1

A year later...

“Guess who is getting married?!” Stella’s enthusiastic voice screamed from the phone. I sat transfixed, immobilized for a moment as her words rang in my ears. Since I left town, we seldom chat or call each other. Part of the reason was that I still felt guilty about the whole thing with Nicolas, the rest could be blamed on the existing distance between us. But we still regarded each other as best friends.

“You’re getting married?” I finally got myself to ask. I never knew she was in a serious relationship. We never really talked much about the man she was dating.

“Yes!” She answers with the same screeching voice.

“Who’s the lucky man?” I quickly asked.

An awkward silence ensued. Where did all the excitement go? I thought confused.

“Stella…” I called her. “Are you there?” I asked anxiously.

“It’s Nicolas Gray…” She says softly.

My eyes widened in disbelief, as I played what she said over and over in my head. My heart began to pound heavily in my chest, and my breath became shallow and rapid. It was like the floor had dropped out from under me, and I was falling through space, suspended in time. Hearing his name again was unnerving, but knowing now he was tying the knots with Stella was riveting.

“Melissa, I’m sorry I never told you we got back together”. Stella continued remorsefully. “I knew you won’t be in support of it after what he did”.

“For how long have you been seeing each other?” I got myself to ask. I needed to know.

“A few months ago”. She answers simply. “I thought I was over him, but meeting him again the feelings I had for him reignited”. She explains.

“And now he wants to marry you?” I asked, still trying to make sense of everything.

“Yes!” She says, the excitement creeping back into her voice.

How could Nicolas do this after what we shared? I thought angrily within myself. Was he planning on keeping our night of passion a secret?

“Melissa…say something?” She begs.

"Stella, are you sure about this?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" She replies anxiously.

"Nicolas... is he the right one?" The words tumbled from my mouth, laced with a tremor I couldn't control.

Stella sighs. "Mel, he sincerely regrets what happened between us. He truly loves me, and wants to spend the rest of his life with me".

I swallowed, the lump in my throat refusing to budge. "Are you sure? Or is this just... convenient?"

Stella's silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "I know for sure, that he truly loves me. All that happened is in the past and forgotten".

"Okay..." I say simply, not convinced, and most of all not happy at all. “Congratulations Stella. I am happy for the both of you”. I add it shortly.

“Thanks, Mel”.

Another awkward silence.

“I have a request though”. She says breaking the silence.

The pounding of my heart accelerated. What could be her request? Does she know about Nicolas and I?

“I’m all ears”. I said nervously.

“Our wedding is in two months. I want you to be my maid of honor”. She says.

Maid of honor? Was she serious?

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“You’re the reason we met. If I hadn’t followed you to that party, I may have never met Nicolas”. She says, reassuringly.

I wish you never did. I thought angrily within myself.

“So, is that a Yes?” She asked, calling me out of my thoughts.

I kept mute. Can I do it? I asked myself. Can I face Nicolas Gray again without desiring him?

“Yes Stella. It will be my pleasure”. I found myself saying. The thought of seeing Nicolas again was so enticing, that I had to agree to be her maid of honor. How come I was still affected by him so badly? I thought shamefully.

“Thanks, Mel, you’re the best!” She screeched happily.

“Anything for my best friend”. I teased.

“How soon will you be here?” She asked anxiously, “It’s been a long while, I can’t wait to see you”.

“How soon do you want me to come?” I asked her.

“Next week,” She says happily.

“But I thought the wedding is in two months'?” I said shocked.

“We have a lot of catching up to do”. She says, “I also want you to be my stylist”.

Being a fashion stylist hasn’t been all rosy for me. Business of late has been slow. Stella was doing so well for herself as a marketing manager of a big firm. I could make a good pay from this.

“Done. See you next week”. I said quickly.

“Can’t wait!” She replied gleefully before disconnecting the call.

As I hung up the phone, the news of Stella's impending marriage to Nicolas continued to echo in my mind. The whirlwind of emotions left me in a state of turmoil. I sat on my couch, reflecting on our shared history and the secrets that I had kept from my best friend. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear when my boyfriend walked in.

“Baby...is everything alright?" He asked softly, touching me lightly on the shoulder.

I yelped in shock, startled by his touch. “Chris!...I didn't hear you come in". I replied.

“Exactly my point. I have called your name thrice, no response". He says.

“Sorry dear, just got off the phone with Stella".

“Is everything alright with her?" He asked concerned.

“She's getting married". I informed him.

“Wow, that's good news. But why should that get you deep in thought?" He says quizzically.

“She wants me back in town by next week". I answered.

“The wedding is that soon?" He inquired.

“In two months, but she wants us to catch up on lost time".

“Okay". He says slowly. “I'll miss you when you leave".

“Would you like to attend the wedding?" I asked quickly, hoping he would say yes. I needed him there.

“I'll have to check my calendar". He says and starts to pull off his shoes. “Who is she getting married to? Anybody you know?"

I nod slowly. “Her ex". I answered with a hoarse voice, and then I rushed quickly to the bathroom.