Edward,
"The contract is ready." I told Camille as she keeps getting distracted by her mom, I'm in too bad of a mood to even look at Layla. Layla won't in any way let her marry me until gets what she wanted. And even though I don't care about whatever she wants, I'm willing to give anything, it's just not that easy to give millions to someone in a matter of two hours, my team of lawyer will have to review the contract before they even get any further. It needs to be notarized and weekends are not the perfect time to carry that procedure with so much ease. "I've signed it." I show that piece of paper to Layla and my signature that was in the bottom. Her intentions are so easy to read the way her happiness sprouted by that piece of paper and she nodded like she has accomplished something great. I know ever since Camille was a child, Layla's been using her, either it was money, fame, Camille gave it to her without any questions. I've always pointed this out to Camille but she is too naïve to see that. I know I'm not gonna be the one. So, I've added a clause in the contract so Layla will never be able to get any of that money from Camille. Whatever her agenda is, it will never work on me.
"If you would've done it earlier, your guests wouldn't have to wait for two hours." She huffed, blowing with excitement. God, it's just so hard for me to imagine Camille come from this woman, if they didn't look so much alike, I never would've believed it.
"If you had asks me earlier, all this wouldn't have happened." I took back the paper from her hands giving it back to my lawyer to keep safe.
There is something I omitted to tell them and maybe it was a douche move that I'm lying to Camille, it feels weird because I have never done it before. I don't care about lying to Layla, but it's Camille I'm worried about. I know she don't care about my money or all the things her mom thinks I will bring in her life, and I know when I tell her later that the contract won't validate until Monday. Maybe we'll laugh my fears of being left by her at the alter or maybe she will not talk to me for some days, but risking my marriage for something that might happen sounds like the worst deal of my life. It still feels weird, it's the first time I'm lying to her, but I'm convinced that if I don't, she will not be my wife tonight, or maybe ever. That's one risk I'm not willing to take.
"Make the final preparations, I'll bring my daughter to the alter."
"Wait!" I added, "what about your father?" I asked Camille, she said he'll be coming.
"I'm her mom and dad. I'll walk her." sometimes I don't understand what's better, having a mom like Layla, or not having a mom at all.
Both of them swipes away from my room when Alex entered. I still haven't told him everything. I know he will make a ruckus out of it, he will point out all my shortcoming in this relationship. I would obviously want to spare myself that drama.
He follows in, so are some other friends from back in college. I had no idea they wore coming. Well, to be fair, I have no idea about whoever is our there right now. so, whatever. "Rick, Luke, Abby, nice to see you man." I hugged him as the flashes of old memories began rushing in front of my head. Miserable memories. I'm not the same guy anymore. I have no idea why they are even here today. to be honest, they were never even my friend. They were Alex's friends. And Alex was my only friend.
"Congratulations Ed." Rick said with a smile that for me has always been a mock. I know I wasn't the best back then, but they weren't the best at their behaviour either. I just don't forget bullies like them. I still smile back to him, only because I don't want to ruin my wedding.
I saw Alex leave our crowd to walk to the table at the back, pour us drinks and bring those glasses back to us. I had no idea he has it arranged. I had no idea who much of that vodka he's had because if I can see right, I can't tell he's any drunk.
"Alright man," he gave us each a glass, raising his own, "today has finally come for my boy Eddy." I can only smile. "We are here in his happy ever after and for all you guys here, Eddy we couldn't be prouder on you for setting an example. Dude, here's for you, to show us what true love can be. What a man can do for the woman he loves. I've learned a lot from you, I've taught you a lot, so after today let's not discuss your married life with me, especially if it's about how perfect it is. It's fucking uncomfortable to hear." I laughed at him remember all the faces he made every time I've shared all the cheesy things I've done or wish to do with Camille. But I know he loves it too. "Here's to peace, love and prosperity for you and your beautiful bride." I took a sip. "A lifetime of love and happiness."
This is so unlike him, but I love it so much. After the drink, they all left, it was my and Alex remained standing. "Why are they here? I didn't know you're still in contact with him."
"They hit me up on social media after they heard about your engagement in the news."
"You know I don't like them."
"I know you don't like them, that's why I called them here. to show them how wrong they were about you. don't worry I don't like them either. It's just fun to see their jealous asses. Don't worry about them." he refills another glass. "What was that all about?"
"What?"
"I saw Camille and Layla. Why were they here? what do they want?"
I didn't really intend to tell him, but I guess, I've not no choice. "Layla wanted Camille to have fifty percent of my wealth before she let me marry him."
"What? What kind of a condition is that? tell me you didn't do it."
"I have no choice, besides, it's not a big deal."
"I know it's not a big deal for you, but for them it is. Especially for Layla. She's used Camille to advance her carrier. She's used her for money and fame and yet you gave it to her. you don't know, maybe she will leach on to you from now."
"It won't happen. I did what I had to so I won't lose her. you know the way Layla has her claws on Camille."
"I know, I just hope nothing goes wrong."
"Don't worry."
"Don't worry, nothing can go wrong anymore."
"Fine, I'll go and check if Camille is ready."
"No, wait. There is something I want to tell Camille." I think I should tell her the truth so I won't have to lie to her in the first day of our marriage.
"Don't make it long. We're plenty late already."
"I know."
'I loved you when I lied to you, I loved you when I tell you sorry, but every time when I'm on my knees and you smile, I'll love you so much more than I love you before.'
I smiled when I heard her reading my letter I've intentionally left in the box of her train.
"I know I'm not good with words but there is so many things I want to say to you. It's hard to find the right words. I'll try and tell you all with this letter. Right now it's Saturday, there is exactly one week left for our marriage. It's absolutely amazing how quickly we've grown so close. My world started after you entered in it, and it will be the brightest when you'll be the brightest star to show it the path of eternal happiness." She paused just before the good part. "What the heck is this?" my heart paused with my halted steps. I hear her laugh. Is she laughing at the letter? She never laughed or reacted like that ever before. "Come on mom, why do I still have to carry on with this ridiculousness." My heart fell at her voice. It was… different.
"You can't leave him like this." Layla is still with her. I bet she's been filling her ears. "You can't do this to him. look I don't whatever you wanted me to do. Alright, now you have to marry him. he's given you everything you wanted."
"I never wanted to marry him. why would I have to waste my life for that loser."
"Because you made a promise."
"I made a promise to someone else mom, and my loyalty is with him. he's the father of my baby."
"Shut this nonsense Cami, walk down the aisle and read your vows. Do what you had done all this time. this is the life you've chosen. There is so much more he can still give us, you just need to be more patient. Make babies for him."
"I won't marry him mom. get out of my way. this isn't even his baby."
"He will never know. This is the best chance for us to get our lives back. Marry him, it's the best thing."
What is all this? Is this some sick joke. Because if it isn't, I'm sick.