Nolan didn't know how long they had slept but it was past 8 pm when he screeched his eyes opened. Itzel's absence was the first thing he noticed. He glides off the bed, first to the washroom then to the living room, in search of her.
He realized she had left already on seeing her things missing in the room. Just then, it struck him. "Paige," he mumbled, heading back to the bedroom for his phone.
Picking up the abandoned trousers sprayed on the floor, he reached into the pockets for his phone. " shit.." he cursed, seeing the number of missed calls from her. He tried to ring her up but the line was dead.
----
Paige staggered into her modern luxurious living room which is in grey and gold designs. She planned on riding over to Nolan's apartment after being stood up but then she received a call from her mother, asking her to come over.
With her apartment on the same path as her parents, she forwent the idea of going over to Nolan's– already exhausted. Paige knew he wasn't giving much attention to their wedding preparation but she didn't expect him to stand her up. Knowing how important this meeting was to their big day.
Fortunately, she was able to finalize everything with Tania. She was about to head to her room to freshen up when a ring from the door rapt her ears. With heavy feet, she staggered to the camera. Craning over, she saw Itzel on the other side of the door.
Impulsively, the latter waves with a smile on seeing Paige. She simpered, unlocking the door. She was so occupied that she forgot all about her sister at Nolan's. Itzel walked in with hands full with carry-out bags. Side-stepping Paige as she strolled in.
The latter followed closely behind, brows creased on seeing her with all those shopping bags. "And what are these?" she giggles amidst words as her sister sets the bags on the table.
Itzel tilts her head towards the bags, gesturing for her sister to see for herself. Paige's curiosity grew on her face as she stared tentatively at Itzel and then the bags. "They're mine?" she voiced, reaching towards them.
She grabs the white one embedded with a golden logo under the name EMPREZZ BRIDALS. She sure is familiar with this brand but wasn't sure what was in it. It came as a surprise when she opened it to see her beautiful custom gown.
"Oh Itzel..." she screeched, excited to have her dress. She had received a message earlier from Kayden that the shop wouldn't be able to deliver her gown due to inconveniences that weren't stated.
Dropping the gown on the couch, she took the next bag. They were a beautiful golden crystal pair of heels. Just the perfect shoe for her gown. Out of excitement, she wrapped Itzel into a hug almost sweeping her off her feet.
"You're the best." she exudes. "You always know how to make my day end well," she adds.
Itzels pattered her back and they broke from the hug. Picking up the bags, they trod off to Paige's room in witty chatters.
"Sorry for leaving you at Nolan's apartment earlier today,"
"It's nothing to be worried about," Itzel replied, their voices fading away.
----
Wednesdays were usually Paige's off days. And it's mostly her appointment days with her doctor. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at an early age due to a traumatic event that almost cost her life.
Romance was out of her book until she met Nolan. He was the only one apart from her family that made her feel right. As always, he was to pick her up for her appointment but it was already past 10 am and he wasn't in.
She had woken up to his text, explaining how he wasn't able to make it to their meeting with Tania due to an emergency at work. He was going to make it up to her with a date after her appointment but up until now, he wasn't in and not even a call or text to explain what was keeping him.
Paige sighed for the 100th time, slamming into the sofa. Itzel had left earlier for an ad shoot, so she said. And now, it was left with her and her dog pet– Dafy.
She gave him some more time, knowing how his line of duty works but her patience was already running dry after the long wait. Without hesitation, she phones him. It went through the first time but there were no answers. She tried again and this time, he answered after the second ring.
"I'm sorry babe, but you have to go for your appointments by yourself. " Nolan's voice rasp her ear with a sense of urgency.
"Sure, " she was skeptical. "Did something come up?" she asked, concerned.
"Yes, Paige. A patient who needs my attention was just brought in. Looks like I'll be spending the next 5 hours in the theater."
Paige was quite disappointed but didn't let it show. She loves it when she is with him but doesn't want him to feel pressured. Assuring him she was going to be okay, she hung up.
---
Returning the phone into his pocket, a smile spreads Nolan's face as his gaze rests on Itzel who sits across from him. He curbs her hand into his. Gently rubbing it.
Paige shrugs to her feet– she had to go anyway. It's her health we're talking about here. Just when she took a step, she felt dizzy and her vision blurred. She staggered, holding her head with a hand as she bated her eyes to clear her vision.
It worked the first time but then, she collapsed on the floor on her second attempt. Her cleaner who had gone to get some groceries walked in to find her unconscious.
She dashed to her aid. With all the strength left in her, she managed to get Paige onto the sofa. With Jackie out of options, she tried reaching out to Itzel using Paige's phone. It went through but ended after a short ring.
" What do I do? what do I do?" she fumbled.