I waited for the noise to die down, but it did not. Eventually, I held up a hand, and while the yelling slowed down, the camera flashes continued.
“All official press has been accounted for,” I announced firmly. “No further entry to the hotel will be allowed. Please vacate the premises. Those who do not will be escorted out of bounds by security and banned from the Pacific in the future.”
There were yelled complaints and some choice words, but I simply nodded at the guards. Some people were respectful enough to do as asked, while others were wrestled away, still attempting to get a last few shots in. I watched until I was satisfied that the area would be cleared fast enough before I walked back inside.
Adriana was now making her way to the elevator, likely to check on the decorations for the reception. I followed her, hoping to get a few seconds to connect.
We stepped inside at the same time. She chose the fourth floor, while I chose the sixth; I was planning on talking to Bryant about the incident at the pool. If anyone knew how to smooth that over, it would be him.
“This is insane,” Adriana admitted to me once the doors slid closed behind us. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“I can,” I said, giving her a quick shoulder squeeze. “No one in the world could do it better than you. And I’m not just saying that.”
She smiled, which broke through my own stress for the upcoming ceremony. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and kiss the top of her head, but new cameras had been installed in all the elevators. After what had happened the previous night, I was well aware that we needed to be extra careful.
“Thanks,” Adriana breathed as the elevator opened on her floor. “Really going to need a break after this.”
I watched her walk away before the doors closed again, my heart feeling light. I didn’t care what Forrest thought. What was between Adriana and I was pure and powerful. I wasn’t going to give up on it. Even if Bryant told me now that it all had to be shut down, I knew that I couldn’t.
I made my way to his suite and was let in by an attending porter. Bryant was waiting for me in his living room, sprawled out on the couch like he was attempting to establish dominance. I didn’t really pay attention to that.
“I assume you heard,” I said, and I received a curt but amused nod. “Then I will also assume that you’re aware we should probably take care of it.”
Bryant waved me off casually, as if I had brought something completely unimportant to him. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve already sent him a gift basket and an apology, and offered them a yacht trip free after their honeymoon ends. He’s too stressed about the wedding to make a big deal of it.”
“I hope you’re right,” I answered tersely. Sometimes Bryant’s laid-back nature irked me, but it was something I had to accept, given that he did own the hotel. I didn’t think he handled the whole thing correctly, but it was better than nothing.
“She’ll be fine,” Bryant insisted, knowing that I was more worried about Adriana than myself. My career could handle a scandal; I had been around long enough, and I was high up enough on the ladder. For her, this kind of thing could bring her world crumbling down.
“You should get ready for the ceremony,” I said, studying his outfit. He was still in his robe, and had a pair of boxers on, but that was about it. “It’s supposed to be formal.”
“Stop worrying,” Bryant answered as he rolled his eyes. “You just make sure the groom hasn’t run away yet. Heard some rumors that he might be getting cold feet. Though that’s probably because of his mother. Nightmare, that one.”
My eyes widened. I couldn’t believe he was only telling me this now. I turned and walked away to go down to the groom’s prep room. I found him joking with his best man, looking like he very much wasn’t going to run away. Still, it was good to make sure.
“Forrest,” I said, clearing my throat to get his attention. “The ceremony will begin in one hour. Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” His voice was somewhat shaky. “Jake convinced me not to take off.”
“Good work,” I said to the best man before focusing on Forrest again. “Please let me know if you need anything at all. If not, I will be sending an assistant to collect you when it’s time. Don’t worry. Everything’s going to go off without a hitch.”
“I hope so.” Forrest was pale, but smiling. If he did decide to leave, this would become a media circus. But it seemed like he was gathering his courage to go through with the wedding.
I nodded before I left again, to help Adriana get all of the last pieces in place before the ceremony began.
Finally, everyone was inside the venue, waiting for the bride to arrive. Forrest had actually shown up and was standing rightin front, swaying a little on his feet impatiently. The place itself was gorgeous, filled with silk and bright white flowers that were so fresh it seemed as if they had just been picked a few minutes earlier.
I stood at the far back of the room, keeping an eye on the proceedings. Once the bride entered, Adriana joined me, and we watched it all together. The whole ceremony passed by without a single problem. Even Celeste stayed seated and didn’t cause a scene. At one point, I reached out to squeeze Adriana’s hand, just so that she knew how impressed I was with her.
But even when the ceremony ended, it wasn’t over. We were only halfway there. The couple were whisked off for their photo session while the other guests were being entertained before the reception began.
“I’ll check with Nolan,” I told Adriana when I spotted her once again rushing down a hallway. “You make sure the main ballroom is set up. And remember to breathe.”
She nodded, smiled, and ran off in the other direction. I went down to the kitchen, where Nolan was running a perfect machine. All of the food was exactly as it should have been. I would have expected no less from him.
Eventually, the reception itself began. This time, Adriana, Nolan, and I all stood to one side, close to the staff entrance of the ballroom, watching closely to make sure everything was just right. Adriana and Nolan both barked a few orders at passing staff, while I kept an eye out for any unruly guests.
“Main course,” I told Nolan when the last of the speeches was over, and he nodded. He had to offer this course to the bridal table himself; it was a request that Dahlia had made months earlier.
