As each day passed, an unsettling feeling filtered the air. Everything was out in the open, there were no more secrets. From what seemed like a perfect relationship between Lana and Charles, turned into the complete utter opposite. Lana wanted so badly to yell at him, to slap him, to call him weak. But she held herself back, because what would that do? He was a man of no emotion.
Lana told Amber about the incident in the grocery store. She was completely shocked and outraged, possibly even angrier than Lana.
"That son of a bitch. Who does he think he is? And that girl.." Amber was trembling in anger for Lana. "I'm so sorry. You never deserved any of this."
Lana slowly nodded. "She just pushed me out of the picture. I feel weak."
"We're going to find her and set her straight." Amber insisted, but Lana shook her head.
"No.. we can't. Not right now. I'm trying to think of something else." Lana said.
"Like what?"
Lana was silent, in thought. "I'll figure it out."
Silence filled the air. Amber got up to pour two cups of coffee.
"She's pregnant, Amber." Lana said, almost causing her to drop the coffee pot. Her mouth formed an 'O' shape.
"What?!" She practically screamed.
Lana explained everything she could remember. How she ran into his mistress in the beginning of the year at the cafe, not knowing who she was. She explained the time line of things, the matched pregnancy, the affair, Charles' absence. Before, Amber only knew of Charles and his mistress from what Lana told her about the grocery store. But now, she knew the whole story. How it was way more than just Charles flaunting a new woman.
Amber was in shock, unable to produce words. She finished pouring the two cups of coffee, then brought them over to the couch where Lana was sitting. After another few moments of uneasy silence, Amber spoke.
"I can't believe this. It all makes so much sense now." She said quietly.
Lana only nodded. "I know. He got both of us pregnant, then chose her."
Amber frowned, not realizing the depth of the situation until now. "I don't know what to say."
"It's okay. I don't know what to say either."
They both sat in silence again, sipping their coffee.
"You are stronger than anyone I know. You're gonna find a way to get through this." Amber insisted.
"Thank you, I know I will. Eventually." Lana replied.
"He's a fucked up guy. But he can't shatter your perception on love. You're gonna find someone even better, I promise you. You'll be happier than you'll ever know. Give it time. I'll always be here for you." Amber smiled, throwing an arm over Lana.
She just stood silent. "I don't think I want to search for love again, not now at least. I need to.." Lana looked around the room at her beautiful paintings displayed on the wall. "I need to love myself first."
Amber pulled her lips into a smile again. "That's right, Lana. You're right. I'm sorry for even suggesting that."
"It's fine. You're only trying to help. Thank you."
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Lana stepped closer to the doors of the place she once loved to come to. She adored this place, it was her comfort. Every time she needed a mood-boost, or time to herself, or just a decent cup of coffee, this was her place.
She entered the cafe, shuttering at the memories. Her once favorite place became a beacon of horrible memories, just one memory actually. The place she ran into the woman who would steal her love forever.
She shook the thought, putting the blame on Charles instead. Sarah didn't owe her loyalty, Charles did. But she couldn't help but be infuriated with the both of them. They were evil in her eyes.
"One hot coffee, please." She spoke to the barista. After paying, she took her coffee to a booth.
She sipped the hot liquid, closing her eyes as it warmed her insides. She was instantly calm. Who knew a cup of coffee would make her feel better?
Her phone rang from inside her purse. She rummaged through it, a piece of yellow paper falling out on to the table. She answered her phone, only for it to be a scam call. She placed her phone back into her purse, but focused on the tiny piece of paper.
She picked it up, unfolding it and began reading the words scribbled onto it:
"Charles, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, to motivate you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it gets difficult, when our love is simple, and when it is challenging. And I promise to cherish you and to always hold you in the highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life."
A single tear fell on to the yellow paper, causing the ink to spread slightly. These were Lana's vows to Charles, she wrote the day of the wedding. Every word was true, full of Lana's being. She remembered just how she felt when she was writing the heart-felt words. She couldn't wait to say them to Charles, picturing him smiling with joy and tears of happiness and love running down his cheeks. But that feeling and daydream had vanished, once she remembered what happened.
Charles loves someone else. And he will never hear Lana say those words she's been dying to say to him.
YOU ARE READING
Vow
Mystery / Thriller"Be careful who you love. Because if you love the wrong person, it will change you forever." Lana is a young woman who gets happily engaged to her highschool sweetheart. It's the kind of love you could dream of; all kisses and promises and adventur...
