The groom is missing

SONIA'S POV

Soft giggles echoed in my space, and I lowered my head, feeling frustrated.

“Oh my goodness! Did you hear the news? The president's sons are back in Hollywood, Sonia.” My best friend, Angela, shrieked in the cab, and I rolled my eyes at her, wondering why she had been talking about them for a while now. 

We didn't even know who they were and they also had no clue who we were so why was she this freaking obsessed?

“But you know what I heard?” This time around, her voice was a little shushed as she moved closer to me, and I heaved deeply, finally raising my eyes from my phone to give her the attention that she had been craving for the entire time.

“What did you hear this time, Angela?” I asked with a bored voice.

“They’re step-brothers and are each other's worst enemies. Rumor has it, they’re back as CEOs of Smithfield Corporation, and according to the president there can be only one successor of the corporation.” Angela explained, her eyes lingering on the news headline.

Although I hadn't been interested in the whole speech about the president's sons, hearing the last statement, I was curious to know why they hated each other so much, 

“Why do they hate each other so much if they’re brothers? And why fight for the position of CEO when they can both work together to make the company grow?” I asked Angela, hoping she would know the answers since she knew way too much about the sons of the president without ever seeing them. 

She paused, staring at me before finally giving an answer, “I have no idea. I never thought of that, and the answer is not written in the newsletter.” 

I rolled my eyes at her, 

“That's why they’re just rumors, Angela, and you don't believe rumors. Besides, I don't believe such absurd family dramas exist except in series. Now, let's focus on why we’re here, shall we?” I said as we both stepped out of the cab.

“You still haven’t explained to me why Michael isn’t the one here to pick out a wedding dress with you, Sonia,” Angela said as we stared at the shopping mall, and I heaved.

“He's busy wit….” I tried to say, but she cut me off before I could finish.

“Don’t you dare say he’s busy, Sonia. It’s his wedding too for fuck sake and he isn’t even trying. No man would ever be too busy not to spare a few hours for a time like this. You are his future wife, you deserve his attention.” Angela cried out in a frustrated tone.

I stayed quiet, unable to reply. I had thought about this repeatedly, but I didn't want to admit that she might be right after all. Our wedding was this week, and I was trying to pick out my wedding dress, but I had to do it alone, because my fiancé is too busy to care.

I took out my phone from my purse, and checked my last chat, but my messages were still left unanswered. The last time we spoke, I had reminded him about going to the mall to get a wedding dress since time was running out, but the only response I got was that he had an important event today and I should go on my own.

His excuse was understandable. I mean, it wasn't like he was intentionally trying to avoid me. He was just caught up in his business affairs.

“It doesn’t really matter, Angela. You're here with me now so let's go get my wedding dress.” I replied, forcing a smile because I didn't want my best friend to see through the pain in my heart; the pain of not having my fiancé do this with me like all of the other ladies who got married.

“This morning I called Georgia a dozen times, but she isn’t picking up. I wonder what urgent thing she’s doing to miss out on such an important day.” Angela said as I grabbed her arms, walking towards the mall with her.

“She left me a text last night. Her grandmother had a terrible cough, and she had to hurry back, but she promised she’d be here for the wedding. You are both my bridesmaids, my only support system so you mustn’t miss my wedding.” I replied with a smile, and rested my head on Angela's shoulder.

“Then I guess I'm all you’ve got right now, babe,” Angela said, and I chuckled.

“Don’t be so full of yourself. We've got each other,” I replied with a pout.

“It doesn’t matter. You owe me one, don't forget that else I'm going to haunt you in your dreams,” she said with a scary voice, and we both laughed.

When our laughter died down, I smiled, nodding my head as we both walked towards the counter. I told the receptionist what I wanted, and I was led to the wedding gown section. There were hundreds of beautiful gowns on display, and my jaw dropped in amazement.

I picked one of the wedding gown, placing it in my front. ”What do you think about this, Angela? Something simple, but not too plain. Something that…”

“Something that screams you, right?” Angela interrupted my sentence.

I smiled, nodding my head. She always understood me, always knew what I would say, my thoughts, my feelings, my everything. 

“If that's the case, then this.” Angela said, pointing towards a beautiful gown that I had skipped without realizing. I opened my mouth, staring at how perfect it was. It was a simple wedding dress with clean lines and a classic A-line silhouette, crafted from luxurious silk.

“Can I try it on?” I asked the receptionist, and she nodded.

”Come with me, Miss.” She said and I obediently followed behind her while Angela stayed in the display room, waiting for me.

About thirty minutes later, I stepped out of the dressing room holding a flower bouquet that the receptionist had handed me. I stood in front of my best friend, waiting for her judgement. 

“Oh my gosh! Sonia? I can’t believe it!” Angela squealed in excitement, and I arched my brows.

“What’s wrong? Is it that bad?” I asked, worried that the gown looked ugly on me, but she shook her head, wiping a tear off her lower lashes with her palm.

“No, girlfriend, you look gorgeous. I can't even begin to imagine how everyone will hold their breath while you walk down the aisle in such a beautiful dress.”

I smiled broadly, my eyes tearing up with tears. This is every young lady's dream, so why do I feel like I'm doing something wrong?

“Are you crying?” Angela asked with furrowed brows, but I shook my head. 

“No, of course not. But you are,” I replied, pointing at her face. Angela shook her head and quickly cleaned her eyes.

“I'm not. I’m just happy for my sister.” She said with a smile.

We both stared at each other for what felt like hours, recollecting how far we'd come. At that point, all I could think about was starting a perfect family. The type I never got to have. My adopted family maltreated me for years, vowing to kill me, luckily I managed to escape and flew to the city for protection.

***********

After a long day of shopping for my wedding dress and other accessories Angela felt were necessary; like lingerie for my wedding night. I arrived home and collapsed on my bed feeling worn-out. 

I took a deep breath, staring at the ceiling. Michael and I had yet to pick out the places for our honeymoon, so there was still some planning left for us to do. The wedding expenses were draining, fortunately, I had saved up enough in my five years of working, and I could comfortably cover the wedding and a little honeymoon. 

I couldn’t ask for financial support from Angela and Georgia because I knew they were going to lecture me on why Michael was a useless man. But they both had no idea how long I had waited for this time and how much I was willing to sacrifice just to be with Michael. Right now, he said he was in some sort of financial crisis, but was making plans to buy a house for us after the wedding. A home comfortable enough to raise as many kids as possible.

I picked up my phone and went through it again, but there was still no message from Michael, and I became concerned. Maybe he has a poor internet connection.

I rose to my feet and headed for my stocked fridge with an empty food bag. I quickly packed all his favorite meals, and rushed out of my house.

His apartment was just a twenty-minute drive away from mine, so I had the opportunity of getting there in time. 

The taxi halted in front of his apartment building, and I came down after paying the driver. I entered the building, heading for his apartment. As I was about to knock on his door, I realized that he would still be at the event, so I proceeded to input the door's passcode. 

The moment I got in, the first sight that welcomed me at the entrance was two pairs of shoes; one which I recognized as Michael's, but the second was a zara limited-edition slipper which looked oddly familiar.

“Micheal?” I called but there was no response.

I walked further in only to spot a female underwear lying scattered on the couch. At this point, my heart pounded so hard in my chest but I bit my tongue, assuring myself that it was pure coincidence. I swallowed a lump of saliva down my aching throat and instantly began rushing upstairs but my legs froze as soon as I got to the corridor.

The moans of a lady echoed loudly in his room, and it was mixed with Michael's voice that vibrated pleasure. Their voices were so loud that it kept echoing in my ears. Every moan felt like a needle was being plunged deeper inside my eyes, tearing me.

When I finally gathered enough courage, my legs began moving till I got to the half-closed door, and I walked in only to be welcomed by the most shocking sight I could ever think about. 

There they were on each other, in a moment of intense pleasure like nothing else mattered in the world.

Tears ran down my face, and when the hold on the food bag in my hand became heavy, I let go of it, causing a distraction to the intense moment of my best friend and fiancé.