A Thousand Butterflies.

(KAIRA’S POV)

“This has to be illegal. Fucking illegal.” Erica circled me like a shark with her jaw literally on the floor. “I mean I knew when I saw your face that you’re a gem but….. I am stunned. Have you even seen yourself?”

I had seen myself.

I was currently doing that now. A glance at the mirror had turned to a permanent stare. I was frozen to the spot, with my eyes perfectly glued at at the wide-eyed reflection of myself.

“I really do think you should consider coming for my first fashion show this December.” Erica rested her head slightly on my shoulder. “Your beauty plus my designs, the whole world will be talking about it.”

I blushed shyly and avoided her eyes in the mirror. “Thank you.” I said.

It has been four hours since we began the wedding preparations and in that time I had gotten to know a few things about Erica Horton.

For instance, she used to live with her family in New York but now she is a twenty-one-year-old college junior at University of California, Los Angeles. She majors in design and has been an international top model since the age of fourteen.

Now when she casually dropped that she is a model, I didn't expect her to be that huge. But then Mum googled her and we haven't been able to keep our mouths shut since then. She has over two million followers!! Yes, she is that huge.

“I can't keep standing this close to you. I look like a sack of potatoes." She said with a groan.

"No, you don't!" I said with a mild chuckle. She did look messy because she has been running around trying to make sure Mum and I are perfect, but still, beautiful.

"I need to go check on our bride, then quickly get ready. The ceremony starts in less than an hour." With a bright smile and a shoulder rub, she added. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." I replied softly but she had disappeared , on the other side of the room which was partitioned with curtains.

Now without Erica's presence, I was allowed to express my shock. I moved closer to the mirror, my hand slightly lifted as if to confirm that this was truly me.

The girl in the mirror looked… unreal.

The satin dress, ‘custom made’ as Erica had said, hugged my waist before flowing effortlessly to the floor. The soft pink fabric perfectly complemented my complexion, while the off-shoulder neckline revealed my collarbones

My strawberry blonde hair cascaded over one shoulder with tiny crystal pins shaped like stars. The light make up hadn’t changed my faces but revealed my features that I had overlooked. My eyes looked larger beneath delicately curled lashes, a soft shimmer rested on my eyelids and my glossed lips looked fuller than usual.

For the first time in my life, I didn’t immediately search for flaws.

“Oh baby.”

Mum’s voice made me whirl and I gasped when I took in her appearance. I hurried towards her, my eyes admiring.

“Oh mum, you look…..” I was speechless but the word was breathtaking. She looked absolutely breathtaking. Her ivory gown wrapped around her with effortless elegance, her hair was styled into a sleek and graceful updo decorated with tiny pearls.

“Do you like it?” She asked me softly.

“Like it?” I laughed. “Oh mum, I love it. You look so beautiful. Like a queen.”

She took my hand in hers, tears filled her eyes immediately. “Oh my sweet girl.” She breathed out. “You’re so supportive. So sweet. I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes you do.” I insisted with a croak.

Mum shook her head. “No, I don’t. I shouldn’t put you through this. I should have run it by you, told you….”

“It’s okay, Mum. Let’s not worry about that now.” I pleaded and then added with a smile. “Erica will chew us out if our make up gets ruined.”

Mum laughed heartily. “You’re right. She did warn me.”

“Good. Now, let’s go listen to your favorite classical music to calm nerves, okay?” I led her to get seated and even though she didn’t know it, I hung on to the classical music desperately too.

Because I strongly needed it.

I am ashamed to admit that it’s been tough… viciously tough to keep Slade Horton away from my mind for ten minutes straight.

I can’t help but think about how the day will go with him today. Do I have to stay around him? Sit on the same table with him? Sit beside him? Stand close to him during the ceremony?

When Erica emerged beautifully dressed and it was time for us to leave for the ceremony, my heart was moving like a thousand horses.

We sat down silent in the car as it drove to another part of the estate that I had never seen. The Horton’s heavenly garden as Erica called it.

The moment we stepped out of the car, my lips parted in to a gasp.

The private garden looked like something out of a fairytale. Hundreds of white roses lined a long ivory aisle that stretched between rows of elegant chairs filled with guests. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ancient oak trees overhead, catching the afternoon sunlight, while a live string quartet filled the air with soft music.

The Horton mansion was some distance away, still visible, grand and magnificent, like it was quietly watching over everything.

“So beautiful.” Mum whispered.

I nodded unable to speak. We grasped hands and walked to the flower-covered entrance. Then, the music changed.

“It’s your cue,” Erica murmured with an encouraging smile.

My heart almost stopped. I swallowed hard and stepped onto the aisle. Dozens of faces turned toward me and I could hear whispers rippling through the crowd as I walked.

I kept my eyes lowered… until I reached the middle of the aisle. Then I made the mistake of looking up ans a thousand butterflies invaded my stomach.

Slade.

Standing beside his father in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, looking godlike as Erica had predicted.

He wasn’t looking anywhere else. He was staring, right at me.

His green eyes searched my face so intensely that I nearly forgot where I was. Even from this distance, I could see the expression on his face clearly. Shock.

Real, undisguised shock.

Then he seemed to snap out of it, he glanced around and turned back to me, his cheeks now red.

I quickly looked away and hurried to my position, trying to ignore the way my heart refused to slow down. A few moments later, the music changed again.

Everyone rose to their feet.

I tried to steal another glance at Slade but he was starring right at me.

I turned my attention to Mum who appeared at the end of the aisle and my heart swelled with pride when a soft gasp swept through the guests. She looked radiant. I watched as Tom’s smile slowly disappeared, replaced by watery eyes as he watched her walk toward him.

For the first time in years… Mum looked completely, undeniably happy and Erica’s words replayed in my head.

Understand that your mum is really happy with Tom but that doesn’t change how much she loves you.

By the time the ceremony ended and applause echoed through the garden, I felt emotionally drained already.

I avoided Slade’s gaze and walked with Erica to the reception. It had been arranged beneath thousands of tiny lights that glittered across the garden like stars. Long tables decorated with white roses, candles, and crystal glassware surrounded a polished dance floor where a live jazz band played softly.

“This is you princess.” Erica kindly said as we got to the front of the first table.

“Thank you.” I said offering her a smile. She had no idea how much she made this experience more bearable for me.

“Anything love. Just enjoy, okay?” She told me softly. “I’ll just be opposite you.”

“Okay.” I said and rubbed my back gently before taking off:

I was just settling into my seat when I noticed something that made my stomach drop.

My name card. Right beside Slade’s.

My heart started beating rapidly in my chest. At the exact same moment, the chair beside me pulled up and I felt my hand tremble as they gripped the chair handle.

Oh no. Not him.

I looked up and it was him.

And he was already looking at me.