Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

When Aubrey arrived at Sierra’s house, the elders were bustling with activity.

Sierra, however, was still getting her beauty sleep.

Makeup artists, photographers, and the bridesmaids gradually arrived.

Everyone began to busy themselves with their respective tasks.

To make the groom’s challenges more difficult–and to squeeze more cash out of the groomsmen–the bridesmaids had prepared numerous games and

Ictivities.

By noon, the bridesmaids were bustling, concocting all sorts of foul juices: bitter gourd, cilantro, even a pungent brew made from fermented tofu, and ìery pepper. They were preparing the most unique, disgusting, and utterly vile concoctions imaginable, all to prank the groom and his groomsmen.

The groom

and his party are here!”

A loud shout from an auntie rushing back threw the makeup artist and the bridesmaids into a frenzy.

‘Aubrey, you need to go out there and stall them! At least ten more minutes. We can’t let them in until we’re ready.”

And just like that, Aubrey was pushed out, assigned to guard the first gate.

Sierra’s house had a small courtyard, enclosed by a two–meter–high wall.

Aubrey scurried into the courtyard, locking the large metal gate and clutching the key tightly in her hand.

From outside the metal gate, the lively cacophony of the wedding party rose–cheerful chatter, boisterous laughter, and the sharp pop of confetti

cannons.

We’re here for the bride!” the excited voices of the groomsmen rang out from outside.“Open the door!”

Aubrey leaned against the iron door, not budging.

The task her bridesmaids had assigned her was ten minutes.

For those ten minutes, she absolutely couldn’t open the door.

Aubrey stalled for time, offering a soft smile.“You want the door open? Let’s see your sincerity.”

It’s Aubrey,” Ryan chuckled good–naturedly.“Of Sierra’s friends, she’s the gentlest and the easiest to deal with. Everyone in!”

That was their cue.

Aubrey took a startled step back.

She braced herself for them to kick the door in, but then envelopes started sliding under the crack. One, two, three…

Aubrey had a blast picking them up. People in Crestview City, no matter their age, were always thrilled to get their hands on some cash,

Is that enough?” Ryan’s voice came through.

Enough,” Aubrey said, having collected a small stack. She didn’t want to be greedy.

Then open the door, Aubrey.”

“Not a chance”

“I even called you ‘sister‘!”

“Call me “Your Majesty, then…” Aubrey teased, her back pressed against the door, counting the red envelopes, a radiant smile splitting her face

Suddenly, a massive figure dropped from above.

With a dull thud, Aubrey gasped, clutching the red envelopes to her chest.

It turned out to be one of the groomsmen who had scaled the two–meter–high wall, jumping down from the lintel above her head, landing on his feet before bending low, hands braced on the ground.

Before she could even worry if he was hurt, he was already staruding, casually brushing dust from his hands.

As she took in the man’s face and powerful physique, a jolt of shock went through her, her heart suddenly hammering in her chest.

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Damon?

How could it be him?

Hadn’t he said he wasn’t coming?

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Damon was immaculate in a black suit, his short hair impeccably styled. He looked effortlessly handsome and tall, exuding an air of refined elegance–so devastatingly handsome it was almost unfair. Aubrey found herself momentarily spellbound.

Your Majesty…” Damon murmured, his expression utterly composed, his voice low and soft.

“What?” Aubrey froze, even more bewildered. Her heart hammered harder, and a flush crept up her neck to her ears for no reason at all.

She’d never heard Damon call her “Your Majesty‘ before and wondered if she’d misheard him.

But he’d said it so calmly, so composedly, as if he’d come prepared.

Damon pointed to the large iron gate behind her, and Aubrey’s mind finally caught up to the fact that she’d just instructed the groomsmen to shout Your Majesty” to buy time.

But why was Damon the one bursting through?

A wave of panic seized Aubrey, but she forced herself to keep it together. Today was Sierra’s wedding, and there was no room for personal emotions.

“No, we need a few more minutes,” Aubrey said, pressing herself against the door and shaking her head.

“We can’t wait,” he countered.“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have jumped in. Please, move aside.”

Damon scrutinized Aubrey, taking in her ethereal, floor–skimming pink gown that bared her pale shoulders and long, delicate arms. Her silky black hair cascaded down her back, a few small braids framing her face and adorned with tiny, sweet blossoms. With light makeup, she appeared innocently captivating, certainly not enough to upstage the bride.

There was an ethereal, almost otherworldly aura to this delicate beauty.

A low murmur escaped him, a soft exhalation against his chest.“I’m going to make my move.”

Aubrey felt a flicker of confusion. What did he mean?

The next second, Damon reached for her, his hand closing around her arm as he gave a soft pull.

With barely any effort, she was pulled aside.

The door was locked, and his brows drew together in a deep frown.

“Can you open it?” the groomsmen outside asked urgently.

“It’s locked,” Damon replied.

Groomsmen:“Grab the key! It’s gotta be on Aubrey.”

Damon turned his head to look at her.

Aubrey put her hands behind her back, her gaze wary as she tilted her head to stare at Damon. She swallowed, her heart hammering faster and faster.

Damon took a step closer, then another, his voice softening.“Aubrey, let’s put our personal history aside for a moment. My buddy’s eager to get to his bride. How about you do us a favor?”

“Just a few more minutes, please?” Aubrey pleaded softly.

“Another minute and the guys outside are going to think I’m not pulling my weight.” Damon reached into his inner suit pocket, pulling out a stack of red envelopes, and held them out.

Aubrey’s eyes lit up at the sight of the stack of envelopes he offered. She bit her lip, then happily took them.

“The key?” Damon held out his hand to her.

Aubrey, having accepted the envelopes, put her hands behind her back again and shook her head “Give me five more minutes.”

Damon let out a soft sigh, a roguish chuckle escaping him, a hint of exasperation in his eyes. “Taking the payout and not delivering? That’s really playing dirty. Guess I’ll have to get rough.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Aubrey retorted, her voice gaining a touch of defiance.

“If it were anyone else, I really wouldn’t dare.” His words were barely out before he lunged, scooping her into a tight embrace. His arms circled behind

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her, caging her, his hands seizing her wrists and moving to her clenched fists.

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The sudden, forceful embrace froze Aubrey stiff with shock, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her face and body were pressed tightly against his broad, solid chest, utterly trapped. Her breath hitched, her nostrils filling with the clean, pleasant scent of him.

Damon effortlessly pried open her fists and retrieved the keys from her palm.

Aubrey’s cheeks flushed crimson as she thrashed against his chest.“You’re playing dirty, Damon!” she snapped angrily.

“Why would I play fair with an ex?” Damon retorted, easily snatching the keys from her hand before turning to unlock the gate.

His hand on the heavy iron latch, he glanced back at Aubrey. “If you don’t want to get trampled, you’d better get inside now. There are a lot of guys waiting to storm this place.”

Aubrey clutched the red envelope, her fingers deftly gathered the fabric of her skirt as she spun and darted back inside.

Her retreating figure was a vision, the quick, elegant steps she took in her heels utterly captivating.

Damon cleared his throat, tearing his burning gaze away, and sharply yanked back the heavy bolt.

The main door swung open, and the groomsmen and the rest of the groom’s party surged inside, their faces flushed with excitement and joy.

“Time to get our bride!”