Best man

EMMA'S POV

 Weddings had to be one of the most stressful events,especially if they weren't yours.

  I dropped my heels at the side of the door,as I slipped into something comfortable.

    “Emma!” I heard Kristy call my name.

 I turned around to find her holding her dress in one hand while walking barefooted. 

     “What's up?” I asked as I wiped the sweat off my face.

      “Has the cake arrived?”

     “There is no cake?!” I screamed,surprised.

        Why would there be no cake at a wedding?

       “You had no idea?” 

  I shook my head. I had been so busy with getting the little bride to put on her costume that I had totally forgotten.

    “The caterer is not taking anyone's calls.”

I groaned as I pressed my back on the wall.

    “Has she been paid?”

    “In full.”

  My eyes widened. Who the hell pays a baker in full?

    They were supposed to be paid the other half on delivery.

    “This is bad..” I acknowledged,and Kristy nodded.

     “What should we do?”

    “We need a back up cake.”

   “A back up cake? Where will we find one?” 

I scratched my forehead as I searched for ideas. Where could we find a backup cake?

     “What kind of cake is it?”

      “ a six layered chocolate cake,but with silver icing.” 

   Six layers…. No baker would have that on stand by.

     “I can get a backup cake,but it won't be as large.”

     “Faith will be very offended.”

      “It's the best we can do. I even doubt if I can get a four layered cake on such short notice.”

     “I think-” Kristy started to speak,but her speech was cut short by the sound of a large crash.

    “What was that?” I cried out in frustration.

Couldn't one thing go right for me today?

     Katy came running to our side. She also held her gown in one hand,we should have really gone for short gowns.

      “What was that?” I asked her.

  She wiped the sweat off her forehead.

     “The interior designer might have fallen off the ladder.”

     “Say what?”

   “Yup…” she replied,pressing an arm on her waist.

    

     “I thought all the decor was to be done yesterday. They should have dealt with it since!”

    “I know,but the interior designer called yesterday that she had some work to do,and wouldn't be available until this morning.” She explained.

    “It's two hours to the wedding,we have no cake,the interior designer is partially dead-”

   “-and the little bride has gone missing.” Another voice added.

I turned to find one of Faith's sisters.

    “I thought I told you to tie her down!” I bursted.

    “She chewed the ropes.”

   “She chewed the ropes? What do you mean she chewed the ropes? Is she an animal?”

Faith's sister shrugged. 

    “Find that girl,and bring her to me.” 

   I watched as she walked off.

     Kristy's phone buzzed. 

   She stared at it,and the look on her face told me all I needed to know.

     “I have bad news…”

     “Just spill it!”

    “Faith's make-up artist has decided to call it quits.”

I didn't even have the mental energy or capacity for the incoming drama.

    “Why?”

    “In her words,Faith is a narcissistic,annoying,demanding,fat bitch!” Kristy read out.

Ouch…that was harsh.

    “Why do we need a makeup artist when we have you?”

   “You want me to do it?” She asked in unbelief.

   “Yes!” I said,stretching forth my hands. “You're amazing at makeup and you're here!”

  Kristy groaned.

   “Please,just do this for her. She will repay you at your wedding.”

That seemed to do the trick,because Kristy hissed but then walked in the direction of the dresser room.

     One problem solved.

    “What do we do about the cake?” Katy asked.

   “That,my friend, is where my wonderful cousin comes in. She has a bakery on the next street,and hopefully she will have something we can use.”

 I recited her number out for Katy.

  “When you get there,please tell her I sent you and describe how important this is. She'll work something out.”

Katy nodded and headed outside.

Now,time to find that little brat of a bride.

  I walked down the halls searching for a little girl in a bridal dress.

 A few minutes later,I was on the verge of giving up when I heard my phone ring. I pulled it out,and couldn't help but smile when I saw the name on the screen.

   Romeo was calling. He had offered to stand in as the groom's best man,as unfortunately,the actual best man had been involved in the accident.

    “Hello..” I said over the phone.

    “Emma,” he called me in a tone that sounded strict. Maybe it was just my imagination.

    “Are you alright?”

   “Uhm…yes-actually,no.”

   “What's wrong?” I asked,knowing fully well that I couldn't take one more hit.

    “I can't make it on time for the wedding.”

     What?!

    “Why?” I asked in the most placating tone I could find.

     “I can't explain it but-”

  He couldn't explain it? The groom was counting on him,and he couldn't even bail with a good enough reason?

   “Romeo,if it's stage fright-”

    “It's not!” He ground out.

    “What is it?”

   “It's…private. I cannot explain it,but I just can't be there.”

     “But my friends are counting on you…”

    “About that,I don't think we should be seeing each other anymore.”

   What the actual fuck?

    “Come again?”

    “You heard me right,Emma. I don't want to have anything with you.”

     “Why?”I cried out. 

  Why was this happening to me?

      “Have a great time at the wedding.”

    “What do you mean-”

    “Bye.” 

  He ended the call.

  I stood,frozen in time. 

   Romeo just ended things,now. I blinked repeatedly.

    I still couldn't believe it.

    Why? What did I do wrong?

  The whole world seemed to freeze?

   I felt my heart crumble to pieces.

 I was unable to move. I couldn't understand what I felt in my heart. 

   Why now?

    “Emma?” I heard my name. 

 I turned around to find Faith's sister with the little bride in hand.

    I walked up to them. I bent straight to the level of the crying girl.

   “I will say this once,and I expect you to listen to me. If you mess this up,I will hang you on the chandelier,and leave you there for a week. Do you hear me?”

   She nodded.

   “Don't think you can run from me. I found you once,and I will find you again. Behave properly,and I might just let you have the largest piece of cake. Understood?”

  She nodded,again.

  “Now,go get your makeup done.”

I watched as the little girl trailed the bride's sister. That was another problem solved.

Now,I had to deal with the decor,but first I needed to break the news to the groom. I doubted that Romeo had the balls to actually tell the groom.

                            —

The walk down there was heavy. What would I say to the groom? How would I say it?

      I knocked on the door thrice. A random man opened the door.

   “I need to speak to the groom,it's an emergency.”

He stepped out of the way.

 I walked in quietly,and I chewed on my bottom lip as I watched the groom sit on a stool while a broad man adjusted his fitting.

   “Lucas?” I called his attention. “There's something I need to tell you.”

   

   At that moment,the door opened again.

  I turned to find out who stepped in,and I felt my knees weaken as I saw

him.

       “What are you doing here?” I asked.

   “Fulfilling my duties as the best man.” He replied.

   Alex as best man? When did all these happen?