Thirty-Four.......May's Wedding

I can't believe I'm saying this. Our lovely journey is slowly coming to an end, there's like two more chapters left.

It had been three days. I had spent three days in the hotel cooped up in my room and only opened the door for room service.

But now I guess I was past that stage. I wanted air, fresh air. My heart still ached because Ansel had been calling and leaving voicemails, all of which I deleted immediately.

I had sent a text to Paloma telling her to finish up with the wedding hall. She had called after but I decided not to answer knowing my voice would betray me even if I said I was fine.

I had also sent one to May assuring her that I was fine and that I had just not been feeling well. I was glad she took it without further questioning.

Thursday, I decided to go to work. My annual leave was to start after the wedding this time so I at least had to go. I just hoped Martina would have calmed down.

On my way, I saw a restaurant,  PARIS IN AMERICA and I immediately remembered when Ansel took me there, the memory tugging painfully at my heart.

I started remembering other things and it hurt just to think about it. After willing some tears away, I realized I needed a break from the city even. I needed a change of environment. I wasn't sure where but I had made up my mind to leave after May's wedding.

When I arrived, people were looking at me and whispering as if I had done the most despicable things. I had just missed some days of work, how bad could it be?

"That was very unethical of you. Very!", Martina yelled.

Scratch what I said earlier, it was very bad. Apparently, Martina was still very pissed. My absent days had even gotten her in a more sour mood.

She complained about various things but mainly about the elementary school project which I had failed to submit before the deadline, therefore causing us to lose the project and we had to pay back the advance they had given us.

"And I know why you decided to come today. Your annual leave.", she said coolly as she sat down after all her complaining. "Am I right?", she asked but I couldn't answer.

"Riley, I am very pissed. Paloma tried to explain saying something was wrong.", she sighed heavily.

"Though I'm very sure you won't tell me so I won't bother asking. I'll let you go. You don't even have to work today. It's fine, but this would cost you half your salary. We can't afford to lose so much money.", she paused. "See you in July.", she said.

"I'm sorry for the trouble Martina. I just wasn't feeling...", I stopped, seeing no reason in forming an excuse. What I did was wrong and not justifiable. "But I'll make it up when I come back.", I said and left.

When I came out the people outside her office sharply returned to their computers looking busier than usual, it was obvious they had been listening in.

Without saying a word to anyone I left. I didn't even try to see Paloma or Parker or Blaire, I just left.

Soon, it was the day before the wedding and there was a bachelorette party. I had eased up and some colour and life had finally returned to me.

I also spoke with May and I made sure to dismiss anything about Ansel, she looked at me cautiously but luckily she didn't ask.

We had fun at the party. I couldn't drink because of my situation which no one was aware of and I wanted to keep it that way. The party was so nice. I had a great time with May and I almost forgot about Ansel. Almost.

The party ended late but May and I had left earlier so she could rest. And we ended up sleeping in her room, she said she wanted me there.

"Riley", she started as we both sat looking at the TV which was on but the volume was low.

"Hmm"

"How did you feel the night before your wedding?", she asked. I looked at her thinking she wanted light conversation but she looked damn serious.

"Well", I said thinking. "I... I was kinda scared. Unlike you, I was marrying someone I didn't like. Someone I didn't know, so I was scared because I didn't know what it would be like to be married to him. I didn't know if I would fall in love with him, and I was worried that if I should ever fall for him will he break my heart and...", I said.

"Riley. You're crying is everything fine.", she said and I realised I was crying. I quickly cleaned the tears.

"Yeah, I am....",

"No, you're not. I've noticed you since Ansel came looking for you. You went off the map for three days. No one heard from you. Then you come and you're dismissing anything about Ansel. Now it's only me and you, so don't lie. What's going on?", she asked looking straight into my eyes.

I couldn't take it anymore so I cried. I cried and cried and she just held me till I stopped.

I cleaned my tears and cleared my throat.

"I... I saw Brayden", I said and I'm very sure the look on her face was exactly like mine when I saw Brayden.

"What... where?", she asked stunned.

"In a restaurant just after I found out I was pregnant.", I said and her eyes looked like they were gonna fall out of their sockets any moment from now.

"Okay, did I hear you well, did you just say you're pregnant."

"Yeah, I am.",

"Woah, okay. That's like a huge load.", she paused and then continued. "First off, congratulations. That's like a big deal but what happened after you met Brayden?", she asked.

"I... I asked him why he left... and he said that Ansel and my dad had paid him to leave the city. He also said that the reason he left was because they told him I had sent them. Yes. They told Brayden that I wanted him gone when I was here crying my eyes out that he left.", the anger coming back.

"Woah. Okay, let me get this straight. First, you found out you were pregnant, which is great news by the way, you should be happy.", she said and shoved me a bit causing me to crack a smile. "Then on your way back, you found Brayden who disappeared for like almost a year now without even so much as a goodbye. Then he tells you your dad and Ansel lied to him saying you wanted him gone and I'm also guessing that's the reason Ansel is looking for you 'cause you were pissed as hell and left.", she said and I simply nodded.

She knew me so well.

"Oh, okay. I'll do a clear analysis of your life right now. So you're pissed with the man you're in love with and pregnant for 'cause your boyfriend, who ditched you for some money, told you your husband, who you're in love with, gave him.", she said.

"Don't make Brayden look like the bad guy, he was lied to and I was kept in the dark. We were both played."

"Okay wait, forget all that for now. Do you love Ansel?", she asked.

"Well yeah but..."

"So, you're answer is yes, then why...."

"May it's not only the fact that I love him. It's the fact that I love him and when he knew I did, he still lied to me. He broke my trust. My heart was still very fragile from Brayden leaving and yet he didn't tell me. What did he think, that I wouldn't have found out.", I said and sighed ending my short speech.

There was a long and stretched silence.

"So what are you gonna do now?", she asked.

"I'm gonna leave for a while after the wedding. I need a clear head to think all this through.", I said.

"As if he's gonna let you given the state you're in", she said.

"That's if he knows.", I mumbled but she heard.

"What! You didn't tell him you're pregnant with his child!", she whisper-yelled and clapped her mouth shut like she had actually yelled.

Then she shook her head as if shaking a thought away.

"You know what Riley, because you're my best friend and I know I didn't have you as my best friend 'cause you're dumb, I'm gonna go along with this, but where are you gonna go?", she asked.

"Um I don't want to tell you", I said. I actually didn't know where I was gonna go.

"Okay, I know you don't have a place in mind yet, but whatever you do, please don't be hard on yourself and don't be hard on Ansel either. You can talk to him before you go or something, just don't go with all that pain in your heart thinking you're gonna get fine.", she said and hugged me.

It felt really good to share this with someone. Now the pain didn't hurt as much as before.

"When did you get so wise?", I asked.

"Since when I realised I was the one who was gonna be giving the pep talk to my married friend who I thought would be giving me the pep talk since I'm the one getting married tomorrow.", she said and we both laughed.

We talked a little before we slept with me thinking of how I was gonna face Ansel tomorrow.

Soon, we were all getting ready. May was jittery in her gown and we the bridesmaids had the task of calming her down. She was so nervous.

Luckily, her dad came and whatever he said to her was so much better than whatever we had said because she was as calm as still water.

The wedding at the church went well and now we were at the reception and my mind quickly darted back to my wedding. I remember how sad I was.

If I had known Ansel had paid Brayden to leave would I still have married him?

I was interrupted when the bridesmaids and groomsmen at our table started leaving. Meaning it was only Ansel and I left at the table. They had all gone dancing.

I hadn't said a word to him since I arrived. I only looked at him a few times just to look away since he was looking at me.

He cleared his throat but I still focused my attention on my phone. I was reading a book I had no interest in, I didn't know why.

"Um, w... would you like to dance?", he asked and for the first time I actually looked at him. He was looking back with a pleading look and I just didn't know how to decline so I nodded and he led me to the dance floor.

A slow music was playing so I put my hand on his shoulders as his rested comfortably on my waist. The feeling it brought to me was very familiar.

I looked anywhere but his eyes. I was trying to build up the willpower to tell him.

"I have to tell you something.", we both said.

"You first", he said.

"I will be travelling tomorrow.", I started still not looking at him. Then I continued. "Don't call me or text me. I'm leaving 'cause I need to take a break and some time away from all this.", I said.

"What will I tell your family when they ask?", he asked after a while.

"Tell them whatever you want, even if it's a lie. I'm sure they'll believe you since you're good at deceiving people.", I said and a question came into my head. This was my only chance to ask.

"Riley I didn't want to.....",

"One question", I started, interrupting him. "What did you tell Kane and Allister to do for you?", I asked.

I don't know why I did, but I wanted to know since he didn't give me a proper answer the last time I asked.

"Don't lie, just tell me the truth", I said in a small voice with a pleading look in my eyes as I looked directly into his.

"I told them to make sure... Brayden didn't come back here.", he said quietly and at that moment the music stopped and I felt nothing but a fresh pain. Like he took a knife at pierced it deeply into my heart.

I looked at him, a tear threatening to spill. Since I didn't know what to say I left without a word. I know I had promised May I would stay throughout the wedding but I just couldn't. I couldn't go and sit beside him anymore pretending everything was fine.

I got into my car and left, straight to the hotel. I sent a quick text to May apologizing and telling her I had gone.

A day later and I was on a plane to Manchester. I had booked a flight and a hotel there too. I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't know what I was going there to do but I sure hell knew I had to leave here.

Hey guys so I just couldn't help but notice May's positive analysis. Who here is on her side about this whole issue, because I kinda am.✋

Vote, Comment, Share

The Sparkling Authoress

Mis-A

❤️