When Lorena’s wedding is shattered by Lies, secrets and betrayal from the people she had loved and trusted.

Will it cost her happiness?

Will she forgive and move forward?

Or will the secrets and betrayal tear her life apart?

001

LORENA.

It was my wedding day. A day I had always prayed for. Finally, I was going to be walking down the aisle to be joined together with the love of my life. Not just with anyone, but with Raúl. A man whom I've dated for over 4 years.

It was exactly 5:pm, on a Friday evening. It was a day to my wedding, when Raul’s phone rang. We were seated together, trying to get a few things done when he quickly picked up his car keys, kissed me on my forehead and drove out with his car.

I didn't take it so seriously. Moreover, Raul was a businessman who wouldn't make out time to rest, even on weekends. This wedding wouldn't stop him either from attending to business needs.

Raul left and didn't return. I called him several times, his phone would ring, but he wouldn't pick up. And that was when I realised that something was actually fishy.

“Just calm down Lorena. You don't need to worry too much about this. Tomorrow is your wedding day, don't ruin yourself before the day”. My friend Emma tried to soothe me.

“I shouldn't worry? Really?" I asked and chuckled.

If I could, I would have given her a hard knock on the head which would properly reset her brain.

“And you think the wedding will happen without the groom? Like, I'm going to have a solo wedding right?" I replied.

Emma must really be crazy! So I thought.

The next call I made to him clearly stated that his phone was switched off. And then, some crazy random thoughts began popping in my head.

“What if Raul got tired of me and just decided to cancel the wedding. What if he didn't love me anymore?. Or what if something bad had happened to him?"

“Don't be ridiculous Lorena!!" Emma rebuked.

"If Raul had canceled the wedding, we all would have gotten the news already.”

“Nothing as such is happening. Tonight is your bridal shower and you should brighten up. Before the end of the day, I'm so certain that Raul will come back home.” Emma reassured me.

The bridal shower ended late at night, and throughout the celebration, I couldn't smile. Infact, if Indeed I smiled, it was all fake. All I could think about was Raul.

I was the first to wake up the next morning. Emma was sleeping peacefully beside me, like a new born baby. I knew how crazy Emma could be. If she were in my shoes, I know all the heavens would let loose.

I quickly shook her so she could wake up. She rubbed her eyes like a sleepy toddler and looked at the wall clock.

“Oh my goodness Lorena. This is just 3:00. We're supposed to wake by 6." She replied sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.

"Raul didn't return last night, did he?” I asked.

"Lorena please…" she tried to speak but I interrupted

“Raul didn't return last night, did he? I asked again.

“No, he didn't return." She replied, still feeling sleepy.

I began to sob. I picked up my phone and dialed his mum and I told her everything that was happening.

“If Raul is trying to ditch me mum, only the heavens know what will happen!"

002

LORENA

“You need to calm down my dear Lorena." His mum said over the phone, sounding just like Emma when it all started the previous day.

“I have been calming down for too long mum!"

"His battery probably must have died or he must have lost his phone somehow, or he might have gone to attend to some business needs or something else could be holding him. You know how Raúl is.

Just calm down and let's wait until the day breaks. He will surely return. Raul loves you so much, and he wouldn't trade this wedding for anything.”

His mum's words were soothing too, but then, I still wasn't okay.

“But, don't you think we need to involve the police?" I asked, with the thought of him probably being kidnapped.

You wouldn't blame me. At this point, I couldn't think straight.

“Oh no Lorena,we can't do that just yet” she objected immediately

“It's not even up to 24 hours yet. Please, just go back to sleep. We'll see in the morning" And with that, she hung up.

Did she really care about her son? If she did, why did she not panic like I did?.

“Why does everyone not feel what I'm feeling? How are you all just comfortable with what's happening?” I asked no one in particular.

"You're just stressing yourself over nothing. Look at yourself in the mirror and you'll so much hate how you look right now. It's your wedding and you're already ruining your pretty face” Emma replied.

"What's the use of keeping a pretty face when Raul is not here!" I almost yelled

And just before I knew it, there was Emma, snoring like a monkey! Did she really care about how I felt? I think no one cared.

I couldn't get myself to sleep anymore. I was awake until daybreak. Emma, who had been the one sleeping all through, was the one who forced me out of bed to get prepared for my wedding. She was more excited than I, who was the bride.

Everything was set, yet the groom was nowhere to be found.

“You need to put on your wedding dress and get ready or we will be late!" Emma yelled at me.

“So, I'm going to wed myself right? Can you just hear yourself?" I was pissed off.

"The priest called and said we have just 30 minutes or less left.”

"To hell with this wedding Emma. You know what, I'm not moving an inch until Raul returns.”

"You can't do that Lorena!”

"You think I'm joking? Watch and see” I replied.

I went over to a sofa by the side and threw myself into it.

Just as if the universe heard my voice, Raul's car drove into the compound. Looking at the window, I knew he was the one as it was the same car he drove out with the previous day.

I quickly stood up and made to run out but Emma held me back, stopping me from moving.

"Lorena, I think you should let him come upstairs first. ” She said, but I pushed her hand away and ran as fast as my legs could.

Getting downstairs, I met him looking hale and hearty. He even had a change of clothes. Wow… nice one.

I stood in front of him, blocking the way as I stood akimbo.

“What is it, Lorena?" He asked, trying to pass but I still blocked him.

“Where the hell have you been Raul?" I fired.

003

LORENA.

“I'm so sorry my love. My car had issues and I needed to get it done before I could think of getting back home. I ended up spending the night in a hotel”. Raúl explained.

“You could have just left the car there, Raúl. You have fleets of cars! What's so special about that one?” I yelled, not buying his excuses.

"Honey, we had both agreed to use this particular car for our wedding. I didn't want to ruin it” He tried to explain calmly..

"I'm not buying your excess excuses Raúl. There is something you are not telling me and I deserve to know.” I demanded.

"I'll tell you after the wedding..” he said.

“Tell me now Raúl, I have all the time in the world to listen!"

And just out of the blue, Emma grabbed my hand and dragged me away along with her.

“Get dressed Raúl, you're late to your wedding! I'll handle her from here" She said as she dragged me away.

“Get dressed my dear Lorena. Raúl is finally back, and there's no tangible excuse you can give to me on why you should not get dressed and go say ‘Yes I do’ to your man!" Her voice was more of a warning to me than it should.

“Can we just have some peace and quiet and get dressed already?"

I got dressed, thanks to Emma. But then, I couldn't find peace. Something didn't seem right to me. It just didn't.

We arrived the church very late, and the guests were already getting impatient. Moments later, I stood at the door of the hall, waiting for the go ahead order to start walking down the aisle.

Soon, the tall, large door opened and all manner of colorful lights sparked around me, also lighting the entire building. The wedding song was played and I began walking down the aisle with Emma trailing behind me.

Soon, I was standing at the altar, where Raul stood, waiting for me. The white veil covered my face and I could see through it. Raul was all smiles, as everyone cheered us on.

"If anyone present knows of any reason why this couple should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The priest asked and there was silence.

No one has no damn reason why we shouldn't be married. Or should there??

“Since no one objects to your union, it’s time to take your wedding vows" the priest announced and the hall still remained silent.

Our wedding rings were brought before us, and Raul was the first pick. He took mine in his hands and got ready to speak.

"My dear Lorena, from this day forward, I promise to love and cherish you, to stand by your side through all of life's joys and challenges, to support your dreams, and to be your rock and safe haven", he paused, smiled and continued.

“I vow to be faithful, honest, and patient, to laugh with you, cry with you, and build a life together that is filled with love, laughter, and adventure. I choose you today, and every day, to be my wife, my partner, and my best friend. I love you now and forever.

And everyone clapped at his wonderful vows. Raúl was so good with words. But then, did I feel happy or sad? I couldn't say. Slowly, he lifted my hand, and wore the ring on my finger.

“Now it's the bride’s turn!" The priest announced.