Troubled Indeed

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

We drive through the beautiful alley of the venue an hour later. We are all a little bit tipsy because of the champagne served in the limo, but we're all in a better mood and less nervous than before. The happy bride is glowing and ready to get married.

The parking lot of the venue looked packed as we drove past it, and I tried my hardest to find Anthony's car. But I couldn't see it. It was like a stab to my chest. Is he really not coming?

The limo parks close to the main entrance and one by one, we get out of the car. Miss Fox, the personal assistant of the place is already standing outside with a black clipboard in her lowered hands. From the looks of it, she's been waiting for us to arrive and she's not happy to see us running a little behind the schedule. But she keeps her composure and doesn't say anything.

"Mrs. Gilmond, you look stunning this evening," she expresses her mandatory pleasantries to my mother, "Please follow me and I'll show you where you can have some privacy before the ceremony. The groom and his men are already here." Miss Fox turns on her heel and starts walking inside the building. We're having a little struggle keeping up with her, wearing high heels and our elegant but not-so-comfortable dresses.

She said that the groom and his men are already here. Is Anthony one of his men? I sure hope so.

Miss Fox guides us upstairs through a narrow staircase that leads to a beautifully decorated all-white bride's room. Fresh white roses are everywhere, just like mom wanted, and the smell is intoxicating. The room is so romantic, so peaceful, and beautiful. I wouldn't mind staying in this room for the rest of the evening.

"Please, make yourself comfortable and I'll be back in fifteen minutes so we can get started with the ceremony," Miss Fox states, then leaves us.

A tray of champagne is waiting for us, and we each take a glass as soon as we have put down our excess stuff.

"Well, girls, this is the end of my second singlehood. I'm so ready to marry the man I love."

"Hear-hear," Betty shouts a little bit too loud, and raises her glass, but in my opinion, she should skip the champagne because she's already had one too many.

Mom frowns at her, but keeps on going: "Thank you, ladies, for being here with me and helping me get ready for this. And thank you, Victoria for helping me with the preparations. I know you've been through a lot lately, and it wasn't easy for you to do this. I appreciate you and your help so much! Thank you for giving me strength when I was weak and confused. You were my lighthouse in the storm. Thank you for that." Mom can't hold it in anymore and her eyes are getting watery.

I take a few steps closer to her and hug her.

"I love you, and I wish you all the best," I whisper in her ear, out of everyone else's earshot. Now I'm getting emotional as well.

"To the Gilmond girls," Betty shouts out again, ruining the beautiful mother-daughter moment. But this time it's kind of funny and we all laugh. No more tears. This is a happy occasion. We all raise our glasses and take a sip.

I excuse myself to have a moment alone and leave Benji with "the aunties". They are more than happy to entertain him. He has been the center of attention since the moment they saw him and having my mother there with him makes me feel calm.

I leave the bridal room and wander through the halls of the venue. I just need a moment to think. The buzzing, the champagne, and the high energy make me feel dizzy and I just need some air. I want to be a hundred percent there when my mom will be getting married.

There are several more doors on the second floor but all of them are closed. Gentle instrumental music from the reception hall fills the whole building. I hear voices and loud laughter behind closed doors. I guess Alexi and his men are somewhere in there, celebrating. People are having fun, and getting ready to party. I should be too, but my fight with Anthony is weighing me down.

I stop in front of a window overlooking the front of the building. Some people are still arriving, but I think most of the guests are already downstairs, waiting for the ceremony to start. I still try to find Anthony's car in the parking lot, which is further away, but there are too many trees blocking my view.

Somewhere down the corridor a door opens and closes, but I pay little attention to this. I try to come up with an apology for whenever I see Anthony. Even if he's not here, I want to be ready to see him and talk to him. No more stupid mistakes and misunderstandings.

"Wow. You're a vision. You look like a goddess," a soft compliment in the sweetest voice echoes my way.

I turn my head instantly, to check that my mind isn't playing tricks on me. But it's real. Anthony is walking my way, looking so hot in his suit.

"You're here," I whisper when approaches me.

"Yeah, I am." He doesn't say anything else. He just looks at me, straight into my eyes.

"How did you get here?" I ask, but to be honest, I don't care how he got here. What matters is that he's here and I'm trying to keep him talking to me.

"My bike," he replies with a serious expression.

That's why I didn't see his car anywhere - because he took his motorcycle. He told me before that riding his bike is his therapy. I feel guilty for hurting him. But my sad attempts to get him to talk to me are in vain.

"You must have looked hot with your helmet and your suit on a superbike," I try to make a joke, but he doesn't react to that either. He just slowly eyes me head-to-toe.

"Honey, I'm sorry I had any doubts about your past at all. I'm so sorry, I'll try to work on my trust issues," I say quietly, trying hard to break the ice between us. That wasn't what I was planning to say the moment I saw him, but these are my most sincere feelings. I'm relieved and thankful that he's here.

"Shh," he says, not letting me finish, "I love you."

This takes me by surprise. I was ready for a difficult conversation about trust and other issues we have, but I was not ready for him to be shushing me and proclaiming his love for me.

"I love you," I whisper. Somehow this moment is wholesome, as if time stands still between us. He steps closer and slides his hand behind my back, then gently pulls me to him and buries his face in my neck to kiss it. He's forgiven me, and a heavy load lifts off my shoulders.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, trying to apologize once again.

"No," he says looking at me again, "I'm sorry for walking out. I shouldn't have done that, it was immature. I had some time to think, and I understand where you're coming from. I would have done the same if I was you," he adds earnestly.

"I don't want to fight, it's not worth it. I don't want to lose you," I admit, tears pooling in my eyes.

He looks at me, then kisses me softly, trying not to ruin my makeup.

"Babe, you have nothing to worry about. You are the only woman I'll ever love and want. You're my angel," he confesses and leans down for another kiss.

I close my eyes and relish his warmth and his scent. The feeling of his soft lips on mine is divine. I slip my hand underneath his open jacket and slide my arm up and down his back. He pulls me closer to his chest and kisses me gently.

A moment later we're interrupted by someone's cough not too far from us.

Miss Fox approaches us, and the look of disappointment on her face is evident. I don't know how much she heard or saw, but I know whatever she witnessed should show her that this man is my territory. I guess she was as attracted to Anthony as any other girl in this building. But I'm glad she's here to see that he's very much taken and mine.

Both of us look at her without letting each other go.

"We're about to begin with the ceremony and the bride needs her maid of honor," Miss Fox declares, but this time she doesn't leave as usual. She just stands there, waiting for me to follow her. Or is she gawking at my beau?

"Babe, I have to go," I say to my man.

He kisses me once again, and I love it. I love that he's okay with PDA in front of anyone. Only after the kiss he finally lets go of me.

"See you in there, baby," he says with a sexy grin, "Love you!"

This makes me smile and I blow him some air kisses. I grin like an idiot, and I don't care. Anthony and I are okay again and this is all I care about right now.