Chapter One
"It doesn't fit," Selene said, her voice ringing with panic as her eyes began to swell with tears.
This time, a tear dropped from her eye as she and her best friend Ivy struggled with the zipper of her wedding gown.
"It's not even budging. What do I do, Ivy?" Selene's voice was laced with regret and sadness as she looked at the half-zipped gown.
"I should have listened to you and not eaten all those treats. Now I can't even fit into my wedding gown," Selene said as the tears she had tried to hold in started rolling down her cheeks.
Noticing Ivy's silence and absence behind her, Selene turned to look at Ivy and was greeted with a surprise that instantly made her frown into a big smile.
Ivy was holding up a stunning wedding ball gown she had picked up the week before as a second option for her friend.
"I secretly picked this one while we were leaving the designer shop," Ivy said, smiling sheepishly.
"Oh my goodness! You did this for me!?" Her eyes twinkled with admiration as she examined the gown. "It's so pretty," she said as she hugged the gown as if her life depended on it.Actually m, her wedding did rely on it.
"What will I do without you?" Selene said as she rushed over, pulling Ivy into a big hug.
"Do you think it will fit?" she said as she rushed out of the old gown and placed the new gown close to her body in front of the mirror.
"Try it on; it should fit," Ivy said with a smile. "Trust me, it will fit," she reassured her friend.
As they both helped her into the outfit, Selene silently prayed that it would fit, which it did, and it was even prettier than the one she had selected.
"OMG Ivy, this is perfect," Selene said as she admired her reflection; her mascara had been tampered with due to her crying, but it wasn't something her makeup artist couldn't fix.
"Thank you. What would I do without you in my life?" Selene said as she peeled her gaze from her reflection to her best friend.
Who had been her shoulder to cry on since middle school when she lost her mother. They had to move due to the nature of her father's job. Being the only new student in the class was frightening enough, but to top it off, she was plus-size. But Ivy didn't care. They hit it off the first day of school and have been close friends ever since.
"Nothing, you can't do anything without me, sweetheart. Now, wait here while I get the makeup artist to fix your makeup, and I'll also check on the bridesmaids. We wouldn't want to keep your groom waiting," Ivy said as she moved closer to the door.
"You're the best," Selene said with a grateful smile on her lips.
Soon, the makeup artist arrived and fixed her smudged face. After she left, Selene stood before the mirror and admired her reflection. Her long, wavy brown hair was styled in a bridal bun adorned with white rose petals; her makeup was perfect, and her gown,gosh, how had she not seen this gown? It was perfect for her.
She smiled at the thought of finally marrying Frank. They'd been dating for seven years and were finally tying the knot.
Excited, she picked up her phone and dialed Frank's number, wanting to hear his voice before they met at the ceremony.
"Hey, husband-to-be!" she greeted the moment he picked up the call.
"Hey, wife, don't tell me you're missing me," he teased.
Selene giggled. "I can't wait for you to see me in my dress. Your mind will be blown," she responded with excitement in her voice.
"I bet you'll be the most beautiful bride ever," he said proudly. "I have to go now. I was busy before you called."
"Babe! We agreed you wouldn't do any office work today. It's our wedding; anything about the company has to wait," she said, rolling her eyes.
"I understand, baby, and no, it's not about the company. I'm working on a surprise for you, so don't ruin it," he said, laughing halfway.
"I love surprises," Selene said, squealing eagerly.
"I know you do. See you at the altar," he replied before the line went dead.
Looking at the time on her phone, she realized it had been nearly an hour since Ivy left. What was taking her so long, and where had she put her something blue?
It was all her kid sister Sandy's idea to have something blue, just like their mother did on her wedding day, and their mother's blue brooch was the perfect color. It was both something blue and borrowed, and she was prepared to wear it with pride.
She couldn't wait to see her dad's expression when he saw the brooch on her, how proud and happy he would be.
She needed Ivy. Two days ago, she had given the brooch to her for safekeeping.
Trying to keep calm, she dialed Ivy's number, but there was no answer. Worried, she set out to look for her. Halfway down the hallway, she saw her sister Sandy.
Sandy gasped as she saw Selene.
"Oh my goodness, Selene, you look gorgeous!" she said as she wrapped her arms around her, giving her a big hug.
"Wait. What are you doing out here?" she asked, frowning.
"I'm looking for Ivy. She has Mum's brooch."
"I saw her enter Frank's room a while ago. I would help you find her, but I already have my hands full with the caterers. I need to go, sis. Everything needs to be perfect on your big day," Sandy said as she pecked Selene on the cheek and hurried down the stairs.
They had decided to stay at the hotel where the wedding was being held to prevent any delays, and Frank's room was just down the hall from hers.
As she drew closer to Frank's room, happiness filled her heart. She thought about how well Ivy and Frank were getting along. They used to be at each other's throats when they first started dating, but now they were so close.
Perhaps they were planning the surprise together. When she got to the door, she raised her hand to knock but noticed that it was slightly open. She hesitated, not wanting to ruin the surprise.
She was just going to dash in and ask for the brooch. She wouldn't listen to their conversation, Selene promised herself as she opened the door and walked in.
As soon as she entered the suite, her smile faded when she didn't see them in the living room, but she saw red-bottom heels that looked identical to the ones Ivy had on this morning and her white purse on the floor.
The exotic sounds of sexual pleasure that reached her ears from the room were enough for her to deduce what was happening.
As Selene approached the room, she could feel her heart beating rapidly, as if it wanted to break free from her ribcage.
The half-open door spared her the suspense of actually having to open it. It revealed the scene that broke every fiber of her being.
Ivy was positioned in a doggy style with her dress raised up as Frank rammed into her, pulling her hair backward.
Unable to believe her eyes, she gasped, and only then did they notice her at the door.