The One For Her

The One For Her ~ 2

It was the first time in my life I was late in attending something as important as this. Our company meeting ended on time but the traffic jam in the highway lasted more than an hour.

"Mister Carter, it's already in your car", my blonde haired secretary Kate informed me with her blue eyes twinkling. She was referring to another wedding gift I asked her to purchased for the matrimonial ceremony. She was newly hired and very motivated to do my bidding. Too motivated in fact, that she forgot her place sometimes.

But too bad for her, I wasn't into dating any of my employees. Another rule that shouldn't be broken.

If you want to be respected by your peers, avoid being the center of gossip within your own company.

"Thank you, Miss Clark", I took my new Armani black suit from her and placed it on my arm. Her face awashed with disappointment when I didn't allow her to don it on me. I handed her my tie to replace it with a beige coloured one. It was the wedding's motiff. One personally brought to me by the bride herself. However, the color I preferred the most was black.

Black as dark as my soul.

Kate stood there watching me with her mouth agape, almost drooling by the look of her, as I groomed myself. Unknowing that I could see her reflection from the mirror.

"Miss Clark, you can go now", I didn't look her way when I said that and continued with my ministration.

I saw her face turning ugly, obviously pissed that I made her go away.

She walked passed me angrily sashaying her hips. Her heels clacking noisily on the tiled floor.

I shook my head. Another secretary I need to boot as soon as possible. I will be calling the HR tomorrow to replace her and put her in another department.

Damn! This happens all the time.

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

The wedding entourage was already marching the aisle when I arrived. Good thing I declined being the groom's man then. Luckily, Marc volunteered himself, hoping to be the next in line to marry after Lloyd.

"You're here!", Christine, Marc's 18 year-old younger sister came towards me, I bended a bit for she was two feet smaller than me, in order for her to place a light kiss my cheek.

"They're all waiting for you near the altar. Here, let me put this on you", she said so fast that I laughed. She was one of the usherettes and was carrying a basket of white rose corsages.

"There. Now you look more handsome. Lloyd and Marc will be jealous of you", she giggled.

I smiled at her and was about to say something when something caught at the corner of my eye.

My smile faded slowly.

For there she was, the girl I kept all these years in my heart, a memory I never wanted to forget.

She was standing so proud and tall.

Alone, wearing a tight beige gown, a matching color of my tie, not caring that the world's attention was on her at the moment, not knowing that she wreaked havoc to my consciousness.

"Alex? Is something's wrong?", Christine's face was laced with full of concern.

"N-nothing. I'm late. Your brother and Lloyd are going to kill me", I glanced at her, smiling softly. Hoping that she would buy my excuse.

"Oh, oh, I'm sorry. Go now", Christine pushed me away, giggling.

"See you later, squirt", I teased, winking at her as a thank you.

She blew me a kiss and waved goodbye.

I took a deep breath to relax myself and with pure intent and determination.

It's now or never, I'm going to introduce myself at once.

I heard someone calling my name again but like before, same as that first time I saw her at the high school gym, my mind was on her.

Nothing else existed except me and her.
Everything was a blur. It was as if we were in one of those slow-action movie flick.

My eyes bore on her.

Solely her.

Every step I took, I kept telling myself, this time she was going to be mine.

And as I was walking towards her, my brain was in a smoky, white fog.

All these years I have waited for this to happen again.

For us to meet and for me to had a chance to greet her.

To talk to her and get to know her.

To take care of her and cherished her.

To lo— shit!

I was stopped dead on my tracks for the lady I lusted for was already walking down the aisle.

She's one of the bridal entourage.

Such a dumb shit of luck I was in!

Jesus!

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

I went at the right wing area of the church slowly walking with her from afar, eyeing her as she slowly made her way towards the altar.

Not as the bride but as one of the bridesmaids. I knew she didn't want to accept the task but her pride must have gotten into her.

Her bravery made her more beautiful in my eyes.

Her courage made me like her the more.

She was faking a huge smile but deep inside, her heart must be breaking.

My heart goes to her.

She must be in a lot of pain and watching her struggling, killed and tore me into pieces.

It was almost a physical pain.

The girl I worshipped has turned into this strong, courageous, pretty woman.

Yes, I was a stranger to her.

I knew she doesn't know me.

I knew it was going to be difficult pursuing her but I wouldn't let any chances go by from now on.

More than a decade has passed since I saw her and this time, I will spend the rest of my life fulfilling a pact I made to myself.

I came here to mend her brokenheart and heal her wounds.

I will be the meaning of her life.

I will make sure she will never be alone.

This time, I will stay here for good and I will treasure each moment we were together.

For ten years I waited.

I waited for this to happen.

There was no backing away now.

I knew she was the only one.

For she took both my heart and soul away with her, a long time ago.