The wedding was delayed because of a technical issue. When it finally began, it was more wonderful than I expected. The bride’s entrance was extraordinary; instead of the very usual aisle walk, she came riding a white horse. Her wedding gown is. . . I do not know how to describe it. It is not a dull satin white. It is a mermaid cut off shoulder gown. Shining almost platinum on her body; something similar to the stars in the sky. I didn’t fail to take pictures of it. She is indeed a goddess. I was blown away. She is the kind of beauty that should belong on famous fashion magazines. A sultry face with appealing features that could set nations against each other had we been in the medieval times. The groom is dramatically shedding tears of joy and deep gratitude as she comes closer. It was a spectacle. Many of the guest were also shedding tears. "This is the wedding of a lifetime. They are surely going to grow old together."

To that, Raymond has an unreadable expression that makes me unable to tell what he is thinking. He is not pleased. That is why he is putting on the seemingly I don’t care facade. Their vows was so deep. Similar to the one from corpse bride. I clapped joyfully with all my heart. Raymond said we should leave after the joining ceremony. But I insisted to stay for the celebrations, including the after party. I even told him to leave without me if he really wants to. He didn’t. The after-celebration was moved to a castle-like hall that gives one the feeling of being in the Victorian times. Like I had felt, it was a victorian themed party. Not necessarily though. Just the bride and groom and some others wearing the outfits. Raymond begrudgingly stayed with me. He did not seem like he is in the mood to dance. So I instantly take Elijah on his offer when he asked me to dance with him. I told him twice that I am not excellent at ballroom dances and that I might step on his feet before we go and join the other dancing couples. "You and him look good together. More than he and her ever did."

"I am sorry. I didn’t quite get that."

"Raymond and Maddy. You are a better match with him than her. I am going to ask you to please fill his mind so he doesn’t think about her." I frown as he says that. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I get the feeling that you don’t like her." I say in an edgy tone.

"You are right. I don’t. I never did, but now it just deepens. Who cheats and gets married to their fiance’s best friend?" There. A red flag quality.

"Well, maybe if your friend had been good enough and actually cared about her, she wouldn’t have a reason to do that."

"You are taking her side?"

"I am a woman. So of course I am. Love does not excuse stringing another person on and plain selfishness."

"What does that mean?"

"I hate people who go around judging others. I know the whole story incase you don’t. Think of yourself as a woman. Would you continue to be with someone who does not give you what he knows you desperately want?"

". . . Gwen. I think we are getting off on the wrong foot here—"

"It’s Gweneth. I never liked you too Elijah. But now that dislikes just deepens. If you will excuse me." I broke the dance and left him. I got a drink from a passing waiter. Raymond has disappeared again. I stay at an inconspicuous spot to make a call. The person who said she would call me every fifteen minutes only called me twice. One six hours ago and the other two hours. The ballroom music suddenly stops. In it’s place were actual voices speaking. Arguing. People exchanged confused glances at what was going on. A male voice saying how could you do this to me, and a female voice placatingly saying I am sorry, Kelvin."

"It is happening outside the fountain!" Yelled someone. A crowd of people rushed outside to see it. I did too. There at the fountain was Maddy sobbing. Kelvin wearing a look of hurt and anger. And Raymond looking like someone caught in a crime act. Looking like he is contemplating between admitting and apologizing, or firmly denying. The combination is giving a scandalous, suspicious vibe. "So you are not even going to deny it, huh?" Asked Kelvin in a tone that bothers more on hurt than anger

"I thought I could go through with the wedding. I thought I could marry you and pretend that I love you. . . but. . . but I don’t. We would never be happy." Gasps rose. Kelvin begs. "Maddy, please don’t do this. You have become my life. I am willing to forget about everything. Just don’t leave me."

"You would only be hurt if I stay with you. Because I can never love you the way I do him."

"I don’t care. I will be hurt more if I don’t have you."

"You will get over it with time. And find someone who would truly love you. But I cannot pretend that, that person is me. And your parents. . . they hate me. Look, they didn’t even attend our wedding." That is so not a reason to list. It is quite rare for parents to fully approve of who their children marry. But their disapproval does not matter.

"I am the one you just married. I am the one who would be sleeping and waking up beside you every morning. Not them." Kelvin states.

"I can’t be with you. I am sorry." Said Maddy tearfully.

"It is because of him, isn’t it?"

Kelvin charged at Raymond with a punch on his face. "How can you of all people do this to me? You were supposed to be my friend." Separating him from Raymond was difficult for the people who did. Kelvin had held on with all his might and continued punching. Maddy screams and also tries to get him to stop hitting Raymond. "How dare you steal her from me?"

"He didn’t steal me from you. I was never yours."

And that was how a dream wedding transformed into a messy, scandalous soap opera scene. My guess is Kelvin had caught them kissing. Or making out. I did not think Maddy a bitch before. But now I do. And it gets worse seeing him crying in deep sorrow. He had shed tears of joy this morning at the aisle. Now he is crying hurtful tears. He just got cheated on at his own wedding party. His wife asked for a divorce and publicly declared that she loves someone else and not him. He rejected all consolation and just drowns himself in alcohol. Glass after glass. I hope he heals soon. I asked someone the name of the location. I would use all the money in my account on Uber than hitch a ride with Raymond back home. I was reeling in the surreal occurrence in the backseat of the car when my phone rings—Raymond. I wanted to ignore. But I didn’t. "Where are you? I can’t find you anywhere." He says in a rushed tone that sounds like he is panicking.

He seriously wants me to believe that he has time looking for me? He should be occupied with his. . . . I don’t know what to refer to her. And filling in on the dream wedding he ruined. "Heading home. You expected me to be sitting around waiting for you?" I reply with a bit of sarcasm.

"Are you mad?"

I sneer. "What is there that I should be mad at?

Oh. The fact that you got back together with your ex, and by so doing, ruined your best friend’s wedding. And making me look like a joke?"

"All of it. Gweneth I am really sorry. I know anything I say is going to sound like a lame excuse. But believe me when I say that I didn’t plan for any of it to happen."

"What is that? I didn’t ask for an explanation."

"You sound mad. I thought you might be affected by—" That statement of his really set me off.

"Wait, hold it right there. Affected?" Listen to this jerk speak.

"That is so farfetched. I am truly mad. That is because you drag me out to some unknown beach location. I was supposed to be chilling at home and watching Netflix.

You did see that most of the people that we told that we are just colleagues did not seem to buy it. And then you run around; get back together with your ex, turn me into a joke and make me witness a catastrophy."

"I am sorry."

I roll my eyes exasperated with that word "sorry"

"I have grown to really hate hearing that because of you."

"Blame the dictionary. There are no other words of apologies." Is that meant to be a joke. "Gweneth, please don’t hang up. Hear me out." He pleads.

"Do you hear yourself? You are speaking like we have something."

"We could. I mean. . . . . we should have."