I shoved him. Hard.
He didn't even stumble.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" I growled.
"Hello Darling. Nice to see some things haven't changed," Sorin replied with a smirk. And goddamn me but damn did it look exquisite.
"Go. To. Hell."
"And leave you here all alone?" He retorted, not missing a beat.
Then he moved. Not giving myself time to think, I swung my fist; throwing all my weight into it. Time seemed to slow as my fist travelled through the air. Just when I thought it was about to smack him right in his jaw, his hand shot up and caught my fist; a hairbreadth away from his face.
Eyes wide, he pulled me close. To others it looked like lovers embracing. But boy, this was sure as hell not that. Dropping his voice an octave lower, he whispered "why darling, no need to get all violent. Afterall, you know how that would end."
And I hated myself, absolutely hated myself for the hint of fear that raced through my body. I knew him. And I knew the moods he could get into.
Steeling myself, I pushed away - a movement only possible because he let me do it. I took the delay to check him out. He bore a tailored suit cut to frame his masculinity. Even then, it failed to do him justice. Assessing him from head to toe, I took in the cut of his sleek powerful thighs, his toned body stretching the white shirt beneath, tendrils of his shaggy dark hair framing his face and the sharp slope of his smooth jawline. Finding myself staring at his rosey lips, I looked away.
"Why were you staring?" He asked innocently.
Cheeks heating, I retorted, "I was hoping you'd spontaneously combust."
Letting out a deep chuckle that fueled my fiery heart, he faced me. I cut in before he could say anything. "I told you to stay away! You killed him. You fucking killed him! I'm done with this shit."
His face dropped. His usual saunter, gone. He tried to reach for my hand, but I was already gone.
Stomping away, I found myself staring at Leanna. She looked past me and met eyes of blue across the hall. I turned in time to see Sorin flash one of his dashing grins. Scowling, I flipped him off and slammed the door shut.
"Trouble in paradise?" Leanna asked, barely able to contain her laughter.
"Oh, don't start," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Honestly, you two would look great together. I mean I know you're with Javier and all but -"
She cut short when she noticed I was glaring.
"Oh Daph," she sighed and put her arm around my shoulder.
Calming my palpitating heart, I handed her the rings and watched her face glow up.
And then turn into a frown. "Where's your heels?"
"My - of fuck."
I almost ripped the door off its hinges as I opened it. I stopped dead in my tracks the moment I beheld what was in front of me. Crouching, I picked up my heels from where they lay perfectly aligned and jammed my feet into them.
No, that wasn't what made me stop.
Outside, the guests had arrived. Each of them milled and chatted about while others found their seats. The husband-to-be stood at the altar, looking nervous but hopeful. Beside him stood the man that had otherwise ruined what was supposed to be an amazing day.
I met eyes of gray with a core of blue. Delivering a mocking bow with a small smile, he stood tall.
It snapped something in me.
It doesn't matter that he's here. I'm goddamned Daphne Adelaine Rivera. I've been through hell and back. And it's my best friend's wedding for God's sake! I can deal with Sorin later.
Gaining my composure, I retaliated with a mocking curtsy of my own. When I looked up to meet him once again, I let the monster inside me show. The fiery rage in me shone bright. And honestly, he looked a bit frightened. After all, no one expects an angel to set the world on fire.
Brimming with confidence, I turned back and extended my hand towards the only person who mattered. Without missing a beat, she grabbed it and we stood side by side, taking everything in. Tears started to well up in our eyes.
"Love you Leans," I uttered, my voice breaking.
She gripped my hand, giving it a tight squeeze. It was all the confirmation I needed as the wedding march began.