“Cheers to the world’s most beautiful bride!” Exclaimed Emma, who is my maid of honour. The room erupted in cheers as everyone raised their champagne flutes. “Thank you, thank you.” I said, feigning shyness at their attention. I was so exited, today is my wedding day! I had been meticulously planning this day for the past eight months and dreaming about it for so much longer. I was marrying the love of my life, surrounded by the people we both love. Life was good. Me and my bridesmaids were all in one of the church’s prayer rooms that had been converted into a dressing room for us to do our makeup and get ready. The same had been done on the other side of the church for the groomsmen to get ready in.This cathedral was massive and it sat at the heart of our city. Getting ready here was a better option than doing so off-site and driving here as there was bound to be traffic with all the guests coming in coupled with regular afternoon city centre traffic.“I still can’t believe this
“Rory, what’s going on” it was a stupid question really, anyone with eyes eyes and more than two functioning brain cells could probably correctly guess what had happened. But I didn’t want to assume, there was no way this stupid cliché could actually be my life. I was internally crossing my fingers in hope that there was a reasonable alternative to the explanation that my head is already conjuring up. “Baby, listen to me; I can explain—“ Camden began, before Rory cut him off.“When I got to Liz’s car I could immediately tell something was up. The car was moving a bit so I knew that there was someone in there. The closer I got, I could see clearer through the window and I could tell Liz was… bouncing up and down.”A huge lump began to form in my throat, and I closed my eyes trying to ward off the images that that phrase branded onto my brain. “I went to knock on the window, as a joke” Rory continued, “and to tell her and the– at the time– mystery man to hurry up. I knocked on the win
The reception was in full swing. It actually was beginning to take the form of a fully catered rager. Since all the elders thought it would be in poor taste to celebrate a wedding that never happened. So it was just us– mostly– youngins.After I spent over an hour having what can only be described as an actual mental breakdown in the prayer room (aka the bridal dressing room) I had to face the reality that there was an entire cathedral full of people waiting for something that was not coming.I sent Rachel out to inform the people that the wedding was off. No details, just that due to unforeseen (damn near fraudulent) circumstances the wedding would not be happening; but they were welcome to enjoy the reception. I’d be damned if I was gonna let the open bar I paid so much money for to go to waste. Emma, the angel that she is, did all the heavy lifting when it came to re-organising the venue and catering so that the big round tables were cleared, and replaced with bar tables to make m
“Anyway, my point is the character wasn’t worth shit. I might as well have picked according to status.” I said, swirling the ice around my drink.“Well, luckily for me I figured that out a long time ago. Long before I would’ve found myself hosting one of these.” He proudly declares.“Oh, is that why you’re a bit of a slut?” The words come out before my brain has an opportunity to register them. I slap my hands over my mouth, embarrassed by what I just said. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. That was so rude, I wasn’t thinking.” I say from behind my hands.“That’s okay.” He laughs, “yes, that is why I am a bit of a slut.” He was clearly enjoying this a bit too much. “Though I wouldn’t say I pick according to status. I’m more of a appearance kind of guy, myself.” “If I decided to forsake character, that would probably make it on my shortlist. That would probably be the only way you’d make it, since you Blackburn men are probably all the same.” I say, probably getting too comfo
The elevator dings open and I begin the unusually long walk to my office like I didn’t just spend the last two weeks not showering and eating my weight in ice-cream.When I got back to the apartment I used to share with Cam the morning after my ravenous night with Alec, the full weight of the previous day’s events fell on me like a semi truck. Walking into that apartment was like being woken up from a blissful sleep by having ice water dumped on you. I immediately got to work packing all of Cam’s stuff and putting them into boxes. I then had my brother, and Cam’s (ex?)best friend, come pick them up from from my apartment and drop them off at Cam’s parents’ house; not before making him promise not to tell them anything if Cam hadn’t already.When I could no longer distract myself with my spring cleaning project, I took in just how devastatingly empty my apartment looked. It felt so cold and hollow. The first couple of nights there I couldn’t even bring myself to sleep in the bed. The
I was deep in thought, reviewing the small changes to the plans for the shopping centre that I instructed my team to adjust before I left. I was making the final touches when Rachel sauntered into my office. “Hi,” she chirped, pulling me out of my concentration. “Do you have any plans for lunch?”I looked at the time and noticed that it was already slightly after noon. I had been haunched over my desk for almost four hours and I didn’t even notice.“Um, no.” I reply, “ just let me finish this up this one thing real quick and I’ll be right with you.” She makes her way to the lounge area in the corner of my office and dramatically plops down into one of the seats. “These are pretty, did you get them yourself?” She asks, noticing the flowers on the coffee table. “No, someone sent them.” I answer carefully. I didn’t want to give more information, but I didn’t exactly want to lie. Rachel knows me too well for me to be able to get away with lying to her; and if she detects even the smalle
The rest of the week had gone by without a hitch. Work had gotten busier so I didn’t have time to fester on the potential mess with Alec and our potentially intertwined business interests. I met with a few more clients for home designs, and finalised a partnership with a real estate development company. All in all I was grateful for the opportunity to throw myself into my work this week. It’s Friday and it’s getting late. I’m supposed to be meeting Emma, Rory and Rachel at Melody Line, a jazz club downtown, for our weekly cool down. It’s been a tradition of ours since we moved back here after our semester abroad in our final year. I was shutting down my computer and getting ready to leave when I heard a knock at my door. “Come in.” I said, wondering who was still here at this hour. Liliana had already left, along with the rest of the floor. “You have to make it quick, I’m on my way out.” I say without looking up at whoever just walked in through the door. “I promise I won’t be lon
“Wow, what a cunt!” Rory was on her third Long Island; and being the lightweight she is, all sense of propriety had left a long time ago.Rory had started coming along to our weekly nights shortly after we met at one of the first of Cam’s family’s get togethers that I had been invited to a little over three years ago. We got on like a house on fire, and soon started hanging out regularly outside of those family events. She integrated into the group very easily, winning the girls over with her crass charm.“You can’t go around calling people cunts so loudly.” Rachel chastises her. Ever the sensible one, she decided to stick with virgin cocktails for the night.“Well if the shoe fits this well I can just start calling her Cinderella.” She retorts“I think you’ve had enough, you’re starting to not make sense.” Rachel goes to reach for Rory’s drink. Rory pulls her drink away from Rachel’s reach and pouts like a child.“She’s right though, that was cunt behaviour” Emma says while going to
Dariana“Is that a question?” I ask her, but she’s not looking at me anymore, she’s too busy watching Alec walk away. Can’t say I blame her, it’s a good view— one that I will never admit to watching myself. And I won’t begin to acknowledge it now. But seeing her drift off while watching after him makes me feel a bit…. weird inside. But that’s another thing I won’t begin to acknowledge right now.“A little bit…” She finally manages to mumble.“Come on.” I say, pulling Shelby toward one of the tables so we could sit down. “These shoes aren’t exactly meant for standing around.” I say. They may be gorgeous, but this may be the last time I allow Emma to pick my shoes, the stiletto heal is biting into the heel of my foot.“This isn’t our table.” She says once we get to one.“We can always just move later.” I shrug, nudging her into a chair and not-so-gracefully plopping into one of my own. “Sweet relief.” I breathe out.“So… You and Bradley Greene, huh?” I say in an attempt to steer the c
Dariana The sound of the doors opening is immediately drowned out by the music and the sound of chatter coming from the event hall. The familiar mixture of sounds does very little to comfort me, but it does serve as a sort of switch. Sending me into a practiced, almost robotic, stance; moving me through the room with an ease and grace I wish I felt. At first I try to convince myself that no one cares, that there are much more important and much more interesting people here for people to look at. That everyone is staring at Dominic and Rachel, the co-host and his new girlfriend. That would, of course, make for better news. It’s new and interesting, where I hopefully have made enough rounds around dinner and tea tables that my scandal is old and tired. That hope dies in me when I separate from Rachel and her beau when they head for the bar and the eyes still follow me. People look at me out of the corner of their eyes, some don’t even pretend to look like they’re not tal
*DON’T PAY FOR THIS CHAPTER!!! SKIP IT!!!* This was supposed to be a chapter but there was a mistake that I didn’t notice pre-publish. It was an error with the title. Then I forgot I could just edit it so I re-published the chapter *insert facepalm here*. I am very very sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused, I’ll get better about these things, I promise. The rest of this is just going to be the first quarter of the next chapter because I cannot put less than five hundred words down and I really do not have much to say outside of my deepest apologies. Especially considering that I did warn you in the first line so you wouldn’t be subjected to this. But if you are comfortable enough to have your settings set up in a way where you auto subscribe to chapters… *shrugging my shoulders* I feel like this is your lesson to be more careful. Because what if you don’t like a book? Now you have wasted valuable coins on a book you don’t like…. *sigh* tsk tsk tsk. I’m glad I cou
Dariana Standing here, taking a good long look at myself in the mirror while I get ready, I am glad that Emma, Rachel and Rory didn’t let me settle for the first dress I picked up off the rack. This one is much better. It’s a black floor length, off-shoulder slip dress. The side is pleated in a way where it looks like it’s being pulled in a way that accentuates my curves that are usually hidden under many layers of professional clothing given the weather recently. Overlaying the pleats is some of the most exquisite beaded flower embroidery I have ever seen. It’s so simple but so well done. Emma essentially put out a whole look for me, all I had to do was obey. All the way down to my hair and the silver accessories in it. “This dress demands an up do.” She had said, last night when she was laying everything out for me. “Gotta show off those collarbones.” Not to forget the makeup. Many inspo pictures were sent. A light smokey eye paired with a deep, plum lipstick. I wasn’t
DarianaI hate how quickly the days are going by. This week in particular seems to be in a rush to get done. It’s feels like just yesterday when I was trying– and failing– to convince Rachel to let me sit out the gala. But I blinked and now it’s Friday and Emma, Rachel and Rory are dragging me from store to store to find a dress for tomorrow evening.I would have been fine with the first dress from the first store, seeing as I didn’t really want to put in too much effort for something I wasn’t really keen on going to in the first place, but they would not let me.That and the fact that they didn’t have it in my size and it is too short notice to put things in for alterations.“I’m tired.” I dare to complain, leaning on Emma so I don’t have to carry my own weight. Rory and Rachel are walking slightly ahead of us, engrossed in their own conversation.“It’s your fault for leaving things for the last minute.” Emma rolls her eyes.“Why can’t I just wear something I already have? I don’t ne
The walk to my office was longer than I’m used to. Or at least it felt that way. Your brain has a funny way of stretching out and building up moments that you’re dreading. And that is what I am feeling right now, dread. Not for any other reason than the fact that I don’t really know what I am walking into. I mean– I knew she would be here at some point, she had warned me after all, I just didn’t expect that point to be today. It feels too soon. I feel rushed. I finally make it to my office door. I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what is waiting behind it. When I open the door I am greeted by Hadley’s back to me as she pours herself a drink from my bar cart. “Sure, help yourself.” I say as I walk in; causing her to jump up a little in surprise, spilling a bit of my not-so-cheap twenty-five-year-old single barrel bourbon. “Alec, hi.” She says, offering a small smile. “I didn’t think you’d mind.” “Of course not.” I say, trying my best to keep things polite. “What are yo
Alec “You’re here.” I say, very much shocked to see Dom walk past me to his office. Over the last few weeks I’d seen him so little I had actually begun to forget that he works here and is not stationed at Brokk for some reason. “I’m not saying it’s not nice to see you, I’m just surprised. It’s a good surprise, I’m just… surprised.” I continue to ramble as I follow him to his office, his foul mood stinking up the hallway as he moves along. “Why are you here?” “Don’t you have other things to do?” He groans. “Perhaps.” I shrug. “But your sour mood is written all over your face and it has peeked my interest.” “It’s really none of your business.” He shakes his head and starts to set up his work station. “I think it’s my business when my partner seems a little worse for wear.” I say. “Now, tell big bro what’s wrong.” I tease, and he scrunches up his face. “She doesn’t want me there, so I thought I’d just come back to my own office. I see it’s been collecting dust.” He sig
Dariana I have been staring at me computer screen for an amount of time I couldn’t possibly have perceived, never mind kept track of. This morning started off like any other. It felt like I was finally starting to fall back into a routine, like it would just be another unremarkable Monday morning. I walked down the hall from the elevator to my office without anyone staring at me. I greeted Liliana at her desk. She followed me into my office to brief me on my day and she changed out the flowers while making a remark about the ‘anonymous’ sender under her breath and I pretend not to hear her. Like normal. Like any other average Monday. But it wouldn’t be my life if I got to start off my week without a single out of the ordinary thing happening. And this week’s out of the ordinary thing is an email from Eliza. Subject line: Resignation. She’s resigning? I have been reading and rereading her resignation letter for so long it has completely stalled my morning. I can hardly believ
Alec Brea follows Rory out as she leaves the rest of us sitting in uncomfortable silence. Cam keeps staring daggers at me, and I am compelled to act on my earlier promise. “Barry come on. I think we should go too.” I tap Barry on the arm as I get up. “Congratulations, you guys. Thank you for the food Adeline.” Barry, looking like he has been itching for this moment, does not waste a second in getting up and getting out of there. In fact, he makes it to the car before I do. He is already inside by the time I get to the front steps. Just as I am making my way down them, I hear Carter calling my name so I pause to let him catch up to me. “You okay? You don’t have to leave so soon, Adeline made that chocolate and strawberry mousse cake of hers—” He starts as soon as he gets to me. “No, I’m good. I’m jus– Barry’s got school tomorrow so I’ve got to get him home.” I say, hoping that it would be enough to end the conversation and he could just let me go. But that seemed to just be