CHAPTER 1: Abandoned at the altar

ADELE'S STANDPOINT

   "You look so amazing Adele. Can't wait to see you walk down the aisle in a few minutes." Kieran, my friend and assistant, gushed over me excitedly as she positioned beside me in a pose, in the brides waiting room while the camera guy took photos. The few of my other friends agreed to this as they all crowded me, making  comments and squealing about how beautiful I look. 

   I smiled beautifully, with all my teeth out over their words. It's my big day, the day I've long anticipated. I'd be getting married to the love of my life today_Carlo, my perfect man. I'm excited and I can't wait to see his pretty jaw drop when he beholds his beautiful bride.

   Having dated for closely four years, Carlo and I decided we would be tying the marital knots today, on my birthday. He's everything I'd ever prayed for in a partner. 

   Carlo Rodriguez is kind and honest, loyal and smart, neat and hard working. Gorgeous with a particular irresistible boyish smile that always amazes me. Adding to his amazing personality is his outstanding dress sense, boy, Carlo rocks hard on whatever he wears. Being a fashion designer myself, I couldn't compare my level of fashion skills to his. To top it all, he was tall_not much taller than myself because I'm over 5ft tall. His height was perfect for me.

   Ever since we met during our university days, I've always had many reasons to trip over him and today, oh today, we'll be saying the marital vows to each other. Heck! My level of euphoria could be considered one that's over the moon.

   I'm truly happy, but as much as I tried to convince myself that everything was hundred percent fine, I couldn't suppress the feeling of alarm that seems to trouble me within. What could possibly go wrong? Is my ex gonna show up and ruin my day for me? I doubt that. Is there any reason to be alarmed about my marriage today? Heck no! All is fine, everything would be fine. I'm probably just reeled up because of my hyper excitement.

   I smiled as I inhaled the beautiful bouquet of red roses in my hands, allowing the alluring scent to greet my nostrils as I strike a pose. I've always loved red roses.

   "OMG! Adele! You're being featured as the best dressed bride in recent times at the Tiara Fashion Blog." Lu Cheng, my chief bridesmaid, announced to my amazement.

   "What?! Oh my Gosh!" I exclaimed in surprise.

   "Yes baby. I mean, check out your own wedding dress, to think you designed it yourself." Lana, another of my female friends, praised as she took photos.

   I designed my wedding dress myself and it turned out just as perfect as I've always imagined. My white wedding dress was the typical mermaid silhouette, with several hint of gold. What made my dress exquisite, was the peculiar pattern in which it was made. The designs were unlike any I've come across before and it gladdens my heart to know the famous Tiara Fashion Blog featured me as the best dressed bride to be seen in a long while.

   Presently, I was up from my bridal chair, dancing blissfully with my friends. It's my birthday and my wedding day after all, I deserve every cause to be happy. Or so I thought...

    "Adele! Adele!!" We stopped dancing abruptly when he heard the door of the waiting room suddenly burst open. I turned around to find Pat, my wedding organizer looking so distraught and exhausted.

   "Pat, what happened? Why are you gasping so much?" Lu Cheng asked immediately, hurrying to his side with her hands gathering her flowing peach colored bridesmaid gown and her glass heels, clicking against the transparent glass floor as she walked.

   "It's Carlo." He announced, my smile dissipated to instant worry and panic as I paused, my hands falling wobbly beside me.

   "What happened to Carlo?" I hurriedly walked to him, the girls with me.

   "He's not here yet and we can't reach him. His friends either. The guests are already beginning to murmur over the delay. I'm afraid, you have to step out before the groom arrives." Pat announced and a sudden fear gripped me.

   "Lu Cheng, give me my phone. I'll call him right away." I said amidst my panic.

   "It's no use Adele, his number isn't reachable." He sighed, shaking his head as though pathetically.

   "That's not true. Carlo and I had a lengthy conversation early this morning. I'll call him myself, probably your phone's faulty. Cheng my pho..." She placed it in my stretched palm before I completed my statement. I pushed my bouquet into Kieran's hands and with shaking hands, I dialed Carlo's number, murmuring a silent prayer within me that his phone rings and he picks up. I called his number but what I heard left me stunned.

   ~Number not reachable at the moment, try later~

Refusing to believe, I dialed the line again.

   ~Your call can't be processed at the moment as the number you're trying to call is currently switched off, try again later~

   No, I'm not believing this. It's gotta be a joke. I was shaking my head negatively as I began to tremble visibly. I kept dialing the number until Lu Cheng had to snatch the phone from me. Tears were rolling out of my eyes now and ruining my makeup but I didn't care. What was I supposed to now that I can't find my supposed husband? Did he abandoned me? No, Carlo would never do that. He wouldn't!

   The girls pulled me back to my chair and began consoling me to the best of their abilities.

   "Dela, don't think of it that way. We all know Carlo would never abandon you. Besides, you talked with him this morning, remember? I think something must have happened that's why he's not here yet. His friends are not here too. Relax girl, we'll ask Pat to try any of the guys number so we'll check on him." Lana tried to calm me down as she used a small hanky to wipe my tears, while she tried to dab my face with makeup to cover up my already swollen eyes.

   "Yes Adele. With how romantic Carlo can be, who knows if he's planning a surprise for you." My eyes lit up instantly over Lu Cheng's words. 

That's true, Carlo have always been a romantic partner. I should see this in good faith and not be panicky for nothing.

   "I totally agree. So let's get your beautiful majesty, matching down the aisle in all her glory." Kieran said and I grinned.

   "That's right baby! We're always here for you, never forget that." They kissed my cheeks and I smiled and hugged them immediately.

   "Thank you girls." I smiled, feeling a bit relieved but still slightly uneasy. 

My eyes traveled after Pat's retreating figure as he placed a call.

______

   Moments after I'd walked down the aisle, smiling brightly at my friends and guests and seated at my space in the beautifully decorated bridal chair, did I received the greatest shock of my entire existence.

   Pat walked up to me and whispered to my ear that Carlo had disappeared. My bouquet fell from my hands instantly, rolling down the floor.

   "I'm so sorry Adele. After placing a call to his friends, one of them told me they haven't heard from him ever since earlier this morning when he had informed them he wanted to grab something quickly in a mall; as he insisted it was important. But since then, he didn't return. After searching for him for a while at the mall, they returned to the hotel they were lodging and got shocked to find his important things gone. Like his visa, travel papers etc that was in his bag initially because of the supposed honeymoon trip to Sweden all gone. I don't know what to do right now Adele. It seems we have to cancel the we..." And that was all I heard before everything became black and I found myself slipping into unconsciousness.

_______

    "So Ms. Adele, which do you think would suit me best?" I snapped out of my reverie, and smiled brightly at my beautiful twenty years old client. Her wedding is coming up in three weeks and she had come to shop for her wedding dress in my Fashion house with her fiance. My client whose name's Brittany Roshan, an American-indian, was holding two wedding dresses against her chest as she stared at her reflection on the full length mirror in the dressing room. One was a sheer overlay pretty wedding dress and the other was a lace tatoo wedding dress. Both were her size and would fit her just right.

   "Uhmm," I tapped my chin_as though thoughtfully as I stared at her. Her pretty eyes had an eager and expectant look in them that told me right away, which she really loved. I could tell she wanted the sheer overlay dress and I smiled. She only asked for confirmation from me since I was a professional and it's my field.

   "The sheer overlay dress would look amazing on you dear." I said and she grinned instantly. 

   "Really?" I nodded smilingly. "I thought as much. Then I'll take this one but first, let me see what my fiance thinks about this." She said. 

   "Sure darling, you can." I nodded to the sales assistant beside me, indicating her to continue. She bowed low in understanding and I exited the room, walking down the hallway to the nearest elevator.

   Exactly six years ago, I was her age, feeling beautiful and expectant as I wore my exquisitely self designed, wedding dress on my birthday.

   I keep being reminded of the hurt and humiliations I experienced that day on every year of my birthday. My birthdays no longer excite me as they did, years ago. Instead, they reminded me of the hell of an experience I went through. One I wasn't able to recover from in a while. 

   I don't work on my birthdays except a special client needed my assistance, like today with Brittany. I couldn't forgive myself for being the fool but most of all, I couldn't forgive him. I so much want to take my revenge but he disappeared without a single trace. I too hadn't stepped foot in the Philippines ever since I left. 

    Home reminded me so much of him and I needed to leave for my sake, for my sanity. America's been good to me so far, I have no regrets moving here. I led a quiet life. Except for people I interact with at my company and few other acquaintances I made while doing business, I kept to myself.

   Moments later, I arrived at my home in New York city. I packed my car at the garage of my four room duplex and stepped out, shutting the door after me.

   As I arrived at the entrance, I noticed the lights inside were on and the TV was playing too.

   Did I forget to lock my apartment before leaving? Of course not. Because as I punched in the password of the door lock, it opened, indicating I didn't leave the house carelessly open before leaving. This means, I didn't switch off the lights neither did I turn off the TV before leaving home earlier. I doubt I didn't.

Well, I shrugged and made my way inside pulling off my shoes at the corridor and slipping on my comfy peach colored rabbit ears flipflops.

   Immediately I walked into my living room, I received the shock of my life. Literally, I wasn't mentally prepared to see the person sitting comfortably in my couch while eating from a bowl of popcorn and watching TV.

I mean, how's this possible?!!