I didn't realize when I fell asleep. The morning rays of the sun peeping through the little spaces between the curtains awakened me. I struggled to open my eyes as the tears had made them itchy and sore. I got up brawling as my hands and legs had become stiff and rigid. The memories of the previous nights were still flashing across my mind. I moved towards the washroom with my floundering steps.
The reflection on the mirror wasn't me. It felt as if the face belonged to someone else. The face was low and pale. The dark spots beneath those eyes conveyed the fear and that fear had tied down my tongue. I couldn't speak. The words of Reece still flowed around my brain and was piercing the cracks of my heart even more. I didn't want to believe it but someone inside me told me that something really bad was going to happen. I just wanted to move away from those feelings and enjoy Naomi's wedding.
I groaned "Leave me..whoever has chained me down. I am feeling breathless. Why am I feeling like this? Someone, please help. Please-"
"Forget him and you will be fine" A gravely calmed voice spoke from my behind. I looked up to the mirror to see who it was. A strange sensation of burn curled up from my feet to the chest when I saw the face of Reece.
"Didn't I told you to stay away from me? Didn't I say I don't want to see your face?" I thundered
"Hey!! Look... I am sorry. I was drunk and I was out of control. I am so sorry to cause you harm. I didn't intend to do anything wrong." he said in a low apologetic voice.
" Who do you think you are? I said I don't want to see your face. So just get lost before I do something that I will regret later about." I stormed
"I guess I will talk to you later. Yeah well, Carsten has arrived." He said and simply departed from my room.
I constantly delivered punches to the wall to let out my anger causing my knuckles to bleed. I really didn't care about my knuckles much. I just stared at the blood which flowed from them. I was literally bleeding love. I splashed water on my face trying to cheer up but it just didn't work. I quickly took a shower hoping the warm drops of water to soothe my nerves but even they faced a failure.
I slipped into my casual sweatshirt and trousers before making my way out of the room. Carsten had arrived but there wasn't a single hint of excitement within me. The only thing I wanted to do at that moment was finding the answers to my questions. I was walking in the lobby when someone shouted my name. "Hey, Asteria!!! I think you forgot your brother." Yes, it was Sebastian. I just stopped in my tracks and turned around. He came running and gave me a warm hug.
Seb: Long time, huh?
me: Yeah... (in a gloomy tone)
Seb: Hey, hey, hey!!! Is there something you are hiding from me?
me: Huh... ( I rested my head on his shoulders)
I told Seb everything that happened the night before the previous night. The incident of meeting Anna, then Carsten not replying to my texts, his sudden urgent work and last moment plan cancellation and lastly Reece's incident. Everything. Even about the weird feeling. He quickly pulled me again into a huge, caring hug which I guess, I needed the most at that moment.
Seb: Take a long breath and relax. Everything is gonna be fine. Carsten has arrived and there's nothing between Anna and Carsten. Don't you trust him?
me: I do but I don't trust Anna.
Seb: Come on!!! Cheer up!!! It is my wedding week!!!
me: Yeah...( I let a gentle smile creep over my face)
Seb: Yes, that's like my sister.
He gave me a high five and dragged me to meet Carsten. As soon as, Carsten saw me, there was a sudden change in his behaviour. He acted in a very strange way.
me: Hey!!! Carsten!!
Carsten: H-hey Asteria.
me: So? Was your flight good? ( I sat next to him)
Carsten: I guess, it was. (he looked nervous)
me: And is your urgent work over?
Carsten: W-what w-work?( he stammered)
me: Didn't you just texted me the other day that you had some urgent work-- ( I was cut off)
Carsten: Oh y-yeah yeah, that work. Yeah I-I remember. Yes, i-it is over.
me: Are you okay? ( I placed my hand on his to make him feel better)
Carsten: Yeah. I am t-totally f-fine. Yeah... I am fine. ( He quickly took his hand from my grip)
me: Doesn't seem like that. And yeah you didn't reply to my messages.
Carsten: Which messages? I haven't seen any.
me: The messages I sent you that night after you dropped me at my house. Okay, fine leave that. Tell me where did you dropped Anna and-- (he gets up quickly making me flinch)
Carsten: I-I am so sorry, I guess I need to leave. B-bye, c-catch you later.
Something was wrong. I was sure about that. I just didn't get enough time to think about it. Seb, Naomi and Sophia took me shopping with them. They tried their best to divert my mind but only if my brain could ever stop thinking about Carsten.
It was finally the wedding day. All were excited and the atmosphere was beautiful just like Naomi. She wore a long white gown that perfectly fitted her. Seb looked really stunning in that black tux. Since I was one of the bride's maids, I was paired with one of the groom's men who was Carsten. Sophia walked in with Blake while I walked in with Carsten. His hands were shivering and he was sweating. He didn't look at my face even once on that entire day. The wedding successfully came to an end and we were really happy for Seb and Naomi. Except for Carsten. The most realistic fake smile one could ever give. He had even left for Seoul by the time of the post-marriage photoshoot.
Every time I dialled his number, it said, it was switched off. He didn't reply to any of my messages. I was really scared and it felt as if something really horrible was gonna happen soon.