The wedding

Edith's POV

Four years ago, on my first day as an intern at his accounting firm, I fell in love with my new brother-in-law, Murphy Perez.

Unfortunately for me, two weeks later, he met and instantly became enamored with my elder sister, Heather.

I was currently at their wedding reception, watching them dance happily under the festive lighting of their wedding reception, with a heavy, despair-laden heart.

“One day, you will dance with your husband just like that.” My dad uttered from his seat beside me, and I finally tore my gaze away from the couple to look at him.

Feigning a smile, I simply nodded.

If only he knew the truth.

The only person who knew that I was in love with Murphy was me, and I intended to keep it that way forever.

I had tried my best to move on from Murphy, even allowing Yvonne, my best friend since diapers, set me up on dates.

But, I just couldn't bring myself to like any single one of them, as my feelings for Murphy kept growing like a stubborn tumour.

“For that to happen, she has to be in a relationship first. At her age, she doesn't have a single one under her belt,” My mum from my other side, darting me a look of disapproval, “Or am I wrong?”

Today was a happy day.

Not for me, but for Heather and Murphy at least.

And I wasn't going to allow my mum's caustic remarks get to me

“No, mum. You are not.” I replied calmly.

Clasping my hands together, I averted my gaze back to the couple, a tidal wave of despondency overpowering me.

Prior to meeting Murphy, I couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to the way I dressed.

After meeting him however, I started putting more efforts into my manner of dressing, even going shopping with my meagre pocket money, so I could look mature and sophisticated for him.

By doing that, I had hoped to catch his attention, because I was too chicken to confess.

Just for Heather to instantly catch his eyes after I took her with me to the firm's third anniversary party, two weeks later.

At that moment, mine and Heather's eyes met, and her green ones widened with delight as she beckoned me over.

When Murphy followed Heather's gaze and fixated his charming blue eyes on me, with a dashing grin plastered to his lips, I completely froze.

One look from him was all it always took to render me completely spineless and thoughtless.

To make things worse, he had even smiled at me.

This wasn't good for my heart.

“Looks like Murphy and Heather want us to come up,” Dad's voice wafted into my ears, jerking me out of my pathetic reverie.

“Come on,” Mum said, nudging me gently, “Your sister and her husband want to dance with us.”

I felt my throat tighten around the tuft of breath I was about to take, with several alarms going off in my head.

“Okay.” I simply said, despite my inner turmoil.

After graduating college last year, I had moved upstate to New Jersey to live with Yvonne, hoping I could finally move on from Murphy.

Yvonne had a family function today, so she was absent from the wedding.

Sadly, his absence in my life for more than a year, only made me grow fonder of him.

My hands turned clammy with angst as we moved onto the dancing floor, while the guests clapped and cheered.

Had it been I had the option to miss out on this wedding, I would have done so easily, and spared my heart from being broken any further.

When I stepped onto the dancing floor, Murphy surprised me by taking my hands, his smile not even waning for a second.

“Let's dance.” He said.

Automatically, I mirrored his cheerful mien, and nodded, my chest taut with sadness.

“Congratulations once again, brother-in-law,” I said, mentally patting myself as my voice came out steady.

“Thank you, sister-in-law,” Murphy replied, his eyes glimmering with elation.

He really was happy to be Heather’s husband.

The confirmation felt like jagged shrapnel to my heart.

“You are welcome,” My cheeks were already starting to hurt from the fake smile I had on.

Tilting my head sideways, I saw my sister hugging my parents, with the three of them dancing to the delightful song booming from the speakers.

After a torturous period of dancing with Murphy, while my stomach twisted into grueling knots, Heather and him swapped.

“I really got lucky with him, didn't I?” was the first thing she uttered, as we held each other.

Heather was right. She had gotten extremely lucky with Murphy.

In the past, she had cheated on him with some guy at a bar, and he had taken her back.

Heather herself had confessed it to me then while sobbing violently.

Back when it happened, I had selfishly hoped for Murphy to finally see me in a romantic light.

Just for them to get back together in a week.

A month later, Murphy went on to propose to her.

Fighting the urge to stare at Murphy, I forced myself to beam, “You both got lucky with each other.”

As my sister and I swayed from side to side, with hearty giggles erupting from my sister, my throat suddenly tightened.

Even worse, it now felt as though the walls of the event hall were closing in on me, hindering me from breathing properly.

I needed air.

Exhaling shakily, I said, “I will be right back.”

“Where to?” Heather asked, concern evident in her features.

“Outside. I need to take care of something.” I fibbed, my heart pounding against my ribs.

Before she could utter another word, I slipped out of her hold, flashed her a reassuring smile, and headed out of the hall.

I didn't dare to look in Murphy's direction, in fear of worsening whatever was going on with me.

Walking out to the star-lit balcony, I saw a man dressed in all black, with his onyx hair swept back, and a cigar nestled between his fore and middle fingers, standing by the railings.

I couldn't recall seeing him in the hall.

Then again, I had zoned in and out the entire wedding.

My breathing soon regularized, as the evening breeze engulfed me in its chilly embrace.

Sensing my presence, the man turned, and I unconsciously inhaled his heady cologne.

He was striking with regal facial features, and a well-groomed heavy stubble, albeit his attractiveness was oddly menacing.

I was debating steeling myself and going back inside, when he spoke.

“You are the bride's sister.” His husky baritone grazed my ears.

“Yes.” I said, surprised by the fact that he seemingly knew me.

“Caruso Antonelli,” He held out his cigar free hand, “Murphy’s friend.”

Even his name sounded compelling.

“Edith Tanner, Heather’s younger sister,” I replied, my entire body stiffening, as his large hand engulfed mine in a warm handshake.

I was completely baffled when he took off his coat afterwards and placed it around my shoulders.

“Thanks.” I mused, appreciating the much-needed warmth, although I could perceive a faint hint of cigar smoke on the coat.

“You're welcome,” He said, then threw his cigar over the railing, “I know a bar around. Are you up for drinks?”

This was a man, who I'd never met in my entire life, even if he claimed to be Murphy's friend, and he was inviting me out for drinks at my sister’s wedding reception.

Declining Caruso's ludicrous offer and heading back to the hall would have been the logical thing to do, but I didn't choose that option.

Instead, I threw caution to the wind and nodded, “Sure.”

My life was already doomed anyway, how worse could getting drinks with a stranger make it?