Chapter 21 - Now , that's an offer I cannot resist " Faster , Hurry up . " Aerin nagged as she stood by my doorway , tapping her high heeled foot impatiently . " One second more . " Trish mumbled as she added the final touches of lipstick on my lips . Then she stepped back and smiled at me , admiring her handiwork . " You look gorgeous , hon . " I smiled at her , despite the desperate pounding in my ears . Saying that I was nervous , was the biggest understatement of the century . I was just one second away from having a full blown panic attack . I was getting ready for my mission- Mission gate crash your love's wedding . This had to be by far the craziest thing I'd ever done next to sneaking mom's car back in high school to rescue drunk Trish . I was not the kind of girl who would rudely barge in on a white veil occasion . I was ordinary Sophia Martell . Aerin grabbed my hand . " Hurry ! You don't want to reach there after he gets married . " I hurried after her and tried to dial Austin's number but it went to voicemail , which was understandable since he was being shuttled everywhere but seriously ? This just made matters worse . Aerin and I hurried down into her car , Aerin was dressed in a gossamer gown and six inch heels and I was in a coral dress but I was donning sneakers , there was no way in hell I was running with heels , that was unless I wished for a broken back . Aerin revved up the engine and we raced down the street and I felt as if we were making a fast and furious installment right there . We reached St. George's chapel and we could see the people walking inside , all the VVIPS and big shots . I felt my stomach sink , this was going to be a disaster . And it would be a bigger disaster if you allow him to get married ! Move it ! Aerin stepped out of the car first and quickly ushered me out , she held my shoulders and looked at me square in the face . " Listen woman , you're on a mission , you need to get your man , you cannot chicken out , understand ? " I nodded . " Good , it's time to roll . All the best , agent . " I smiled , despite my nerves and watched Aerin walk away towards Jace . Just as I started to walk towards the chapel to meet Austin at the place he had texted me yesterday night after I'd ended the call . I felt a hand cover my mouth in a tight grip . Another set of hands lifted me off the ground and before I knew it I was being dragged to the shadows . My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to scream but I was too late and before I knew it , I was dragged into the dark , my silent screams unheard , even to my own ears . " Not so fast , Sophia . " The familiar voice menaced somewhere behind me and I felt my heart sink . 14 OOGNOFCOM DT O 1/8 < Chapter 21- Now , that's an offer I cannot resist Austin's POV Seven fifty seven Eight . Nine . Eight O clock . +8 Points > I felt my heart sink as I stood outside of the chapel waiting for the woman I loved . The woman who had changed my entire life . She was the most beautiful hell I had ever seen and I was happy to burn in it . She was the only girl I wanted , no I needed . The one girl , I was ready to sell my soul for , but the question was - was she ready to be with me ? The answer that I didn't want to face started to become more firm as every second passed and she was nowhere to be seen . I had gotten a text message from her yesterday night when she had ended the call , I viewed it again with a heavy heart . " Austin . Don't count on me to come , and promise me you will marry Esmeralda if you honor me , if I have to come , I will but don't you dare leave her . Promise me . " Instead , I had told her that if she changed her mind I would be waiting and given her details of where to meet . She had called me this morning but I couldn't pick it up and since then I was trying to reach her but she hadn't recieved any of them . Yet . She had given me hope but now it was dimming as I stared at the empty entrance . She didn't change her mind , she's letting you go . I shook my head , refusing to believe the pessimist in me . Please , cupcake , come for me , just give me a sign that you want to what I want , and I promise I will never let you go . I need you . I love you . That last part startled me , I had always been the kind of man who hadn't believed that there was something called " true love " or the " perfect one " . I had never believed that I would fall in love . Yet , here I was , standing alone , in the winter cold , waiting for the woman I loved and watching her slip away from my destiny . I checked my watch . Eight fifteen . Where are you Sophia ? I walked a few steps further near the gate , straining to make out her figure but as much as I wanted it , I couldn't just conjure her up in front of me just by imagination , no matter how much I wished I could . I stood alone and stuffed my hands in the pockets of my tux as my mind slowly went through the memories of her , like a slow movie as a bittersweet ache built in my heart . I don't really remember when I first fell for Sophia Martell but I do know she bewitched me from the first 14 to M ரு ။ O 2/8 < Chapter 21 - Now , that's an offer I cannot resist +8 Points moment I heard her . She was like a wildfire . Unexpected , sudden , she came out of nowhere and she burned me as she came . And I knew that I was ruined then . Ruined for any other woman . Ruined by her . But I was happy to be ruined by her as long as I could have her with me , as long as I could love her , as long as I could be her arms , her feet a piece of her , as long as I could stand by her forever . As long as I could be hers , and hers only . " Austin . " My heart soared and crashed in a moment as I turned and saw Jace's worried eyes meet mine . " It's eight thirty man , she's not coming , you need to get inside ." I shook my head . " She will . She has to . I know . " Jace smiled sadly at me . " Remember I had told you once , that once that woman who you are meant to love , when she comes , you'll just know . She's that woman , isn't she ? " I nodded . Jace shook his head . " You have pathetic timing man . You're going to give gramps a cardiac arrest if you saunter up and announce the big bomb . " " I think Gramps can survive but I need the lady in question needs to be beside me to drop the bomb , but she's nowhere to be seen , is she ? " Jace sighed . " Austin , you need to come inside . There can be a major possibility , that she doesn't want the same future as you , you can't throw it all away , this is not a joke , you know it man . " Jace ushered me back to the chapel and I felt my heart tear with the cold realization . She's not coming . Jace checked his phone and wrinkled his brow . " Have you seen Aerin ? She had been with me a while ago but she seems to have disappeared . I've been calling her but she's not picking up . Why are all the women playing escape artists today ? " I shrugged , my mind on Sophia and my hope fading fast as we entered the chapel . I stood on the altar , beside the minister and Jace and I could see a sea of faces in front of me but not one of them was her and I didn't care for any body else . The organ started playing and it sounded like a death march as Esmeralda walked down the isle . Wrong , everything felt wrong . Gran was motioning to me from the front bench to smile , like I was a kid in an elementary show . The preacher finished the reading and I felt my stomach sink more . " A wedding is more than a celebration of the love which lives in our Bride and Groom's hearts today . It 14 3/8 io M T O < Chapter 21 - Now that's an offer cannot resist 18 Prints > reaches into the future and proclaims their intentions that tomorrow will hold . A couple who wed are joined not only by the mutual affection and love they share , but also by their hopes , dreams and by their promises of what will be . The promises and vows they make this day shall guide them into their common future ," Bullshit . " We are gathered here to unite these two people in the bonds of matrimony . If anyone present can show just and legal cause why they may not be joined , let them speak now or forever hold their peace ." As the preacher spoke these words , the room fell into a stiffening silence . Sophia , where the hell are you ? The preacher scanned his eyes around the room and saw that no one was objecting so he continued . " It looks like there are no- " The church door opened with a loud bang and the voice that I loved rang out cutting through the silence . " Wait ! This marriage cannot proceed ! " Aerin entered , her eyes blazing inside the room supporting Sophia in her arms and they were followed by a man who I didn't recognize . The happiness I got from seeing Sophia got replaced with shock as I took in her appearance . Her clothes were torn , parts of her skin were covered with mud and blood and the worst of all , were the bruises her wrists and her face and the swollen lip she was sporting , the bruises looked red and were beginning to colour . There were small cuts on her head and legs and I felt like someone branded me with a hot iron . It didn't take me another second to bound down the altar to her . I gathered her in my arms and she collapsed into them like her energy had drained out of her . " Who did this to you ? " I growled , ready to rip off the person who dared to lay a finger on my cupcake . No one was allowed to touch her in the wrong way as long as I was alive . Aerin stepped forward glaring at someone behind me . " Why don't you ask your witch of a bride ? " All eyes snapped towards Esmeralda who looked white like she's seen a ghost but as she took in Aerin's words her eyes narrowed in anger . " What the hell do you want ? I don't need low - lives here . Get out . " She hissed . Aerin was furious now . " No , you get out b *** h . You don't deserve to be here . You should be in jail where you belong . I knew were low but I had no idea this low . Trying to get an innocent woman kidnapped and beaten . You disgust me . " Esmeralda turned red as her eyes skipped around the room frantically lingering on the man behind Aerin a little longer before she spoke . " You're lying . You're trying to frame me . You're the one whose low ! You're trying to ruin my wedding! You and your w *** e friend are all scums ! " Sophia stirred in my arms and walked towards Esmeralda , limping , there was a small spot of blood from her face that was stained on my coat and that riled me up more . DO M 4/8 < Chapter 21 - Now , that's an offer I cannot resist Sophia walked to Esmeralda and did something that no one was expecting . She slapped her . Hard . +8 Points > " Listen , I don't care whatever s ** t you speak about me but I will not hear anything bad about the people that I love and especially not the ones who protect me and you will not dare to hurt the man I love . Understand ? And if you mess with me , I promise you not one single penny of you daddy's money can save you . I know your secret . Game over , drop the act . " The entire hall was filled with shocked murmurs . Esmeralda's parents stood up but Jace quickly stepped between them . Esmeralda was enraged . " How dare you ! You b ***h ! How dare you touch me ! I will kill- " Esmeralda lunged at Sophia and I stepped between them and pushed her away . " Stop it . This is not a soap opera Esme . Don't you dare touch her . " Esme gasped as her eyes watered . " Austin ? How can you watch her berate me like that and side with her ? Is..this what our love was ? " Aerin spoke before I could speak . " Cut the drama girl , no one has the patience for it , let's get to the interesting part . " Aerin fished out her phone and quickly connected it to the VCR that had been projecting the wedding video over head and a video started playing , it was a clip of Esmeralda with the same man who was standing at the door , looking like a wounded puppy . The crowd gasped as they took in the video . I should've felt shocked but I didn't instead I felt..relieved . As the video ended , Esmeralda was shaking with sobs . " It's … not what- " " Save it . This wedding is over Esme . We never existed , as it is . Go away and if you dare to hurt Sophia ever again , just remember that I will not take it lightly in my notice . Understand ? " I removed my ring and tossed it on the ground . Esmeralda burst into sobs and ran out of the chapel , not knowing what to do in the situation as the media people buzzed around us to take pictures . The man , Nicos went after her and I felt as if a huge block of weight had been eased out of my shoulders . I looked around and saw shocked faces , that could not make sense of what was happening so I decided to finally put things in place . " Now that all of you have witnessed this unexpected turn of events , I have a confession to make- I was never going to marry Esmeralda Chambers , " A wave of shocked murmurs went about in the room . I could see my family looking at me with widened eyes and horrified looks . Only my sisters seemed to be smiling . " Yes , because she was never the woman I loved . An arrangement to be married is not love . And I could never 14 M ரு 5/8 Chapter 21 - Now , that's an offer I cannot resist 46 Points love Esmeralda , or any other woman for that matter because my heart is ruined , it's ruined for every body else because it only beats for a special woman , a very special woman who managed to steal it and that woman is this beautiful woman in my arms , Sophia Martell , the love of my life . " I looked down to look at Sophia's face , she looked intimidated but there was one emotion that was shining in her eyes that made my heart soar . Love . " I love you . " She whispered . I grinned like a fool once she uttered those words . I leaned in and kissed her full on the mouth , relishing the feel of her soft lips and the way her body moulded in my arms . The kiss was soft and gentle and filled with emotion , I wanted her to know what I felt , I wanted her to know that it was all over and that I was going to be there for her , forever and always . I wrapped my arms around her as she pulled back and laid her forehead against mine . I looked into her soft grey eyes that were swimming with tears . She was bruised and bloody but to me at that moment she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen . I wiped her tears and smiled at her . It's going to be okay , cupcake . I looked up to see everybody staring at us but this time instead of horrified expressions , there were smiles on almost every one's faces . Jace started clapping . " You finally did it man ! " Sophia let out a small laugh and the entire room clapped . There was some hooting and I assume those , were my cousins who loved a good show . The entire afternoon Sophia was surrounded by my family . My sister's adored her and took care of her wounds and puttered over her and mum and dad liked her and were relieved that Esme was out of the picture . Gran and Gramps were not pleased but they weren't absolutely against Sophia either . Esmeralda's family was quick to escape , they shot us scalding looks but they knew the damage to them was way greater than ours . I took Sophia to my penthouse for the night for the first time and she loved it . She felt right at home as she walked around the pent house with Roxy on her heels . Seeing her like that made me visualize the future and I realized I quite like it . I liked it a lot . I went and showered and made dinner like I used to before , while Sophie freshened up and called Trish to dogsit Tango for the night . I heard her worrying over the phone about details and I smiled as I carried the plates to the balcony and set a table for us , under the stars . " Austin ? " Sophia's voice searched for me inside the house . " Out here cupcake . " I called out . 6/8 14 OOON N Z to M O Chapter 21- Now , that's an offer I cannot resist She walked out towards me and looked at the plate of food and grinned widely . " Spaghetti and soufflé . Have I told you I absolutely love you Mr. Rich pants ? " I grinned as I pulled out a chair for her . " Not often . " Sophia forked a mouthful of spaghetti and moaned . " Yum , god I should start telling you that more if that means I get food like this . " I gasped , faking being hurt . " I feel used , you know . " She waved her hand , dissmisively . " Meh..You'll get over it . " I grinned and reached out to tickle her . " Really ? " I taunted . She almost jumped out of the chair . Ticklish , are we ? Pay back time . +0 Points I pulled her into my arms and tickled her as she squirmed under my hold , laughing . The sound of her laughter was music to my ears . " Gosh ! Stop ! I..I cant . " She begged admist laughing . " Not before you say that Austin Hamilton , you are the sexiest , funniest and most amazing person in the world and I am honored to be in the same place as you . " She laughed harder . " Seriously ? That is a whole load of bullshi- " She burst out laughing again as I ticked her harder . " Okay ! Okay ! I'll say it ! Austin Hamilton , you are the sexiest , funniest and most amazing person in the world and I am honored to be in the same place as you . " I stopped ad let go of her , a self - satisfied smirk painting my face . She rolled her eyes at me . " You're an ** t Mr.Rich pants . " " Your i *** t , cupcake . " I winked at her , at this her cheeks coloured pink and I chuckled and pulled her to me again . I laced my fingers with hers and silently marveled at how perfect they looked together , they fit . " You know , I officially haven't asked you the main question . " " What question ? " She looked up at me , her eyebrow slightly arched in amusement , as the dim light from the stars sparkled in her eyes . God , she was beautiful . I got down in my knee and her eyes widened . I rolled my eyes . 7/8 < Chapter 21- Now , that's an offer I cannot resist " No it's not what you think it is . Hold your horses cupcake . " She rolled her eyes at me . I gave her a cheeky grin that made her smile before speaking . +0 Ports > " My golden question is- Sophia Colleen Martell would you do the honor of agreeing to be with the sexiest , funniest- " " And cockiest . " Sophia added , giggling and I hushed her . " Ssh , You're killing the effect . Let me do that again , Sophia Colleen Martell would you do the honor of agreeing to be the sexiest , funniest and most amazing Austin Hamilton's cupcake girlfriend ? " Sophia chuckled and bent down to my level , her eyes twinkling with humor and love , as she trailed a finger down my cheek , making my heart beat faster . " Now , that is an offer I just cannot resist . " She winked and leaned in for a kiss . ++++++