Just My Cup of Tea

five

'Lanna! Darling how are you?' 

I froze. 

All of a sudden every single fiber in my body was willing for me to pretend I didn't hear her call me and sprint after Arty. It was a voice I knew. Knew far too well. But she was about a meter away from me for it would be very hard to pull of the "oops, I didn't hear you" excuse. Especially since she practically screamed my name. 

Swallowing carefully and putting on a flashy smile, I spun around and came face to face with the pair of eyes I had been avoiding for a year. 

'Ms Williams! How lovely to see you!'

Yeah, how unlovely.

Before I could say anything else, her arms were around me and she practically clung onto me. Shocked for a moment, it took awhile before I could register what was going on and I patted her back gently in response. Mr Williams was standing there too, a small smile on his face as he took in my appearance. 

'Hello Millana. You look beautiful, congratulations.' his voice was always calm and soft. Too calm. 

'Thank you Mr Williams, it'd great to see you guys made it.' 

So NOT great. 

'Of course! How in the world could we miss our dear Lanna's wedding.' I wanted to tell her that I was no longer "their Lanna" but it didn't seem very polite. 

'Where's your husband?' Ms Williams said the words, looking around as if she was genuinely curious, but I saw a small glint of something indescribable in her eyes. 

'Oh he just had a small matter to deal with, though he'll certainly be back.' Ms Williams turned to face me with warm eyes. 

And all of a sudden, I was 17 again, sitting in her kitchen, feasting on her Mac and Cheese commenting about how her eyes were the exact same shade as my boyfriend's. 

'You make a beautiful bride darling. And this wedding, my lord, it's one stunning wedding!' and as if to prove her point, my ex boyfriend's mother looked around the room, marvelling at the decorations. 

'It's been so long since I've seen you darling.' she said again when I didn't respond. 

'A year to be precise-' I gave her a nervous laugh. '-but you know, I guess time changes things.' her eyes pierced through mine before she gave me a small smile.

'I was really hoping the next time I saw you, it would be at your wedding-' she turned towards the hall as if she was making sure no one could hear her, '-preferably with someone else by your side.' she mumbled the last part but I definitely didn't miss it. 

I stiffened and clenched my jaw. 'Maybe that would have happened. But I guess we'll never know because me and Alexander have already said the two words.' Mr and Ms Williams both gave me pointed looks. 

'It's so tragic how you've got to marry a complete stranger-' Ms Williams shook her head. '-didn't your parents consider this? When you could have married somebody who you felt for?' her eyes were glinting with some kind of mischief. 

Suddenly, I became defensive over my parents. Ms Williams had no right to come to my wedding like this and question the marriage. 

'Actually, Alexander and I have known each other for awhile and both of us had the choice to say no. Or yes.' I quirked an eyebrow giving them a small smirk. 

'I'm sorry that you feel as if there could have been a better match for me, but your son made his choice. And I made mine. Thank you for taking the time to come to my wedding, please help yourself to some mimosa, I've got the impression it's definitely one you can't miss, now if you'll excuse me, I have to look for Alexander, my husband.'