Chapter 12: Steph - Wedding Day, Show Me the $$$

‘Finally,’ Steph thought. The wedding day was here and everything was right with her world. Having given up her apartment a month ago, Steph stayed with her sister the night before the wedding. Her mother and sister took charge of getting her dressed and to the church on time. Steph actually had butterflies. Was it excitement for the day, or for the riches that are going to be hers? She wasn’t really sure, but she didn’t care.

Finally, it was 2:00. Time for a wedding. The string ensemble finished the pre-service music and started the processional.

The first bridesmaid began her walk. Steph noticed Linc couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was Dany. Steph had to admit the little tramp cleaned up well, and Linc probably had never seen her dressed up like this. She was usually clothed in very plain, baggy, casual outfits.

Steph wanted to keep Dany close just as you do with enemies, and she considered Dany a threat. But she may have outdone herself to make this little trollop look too good. Linc was fixated on the vision walking down the aisle toward him. Steph had the hairdresser keep Dany’s hair long, but put up and gloriously styled. Her beautiful facial features were always there, but her understated make-up highlighted just how stunning she is. The light blue bridesmaid dress fit her perfectly and added to the beautiful transformation. Steph, hiding from sight, could see as Linc drank in the image before him and walking toward him. She was steaming inside as that geek stole her intended’s attention.

Steph kept watching Linc as the other bridesmaids processed. His frickin eyes stayed locked on Dany as she took her place by the communion rail. Steph was fuming inside. ‘Keep cool, idiot. Eye on the real prize. Let the little slut pick up the pieces after I rip his life apart.’

The other bridesmaids made their promenade down the aisle. Finally, the music changed for the bride. Linc looked to the back of the church to see Steph begin her grand entrance. The crowd gasped at her stunning beauty. ‘Damn right I’m gorgeous. Eat your heart out, Dany.’

Steph arrived next to Linc. Her father gave her hand to Linc and walked to take his seat. The music ended and it was finally time. ‘Seal the deal, reverend. My money’s waiting.’

As the music ended, Pastor Wells walked to one of the throne-like chairs by the pulpit and sat down. Steph noticed and wondered what that was about. Then, surprisingly Linc turned to the congregation and now she wondered what the hell he was doing. She felt a shot of adrenalin go right to her brain—and her bladder.

Linc addressed the crowd.

“Friends and family, thank you for coming today. Just to put your minds at ease, there is going to be a wedding.”

The bride’s family looks relieved. Steph breathed a little easier. ‘Maybe he has some nice surprise for me.’

Linc continued.

“This beautiful woman came into my life just three or four months ago. I was amazed that she had any interest in a nerd like me!”

Laughs and chuckles arose in the room.

“But, she was more than interested, for some reason, and she swept me off my feet. And, so, we’re here today. This is my love story.”

As he said that, the crowd ‘oohed and aahed’ while Linc moved toward the congregation.

“I fell in love with Steph, but she was already deeply in love with something else—my family’s money!”

The congregation gasped.

The blood left Steph’s face. ‘Oh my God! What went wrong?’