I FOLDED MY palms inside the bridal car. The nervousness in my chest did not disappear while waiting. I stared intently at the people inside the church who seemed to be in a commotion. Later, my mother Letizia approached the limousine I ride. Anxiety was visible on her face.
“Hija!” she calls between the knocks on the car window.
I slowly rolled down the window for her. “Mother, what’s going on?”
She seemed restless and looked around first. That’s where I got nervous. I straightened up and spoke again. “Mom!”
“Hija, Lester is not here yet. He must be here early. He is only an hour late,” she said.
“Maybe he was stuck in traffic, or his car had broken down on the side of the road. I will try to call him,” I said quickly and nervously fished the phone inside my clutch bag. But Lester’s phone was turned off.
I don’t want to think he will do it, but one thing entered my mind: he will not come!
I dropped my phone and immediately got out of the car. I don’t care if people in the church look at me. I immediately approached Lester’s mom and hugged her tightly.
“Mom, I can’t contact Lester,” I said between my rapid breathing.
She grabbed my two hands. “Hija, we can’t contact his cellphone,” she said as I shook my head down.
“He can’t do this to us, Maricar. He can’t embarrass us here!” said Don Simon, Lester’s dad.
My chest throbbed even harder. Then I left the church crying.
“No. This is just a dream,” I whispered. I closed my eyes tightly and pinched my arm. I feel like heaven and earth have fallen on me. Tears welled up in my eyes. “You said you love me? Where are you?” I said sadly.
Cindy, my best friend, approached me. She hugged me tightly and cried like I did. “Margaux, calm down. Maybe Lester was just late,” she said while stroking my back.
I quickly turned around. I wiped away my tears, then held out my palm to her. “Where’s your key?”
“Where are you going? Just wait a little more. Maybe he will come,” she insisted.
“Give me your key!” I shouted. She sighed before speaking again. “In your condition now, you’re definitely can’t drive properly. I will drive for you.”
“Just give me your f*cking car key!” I shouted emphatically.
Cindy seemed shocked at what I said and bit her lip. She finally reached for her key while the sorrow was in her eyes.
I heard my dad called me. “Margaux!”
I just glanced at Dad before I ran towards Cindy’s car. I saw their attempt to chase, but I pulled the car away. I don’t even know where I’m going.
“I’m so sorry, Mom and Dad,” I whispered.
I wiped away the tears that kept on falling. I know I disappointed them this time. If I could just turn back time, I would not want to embarrass them in front of so many people.
“F*ck you! B*stard!” I shouted.
I was ready. I really wanted to start a family with him, but what he just did? What have I done wrong in our relationship?
Very painful. Not just because my family was embarrassed in front of many people but because he made me look stupid.
I have no idea why he did this to me. I can say that our relationship has been smooth in the three years we’ve been together. He often makes an effort himself because I am too busy at work. He also asked us to get married because he said he would present me at the altar. F*cking b*stard!
I honked loudly at the one who suddenly overtakes me.
“F*ck you! You godd*mn b*stard!” I was shocked when the car suddenly stopped in front of me.
“Stupid!” I blurted out before braking.
I quickly got out of the car. I’m wearing a gown, but to hell I care! I knocked on the car’s window.
“Hey, whoever you are, get out of there! You don’t own this road, and you have no right to suddenly stop in the middle of the road after you overtake!” I shouted with rage.
I got away from the car door when it was suddenly opened and pulled out a man wearing sunglasses. He was breathtaking in his white polo shirt and dark pants. But I was suddenly startled by the horns of the cars behind us.
“Get married, so they don’t chase you on the road!” the driver shouted and smiling at us.
Even the passengers in the jeep laughed and some tremble with excitement.
Are they serious? They thought this man left me at our wedding, and I was chasing him? Someone really left me but not this b*stard!
I stared at the spectators and confronted the man who had slammed into his car door.
“Mr. Whatever, who do you think you are for stopping in the middle of the road?! What if I don’t step on the brake right away?!” I want to express my resentment even though I know I am also to blame for what happened.
But he did not answer.
Antipathetic man! I let out a sigh of relief and narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you deaf or something?”
“I do not see anything wrong with what I did. You are the one who is at fault for cursing me,” he said while crossing his arms.
“Excuse me? So I’m still to blame?”
I heard him curse while clenching his jaw. He also swallowed a few times. When I gazed up at him, I was taken aback, especially when he took a step closer.
“You’re the reason why I’m late, Miss Runaway Bride,” he whispered.
I swallowed hard. What did he just say?
My two cheeks warmed. “You rudely stopped in the middle of the road! Also, I’m not a runaway bride!”
He sneezed before speaking. “It looks like your car has no damage. Unless . . . you want me to pay you, right?!” He smirked.
I was about to answer when a traffic enforcer approached us.
“Ah, I beg your pardon. Is there a problem here?” asked the man in uniform and issued his ticket to us.
“No, nothing. We just have small talk,” the man in sunglasses confidently answered. His hands were now inside his pants pockets.
“Then maybe you can step aside because you are already interfering with the flow of traffic,” the enforcer said impatiently. I even saw him looking at me.
“Okay. I have a meeting to attend to, so I better be going,” said the antipathetic man before tapping the enforcer on the shoulder. He turned his gaze at me before he shrugged his shoulders. “As for you, Miss, you might be late for your wedding. What a waste of your gown and makeup if you just run away!” He was still laughing as he got into his car.
I winced at what he said.
The antipathetic man pulled over his car and even pulled his hand out the window to wave.
“F*ck you, b*stard!” I shouted. I could do nothing but go back inside my car. “You also have a day with me, you arrogant man!”
I WENT STRAIGHT home to the condo and poured out the pain and resentment at what had happened in the church. I took off my gown. My smile was bitter when I threw it in the trash can. I went into the bathroom and let the water from the shower flow into my body. At the same time, abundant tears flowed. I was like that for an hour before I thought of getting dressed. I slowly lay down on the bed, thinking about what had happened at church, causing tears to fall again on my cheeks. I could feel nothing but the pain in my heart. I woke up to hear Cindy and Mommy knocking outside. They begged me to open the door. Until the noise outside disappears. Maybe they were tired, or maybe they chose to give me time to be alone. *** I WOKE UP because of the sunlight hitting my face. I just fell asleep with the window of my room open. I got up and prepared myself to go to the office today, though I already file a leave for the wedding, which did not ha
I DROVE THE car away from the restaurant. I don’t want to stay there for long because I might just swallow everything I said and flatter Lester’s sweet words. I didn’t want to go home, so I decided to go to a resto-bar. For a time, I’d want to forget about it.I chose to sit on the stool right in front of the bartender.“One tequila, please,” I said.“Yes, ma’am!”A few minutes later, the bartender put down the tequila shot glass, which I immediately drank straight.“One more, please!” I ignored the lemon in front of me. What could be more bitter than how I feel? Even if I suck a lemon and taste the salt, nothing can beat my already broken heart.“Here, ma’am,” he politely said when he gave me another shot. Again, I drank straight. I asked for more until I felt dizzy.“W-waiter, one more, please,” I whispered. My eyes were blurry.Th
MY EYES WIDENED. Anger started to stir up.“You!” At the same time, I pushed him hard as my eyes narrowed.“Hey, I have no intention of offending you,” he said. Then he smiled, which caused me to see his white teeth and his deep dimple.“Well, nice try!” I arched my brow at him.“Look, I’m sorry. I was just chasing a meeting that day,” he replied in a calm voice.I did not answer. Instead, I walked to the door and violently opened it.“You can go out now!” I said emphatically before averting my eyes.He smirked and slowly walked toward the open door. I stepped back to give him a way, but he stopped right in front of me.“Thanks for the coffee,” he muttered under his breath.I remained expressionless. When I think about how stupid I looked in the middle of the road when I hit him, my annoyance with him gradually returned.“Leave,&rd
I MADE MYSELF busier in the office the next few days.“Bestie, is everything okay with your wedding?” I asked while slicing the grilled pork chop on my plate. Cindy invited me to have dinner outside tonight.“I’m working on your gowns. I want you to wear something a little daring,” she said while her eyes were glowing.“Don’t make it too pretty. Your brides’ maid might beat you up. You should be the only one who is beautiful there.” I chuckled.“No. Of course, my gown also looks fancy and gorgeous for me just because Carrick thinks so.” She even touched both her cheeks then shook her head.I just rolled my eyes and continue to eat my food.“We will do the fitting of your gown this coming Saturday. Carrick’s cousin is with you to fit his too. Oh, bestie, he’s so handsome! My gosh!” she said with a red face.“Tsk. Here we go again, Cindy. I d
I COULD FEEL the heated stare of Lawrence behind my back. Maybe that’s the reason why I felt my face turn red as I measured the gown. I glanced at him. The heat in his eyes made me uncomfortable. “Isn’t he handsome?” the coordinator whispered to me. “That look is not my type,” I denied. “Really? But why do your eyes say otherwise?” he added. I just did not comment because I admitted what he said. After fitting the gown and measuring some more clothes, Cindy finally chose what I would wear. “Alright. You will be wearing a baby pink heart-shaped corset gown. It will definitely lift you up that night,” she said. I shook my head. “It’s okay with me even if it’s not too pompous. Besides, it’s your wedding day, not mine.” “Bestie, I want you to be the most beautiful after me because I know you deserve it. Even if you wear rags dresses, you will definitely shine,” she said as if she encouraging me. “I want you to wear
I JUST CLOSED my eyes and continued dancing but was immediately dilated when someone held me. “What are you doing here?” Instead of answering, he took off his coat and covered my body. “You’re drunk!” he shouted because the music is too loud. “No, I’m not!” I felt his hand on my wrist, and I was stunned. My heart was pounding. “Bestie, we have a problem. Carrick is here!” I heard Cindy say, and I succumbed to her tow as we saw Carrick approaching. “Hello, love! What are you doing here?” Cindy asked with wide eyes. “The group decided to continue the bachelor’s party here,” he replied and kissed his fiancée on the cheek. “You should not be here!” Cindy muttered. “It’s alright, love. They seem happy to see us,” Carrick replied before glancing at some of his companions. I looked to his companions. I think they are at ten. Some of them are familiar. “Okay, love,” Cindy agreed before hugging her groom and givi
“WHAT THE?!” I quickly stood up and covered my blushing face tightly. “You can use the shower if you want. I have prepared clothes for the employees,” he said softly as if nothing had happened. “No, thanks.” I lowered my hand and pretended not to be affected by his body. He was now wearing his black shorts. “As for what happened earlier, I just want to apologize for my action,” he began. “You should not have done that,” I said in my low voice. “Peter took advantage of you. Didn’t you notice that? He took advantage of you because you’re drunk; that’s why he tried to kiss you.” I watched his jaw clenching so hard, and the darkness of his eyes was staring at me intently. “But you should not hurt him! Besides, we’re just dancing!” I said without blinking. “So you mean, you like the idea of him kissing you?” I could not believe what he said. “Of course not!” I said quickly. “I’m not buying it,” he sai
“IT’S OKAY! THE breakfast is delicious, so it’s okay,” I said shyly, although I have not forgotten what he did to me last night. “The dress fits you perfectly. You look beautiful today,” he praises. “Thank you for the dress. You shouldn’t have bothered in the first place.” My cheeks become redder. “Don’t think about it. You’re beyond gorgeous in that dress,” he replied before turning his back on me and return to the man he talked to earlier. With delight in my heart, the heat traveled to my cheeks. I followed him with my gaze. I thought I’d just go back to the suite first and called Cindy. But I’m frozen to my feet when I saw Peter approaching me. “Peter?!” “Yes. You must be shocked?” A sweet smile flashed on him. “No—honestly, yes!” I muttered. He laughed a little. I quickly turned to Lawrence, who was now busy talking to someone again. “I’m sorry for what happened last night. How are you? You alright?”