The day opened out brilliant and blinding, the sun streaming into the living room like liquid gold. But the warmth felt empty as I stood there amid satin ribbons and the unrelenting clatter of high heels. Lily's wedding was supposed to be the realization of all my parents' hopes and wishes, but as I watched my sister fly around like a frightened butterfly, I sensed a storm building.
"Ellie, isn't it beautiful?," said Lily gasped, her eyes glittering as she turned to flaunt her beautiful white lace number, which seemed to float about her. Though inwardly I was a flurry of dread, forced a smile.
"Yeah, Lily, it's... amazing," I said, trying to sound passionate even with the knot in my gut. But do you not believe we ought to follow up with Daniel? Verify he is on his way?
Lily waved me off, her thrill unaffected. "He is great! Most likely he is simply caught in traffic. You are aware of these trends.
Right, I responded, stifling my annoyance. Still, he ought to have departed earlier. Delay is not something we can afford. The reception picks up at four!
Mom pushed her head into the room, her face forcedly smiling. "Girls, right here is the florist! And the caterer is organizing. Everything is going to be perfect! She whirled away, leaving Lily and me to exchange a knowing glance.
Are you quite sure about this, Lils? I asked gently, hoping my worry wouldn't explode her bubble.
naturally! I love him, she said, a mix of naivety and conviction gleaming in her eyes. "He is going to look after us. I simply know it.
"Right," I said, but uncertainty tore at me. I felt like a ticking time bomb more the more I attempted to dismiss it. Daniel's stories—the opulent estate, the well-known contacts—started to seem like something from a fairy tale. One I really wanted to believe for the benefit of my sister.
The tightness in the air intensified as the minutes stretched into hours. I watched the clock, its hands moving as though parodies of my mounting discomfort. The visitors arrived, smiling and gift-bearing, but every instant without Daniel felt like a betrayal. They glided into the hall.
At last, the officiant drew me away as the clock struck three thirty. Elena, have you heard from Daniel? We have to start not too far off.
I shook my head, panic grabbing at my gut. No, he is simply running late.
"Running late for a wedding? That's odd, he said, staring at the door as though he expected Daniel to explode at any moment. Perhaps we ought to call the police.
A knot knotted within me. "What?", asked Not at all! It is simply traffic. It does indeed!
Still, a sinking sensation crept into my chest even as I spoke it. I felt a sinking sense of something obviously wrong.
The minutes passed till at last I plucked the bravery to approach Mom and Dad, who were chatting with visitors, presenting a brave front. Urgent, lacing my voice, I drew them apart. We must get in touch with the cops. Something doesn't quite fit.
"What do you mean??" Dad wrinkled his brow and asked.
By now Daniel ought to have been here. We owe it to something! Desperate clawing at me, I insisted.
Mom looked concerned, her grin wavering. "Ellie, you are acting quite dramatically. It is a wedding; he will show up.
NO! Not only is this a wedding. Future of our family is this. Already you have squandered all we have! I hissed and looked about to make sure nobody was listening.
Dad's face grew stern, the tension of the day showing itself on his features. "We will give him a little more time."
Sensing the tension, Lily came up to us. "What else is happening? Why then do you seem so serious?
Dad said fast, "Just a misunderstanding, sweetie," producing a smile that fell short of his eyes.
But I felt a surge of protection as I saw Lily's trusting eyes. Taking a long breath, I said, "I'll go look for him. He has to be caught somewhere.
"Don't be ludicrous, Ellie!" Mom caught herself, her voice cutting. "You are not going anywhere."
"Mom, should he not show up shortly—"
Then we'll deal with it, she said, her annoyance spilling over. "You have to concentrate on today's happiness for your sister."
Ignoring her objections, I grabbed my phone and called Lily's wedding planner. Where is Daniel, Marina? I asked right away when she picked up.
"Hello? Is everything in good shape? She asked with a worried voice.
"No, it's not good!" With his absence, nobody seems to know where he is. My tone became furious. "Can you learn whether he was observed anywhere?"
Definitely! I will call you and let you know, she reassured me.
I hung there, panic whirling in my chest. I turned back to my family, features pale now gathered in a cluster.
My heart was pounding, "Something's wrong," I said. "We have to report missing persons."
"We'll look for him," Dad said at last, the weight of the day falling on him. "We are going to the police station. Come come, Lily.
"No! " Lily objected, big eyes. "He is scheduled to arrive. I am sure he will!
Lily, pay attention. I started, but she shook her head, tears filling her eyes.
"I don't want to consider that! Love me! He is simply late! She started to cry; her voice broke.
"Lily!!" I clutched her shoulders, my heart withering for her. "We must have reasonable expectations. Should we delay now, it could be too late.
The music stopped suddenly, and a stillness descended over the assembly. Turning to find the officiant staring blankly at the empty altar, I could see confusion written on his face.
Trying to keep his voice steady, he continued, "Ladies and gentlemen: we will stop the ceremony until Daniel arrives."
There were whispers among the visitors. "What is happening?" "Where is he?," asks Is this a joke?
My pulse accelerated when I saw some of our family acquaintances staring at one another worriedly.
Lily begged, her voice quivering, "Ellie, we have to leave here."
"No," said Not exactly yet. I said forcefully, not letting you leave without knowing where he is.
My phone buzzed in my pocket right then. Heart jumping, I pulled it out and read Marina's text: "I can't find anyone who knows him." I apologize, but I am beginning to get worried. We ought to give the police a call.
Great, I said under my breath, the panic rising in my throat like bile. I turned to gaze at my folks. "Time is running out. We are heading to the cops.
"We cannot!" Mom insisted, voice getting louder. "What will everyone think?"
"What do you mean, what will everyone think? There is nothing about appearances here! Regarding Lily's future is this? Frustration poured over, I shot back.
I looked suddenly at the edge of the venue and saw someone. My heart jumped in recognition of him. "Daniel!!" I yelled and raced toward him. But I sensed something was awry as I neared. His hair was messy, his shirt was rumpled, and his eyes—my God—were wild with dread.
"Ellie!" he cried, looking about as though in search of escape. You really have to pay attention to me.
"What the fuck happened?" Where were you? I cried, my heart pounding.
He shouted, seizing my arm and dragging me elsewhere, not here. "It's not safe. You have to get your family off here.
"What are you speaking about??" My thoughts whirled, doubt blending with fear.
Lily and my dad caught up with us before he could reply. "Daniel!," Lily cried out, her cheeks glowing. "You arrive here! I started to get quite concerned.
But the way he looked silenced her. "Lily, I need your faith in me. I am sought for by some. Dangerous persons.
"Dangerous?" I repeated, terror flooding through me. "What was your action?"
He glanced around, his shoulders becoming tense. "I have to explain everything, but not right here. Simply said, kindly come with me.
"Daniel, we cannot just walk away!" I objectified. "This is your wedding day!"
He moved forward and lowered his voice. "Your family could be in danger. Everybody is at risk.
His words hung in the air, the weight of which settled squarely on my chest. The severity of the circumstances. I watched Lily, whose look changed from devotion to uncertainty then to anxiety.
"Danger from who"? My heart thumping in my ears, I pressed.
Before Daniel could reply, though, the venue's doors opened and a group of guys in dark suits walked in, their eyes coldly and precisely scanning the assembly. Realizing they were not there for a wedding, my tummy fell. Their presence was here for something far more terrible.
"Run!" Daniel yelled, snatching Lily's hand and dragging her toward the door.
I hesitated, straddling impulse against obligation. Hold on! We cannot just say:
"Now!".