Panic Attack

Immaculately dressed in a suit, Lincoln stood stiffly by the door and greeted guests as they arrived.

“Hi, thanks for coming.”

His legs were now feeling a bit wobbly and his lips were now acting from the fake smile.

His father had forced him to stand here and greet guests… or rather his business partners, and that was what he had been doing for the past hours.

The guests seemed to never end and saying he was tired was an understatement.

Rahim appeared out of nowhere, “They've arrived.” He announced. “Your family is coming.”

As if on cue, Lincoln's parents, alongside Ana, came out of the grand hall and stood in the doorway.

Two cars pulled over and then the Burns family stepped out. On the right was Felix Burns, and in his hands was his wife, Kim Burns.

On the second car was the bride of the event, dressed gorgeously in the half-the-shoulder evening dress that exposed her cleavage.

On either side were Hailey and Taylor.

They exuded aura, power and significance as they walked down the aisle.

“Mr Burns.” Lincoln's father, Harry greeted cheerfully, extending a hand to Felix Burns.

Felix Burns took his hand and shook it, “Mr Smith. So glad that we're making this happen.”

“I'm the most glad.”

The two wives exchange pleasantries.

Evie skidded to Lincoln.

“Hi,” She smiled a bit awkwardly.

“Hi,” Lincoln replied, leaning in to kiss her on the lip.

He did that because his father had forced him to, before the event.

“Aww! They seem so much in love already.” Kim squealed, clapping her hands cheerfully.

“Damn! He's hot!” Hailey whispered to Taylor while Taylor punched her arm, “Ow!”

“Will your craziness ever stop?” Taylor whispered back.

“What did I do now?”

“Let's head in, shall we?” Harry suggested, “The guests have arrived and already waiting.”

“Of course.”

As they made to go in, Evie stopped them in their tracks.

“Actually, wait guys. My brother has arrived.” She pointed at the car coming through the driveway.

Everyone waited and watched as Ethan stepped down wearing a sparkling white shirt that outlined the frame of his masculine body and dark pants.

Lincoln quickly caught his breath and his heart did a somersault as he stared at Ethan

“Is that… Is that…?”

His heartbeat intensified to the extent that he thought he was getting a panic attack.

Ethan's eyes swept through the rest of them and then they landed on petrified Lincoln.

His heart skipped a beat with excitement as he locked his gaze with Lincoln. He won't be searching for him any longer.

“What is he doing here?” He wondered.

It didn't take long before his question was answered.

“He's the groom??!!” He thought in both horror and realization, “Evie’s groom??! What the fuck?! My sister is the girl he's getting married to?”

“Please don't tell me he's her brother!” Lincoln prayed silently, his legs shaking, “Please don't tell me he's her brother!”

“Hey, Ethan!” Evie waved smilingly, “Come over here.”

“Oh God! I'm fucked!”

Ethan regained his composure and then began to advance towards them, his gaze not leaving Lincoln who had gone so pale that one might think he was about to pass out.

Ethan still didn't know how to feel. He was still shocked by the realization.

“Hello, Mr Smith.” He extended a veiny hand to Harry who took it, “It's such a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you.”

“Likewise son,” Harry replied, “I've heard of the things you've accomplished.” Then turning to petrified Lincoln, he said, “Meet my son, Lincoln.”

“Hi,” Ethan extended a hand.

Lincoln stared at it.

That was the same hand that had explored every inch of his body last night. Those arms.

“H…h… hi.” He finally pushed up his hand and took Ethan's. The feel of Ethan's hand on his sent a burning sensation through his spine and he quickly withdrew his hand.

“Ethan, dear, are you okay?” His mom, Tessa, asked a bit worriedly.

Everyone's eyes were directed towards him.

“Yes, you don't look okay. Is something wrong?” Kim chimed.

Lincoln suddenly found it extremely difficult to breathe as he stared at the pair of eyes.

He has to get out of here.

“I'm sorry!” He exclaimed, dashing down the driveway to the green field, “I'll be right back!”

“Lincoln!” Harry screamed after him.

But Lincoln didn't stop, he kept walking awkwardly till he was out of sight.

Sure that no one would see him, he buckled to the floor and began to inhale and exhale heavily.

“Last night was a mistake! Last night was a mistake!” He kept thinking in horror, tears streaming down his eyes, “He will expose me! He will expose me! Dad will kick me out! He'll humiliate me! I'll have nowhere else to go!”

These were the thoughts that ran through his mind as he had his panic attack.

He wasn't only having them in his nightmares but also in real life when things get so overwhelming.

He has been having them since he was sixteen.

“What do I do now? What do I do? I shouldn't have gone out last night. I shouldn't have!”