Nothing Better (Than You) - English Vers.

¤ Epilogue

"I'll be super busy until mid-next year. Unless you're okay with waiting."

Nate's face fell when Rick, Julian's brother, informed her that he wouldn't be able to escort her to Stockholm. Following a two-year separation from Julian, Nate had mustered the resolve to reunite with him, harbouring hopes of rekindling their erstwhile romance, albeit with lingering doubts about whether Julian's affections still remained.

Nate owed it to her friend and coworker Abby for scoring her a volunteer gig in Stockholm. Now, she was finally on the same ground, under the same sky, and breathing the same air as Julian!

Nate wandered around the city, using the address Rick had given her. But even with her phone's GPS, she couldn't find it. So, with her feet killing her after a day of walking, Nate jumped on the tourist tram that looped around the city. Along the way, she took in the sights of gorgeous red and orange buildings and a huge park with a fountain in the middle.

The tram eventually stopped in front of a pretty impressive church. The driver pointed out that it was the Katarina Church, a famous spot in Stockholm and a must-see for tourists.

The passengers disembarked from the tram and made their way towards the church to take photos. Nate followed suit and noticed a red carpet stretching from the bottom of the church's closed doors down the steps. It seemed a wedding was underway, for shortly afterwards, a decorated wedding car pulled up in front of the church.

Nate waited with bated breath. Although she didn't know the couple getting married, she had once experienced the excitement of a wedding herself. Nate and several other onlookers waited for the front doors to open. Soon, the bridesmaids emerged and took their positions on the steps, each carrying a bouquet of flowers.

Nate's nervous anticipation was finally assuaged as the bridal party emerged, acknowledging the crowd with waves. The bride cut a resplendent figure in her elegant white gown, whose lengthy train necessitated the assistance of one of her attendants. Nate, recalling her own wedding day, felt no pang of envy towards the bride's attire, which appeared somewhat impractical. Nonetheless, the bride's euphoria was palpable, her countenance radiant with joy as she grasped the arm of her newly minted husband. Nate's gaze drifted towards the groom, and her heart momentarily ceased to beat.

No. This can't be happening. Nate's eyes remained fixed on the newlywed couple making their way down the steps, cheered on by the surrounding crowd. It was unthinkable that the man who looked so uncannily like Julian could actually be him. Yet, from every angle, the resemblance was unmistakable. But surely, if Julian had remarried, someone in his family would have told Nate?

"Matilda?"

Nate glanced away, fighting back tears as she met Tara's shocked stare. Will was right behind Tara, looking just as stunned. This was all too much. Nate quickly turned to make a hasty exit, just as Rick showed up and spotted her.

"Nate! Nate!" Rick grabbed Nate's arm, stopping her dead in her tracks. "What are you doing here? When did you get in?"

"Why didn't you guys tell me?" Nate's voice cracked as she burst into tears. "Why didn't anyone let me know that Julian was getting married?"

Rick put a reassuring hand on Nate's shoulders. "I... I was going to tell you..."

"When? After I figured it out myself?" Nate snapped, annoyance etched on her face. "Why did you keep it a secret? I've always told you everything, shared my feelings with you. You know how much I still care about Julian. Why would you hurt me like this?"

Nate's eyes darted around the gathering, whose collective focus had shifted to her, and alighted upon Julian. He stood transfixed on the steps, his eyes locked onto hers with an enigmatic expression, while his bride, positioned beside him, endeavoured to persuade him to proceed with their exit.

"I was going to tell you about the wedding, I swear," Rick explained, justifying himself. "But your mum..."

"Seriously, Mum?" Nate groaned, burying her face in her hands. Rick exhaled heavily.

"It's been two years, Nate," Rick said softly. "I know you're still not over my brother, but he has started a new chapter in his life now. I really hope you can too."

Nate raised her head, her eyes meeting Julian's, who remained rooted to the spot. It was possible that this was the final occasion on which she would lay eyes on him. Nate's countenance betrayed her profound disappointment.

Rick had always said that Nate was Julian's first love and the only woman he'd ever truly cared about, but it seemed that those feelings could disappear pretty easily in just two years. Nate couldn't really blame Julian. She was the one who'd killed those feelings with her own mistakes.

Nate turned on her heel and departed, overcome with emotion as she sobbed audibly, unable to muster a single word in response to Rick. All was lost, her aspirations had been reduced to ashes. Nate would never again have the chance to be with Julian. The moment had passed, irretrievable, on the day she had bid him adieu. She would return home, there to attempt to mend the shattered remnants of her heart.

"Tillie! Tillie!"

For a fleeting moment, Nate was drawn to the idea of arresting her stride. She was aware that there existed only one individual on this earth who still addressed her by the affectionate diminutive of her name. Nevertheless, Nate pressed on, her feet carrying her forward with a sense of urgency, her pace quickening to a near-run as she hastened across the road.

"Tillie, wait!"

"Julian!"

Nate whirled around, her attention seized by the collective shrieks of those behind her. Time itself seemed to freeze as Nate's gaze fell upon a vehicle hurtling towards Julian, who was in hot pursuit of her.

Julian's body was violently propelled through the air, finally coming to rest on the roadside. Nate's voice was reduced to a hysterical shriek as she beheld the inert form, which lay ominously still.

- END -

P.S: This is a sneak peek of the second series, Because It's You. But, wait, don't delete this story from your library too quickly! Because I will update it here when the second series is published. Thank you~

Update on April 3rd, 2024 (Previously published in April 7th, 2021 in Indonesian)