Ch.3

🔹️🔹️Crystal Hayes🔹️🔹️

"Perfect." I grinned largely, looking at Hannah through the mirror as I just finished setting her veil. She gave a shy smile and turned around and I enveloped in a warm hug. I was proud to see her become a grown-up, responsible woman. We pulled away as a knock was heard on the door and her parents entered the room. A gasp left Mrs. Johnson's mouth and both their eyes teared up looking at their daughter.

"You look lovely." Mrs. Johnson hugged Hannah and let the tears flow down her eyes unlike Mr. Johnson who held them back.

"Mom! You guys are going to make me cry. Racheal will kill me if I mess up my make-up." Hannah said and we all chuckled.

"My little princess is all grown up now." Mr. Johnson said as the mother-daughter pulled away.

"Dad, I will always be a princess." Hannah smiled and hugged him. Mrs. Johnson joined them too and I looked at the family with admiration.

How I miss my parents at events like this.

The door of the room yanked open and Racheal and Megan came in with a grin. They were dressed exactly as me since we were the bridesmaids. We wore a sweetheart neck, off-shoulder baby-blue satin dress paired with a stone necklace.

"It's time." Megan announced. Mr. Johnson kissed Hannah on her forehead and I handed her the bouquet. We walked out of the room and stood by the door of the aisle. Two small girls holding a basket of flowers each, stood on each side. Mr. Johnson took Hannah's hand in his hand while the three of us stood behind them with different bouquets in hand.

A slow romantic melody began to play as the huge doors opened. We all started walking the aisle at a slow pace while everyone looked at the bride in awe. I looked at the groom standing at the altar, dressed in his tuxedo. A small smile graced his lips as he saw the love of his life walking towards him. A lonely tear fell from his eyes but he was quick to wipe it away. My heart swelled up by seeing Ethan's love for Hannah. I was truly happy for her.

They reached the altar and Ethan took Hannah's hand from her father. We sat on our respective seats as the ceremony began. They exchanged their rings and shared their vows that almost made me cry.

"Ethan Sanders, do you take Hannah Johnson as your wedded spouse to have and to hold, till death do you part?" The priest asked.

"I do." Ethan answered looking at his wife through the veil.

"Hannah Johnson, do you take Ethan Sanders as your wedded spouse to have and to hold, till death do you part?" Hannah was asked.

"I do." Her voice was almost inaudible as she said.

"Very well, I now pronounce you husband and wife." We all applauded at the announcement made by the priest. "You may now kiss the bride." Ethan lifted her veil and both of them smiled at each other with love in their eyes. Hoots and whistles were heard as they took each other in arms and kissed.

After the ceremony, we all gathered at the reception's venue. Hannah and Ethan cut the wedding cake and we all stood talking to each other with a glass of champagne in hand.

Our attention had shifted when someone cleared their throat in the mic. I looked at the source and was stunned to see a tall, well-built guy in a black tuxedo, swirling the mic in his hand.

"Well, hello to everyone. I'm Evan, Ethan's best man and also his big brother. I think it says a lot about a man when he chooses his brother to be his best man... Mostly, of course, it says, 'I have no friends'." His comment made us all laugh while Ethan rolled his eyes.

I never knew he had an older brother and I didn't even notice him during the ceremony.

"Other than the bride and groom themselves, I don't think anyone here is more happy to see them getting married than their parents. Our parents have been an amazing role model for me and Ethan. It's their love that forms the bedrock of the happy, supportive and loving family before you now." He smiled brightly at his parents who blew a kiss at him.

"Ethan and I have been brothers for 26 years now. In the course of 26 years, you really get to know someone well. I've seen him go from an annoying little kid to the slightly less annoying guy you see today. I am still trying to figure out what on earth did Hannah see in him." His confused expression had us all laughing. Ethan's face clearly showed how he regretted choosing his brother as his best man which Evan caught.

"Hey! Don't make that face. I've held grudges against you all my life and now, it's pay back time!" He smirked and continued.

"Anyway, we all know Hannah is a wonderful lady who deserves the perfect guy. Too bad you don't always get what you deserve." We all broke into fits of laughter. He paused for a while, then continued. "Hannah is something of a miracle worker. She took the misshapen lump of human Play-Doh that I call my brother, and moulded him into a man. Let's hope it lasts." Every single person in the room had huge smiles on their faces listening to him.

He turned to Hannah and said, "Hannah, you look absolutely beautiful tonight, I can think of no one else that I'd rather have join our family or who would be a better wife to Ethan than you. You are generous, selfless, loving and kind. Welcome to the family." He gave her a warm smile which she returned and ended his speech.

After another ten minutes of Megan's speech and the guest congratulating the newly wed couple, my phone rang and I had to excuse myself to attend it. It was a call from my colleague who had some work-related issues. After hanging up, I turned around and walked back near Racheal and Megan while my eyes were still on my phone. My lack of attention caused me to bump into something hard and tall and I stumbled back, losing my balance. But before my body could hit the ground, a strong pair of hands grabbed me by arm and pulled me closer. My eyes that had shut tightly, opened up to meet the chocolate-brown orbs of the man I had seen from far.

His grip on my arms loosened as he made sure I was standing safe and still.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yes. Thank you and sorry." I apologized for not being attentive.

"It's okay." He gave me a gentle smile. "Uh- Evan Sanders." He introduced himself while raising his hand for a handshake.

"Crystal Hayes." I smiled and shook his hand.

"From Brooklyn?" He questioned with his perfect eyebrows raised. I skeptically nodded, confused about how he knew that.

"I've heard Ethan and Hannah mention you a few times." He explained.

"Interesting speech that you gave there." I said after a minute of silence while we looked at the people scattered in the hall.

"You really think so?" He asked and I nodded. "Thanks. I would give myself points for spontaneity, considering that the decision to make me the best man was taken at the last moment." We chuckled.

There was silence that took over and the volume of the soft, romantic melody that played in the background increased. Hannah and Ethan made their way to the centre of the hall and other couples surrounded them as they started dancing.

"Um.. May I have a dance?" Said the man beside me with his hand leaned forward. Not minding it, I agreed and we joined the other couples.

I placed my hand on his broad shoulder while his circled my waist and danced in sync to the soothing melody. There were a few minutes of peaceful silence that Mr. Sanders broke.

"So, Ms. Hayes. Why don't you tell me something about yourself?" He asked as he twirled me around.

"Um.. There's nothing much to know about. I am just a struggling event planner settled in Brooklyn." He nodded at my answer. "How about you, Mr. Sanders?" I asked.

"Please. Call me Evan. Mr. Sanders makes me feel old." He scowled and I laughed heartily. "About me... Well, I own a few Casinos and Clubs in the city. I love travelling. I've dreamt of visiting every major city in the world. And I am a free-spirited Party Animal." He said proudly.

It made me inwardly smile but somewhere inside, I was jealous. He was living the life he had dreamt of. There was nothing holding him back. And there's me. Who isn't living but just breathing to survive. Tied up with responsibilities and struggles. With life so messed up, that there's no time for me to dream.

"You're really beautiful." I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at the source of the comment.

"Huh?" I asked again in case I misheard it.

"I said you are really beautiful." He repeated, stressing on each word this time, looking deep into my eyes. His comment made me blush a little since I wasn't used to it.

"Thanks."

After a little more dancing, the reception was officially over. The guest left the venue and only the close relatives stayed.

Racheal, Megan and I were pulled to the centre as Hannah was about to throw her bouquet. Honestly I wasn't interested because I knew what my life had been upto and my marriage was nowhere in the list of things I had to look after. But for the sake of formality, I stood there. There were jokes and laughter along with teasing on who would get married next and finally Hannah decided to do the honours.

Everyone stood there with anticipation and as Hannah threw the bouquet that flew in the air and......

It landed in my hands.

Uh-Oh!