Fate || BENNIFER

Setback

Jennifer's P.O.V

The day had started early for me. Ever since Ben had proposed, I found myself swept up in a frenzy of wedding planning. The prospect of spending the rest of my life with the man I loved filled my heart with joy, but planning a wedding proved to be a task of monumental proportions.

The sun had barely risen and I was already in my home office, surrounded by stacks of bridal magazines, color swatches, and a multitude of ideas. Colors danced before my eyes, and I marveled at the various shapes and styles that could define our wedding ceremony. It was a whirlwind of creativity and imagination, a process I couldn't help but love.

I loved the idea of creating a ceremony that truly reflected our values and celebrated our love, but I also wanted to keep it from becoming a media circus. The last thing I desired was for our special day to be overshadowed by the intrusive lenses of the paparazzi.

While my office was abuzz with excitement, as I meticulously planned every aspect with the help of some friends, Ben was engrossed in a battle of a different kind. He was dealing with a PR crisis, trying to uncover the source of the damaging rumors that had been circulating about him. I knew that he was under immense pressure, and I didn't want to burden him further with the trivialities of wedding planning.

Lost in my thoughts, I absentmindedly twirled my engagement ring, a dazzling diamond that sparkled in the morning light. I knew that as public figures, our lives were constantly under scrutiny, and our wedding would be no exception.

With a determined sight, I set aside the magazines and closed my eyes, trying to picture the perfect wedding in my mind. I imagined a ceremony surrounded by nature, with blooming flowers and the soft sound of birds chirping. I dreamed of a celebration that would be remembered not for its extravagance, but for the love and joy that permeated every moment.

As the morning turned into afternoon, I found myself pouring over guest lists and venue options. I wanted to ensure that our closest friends and family would be there to witness our union, but I also wanted to keep the event intimate. I knew that finding the right balance would be a challenge, but I was determined to make it happen.

There was yet another aspect of the wedding that seemed to elude my decisive nature, my wedding dress. For me, choosing the right designer was of utmost importance. The dress needed to not only reflect my personal style but also align with the overall theme of the wedding. I wanted something timeless yet unique, a dress that would make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world on such a special occasion.

However, Ben and I had made a conscious decision not to rush into anything. We wanted our wedding to be a reflection of a love that stands the test of time. The absence of a date didn't deter us, instead, it allowed us to fully embrace the journey of planning such a special day.

As I sipped my third coffee, I pondered over my schedule for the day. I was still determined to be productive and make progress towards my next performance. I suggested to Ben that he drive me to the dance studio so that we could both withdraw our minds from our respective tasks. Grateful for the opportunity to distance himself from his ongoing crisis, he readily agreed.

As we arrived at the studio, I could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I was thrilled to have Ben witness one of our rehearsals. He watched with a mixture of amusement and adoration while I spoke with my choreographer, discussing a difficult step. Her voice was laced with concern as she advised me against attempting the challenging move.

"It's too risky, Jennifer. Let's find an alternative that won't push you at risk." She said with a serious expression on her face.

"I want to give it a try, and see what I'm capable of." I said with determination.

"Just be careful." She sighed, her voice tinged with worry.

I resumed my position as the music filled the room with palpable energy. We followed the choreography with unparalleled precision, the dancers moving around me in perfect harmony, their movements synchronized with mine. But as fate would have it, the landing was anything but graceful. A sharp pain shot through my ankle as it twisted beneath me, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground. Gasps of concern echoed throughout the studio as the dancers rushed to my side.

I spotted Ben pushing through the group of worried faces. He knelt down beside me, concern etched on his face.

"Jennifer, are you okay?" His eyes searched mine for any sign of reassurance.

"I'll be fine. Just a little setback, that's all." I winced.

Ben's touch was gentle as he reached out to assess the extent of the injury. I hissed at the contact, my body tensing with discomfort.

"It looks like a sprain, but you should get it checked to be sure." My choreographer said.

"I can carry you to the car, and we'll have that checked out properly." He said.

With careful movements, Ben lifted me into his arms. I couldn't help but giggle as he effortlessly carried me through the crowd of concerned onlookers.

"This is kinda romantic." I smiled.

"You always find a way to see the romance in everything." His tone was tender.

My worry was momentarily forgotten in the lightheartedness of the moment. Reaching the car, he carefully settled me in the passenger seat, making sure I was comfortable.

"This is quite the memorable way to be carried, don't you think?" My eyes sparkled with affection.

"This is good preparation for our wedding night. And that one, sweetheart, will be really memorable." He said with a mischievous smile.