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.

004

LORENA

I picked up his ring and got ready to speak

"My beloved Raul, I promise to love and honor you, to stand by your side through all of life's ups and downs, to support your passions, and to be your partner in every sense of the word. I vow to be your confidante, your friend, and your soulmate, to laugh with you, cry with you, and build a life together that is filled with love, joy, and happiness. I choose you today, and every day, to be my husband, my rock, and my forever love. I love you now and forever.”

I wore the ring on his finger and everyone cheered on, clapping their hands and whistling with their mouths.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” the priest announced and once again, everyone clapped and whistled.

Things went well for a while and I was beginning to feel at ease and to find my peace a bit. But, just when I thought I would finally get my peace in full, a lady, a strange one at that, appeared from the entrance of the aisle, and walked really fast, approaching the altar where Raúl and I stood.

“ I'm here to speak in opposition to this union, and I request to be heard!”

Everyone seated turned around to look at this strange lady who had come to cause havoc on my wedding day!

This lady was obviously pregnant, but what did she have to say about my wedding? Who the hell did she think she was and what did she want?

Suddenly, Emma, who had been calm all the while, rushed over to her and tried to stop her from moving forward.

“What are you doing here Olivia?" Emma asked the strange lady when she would not stay put as Emma wanted.

“Let go of me right now, I want to speak!" The lady broke free from Emma's grasp and found her way over to where Raúl and I stood.

Emma ran after her and drew her back.

SLAP!

The strange lady Landed a hot, dirty slap across Emma's face that made Emma's leg stuck to the floor. She held her face in pain.

“I've warned you to stay away from me or anything that concerns me!" The strange lady warned in a yelling voice

Now facing the altar where the priest, Raúl and I stood, the strange lady spoke

“Did Raul ever tell you that I….” the lady tried to speak but Emma cut her short.

“ Shut up Olivia, and get lost!” Emma rebuked.

But this lady stood firm. I'm sure someone must have paid her to ruin my wedding, but who?

“What are you doing here Olivia? Of all days in the world, why today?” Emma asked, seeing that the strange lady would listen.

"Stay out of this Emma. It's none of your business!” Olivia challenged.

I looked at Raúl, and he looked confused. But, was I supposed to believe the look on his face? Of course not!

“Get out of here right now or I'll call the security!" Emma threatened, but Olivia didn't seem to be moved.

“What's going on here Emma? Raúl, why the hell are you mute? What's going on?" I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

“I'm pregnant for Raúl” the lady announced.

“The child in my stomach belongs to no other man than Raúl!" She said, now facing the guests.

Emma lost her temper, she walked over to Olivia, turned her face and returned the slap she had received earlier, back to Olivia.

SLAP!!