among the crown. "Great job! It's a wrap — ack!"

Fay rubbed the back of her head, glaring daggers at the person who smacked her mildly. "Amie!"

"It's a wrap?" Amie shook his head in disbelief. "What is this? Are you filming a movie or what?"

"Tsk." Fay couldn't retort, as she did say something unnecessary.

Watching Amie tame Fay made Cosette and Maxen chuckle from the altar. Cosette then caught a person from the corner of her eyes.

'I'm so happy for you.' Sarah, Cosette's maid-of-honor, mouthed whilst clapping.

'Thank you,' Cosette mouthed, nodding.

Cosette couldn't say everything, but she appreciated her friends coming. After all, everyone was just starting their career. Well, aside from Luke, who established a company four years ago. In other words, everyone was busier, yet they made time for her.

Meanwhile, Maxen kept his smile on the guest, glossing his eyes over them. His eyes then settled in Luke's direction. Luke's complexion turned tan, an indication of how he had been on site and working under the sun.

Luke was Maxen's best man.

Maxen nodded at Luke, and the latter shrugged, elbowing Remo, who was standing beside him. Maxen chuckled, watching Luke say something to Remo, which made the latter frown.

'Seriously,' thought Maxen. 'He should give Remo some slack.'

Maxen shook his head before his eyes instinctively moved in a particular direction. There, standing in the first row, was Conrad. Beside him were Marcel and then Gretchen. The three of them were clapping, with Marcel wiping his eyes with a handkerchief from his wife.

A subtle smile appeared on Maxen's face, locking eyes with Conrad. As usual, Conrad maintained a stoic countenance. However, unlike the time Maxen proposed to Cosette, Conrad seemed to have accepted that this day would happen, eventually.

Holding Maxen's gaze, Conrad nodded at Maxen approvingly. Four years of engagement felt short for Conrad, but that was normal. For a father like him, he would never be ready to let his princess go. No matter how old she would become, Cosette would always be his baby, his princess, his beloved daughter.

'Please take care of her,' said Conrad inwardly, as if he hadn't told Maxen this countless times in the past four years. 'Make her happy… just like today for the rest of your life.'

'Yes, Dad.' Even though Conrad didn't move his lips, Maxen already understood what Conrad was telling him through his eyes. 'I promise to make her happy.'

Maxen's face softened, peeling his eyes away from Conrad to his bride. "Shall we go to the venue?" he suggested, warranting an excited grin from her.

"Mhm!"

*******

Laughter resonated in the wedding venue as the groom's best man was making his speech.

"Damn you, Max. Did you think I'd make a proper speech after what you've done to me?" Luke humored, making the guests laugh. The first half of his speech was nothing but full of mischief, adding embarrassing moments he had with the groom and some of Maxen's funny mannerisms.

"Anyway, Maxen is truly a piece of work. He can be the cruelest jerk, and even if you're crying blood, he wouldn't even budge. I doubt he is even listening to me right now. I'd bet my arm! I'm sure he is treating my words right now as some sort of dog barking," Luke continued, and the guests laughed loudly once again.

"The sound you're making now sounds less interesting than a dog's," responded Maxen, and the crowd nearly lost it.

"See? Isn't he cruel? Man… I deserve a pat for being his friend." Luke patted his back and sighed. His eyes scanned the guests and were pleased with their elated mood. "Even so, Maxen is a great guy."

His smile softened, and so was his tone. "He is not perfect; he is annoying and sometimes an insensitive jerk. But he's the most genuine person I had ever met in my life. There were times his methods were harsh and cruel, but it's what I call tough love. If not for him, I don't think I'd be here today, having the honor of making this speech on his special day."

"Maxen, I know you have been waiting for this day for four years ago." Luke set his eyes on the bride and groom's table, smiling. "I've seen how you worked hard juggling between school and work, aiming to become the best, and being a good brother to me, and a loving lover to Cosette. I am deeply happy for you that these words feel like lacking to express my heart."

"Congratulations, my brother. With this new chapter of your life, I only wish you both nothing but the best, happiness, and peace." He paused and then moved his eyes to Cosette. "Cosette, you know how much I love you, right? So be happy; I know Max will make you the happiest. If he doesn't, I'm on a team with Grandpa Marcel. We'll put him in his place."

"That's right!" Marcel harrumphed, making the guests chuckle.

"See?" Luke grinned playfully while Maxen smiled. Cosette, on the other hand, was chewing her bottom lip as tears continued to roll down her cheek. Hence, Maxen offered her a handkerchief to not ruin her makeup.

"I offer this toast to the newlywed. May your love blossom even more beautifully and wonderfully, but please, hold back when around me. I can't keep injecting insulin."

The guests chuckled, raising their glasses, waiting for the bride and groom to raise their glasses as well. When Cosette recovered slightly, she forced a smile as she and Maxen raised their glasses for a toast.

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