One

VIVIAN.

My eyes opened to a beautiful sight that fateful morning — a very gorgeous man sleeping peacefully beside me. I had slept in his arms yesterday night after the mind blowing sex we had. It was the best we'd ever had. I lifted my head from his naked chest to stare at his beautiful face, very aware of our naked bodies rubbing against each other under the duvet.

He was so handsome that at times, I wondered how I managed to bag such a hottie.

I could stare at him all day. The thought of waking up to this every morning crossed my mind, and the corners of my lips lifted up. I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

I slowly raised my hand and touched the bridge of his nose. He reacted but didn't wake up. He looked so peaceful asleep that I placed my head back on his chest, hoping to fall back asleep in his arms.

But just in that moment, my phone started ringing, shattering the silence. I quickly reached over to silence it but it was already too late.

“Who's calling so early in the morning, Babe?” Cole let out a groan with his eyes still closed, his morning voice as sexy as ever.

I picked up my phone and declined the call. “It's my cousin. I'll call her back later. And it's almost 8am.”

He was wide awake in a second, jumping out of the bed like there was fire on it. “8am? Shit, shit. I'm going to be late.”

I sat up, wrapping the duvet around my body. I frowned as I watched him hopping around my small studio apartment, trying to gather his clothes and put them on. “Late for what?”

He paused. “Didn't I tell you? I have a family function today that I'm going to be late for if I don't leave anytime soon.”

He didn't tell me about any family function. He barely ever told me anything about his family. He was always vague whenever he talked about them.

“Can I come with you?” I asked, biting my lips. “This would be a great time for me to finally meet your parents.”

He turned towards the mirror as he buttoned his shirt. It was as if he was trying to avoid my eyes. “This is not a good time, Babe.”

“You keep coming up with excuses every time I ask to meet your parents! It's almost like you don't want me to meet them.”

He was by my side in a second, holding my face in his hands. “Of course I want you to meet them, Babe. Today's just not a good time.”

He had repeated that line so much that he was beginning to sound like a broken record. Every time was not a good time.

“You'll meet them next time, okay? I promise.” His blue eyes stared into mine with so much affection that I gave in, nodding like a fool because the thought excited me so much.

He grinned and placed a quick peck on my lips. I pulled on his neck tie before he could walk away, and pressed my lips to his. The kiss started slow and sweet but just as it was becoming desperate, he pulled away.

“Cole.”

“As much as I'd love to continue this. I have to go. I'm already running late.”

Just then, my phone rang again. I ignored it.

He gestured at it. “Aren't you going to get that?”

I reluctantly picked up my phone as it stopped ringing. A text came in from my cousin:

Why aren't you picking up?

The wedding is today. By 4pm. Don't forget, and wear something cute, please!

I rolled my eyes at her text. “It's my cousin. She's just reminding me about the wedding she invited me to.”

Cole stiffened for a second as if something was wrong. “You okay?”

He nodded, giving me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. I just remembered something.”

He picked up his phone and wallet, walked over to me and gave me a quick kiss. “I have to go now, Babe. I'll see you later.”

“Okay. Call me.” I yelled after him as he hurried out. I sighed and laid back on the bed, missing him already.

***

About an hour left before the wedding, my cousin, Mia, called me again. She made sure to emphasize on me dressing nice because it was a high class wedding. I didn't know the bride or the groom personally but the bride was Mia’s rich best friend, and she was apparently getting married to one of the biggest billionaires in New York City. The wedding was strictly by invitation and Mia invited me as her plus one. Since it might be my only opportunity to attend such a high class event, I agreed to go after some persuasion.

I wore the only dress I had that seemed suitable enough for it. It was a black dress that hugged my waist and flowed out to form an A-shape, stopping just above my knees. It had a cute white collar, long sleeves that reached my fingers and flap pockets in front of my hips. It was a cute little dress that flattered my shape. My best friend, Zoey, had gifted it to me on my birthday last year. Now it was coming in very handy.

When I was ready, I left the house and flagged down a taxi. There was traffic on the way so I reached the venue later than I had planned to. The wedding was happening at The Hastings Hotel— one of the most expensive hotels in the city — and it had tight security. I had to show my invite at the entrance of the hotel and also at the guest entrance of the ballroom.

The ushers led me in quietly and I occupied a seat at one of the round tables. As soon as I sat down, the lights dimmed and the procession changed. It was time for the bride to enter. The heavy double doors that stood at the foot of the aisle were pulled open to reveal the bride.

She looked gorgeous in her beautiful white dress, beautified with diamonds and pearls. She grabbed the arm of the man beside her and they both began to walk down the aisle. My cousin, Mia, followed closely behind them, dressed in a gold dress. Her eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on me. I gave her a little finger wave, and she smiled.

I watched the bride walk down the aisle with a bright smile on her face as she looked ahead at her groom. I began to picture myself walking down the aisle towards Cole on our wedding day. Of course not in a venue like this — we can definitely not afford it — but it wouldn't matter.

When I pulled myself out of my fantasy, the bride was already standing beside the groom, and they were both facing the officiant. My brows knitted together as I stared at the groom, he looked… familiar.

Where could I have possibly seen such a billionaire?

Then, they both turned. And my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

Those blue eyes I had stared into this morning.

Those soft lips I had kissed some hours ago.

The same person that was naked in my bed this morning was getting married to someone else.

Cole.

My Cole was getting married to someone else.

Blood rushed to my ears and the room began to spin. Everything else faded away as I focused on him, not believing my eyes.

This has to be a nightmare, a very terrible one.