SEBASTIAN
Before I knew it, days had passed and I hadn't even caught a glimpse of Audrey. I didn't see her at university, I didn't see her in the cafeteria, and visiting her apartment is kind of weird.
I needed to remember that I am her client and am not meant to get close to her in any way, but where was she? Over and over my mind was stuck on that question, repeating over and over like a broken record.
Not only her. Libby was nowhere to be seen, in fact, even the former Cupid (Margo) wasn't even around. So where had they gone?
Even now, as I stand in this church, watching the madness unfold around me, I question.
"Why am I here again?" I mumble to an ecstatic Jackson.
"Because you are the son of Alicia King, you need to be here as our helper." He mumbled back, his eyes glinting with happiness.
"I see someone took their pride pills this morning, how much did you take, a bucket full? I don't do fashion you numb-skull, why would I need to help if I don't know anything about it." I retorted, fiddling with my bow-tie.
"Well, you never know what we'll need you for. Maybe you'll find a chick here that you like, or are you so caught up on Audrey?" Jackson replies, elbowing me in the side.
"You need to shut up. Ugh, why did this happen to me?" I let out a frustrated groan.
Jackson ran his hand through his hair and fixed his tie, "Well, sometimes life sucks."
"You're not helping," I growled with a glare, attempting to flick him in the face.
"Who said I would?" He smirked slyly, "and anyway, what's got your bonnet in a twist?"
Before I could reply, a stream of elderly women scurried by, Jackson held in his laughter, I held in my comment. After a few minutes, a beep resounded from Jackson's phone.
"It's from Mrs Dixon, the bride and bridesmaids are on their way." He slides his phone back into his jacket pocket and stands up straight. One of Mrs Dixon's assistants go up to the groom and whispers in his ear and gets everyone into position.
The small orchestra begins to play and all guests turn the heads to the double golden doors. From where I stand at the back corner, I see a small flower girl come out, throwing petals around her. Next are the bridesmaids, their silk, lilac dresses flowing around them, each a different style. As the sun shone through the stained glass windows, I couldn't think of a greater day to get mar- wait, is that Audrey?
Surely enough, in a beautiful lilac gown, Audrey walks in, accompanied by a groomsman. She had the upper half of her hair braided into a crown with an array of flowers weaved through it. A golden bracelet glinted under the squinting sun with a smile just as bright. Even as the bride entered, my eyes were still on Audrey.
And hers finally fell on mine.
AUDREY
The church was decorated to the heavens, and beautifully so. We entered through two enormous golden doors that looked so heavy it took five men to open. on each side were two waist-height pearly stands that held beautiful flower arrangements on top. Each pew was closed off with silk draped between pew-end arrangements that hung on the side. Petals littered the carpet that we strode on, courtesy of the flower girl. At the front of the church is an arch of roses, this is where the bride and groom would stand.
When the bride finally arrived, it was like the sun had chosen to make her shine, the sun was her personal spotlight. Her spotless white dress glowed under the light, the jewels that adorned her bodice twinkling with each beam. Her luxurious black hair was pulled into a very large and complex braid that contrasted the pale flowers in her hair greatly. Her sheer lace veil was held in place with jewelled hairpins and was draped over a glittering tiara, her smile just as bright.
All this beauty around me and my eyes still fell on him. There he stood in the back corner, in a black tuxedo and a matching bow tie. His hair was slicked back into a neat style. Even from where I stood, I could see his eyes shining. He gave me a small smile which I returned before turning back to the bride.
After that, I avoided him all day. I didn't have the energy. I was wearing a beautiful and extremely expensive dress that is not stainproof, if there's even a slight breeze I am attacked by my hair from all angels and I've had to stand for over an hour in killer stilettos, I was not in the mood.
But, alas, he found me.
"Woah, you look like a mess."
"Thank you, I am fully aware of that," I hissed, rubbing the heels of my feet.
He smiled and approached me, "why is it that I find you on a balcony in every single fancy party?"
"This is a wedding, and there have only been two parties, this one included."
"Touché," he mumbled, leaning an elbow on the marble balcony.
The wedding reception is being held in a five-star deluxe hotel by the beach, the sound of wild laughter and the murmurs of conversations drift through the open crevices. The base of the music vibrates beneath my feet.
"So what are you doing here?" I ask, regretfully slipping the heels back on.
"Well, you know, bride, dress, Alicia King, son, helper. Basically, I'm here to help. I don't know why though since I haven't been needed." He replies, scratching his head in confusion.
"Your mother is a fan of wine Sebastian," I state, standing straight. Even with the stilettos on I'm still a good six inches shorter than him. Even through my vertically challenged frustration I could help but smile a little as a look of sudden realisation passed over his face.
"That's just sad. Are you saying I'm basically the designated driver despite us have a driver and I'm not actually driving?" He whines.
"Say any variation of drive one more time and I'm pushing you into Neptune's territory, and besides, it's not that sad."
"Oh come on, what could be sadder than that?" He grimaced, looking back to the party.
"I think the saddest non-serious thing I have ever heard was, and I quote, 'I have memes, please date me'," I stated, the memory makes me feel just as awkward as I did then.
He snickered, "No way. When did you hear that?"
"Last week in the university parking lot."
He barked a laugh, his eyes squinted closed and his pearly teeth were on display. The sunset was painted on his face in the evening light.
How come you always find me, King?
Suddenly the vibrations stopped and a voice called all the couples to the dancefloor for a slow dance. Men and women of all ages abandoned their seats and wine glasses and headed to the floor. A slow rhythm came on, all the couples slow dancing around the newly-wedded couple.
"Wanna dance?" He held out his hand, deja vu washing over me like the waves just metres away.
I hesitantly took his hand and he led me to the dancefloor. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he rested his around my waist.
Almost as if felt my awkwardness he chuckled, "rest your head on my shoulder, it's comfy."
Not wanting to look at him anymore I did as I was told, thanking the darkness for hiding my blush from embarrassment.
This was new.
We swayed to the music like the other couples, after a while I relaxed and gave in. This was comfortable. Who knew? I heard oohs and aah from around me, I could feel my cheeks heating up and opted to bury my face even further into his shoulder.
Nope. This was not happening.
Do you ever lie in your bed on a day where you don't have anything to do, you lay there and you don't want to get up because it's so comfortable. You know that feeling? Well, that's the only reason I hadn't thrown myself into the deep blue abyss outside.
I didn't know I needed this until now.