If You're Going to Sell Yourself, Sell It to Me - Side Story 2

Locke, standing beneath the platform, was frozen stiff in a way that didn’t suit him.

“If you stay like that, someone might mistake you for a statue and carry you off.”

Even Henry’s teasing, sitting up front with the family and grinning, didn’t register.

“Ah, what if she doesn’t come? What if she suddenly remembered the past and wants to call off the wedding?”

What was meant to stay in his head had apparently slipped out.

“That’s why you should’ve treated her better. To think I’d witness you getting dumped twice in my lifetime. But what a shame. I think the young lady has arrived, disappointing my expectations.”

Henry chuckled as he pointed toward the door.

Just as he said, the doors were slowly opening.

“Oh my goodness…”

A gasp of wonder escaped from among the guests seated near the entrance.

But from where Locke stood, the entrance was backlit, and he couldn’t see it clearly. He could only make out the faint movement of a figure within the bright light.

The gloves on his hands were already damp with cold sweat. His throat felt parched, as if it had been scorched dry.

Locke swallowed hard, waiting for Georgiana to appear.

After all, it was possible only President Rossmann had come.

He couldn’t let his guard down until the very end. Locke’s breathing grew increasingly shallow.

Then, within Locke’s unwavering gaze at the doorway, the hem of a white dress began to appear.

Thump. Thump.

His heart pounded as if it would burst.

Locke stood rooted in place, eyes fixed on the entrance. Through the bright light, the dress swayed slowly, and feet in petite shoes stepped carefully onto the carpet.

And at last, Georgiana’s face emerged from within the light.

At that moment, Locke felt as if the entire world had stopped.

The murmurs of the guests, the deafening thump of his own heart—all faded into silence.

He could see and hear only her.

With each step she took across the carpet, Locke felt something heavy settle deep in his chest.

The final piece of the puzzle in his life was falling into place.

To Locke, this wasn’t just a wedding—it was the beginning of the most important moment of his life.

As Georgiana, holding President Rossmann’s hand, reached him and gave a soft smile, Locke remembered nothing of the ceremony that followed.

His gaze remained fixed on Georgiana the entire time.

Her clear eyes, too, were directed at no one else but him.

Only the bishop’s blessing and their kiss afterward remained vividly in his memory.

Locke had to fight the constant urge to run off with her at every moment.

***

The reception continued late into the night.

“Are you alright?”

Georgiana looked up at Locke, who seemed somewhat uncomfortable, and voiced her concern.

He hadn’t properly eaten anything since morning, and the food on his plate remained untouched.

It was surprising to see this man, who never trembled even when giving speeches before massive crowds, look tense throughout the entire ceremony.

Even now, his reactions were a beat slower than usual.

Only after a while did he look dazedly up and ask again, “What… did you say?”

“I asked if you were alright.”

“Ah… I’m fine.”

That was his answer, but he didn’t look fine at all.

The reception was held at the Presidential Residence at Angus’s request. Once it ended, they were to return together to Locke’s estate, but she was starting to think they should excuse themselves and leave early.

“You look tired. Should we go now?” Georgiana gently asked.

“No, I’m not… Actually, I’m very tired. Let’s say our goodbyes and go.”

Suddenly changing his words, he stood up quickly from his seat.

Georgiana widened her eyes and followed behind him.

“You’re leaving already?”

A voice tinged with curiosity called from behind them.

Locke and Georgiana both stopped in their tracks and turned their heads.

Since such receptions often continued until midnight, Angus raised an eyebrow as he questioned them.

The clock’s hands hadn’t even reached ten yet.

Georgiana hesitated for a moment before offering a smile. “I’m sorry, Grandfather. I’ve been tense all day, and it’s really worn me out.”

At her excuse, Angus glanced at Locke.

Locke, catching that look, clamped his lips shut as if at a loss for words.

“Since it’s the wedding, I suppose he must’ve been on edge.”

Georgiana quickly smoothed things over, unable to fault Locke.

Angus looked at them for a moment longer before nodding. “Of course. You must be tired. I’ll speak to the guests, so you can leave without saying goodbye. You’ve done well today.”

At Angus’s warm consideration, Georgiana let out a breath of relief.

With a hint of regret that this would be her last moment staying at the Presidential Residence, she gave her grandfather a tight hug before departing.

Locke’s estate was so close to her grandfather’s residence that it could be reached even on foot, so the carriage ride took barely a few minutes.

The moment the carriage came to a stop, Locke jumped out without waiting for the coachman and extended his hand to her.

“What’s the rush?”

Georgiana took his hand, asking with a hint of laughter in her voice.

Without answering, Locke escorted her quickly inside the mansion.

Before she could even collect her handbag, she was led straight up to the bedroom by his hand.

As the door opened, Finn and Lily, who had been waiting to assist her, greeted her warmly—but upon seeing Locke’s urgent expression, they quickly scurried out.

At last, the moment came when they were finally alone.

A brief awkward silence filled the room.

Despite how he had rushed earlier, Locke now stood stiffly with his back to the door.

Looking up at him, Georgiana took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

“Locke?”

Her gentle voice filled the space.

“Is something wrong?”

To her question, Locke shook his head. “Nothing at all.”

“Really?”

As Georgiana asked again, still concerned by his answer, Locke suddenly pulled her into his arms.

The pounding of his heart echoed in her ears—it was so strong, it wouldn’t be strange if it burst.

Only then did she realize the reason behind his haste.

He simply wanted to be alone with her.

Georgiana couldn’t hold back a smile.

Wrapping her arms around Locke’s neck, she gently pulled him closer and whispered at his ear, “There’s no need to rush. Winter nights are long.”

***

Georgiana barely managed to push away the eager Locke and retreated into the bathroom.

No matter how urgent it was, she needed to wash after spending the entire day outside.

Her face felt stuffy from wearing makeup for the first time in a while. She was a bit worried she might have sweated from the day’s tension.

Fortunately, the bathtub had already been filled with warm water infused with fragrant oils.

She quickly undressed and slipped into the bath.

The moment the warm water enveloped her body, all the tension from the day—including the stiffness from makeup—began to melt away.

The more she thought about Locke’s impatient demeanor, the more it made her laugh.

But she had wanted to be alone with him just as much.

After gently washing herself with soap, Georgiana stepped out of the tub only after her body had taken on a sweet fragrance.

She dried off with a large towel, slipped on the thin robe the maids had prepared, and wandered the bathroom for a while.

Though she knew he was waiting, her feet hesitated to move.

The longer she stalled, the harder her heart pounded.

In the mirror, she looked every bit the nervous bride facing her wedding night.

“It’s fine. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

Taking a deep breath, Georgiana finally steadied her nerves.

Carefully opening the bathroom door and stepping into the bedroom, she found Locke waiting for her.

He had apparently just finished bathing too—his hair tips were still wet. The sight of his damp skin peeking through the open robe made Georgiana’s face flush hot.

Hearing the door open, Locke turned his head toward her.

“Georgiana…”

His eyes trembled as they met hers, like something intense was barely being held back.

Rising from where he sat, he slowly approached her.

Despite the fire in his eyes, the hand he reached out with was exceedingly gentle as he took hers.

In their joined hands, his sincerity was palpable.

Locke’s head dipped toward her.

Georgiana tightly shut her eyes, waiting for the kiss that would come.