The Best Man's Speech

31: Folded Notes

✵ LYRA ✵

The wedding had come to an end after the couple had left for their honeymoon, around teatime... yes it lasted that long. Which also means that I was in heels for that long. The newlywed's family had stayed behind to gather up the things they wanted to keep from the wedding and to confirm the wedding pictures and videos. We all split up after dinner and agreed to rest or disappear to do whatever we wanted.

After dinner, I had disappeared with Michael and headed to his room, where we just spoke about the wedding and praised each other. Before the topic managed to shift to being based on my mother and how she reacted and what it meant to us. When we had both ran out of words, I took my leave and made my way to my own room, where I took my heels off, but stayed in my dress.

Reaching into my pocket, I felt something and pulled it out, staring at the creased paper in my hand. The top of the page consisted of James' speech that was amateurly scribbled off by him, before the love letter began. I stared at the writing and let a cold yet heavy tear drop from my face and onto the inked sheet. I was starting to fall in love with him more than ever. And I wanted more than anything for us to be happy together.

'Lyra,

I have been wanting to tell you for a while now, of how I feel about you. I haven't been able to put my words together and I know that I should be working on the speech for your sisters' wedding but I can't seem to get you out of my mind.

Every second I spend with you, every secret we tell each other, every feeling of the touch of your skin against mine. All of it sets me on fire, it burns me and makes me want more. Crave more. Desire more. But I know that I shouldn't feel this way for you or want you like this but I do.
It's not lust... even though it sounds like it. It's not lust, I can guarantee that to you.

But the one thing I can't guarantee is whether or not I'd lose my mind if I didn't tell you. The truth about everything and how it grew to me having feelings for you. It started with your brother recommending you to me and asking me to keep an eye on you. All of the 'monitoring' you and making sure nothing ever happened to you managed to get out of control. All I could think of was whether you were okay or not. You started to become my priority and I don't even know how I let it get this far. I have wanted for us to be more than what we are.

I know about how your family would react and how society would too... about a relationship between a boss and his secretary, but you can't deny that what we have is more than just a stereotypical, sex-based relationship. At least admit that much.

Talking about your family, I am sorry about what happened the other night. When your mother and that cheating ex of mine caught us both. But I won't deny the fact that I love what we had going on between us... and the things we were doing.

I want for us to be more than this. I want to be able to share more than just my body and secrets with you. I know that this may seem as if we're moving too fast but I want more of you in my life. I will give you the chance to focus on yourself and career and to choose, but I hope that you don't take too long... because, as you know, I can be quite impatient.

Anyways, I can't think of anything more to write that wouldn't sound too obscure on paper, so I'll end it here.

- J'

I stared at the paper in hand before dialling James' number. He finally picked up on the fifth ring, "Hi. Sorry for the late answer. I'm kind of stuck in a dilemma." I narrowed my eyebrows in confusion before I recognised the crying of a baby that was ringing through the line, in the background.

"Is that Luis?" I asked before I could say anything regarding the letter he had written for me.

"Yeah. He just won't stop crying and it's driving Caden and I nuts." He commented, his voice shaky, as if he was carrying Luis and was moving him in small bumps to keep him calm. Before I could say anything, I heard another manly voice groan in the background, "We can't even deal with a crying baby. How am I supposed to raise him on my own? This is driving me nuts." Caden.

"Did you guys try feeding him food or milk?" I asked James over the phone.

"Yup and he pretty much keeps throwing it to the side and screaming at us. The room is a mess and we can't keep him calm. I tried to call Eliza but she's out... shopping. And I am scared to ask Nate's mom... she's not that close with me. And don't bother asking me to ask your mom, she scares me more now than she did before." He explained to me, making me chuckle a little at his words.

"I'll be over in just a few minutes." I confirmed as I ended the call. I looked around the room and realised that I didn't want to go back in my heels or carry anything. So I slipped the paper into the almost invisible pocket of the first layer of short skirt in my dress, before walking out of my room, barefoot. The halls were empty and spacious, echoing nothing but my plain footsteps against the cold tiles that cooled the atmosphere. The icey sensation managed to relax my nerve as I pondered about what I should prepare myself for.