Marriage with 'The Beast'

Chapter 45 ~ You okay Beauty?

I didn't really talk to anyone, I just smiled and seated the Wilson's family on the right and our family on the left. There had to be at least ninety people trying to take their seats.

The sun was setting with vibrant shades of pink, purple, and orange smothering each other. Everyone was getting their drinks and taking pictures of the view with the surrounding lights. I wasn't surprised to see the teens taking pictures for their Instagram with the lighted backgrounds.

I was proud, the hard work paid off and this was the last of it.

I scanned the crowd another time making sure everything was in place, before noticing Mrs. Wilson standing uncomfortably close to me as she spoke to a group of women. I backed away cautiously heading backstage where no one could see me.

I exhaustingly put my hands on my face while taking a few deep breaths, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"You're first right?" One of my cousins whispered, signalling to the stage. I'm first for what? I gave a confused look for a second before quickly catching myself. Shit, my solo!

I hiccupped suddenly, my eyes agape. This was all fun and games; decorating, organizing, and doing a solo practice, but now that it was time. I regretted signing up for any of it. I hadn't danced in years, why did I want to do this?

I was pulled out of my thoughts when my cousin handed me a mic.

You're a great performer Sarah, you were basically born to perform. If it wasn't for fashion and designing, I would've been a damn good actress or something.

God knew that I would've never been an actress, but hey it was helping with my nerves, so I kept thinking of whatever bullshit I could think of to stop myself from shaking more than I was already.

It was just me and a couple of my cousins backstage. One of them counted down with their fingers, signalling the display of stage lights to be turned on. I could hear a silence resound outside before I took a deep breath. "Good evening, I hope everyone is in their seats, because we'll be starting with two performances from the bride's side of the family."

I handed the mic to my cousin, Maira, she smiled, "don't worry everything will be great! It's just the first minute, then I'll be joining you before all the cousins join us. Once we're up there it'll be easy. It's always hard at first."

I nodded, she was always there for me backstage. I remember the last time we'd danced together was six years ago and it had been great to see her again and choreograph everything together.

I squeezed her in a hug before there was another countdown signalling that the stage lights had all turned off. I stood in position, before, 3, 2, 1. The lights came back on, along with the song.

I transformed into someone completely different, moving swiftly while lip-synching to the song. I didn't look at anyone specific in the crowd, they were all one blob. But I could feel the heat of a specific pair of eyes. The same, hypnotizing brown orbs I fell for each time. They followed me, amused. They were distracting me, like they always did, until I tripped. I noticed Mason flinch up slightly, before noticing Maira beside me, making my moment of weakness look like it was a planned dance move as we mirrored each other's steps like we'd practiced, perfectly in sync.

Soon enough the song melded into another, as six of my other cousins appeared on stage as we danced our routine. Once we finished, the crowd erupted into a round of applause. It was hard to miss Vanessa jumping out of her seat and grinning. Seeing her this happy, in this moment, made everything totally worth it.