Worth It

Chapter Twenty-Five

Katarina

"Take a breath, kokhanyy." My mother said, rubbing my back.

"You'll be great, mijita," Tomás said, giving me a thumbs up.

"Thank you. Okay. I'm heading up there."

I pulled out my cards from my purse and steadied my breathing as I headed to grab the mic from Ryan. I was sweating, nervous, and overly emotional, but I was going to spill my heart out for my best friend.

"If you know me, you'll know I will probably break down crying halfway through this speech. I don't know what to tell you, but you can either cry with me or get over it." I chuckled lightly. 

"I've known Opal for almost ten years. She's my best friend, and I love her with all my heart. She's my better half and will always come through for you for everything. The definition of a ride or die. We've been through together through everything. Through horrible fashion outfits and horrendous karaoke singing.

Honestly, I don't know who lied and told us we have amazing voices because we don't. Opal is the type of person to always look out for you, to put you first, to ensure you're happy, and even though we don't talk every day...she's still that person for me. Things in this life aren't permanent, and most feelings are fleeting, but the love Opal and Ryker have is special. Rare. It's permanent."

I could feel tears brimming in my eyes.

"I remember the moment she realized she was falling in love with Ryker. She said that he felt familiar, almost like he was her sense of comfort, her own home. I thought, how could someone feel like a home?

Then I met Ryker and saw how he looked at her, how he smiled at her like she was the only woman he saw. I knew then that home was a feeling of safety and security. I knew that Ryker would always keep her safe and loved and that he'd cherish her for the rest of his life."

I was still crying, but thankfully they were silent, and I wasn't sobbing. I would later, for sure.

"Ryker, Opal, I love you both and wish you nothing but happiness. I pray your love grows and blossoms. To you."

Opal was sobbing, and I had to cross the room to hug and comfort her.

"I love you so much." She cried.

"I love you more." I squeezed her.

I hugged Ryker and then escaped down the crowded halls to the bathroom. After crying for a good thirty minutes in the stall, I stepped out, wiped my face, and reapplied my makeup.

Before I could head back inside, someone snatched my wrist, and I was reeled into an empty storage room. I opened my mouth to scream to see Gabriel standing there like an idiot.

"You scared me. You fucking idiot." I swore, smacking his arm.

"I thought you'd come with Benjamin."

"Why do you fucking care if I come with someone or not?" I spat.

"Because I came with someone."

"Yeah, I met the bitch." I swore. "Fucking calling me an animal. Who the fuck does she think she is?"

"She's my fiancé."

Each word pierced through my heart, but I was proud of myself for standing my ground.

"Get her on a leash then because the next time she calls me an animal, I'm going to smack the word out of her fucking vocabulary." I threatened. "Now, get out of my way." He stepped toward me, and I brought my hand up between us. "Don't."