See you in the Aisle!

Chapter 4

In revel's heart where love and laughter blend,

A gum-wrapped note doth fate and fortune send.

Though parting shadows drape the moonlit night,

New dawns may rise from chance's fleeting light.

The day of Emily's wedding was a whirlwind of excitement and activity. As a bridesmaid, I was immersed in the flurry of pre-wedding preparations. The church, adorned with delicate flowers and elegant decorations, set the stage for a ceremony that was both beautiful and emotional. I could see the love and happiness radiating from Emily and her groom, Leo, as they exchanged their vows. The vows were heartfelt, with Leo's voice breaking slightly as he promised to cherish Emily forever. I felt a lump in my throat, witnessing such a profound moment of love and commitment.

After the ceremony, we moved to the reception hall, which was alive with laughter, music, and dancing. The evening air was warm with the buzz of celebration, and the room was filled with the clinking of glasses and the hum of cheerful conversation. The buffet table was laden with an impressive array of dishes, and the dance floor was a sea of swirling dresses and tuxedos.

During a brief break from the festivities, I decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air. The cool evening breeze was a welcome change from the warmth of the packed reception hall. I found a quiet spot on the patio.

As I was absorbed by the scenery, a voice broke through my concentration. I looked up to see a man standing in front of me, a friendly smile on his face and a piece of gum held out in his hand.

"Hey, I'm Matteo Henry. Do you need a gum?" he asked, his tone casual and warm.

I laughed, taken aback by the unexpected offer. "I'm Aria Solene. Nice to meet you, Matteo Henry. I'm actually good on gum right now, but thanks!"

Matteo's grin widened, clearly amused by my response. "No problem. I just figured if I was going to interrupt your quiet moment, I should at least offer something."

We both chuckled, and I found myself feeling surprisingly at ease with him. This guy had an effortless way of making conversation flow naturally, and I was soon engaged in a light-hearted exchange.

"So, Aria Solene, are you a professional gum chewer or just a fan of fresh breath?" Matteo asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

"Definitely a fan of fresh breath," I replied, playfully. "I'm just here for the wedding. What about you?"

"Same here," Matteo said, leaning casually against the railing. "I'm friends with the groom. Thought I'd come by and see the celebration. Plus, I heard weddings are great places to meet people."

"Well, you've succeeded," I said with a laugh. "I don't usually get approached with gum offers, so you've definitely made an impression."

"Mission accomplished, then," Matteo said with a mock salute. "I'm just glad I didn't accidentally give you something like a mint that would have made things awkward."

We continued talking, and I was soon laughing at Matteo's humorous anecdotes. He shared funny stories about his friends, and I found myself opening up about my own embarrassing moments. It was refreshing to talk to someone so genuinely engaging.

At one point, Matteo's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Okay, Aria, I have to ask—are you always this charming, or is this just your wedding crasher persona?"

"Guilty as charged," I replied with a grin. "I might have a natural talent for this, but I also might be putting on a show. It's all part of the charm."

In the middle of the conversation, Matteo noticed I hadn't yet given him my social media details. "Hey, I don't think I've got your social media info yet," he said, flashing a charming smile. "Could you share it with me?"

I fumbled for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed. My phone was buried under a pile of wedding brochures and snack crumbs. Without a better idea, I grabbed a nearby gum wrapper and scribbled my username on it with a pen I found in my bag.

"Here you go," I said, handing him the gum wrapper with my username scrawled on it. "It's not the most glamorous way to share it, but it works."

Matteo chuckled, looking at the wrapper with an amused expression. "I've never had someone write their social media on a gum wrapper before. This is definitely a first."

I laughed, feeling a bit sheepish but also relieved that the exchange was going so well. "Well, it's not the most conventional, but it's memorable, right?"

He nodded, grinning. "Absolutely. I'll make sure to keep this wrapper as a souvenir."

"Well, Aria Solene," Matteo said, glancing at his watch, "I think I should let you get back to the wedding festivities before I get officially labeled as the 'gum guy' from the reception."

"Good idea," I agreed, smiling. "It was really nice meeting you, Matteo Henry. Thanks for the gum and the laughs."

"Anytime," he said, giving me a friendly nod. "And if you ever need more gum, you know where to find me."

With that, Matteo turned and headed back towards the reception. I watched him go, feeling a bit lighter and more cheerful than I had in a while. There was something about that brief encounter—a mix of humor, charm, and genuine interest—that left me with a smile.

The night of Emily and Leo's wedding was a magical affair. As the reception began winding down, the guests were still buzzing with energy, dancing and laughing. The soft strains of the final songs played in the background as I made my way through the crowd, congratulating the newlyweds.

I approached Emily and Leo with a warm smile, and after exchanging heartfelt congratulations, I gave them each a big hug. "Congratulations, you two! Your wedding was absolutely beautiful. I'm so happy for you both!"

Leo returned the hug and grinned. "Thank you, Aria! We're so glad you could be here to celebrate with us. We actually planned to introduce you to someone tonight."

I looked at him with curiosity. "Oh really? Who?"

"Well," Leo said, his grin widening, "I think he left already. He's a bit of a recluse and tends to avoid crowded places."

My heart skipped a beat, suddenly thinking of Matteo. "He left? Oh no, I was hoping to see him again," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. Leo's expression turned slightly puzzled. "Yeah, I don't even think he was here at the reception. I saw him briefly in the church earlier. He's more of a serious, quiet type. Doesn't really enjoy large gatherings."

A wave of relief washed over me. So it wasn't Matteo who had left. I managed to laugh it off, trying to mask my slight letdown. "Oh, okay. Well, I guess it's not the end of the world. I'm actually quite good on my own for now," I said, chuckling lightly.

We wrapped up our goodbyes, and the night ended with warm hugs and fond farewells. As I left the reception, I felt a mix of emotions. The wedding had been a beautiful celebration, but the unexpected twist about Matteo had left me feeling a bit off-kilter.

Outside, the cool night air was refreshing. I left, my mind racing with thoughts of the evening. While the disappointment of not meeting Matteo again was there, I tried to focus on the positive memories of the night—the laughter, the joy, and the love shared between Emily and Leo.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the night's events. Despite the unexpected turn of events, it had been a memorable evening. And who knew? Maybe the next chapter of my life was just around the corner.