SERENE

HER: Trois

Marilyn glided her petite fingers down her white wedding gown. She had to look perfect, it was her big day after all. Hannah handed her the lavender laiden bouquet, which she took and let out a deep long held breath.
Finally. After a year of dating she was going to marry the man of her dreams.
Sorry. Woman of her dreams.
Jules Tanner. Reporter at the CNN who was also too much passionate about paintings. She had an entire gallery in her home, mostly studded with paintings of Marilyn herself in all poses she could conjure. Jules used to spent about 12 hours for painting Marilyn, her usual muse, with so much dedication, even more than for her job.
She was going to marry Jules, thought Marilyn.
And this was not an easy task.
She had to deal with her furious mom and dad and also her elder brother, who was a bit subtle about the whole affair.
Some bouts of starving and a faked suicide attempt later, her parents had hesitantly agreed to the relationship. Jules had been the happiest woman that day. She had received her brother's approval, after they both found out they had similiar interests and he knew she would make an amazing sister-in-law.

Hannah stared at her in adoration as she said, "You look beautiful, dear." Marilyn smiled and hugged her best friend.

This was her day.

°°
°°

She was almost tired from greeting the guests, there were so many of them.
Marilyn leaned onto Jules a little, who gave her an apologetic smile and whispered, "Oh god, why did we invite so many?"
Marilyn chuckled lowly.
Hannah came to her, offering her a glass of champagne.
"Here, a little bout of energy."
She smiled, and somehow her vision looked past Hannah's shoulder.

Her.

No. Why is she here?

I didn't invite her.

I don't want her here.

Why would she ruin my perfect wedding?

A million things shuffled across her mind as she stared strongly at the approaching figure.

Meghan Cartier.

°°
°°

"Hmm, I am sure a little flirting won't mind, sweetheart.", chided Meghan as she snaked her arm around Marilyn's waist. Funny thing is she didn't flinch or back away. She let her on.

"Mar, your brother's not going to the army. It's just Uni. Chill."
Meghan said as she carded her fingers through Marilyn's dark hair.
She dipped down and gave a soft kiss on her forehead, as Marilyn slowly smiled.

"Kiss me", said Marliyn, and Meghan wasted no time as she captured her pillowy lips in a searing kiss.
Meghan was her first kiss.

"I have been in love with you for the past two years, Meg. I can't ignore it anymore." Marilyn blurted out, as she waited for the impending rejection.
But she was shocked when plump lips met hers.
She opened her eyes and saw the smirk on her face.
"What took you so long?"

"What do you mean?"  questioned Marilyn.
Meghan shuffled on her feet.
"We gotta do a reality check,Mar. It might not work."
Marilyn almost broke.
She can't leave her now.
She slid to Meghan's side and held her hand.
"Whatever it is we will do it together."
And Meghan smiled.

"I want you." Marilyn spoke out.
Meghan glared at her in confusion.
"I want to have sex with you. I want you to be my first and only."
Meghan tore her gaze away.
"No. I- I won't be able to satisfy you."
"We could do something."

When her tongue entered her, Marilyn screamed. Out of pleasure. She slided her fingers along blonde hair, who's owner's mouth sat between her thighs. She was content. Happy. Full.

"I was using you. Sexuality check."
Said Meghan as she mumbled a sorry and walked away.
Marilyn stared at the retreating figure, and saw her vision go black.

°°
°°

Why is she here?
I didn't invite her.
I want her to leave.
She had ruined me.
How is she even smiling?

Before she got a chance to retort, Jules waved her hand at Meghan.

"Megs, oh my god!! I never thought you'd make it!"
Marilyn stared flabbergasted.

Meghan walked in, clad in a peach dress. She looked stronger, smarter. And improvised version of the vixen she used to be.

"I am not too cruel not to attend my art buddy's wedding!"

Art buddy?

"Oh yes." Jules turned to Marilyn.

"Mari, this is Meghan. She visits the workshop sometimes. More like, she is a classmate."

"And Meghan, meet Marilyn."
Jules laid a hand on Marilyn's waist as she said it.

"Nice to meet you, Jules talks about you all the time."
Marilyn stood in shock as blue eyes met hers.

She hasn't changed.
Not one bit.

"Nice to meet you."
She punched out, drawing a tight smile.

Meghan drew her hand, to give a present to Jules.
"Oh come on. You didn't have to."
"Nah uh. Take it."

Marilyn couldn't help but stare her on.
Did she not recognise me?
Was I just a passing phase?

" Well I have to scoot. I've got to visit mum and then go back."
" Back to LA?"

" Uh no. London. Dad's estate. Some stuff to manage there. Oh and yes, if possible visit Cynefin. My cousins would be delighted to meet the two of you."

"Cynefin?" Marilyn couldn't stop herself from blurting out.
Jules answered.

"That's her dad's estate."

"Oh."

Meghan smiled and walked away in brisk steps, waving a goodbye to both.

°°
°°

Marilyn had never told Jules about Meghan. Or anything about them.
She had chose not to.

But now she did.
All Jules did was stare blankly.

Marilyn feared the worst. She couldn't hurt herself again.

"I never thought she would be like this."

Marilyn whimpered at the comment.

Jules held her close.
"Let's not think about that, love. She was your past. It doesn't exist anymore."

She turned to hold her hand.

"And whatever scars she did on you, I will heal them. One by one. I promise you that."

And Marilyn cried again.
This time out of happiness.

°°
°°

Sam  held Meghan's hand, when they boarded their jet.

"How'd it go, Meg?"

Meghan trained her eyes on Sam, as he held her a glass of water.

She took a slow sip.

"Difficult."

Sam hummed.

"You okay?"

"Yes. Don't worry."
She smiled.

Sam gazed at her in question, and chose not to talk about it again.

For he knew.

°°
°°

"Did she lie?" asked Marilyn."About using me?"

Hannah turned slowly.

Hannah knew the truth.

"No." She said.

Whether it was the truth or not, Marilyn doesn't know.