Still Hurting

Special Chapter

---Present---

Tribeca Rooftop

"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... ZERO!!!" Everyone shouted.

The curtains dramatically opened and everyone gasped. Everyone was quiet for a few seconds – all of them taking in the elegant decorations beautifully complimenting the magnificent NYC city line in the background.

"Oh my God! This does not look like a reunion... it's a wedding!" one of the guests exclaimed. "Are Andre and Yassi getting married? Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!"

The guests looked around and noticed the flowers, table settings, drapes - they are too fancy even for a very formal family reunion. 

"That explains the color coordinated dress you, Issa and the other girls are wearing!" Tito Benjie beamed at me.

Everyone cheered – their excitement, electrifying. Then without any warning, darkness enveloped the whole place. Every light was turned off except for a single spotlight focused on the "A & Y" logo at the center of the venue... Then we heard footsteps and someone stepped into the spotlight. It was Andre – looking handsome as ever in his cream-colored suit. He was sporting a huge grin on his face.

Everyone whooped and clapped, cheering the beaming groom.

"SURPRISE!!!" he shouted.

"You guys didn't expect this, did you?" he laughed. "But still, I want to break this to all of you gently... This is not really a reunion but a wedding. Today, I'll be marrying the love of my life... The most amazing and gorgeous woman I know, Yassi Pressman. We really appreciate you guys for coming here... Yassi and I are excited to share this wonderful moment with you. I know it's literally such a short notice, but our intent is to really share this precious moment with the ones we love. Words cannot express how very thankful we are for having you as our family and friends. Anyway, I'll be keeping this speech short. My wife to be might get mad if I won't. She's... ehem... too excited to...you know... marry me..."

Everyone were clapping and laughing at the same time.

"So everyone, please proceed to the glass room to your right so we can start with wedding rights..."

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I was sitting alone at my table watching the newlyweds dancing at the centre of the dancefloor. The wedding ceremony was very intimate and overflowing with love.

Yassi is always beautiful, but the Yassi I saw walking down the aisle, and the one who is slow-dancing with her new husband – hands down is the most beautiful Yassi ever. She radiates so much love and happiness - everyone around her can't help but smile and feel in love.

Without realizing it... I felt a tear roll down my face. I've never felt this happy for someone for a long time...Yassi has been my best friend since forever. She's one of the truest and selfless people I know. I owe her a lot... Yes, Yassi deserves to be this happy. She deserves to be loved, adored and respected. And Andre is the one who can give her that.

I let out a soft, teary laugh when Yassi burst out laughing when Andre comically attempted to dance like Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing across the dancefloor.

I was wiping my tears when I felt someone sit beside me...

"Can I sit here?"

I got goosebumps.

I turned and a familiar set of brown eyes met mine. That brown eyes that I really, really love. The same ones that can make my knees go weak...

"Nadine, it's been a long time"

I literally felt my face go pale.

"...James"

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