TWO

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"You look amazing." Gem's image appeared on the mirror, I shifted aside to have a better view of Gem's dress, she looks gorgeous, the silk material brings out her dark skin. I made a mental note to inform the designer to remove the slit from all bridesmaid's gowns. I tilted my head admiring the dress before focusing on my wedding gown.

I nodded in response to Gem's earlier statement, staring at the mirror, studying every detail of the gown. I know I'm supposed to be happy but I'm not maybe it's guilt. Friday's incident won't leave my mind.

"What's with the face?" I sighed walking towards the dressing room knowing full well that Gemma would come along. I sat on a bench waiting for her in the dimly lit room with mirrors all over.

I removed the veil as soon as I spotted Gem from the side mirror.

"What's wrong Loren?" She sits with me.

"I don't know, I feel really bad and guilty." This gained a dramatic sigh from Gem.

"Oh please, you made out with a very hot guy. Big deal!" She scoffed.

"Girl, I would have fucked him, if I were you. I saw the guy, he's literarily a god." I stared at my best friend in horror.

How is this supposed to help me?

"Don't give me that look, I'm sure you won't hesitate if you have another encounter."

Oh! I won't.

I closed my eyes in a stupid attempt to get rid of the voice in my head.

"You are not helping?." I glared at her.

"What do you want me to say hmmm? Let me guess; It's not your fault, well it is. You had a lot to drink, cos you didn't. It was one big mistake; it isn't." I nodded at each sentence.

"Yeah, that's what I want you to say," I exclaimed.

"Well, since you want lies I might as well add that you and Javier make one cute couple, you guys look so in love." I rolled my eyes at her sarcasm.

"You are just saying this because you don't like Javi."

"I don't, I don't all. This wedding is stupid, this whole thing is stupid. You just met this guy a month ago and you are getting married to him because your parents want you to. Arranged marriages are lame, stupid, and never work out."

"You are wrong, Javier and I are in love with each other." As soon as these words rolled out of my mouth she burst into laughter.

I glared, she's making me look dumb. The truth is those words sound foreign.

In love? Never.

"Girl, you are in love with his money and he's in love with your pussy." Gemma believes the only way to get her message across is by gesturing with her fingers.

"That's where you are wrong, I haven't had sex with him." My turn to do the gesturing thing with my fingers.

"Wow, I thought it was only pussy that can make a guy fall in love that fast." She gasped dramatically, I rolled my eyes.

"What about attitude, personality, wit, behavior?" Still trying to remember other factors.

"But you ain't got none." I gasped hitting her arm playfully as she laughs.

"Seriously, are you sure you want to get married? You are just 24." I looked at my best friend in appreciation as I tucked my hair back.

"Honestly, I don't feel forced to marry Javi. When I'm 30, I know for a fact that I'd marry someone like Javier, so why not now? Javi is a very nice person, Plus just being engaged to him opened a lot of opportunities, I'm the head surgeon in my department because of his donations" I smiled.

"Girl, I'm gonna be alright." Imitating her black girl accent.

"You gat it girl." She laughed, just then we heard a loud scream. I yelped looking at the room ahead.

"We should probably check out?" I stood up, gathering my gown.

"Nah, black people don't do that you go check it out, if you don't come back in 10 minutes it's my sign to bolt." I rolled my eyes dragging her along, completely ignoring her disapproval.

We entered the room only to see "miss I have problems with English" glaring at my designer. I turned to Gemma who's looking at me knowingly.

And they wonder why I don't hang out with them.

"Stan...." Trying to remember her name.

"Stacey." Gem whispered correcting me. I muttered "who cares." under my breath.

"Stacey, what's going on?" I asked, even though I'm uninterested.

"This guy said he might have to remove the slits ." I turned to my designer, proudly looking at him.

"I was just gonna tell you that, I believe the slits are distracting, attention should be given to the material, the design." Gem nodded in agreement as stan- whatever her name is looked at me in pure fury.

"I agree madam." With that, he leaves.

"I want slits, my legs got to show." I completely ignored her, looking down on my nails, wondering why I let Gem talk me into adding her as one of the bridesmaids.

Soon enough she walks out in anger, leaving me with Gemma.

"That's it, I don't want her at my wedding." I finally looked up.

"You are overreacting, I'll talk to her." I rolled my eyes not wanting to argue.

"Can we just go, your wedding rehearsal starts at 10." I nodded in agreement before walking towards the mirror, admiring the dress that costs almost half a million dollars.

It's worth it.

~~~

I pulled up across the street, picking up my bag before exiting the car, so did Gemma.

I walked into the crowded hall, it's filled with my family members and some others I don't know. I walked over to my parent's direction.

"Baby girl." I smiled as my dad stretched his arms for a hug. I was pulled in, feeling the warmth. I was released and pulled into a long hug by my mum.

"How are you dear? You are late." I simply smiled taking her complaints as a concern. I released myself from her hold.

"Hey, baby." I turned to see Javier smiling widely at me, his jet black hair swept back neatly, making his face look structured, he's all suited up looking neat.

He moved closer, placing a peck on my cheeks.

"You look beautiful, as always." I smiled, muttering a thank you to his compliment. He hands me a glass of red wine.

"Come meet my family." He ushered me away from my parent's comfort to an unknown place. Walking down the hall, I had to wave, send smiles before we finally stopped in a gathering of unknown people.

"Meet my younger brother, Ace." As soon as the words rolled off his mouth, The guy turned around, the face accompanying the name made my heart skip a beat.

I stared in shock, as the glass of wine slipped out of my hand causing a loud noise. I stood there in utter shock as the Ace guy winked at me.

It's the guy from the bar.

~~~