Later Red went home and told everyone about her so-called marriage. Everyone was shocked but grasping the fact she is trying to overcome Lucifer, Red also put up the condition that no one will mention Lucifer ever again as this was the mark of her new journey to find redemption.
When Lucifer came to know about her engagement with Erich the first thought that struck his mind was, "Was I too late to return to you? Couldn't you wait until things calm down?"
But along with that millions of questions and scenarios roamed in his mind for what could be the reason for their marriage when Red wanted to avoid him.
Everyone was happy with the engagement as it was clearly seen how gallantly Erich is treating Red, taking care of her but April was displeased by this whole ordeal and came to Red to talk about it. After all my efforts, they can't become one like this. April thought and came to NYC to meet Red.
Red was looking at her engagement ring, thinking.
The nature of our bond won't let me be with anyone else as for it, if I have to risk my love- I will. Erich will get tired of me one day and if you didn't come- Well, I am not yours anyways, Lucifer. You were too late. I have taken this step in emotions, I am giving him a chance.
Red thoughts were interrupted when April came.
"Hey, what brings you here?" Red asked, passing her a faint smile. "You didn't invite me to the engagement." April said, closing her arms at her chest, waiting for explanation. "Yeah, It happened in a hurry, I tried to take on a video call but you didn't attend." Red said. "Why Erich?" April asked. "What do you mean? He loves me." Red shrugged.
"And why are you destroying his life for your purpose? When you haven't moved on from Lucifer then why are-"
"April! My life is starting with Erich, don't soil it by mentioning Lucifer. Why are you getting so worked up about it anyways?" Red asked calmly. "You are going to wreck his life."
"Do you know Erich is from our university?" Red asked. "Of course. Every girl does. When you came it was his final year, you didn't know him at that time." April sighed. "He has been stalking me." Red said. She told him her point of view about Erich and April acted surprise as if she didn't know anything,
"What? Then why are you marrying him!?" And this gave her a reason to make Red not marry him but she has no intentions of going back on her words.
"I want to." Red mumbled, looking away. "Wait a minute, You are marrying him to forget Lu-"
"Enough April. I told you, it has nothing to do with Lucifer." Red said, vexed. "Red, don't." April said. "Don't marry that stalker-"
"I proposed. It was my decision and I want to marry him and nothing will make me change my decision so if you are happy with me, stay beside me or else leave." Red said, curling her toes, feeling bad to talk like this with her friend.
"You are ending our friendship over a guy you don't love."
"He is about to become my husband, I won't hear a word about him. And I am not ending our friendship just saying, trust me and let me do whatever I am doing."
"I won't let the marriage happen."April enunciated. Red stopped up, looking at April with a heartless gaze, moving closer,
"Listen April, I am going to get married and neither you nor Lucifer can stop this marriage... I am getting tired of waiting for him, knowing he will never come. I am going to start my life anew so don't break it." Red's voice became sad in the end while speaking.
"Why are you so desperate?!"
"Because Erich is the only person who can engrave love in my heart! He will keep me happy, and will give me the life I always sought! He wouldn't leave me like someone else, like a coward and stood beside me at all costs. He wouldn't leave me alone to die for him to come back to me, he would stay beside me." She whisper-yelled as a tear sting in her eyes. Red quickly wiped it off and turned away.
April was taken aback by Red's behaviour, she didn't expect Red to be this desperate about this. Feeling guilty and envious, April moved back, "Fine then, don't expect me to be present at your so-called wedding." April said and left. Red pushed her hairs behind as a few tears rolled down her cheek and Red knew she can't do anything now she has taken this step, there's no return.
•~~•~~•
"Red, Today you are going to start your life anew. Forget what happened 3 years ago and make your future mesmerizing." Mrs Bennet said, holding her hand tightly.
"I know. That's why I have taken this step." Red said sadly. "This would have come sooner or later."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing..." She spoke in a barely audible tone.
"Bless you." Mrs Bennet smiled.
They walked down the aisle, Red slowly lifted her gaze and met with Erich's who was waiting for her at the altar, giving her a profound gaze of endearment, impatient for this day to come and fulfill his desire. "Please take care of my daughter." Mrs Bennet said, handing her precious daughter to Erich. "Don't mention, Mrs Bennet. She is more precious than my life to me."
They stood at the altar and he complimented, "You are looking so graceful yet tempting."
"Thanks. But don't forget the reason for our marriage." She replied coldly. "I will keep you happy." He said sincerely, holding her hands.
"Just fulfill your obligations." Red swallowed hard, lowering her gaze. The priest cleared his throat and asked, "Shall we start?"
They both took a deep breath, looked at each other and said at the same time, "Yes."
"Are you alright?" Erich asked, concerned. "Yes... It's a big day for every girl. That's all." By living with Lucifer she surely learned how to lie fluently. With a heartbreak, the voice of the priest reached her ears.
"Do you, Erich Black, take Red Bennet as your lawfully wedded wife?" With a mesmerizing smile of living this moment and finally gaining his ultimate reward of seven years yearning, he spoke,
"I do."
"Do you, Red Bennet, take Erich Black as your lawfully wedded husband?" Sparing a glance at him, with her stopping at this peculiar moment, she replied firmly,
"I do."
"I pronounce you as Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride." Devoid of emotions, Red looked at Erich, finally grasping her overwhelming sensation and putting up the facade.
Heart thumping rapidly, Erich moved closer and lifted her veil. God, she is looking so alluring. I waited for this day for seven years. You would never understand my desperation, Red. I had nowhere to go, I went too far in the desire to possess you.
Erich gulped with his hot breath lingering on her face and he moved to her ears, "Do you want me to?" Keeping all his urges at bay, he cannot afford any mistake. She looked at him innocently and shook her no, "I don't." Passing a genuine sad smile and heart aching, "It's okay."
Erich took a step back, shocking the crowd. A kiss was necessary so he bent on one knee, offering her his hand. Holding her hand, held bewitched by her gaze he began to say,
"Red, I have already told you I will keep you happy no matter what it takes. And starting today, I have set on this journey. Even if you don't give me a chance or place faith in me, I will try my best and I hope this dusty heart might be purged by your existence." His voice held in-depth emotion and honestly, wanting to give Red assurance. He slowly kissed the back of her palm and stood up.
With an almost crying face, Red quickly pulled her hand back and moved her face away from him, not wanting him to see the tear which pricked in her eyes, "You will.. I know you will... But I don't want it. I don't want you," She said to herself and with a deep breath passed him a smile. "Thank you." She said and they walked down the altar.
"I hope this new start will be memorable for us."