A New Bride

ALORA

I whimpered as I got dressed with a heavy heart. What the hell have you done, Alora?

I couldn't even look at the man sleeping on the bed. I had no idea what I was feeling, guilt, shame, or what?

I pulled out a twenty-dollar bill from my jacket and placed it next to the bed in tears before walking out of the room to head home.

I walked into my house and immediately fell to the floor and burst into tears. I cried out loud, hoping this pain would go away. I was sober already and it was all more painful than I imagined.

Jake hurt me, he hurt me so bad and I made a dumb decision.

Oh, Alora. What have you done?

A WEEK LATER

I paced in my room repeatedly, staring at my phone and waiting for a message. It is my fucking wedding day.

It's been a week since I caught Jake with Monroe and he hasn't contacted me since then which made me think the wedding was over but I realized every reservation wasn't cancelled and the wedding was still happening.

Our families haven't said anything yet which means Jake still wants to get married to me. Yes, he still wants me.

I was happy! He definitely wants to use this wedding to apologize to me and fix things.

“Jake still loves me, he just made a mistake!” I said out loud and giggled.

No one is above a mistake. Every mistake should be forgiven, everyone deserves a second chance.

I paused for a second, thinking about why he didn't reach out but shrugged it off immediately.

He might not have reached out to me because he wants it to be perfect as always. Monroe is the villain here, she is the one who betrayed me.

Without hesitation, I got dressed and rushed out of the house. I was heading to the hotel to pick up my wedding dress.

With a wide smile on my face, I ran as fast as I could into the street. I imagined myself in one of those rom-com movies where the bride is running to her wedding, the only difference was that I wasn't in a wedding gown.

I found a taxi and arrived at the venue in minutes. With excitement, I rushed into the hotel and was about to rush up to the room reserved when I froze at a statement I heard.

“The bride is making an entrance already, we are late.” I heard a guest say as they rushed towards the hall.

“What?” A mutter escaped my lips and I followed them. Was there another wedding happening at the hotel?

I got to the hall and froze.

A bride was walking down the aisle and Jake was the groom, waiting at the altar. I moved closer to the aisle and realized Monroe was the bride.

I couldn't help but scoff as I felt my heart shatter but no one could hear me. The entrance song was loud.

It was supposed to be my entrance song. I picked that song!

Tears clouded my eyes as I stared at them. Did no one notice the change in the bride? Does no one care?

I resisted the urge to cause a scene and slowly took a seat just like the rest of the crowd.

Jake started to read his vows and tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched my best friend and fiancé get married.

What will I tell my parents? How will I get over this?

They got married and the party began. I couldn't take it anymore, I needed to get out of here.

I wiped my tears and headed out of the hall.

“Alora.” I heard a familiar voice call and I froze. I shut my eyes and screamed in my head.

It is humiliating to be seen like this, they will mock me. I need to be cool.

“Hey.” I chuckled nervously and turned to see Monroe and Jack holding hands. That hurt, that hurt a lot.

Before they could speak, I started to.

“Congratulations, great wedding.” I laughed out loud, trying so hard to control myself but somehow, I gained the attention of a lot of people.

“What are you doing here?” Jake asked, confused and I could tell he was wondering why I showed up.

Of course, why did I show up?

“What am I doing here?” I laughed and waved my hand. I was scared and nervous, my heart was racing so badly.

“What do you mean? I came to congratulate you guys, you know? I am happy for both of you.” I replied and stretched my hand then rubbed Monroe’s shoulders, smiling widely.

I could hear muttering from the crowd and noticed people were starting to point fingers at me. Oh, I wish I could cast a spell and disappear.

“Come on, I know you, Alora. You came here to see if Jake still wanted to get married to you, can't you just move on? He doesn't want you so why are you trying to ruin our wedding and lives?” Monroe asked and my lips parted in shock.

She is painting me as the bad person here, everyone listening to this would think this is my fault.

“And terrible acting. You have tears in your eyes.” Monroe added and I kept my fake smile.

Then I got emotional, panicked, and lost it.

“Do you think I care about this? All this?” I asked, moving my hands as I looked around.

“I think this is the perfect time to announce that I have moved on already.” I lied and screamed in my head.

“As a matter of fact, he is perfect and better than you and he is doing whatever I want,” I added.

“Oh.” Monroe chuckled, knowing I was bluffing. Of course, I was bluffing!

“Yes, he is good looking, a great man and he is richer than you are.” I lied, looking at Jake.

I knew I needed to keep my mouth shut, my inner voice was screaming at me to shut the fuck up but I started already and more lies kept coming out of my mouth. I couldn't control it.

“Oh, and guess what?” I asked with a wide smile.

“What, Alora? Tell me.” Monroe replied, folding her arms.

“He… he is here with me and you can meet him.” I lied and my eyes widened immediately, realising what I had just said.

‘What the fuck, Alora? Just walk away, walk away!’ I screamed in my head.

“So where is he?” Jake asked and I chuckled nervously.

“He… he should be somewhere around.” I stuttered and looked around, searching for someone who doesn't exist.

My eyes suddenly fell on a man walking in the hall and heading towards the exit and without hesitating, I rushed to him. I wasn't thinking straight but I was too deep in this.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards them.

“This is him, this is my boyfriend,” I said with a smile and squeezed the man’s hand. I looked at him and he looked so confused.

“You… your boyfriend?” Monroe stuttered and with a smile, I placed my head on his arm.

“Yes, my boyfriend.” Replied proudly and murmurs filled the room.

How the hell do I get out of this?!