As days passed, soon a week, and the fatal day was approaching. I was becoming more and more nervous, anxious, worried, paranoiac, restless and happy. I couldn't have fandom weeks ago about the possibility of Eva and I be anything. Despite the fact I always wish for us to be together and now it was becoming true. In a couple of days, Eva Farewell would be Eva Briar, my wife. No word could express what I was feeling.
My mother was the one in charge of the organisation of the marriage since neither Eva nor I were interested. The truth was I wanted to participate. It was my marriage after all but if I did, it would have be suspicious, like I was actually happy about the marriage instead of been indifferent or angry about it. I only have myself to blame for that. It was the role I played for the past years and couldn't break it like that, not when we haven't yet signed those papers.
My mother though, somehow manage to have Eva involve in it. Against her rejection and there were together in the preparation of what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. It was but what diminish my joy was knowing it was everything but a happy celebration for the bride.
A heavy sigh left my lips, gaining the attention of Zach, sitting next to me in the car.
"What is it?" he asked, not lifting his eyes from his phone. It was the nth sigh I left out since we got in the car, he didn't give it much of his attention. At least, he cared enough to ask unlike the other time he behave as if I wasn't present.
"Nothing," I replied and focused my eyes on the road.
I watched the other side of the road, with cars going opposite to our direction. I was perplexed about the future. Happy for the marriage but it didn't ease the uneasiness building in me. Yet another sigh left my lips.
"Oh my goodness Klaus! If you don't want to get married just tell us, we will cancel it. Just stop pulling out your long face," Melisa complained. She was sitting right next to Zach.
"Who said I wanted to cancel the marriage?" on the contrary, I wanted it to be done at soon as possible so that I won't have to worry about Eva changing her mind out of a sudden and cancelling it. I would be devastated.
"Your long face tell us you aren't that happy. If not, why all the sighed?" she asked.
"Ten, you sighed ten times since we enter the car," she counted with her fingers.
"I'm with her on this," Zach said, getting his eyes off his phone.
"You are behaving as if were heading to your death not to the patisserie to choice a cake for your marriage," he put off his phone. Giving me all his attention.
We were heading to a patisserie to taste out cakes. Eva and her friends would be there too. Since we aren't really participating in the marriage organisation, mom summoned both of us to be present at the degustation and with best men and groomsmen for me so that the both party could met before the very day. Which was why we were in my car, Melissa, Zach and I. My other groomsmen, David and Luke couldn't make it today. Leaving just the three of us.
"I'm a little nervous, that's all," and my mind keep on creating scenario of all what could go wrong.
"That's it?"
"Yep," I nodded.
"I don't believe you though," Melissa said.
"Let's forget about that and go and eat some cake ok?" I said. The chauffeur signaled us of our arrival.
"If I can't do otherwise," she lamented before stepping out of the car.
Zach watched me carefully before joining Melissa outside. And a sighed left my mouth for the last time before I got out. They waited for me and we walked in together. I was anxious of what was waiting for me inside. With Eva, you can be sure of nothing.
"You children are finally here," mum said immediately we entered in our booked room.
It was a private room in the patisserie away from everyone eyes. It was luxurious, as the image of my mother who screamed money. It wasn't surprising, she wanted the best and for her, the best was in hiring one of the most famous and expensive chef to do our cake.
The room was grand and the decoration minimalist. The choice of color matches to perfection and gave it was warm vibe. There were at the center, a room table were my mother was already sitting. She was sitting alone with the rest of the chair empty. I thought Eva had arrived since we were late.
"I will go and tell the chef," she stood up and went in another room. The solo door in the room beside the one we came in through.
"I don't understand why she is acting like this, Eva is yet to arrive." I wondered as we walked further in the room. My eyes roaming around.
"Talked for yourself, we were here in time. We are punctual, unlike others," Eva said, coming from the room my mother just entered.
She was so pretty with her hair tie in a bun. Her makeup was light which accentuate her natural beauty. I was overjoy to see her again. Since the day when we agreed to get married, I didn't have an opportunity to see her. I forced myself not to display the smile trying to form on my face. With much struggle, I keep my face expressionless.
"You are free. Unlike you, we are busy people," I replied.
She ignored me and her eyes ran to my friends. While she was inspecting my friends, I was doing the same for her and not to my surprise, Noah was standing by her side. He was the reason behind my sighs. I knew she would have come with him. I'm sure he was her maid of honor. They were way to close to my liking. Doesn't she has other friends?
Zach's report of him came out clean. There were nothing I could pick to accuse him and it makes me even more furious. On paper, he was perfect for her.
"Good evening Zach," Eva surprised us with her greetings. She never greeted neither of us, only ignoring except we engage a conversation. Now, she voluntary came to us and even greeted.
Zach didn't reply on spot. I guess shocked by her odd behavior. What was she planning? And also, what was the flirtatious smile Alicia was sending Zach's way. Was that what was perturbing him?
"Let me guess," she paused, "the best man," she said without letting him reply to her greetings.
"Indeed," Zach nodded.
"I knew it!" she exclaimed excited.
"I told you," she said to Noah.
"You won this one," he said resigned. It seem as if there were a bet involved.
"Where are the cakes? The faster we eat them the faster we will be out of here," Alicia said as they walked to the chair, completely ignoring the rest of us. Only Zach had the honor to be greeted by the three, and an acknowledge nod had be sent to me by Noah and the poor Melissa has be totally ignore but I doubt she minded it. The rest of the day was promising.
"If not for my love for the cake I won't be here," Alicia added.
"It appears as not all of them are agreeing to this marriage," Zach whispered.
And it was obvious to see whom wasn't. I watched every expression on Noah face to see where he stood on this but I saw nothing. I wondered if he was being jealous, after all his ex-fiancé was going to get married.
"At least one of them is sensible enough," Melissa said. She was still not ok with the marriage.
I didn't comment on that and we went and took our seat opposite to theirs. Eva was sitting in the middle of the two like I was. They were talking among themselves in a low voice, making it difficult to hear what they were saying clearly.
"Zach," Eva called out for him, getting not only his but mine and Melissa attention.
"Who are you taking to the wedding?" she asked. Her question taking me out of guard. It wasn't what I was expecting her to say.
Her head was supported by both her hands. She was like an impatient kids waiting. She eyes glowed of curiosity and her lips slightly lifted up.
Zach took a moment before answering, "Melissa,"
"Yes!" Noah exclaimed, "I told you," he said to Eva who was frowning.
"You are taking me shopping mademoiselle," he said with pride, his stupid smile on.
It seem like they bet on whom Zach would be taking to the wedding and Noah said it would be Melissa and have won. It was easy to guess, most of the time, either of us would prefer to take Melissa at social event because we were friend and it would imply nothing to the media. Any other person, and you would hear how you are getting married the next day.
"Why are you always taking her? Can't she find someone else to go with? You can go with some else! Alicia here will make it a pleasure to go with you," Eva said to which Alicia happily agreed and Zach frowned. Showing where he stood on that.
It was not of a surprise since the latter never shy around in proclaiming her love for Zach who always rejected her for unknown reason, even to me. What I wanted to know was how does she knows he always go with her and also if she knew, how did she lost?
"Why is she always the one you guys takes with you?" Eva asked.
"It's it because Melissa can't find a man to take her out? Been a model doesn't seem to help her," she added.
"Don't worry about me, I have success with men. I can't say the same of others," Melissa argued. Her eyes fixed on Alicia and Eva as she spoke.
"Standing beside me is my ex fiancé and I'm about to get married and Alicia, let not talk about her." Eva said. We all understood what she meant by that. Alicia loves lives was well known by all.
"You are the only one here who has never be in relation with anyone and always glued to her friends,"
"Nobody most found interest in her," Alicia whispered but low enough for us all to hear.
"To her defend, I can say men are all over her. I saw her been chase upon," Noah said.
"That confirm what I was saying, her being a model doesn't help her. As soon as they got to see beyond the surf ace, they retract,"
"That is the best explanation," Alicia nodded to her friend words like it was the revelation of the day. I remained quiet, not sure on what to say.
"I don't think I have to listen to someone who force other to marry them and a slut," Melissa fired back. Gaining glared by Noah. Someone was defenses of his friends even though they clearly started it.
"Listen Zach," Eva began, ignoring Melissa words, "before you answer keep in mind that a free shopping is at risk. This guy," she pointed Noah "is the stingiest man alive and I want to eat his money. Keep that in mind before answering." She paused. Making sure he heard her correctly.
"Who are you taking to the marriage?" she asked again.
We all wait for Zach to reply as before but I doubt he would. If one person was able to influence Zach, it was Eva. Even after all these years, she was still dear to him and he would do what he can to make her happy.