EVERGLOW

X. When she says everything

Wang He Di wanted to show off his new bride to as many of his friends and family as he could.

Which was why that same Saturday morning, Yue stood outside a set of oak double doors leading out into the gardens of a local event place in her hometown. She was more than relieved the agency had adhered to their agreement and kept the event from the media. As nervous as she was and given her record of choosing the best moments to become a klutz, she'd rather not have public photos of her falling flat on her face.

Shen Yue, dressed in white lace and chiffon, with long cuffed sleeves, cold shoulders and a sweeping train, was dreading her entrance to her own wedding banquet.

Her four bridesmaids took turns murmuring assurances and tucking errant strands of her hair. Watching Yue wringing her hands and shifting restlessly in her heels, they were loath to leave her alone. Dylan had carried her into the limo after the rites and, along with the entourage, rushed to the reception. Yue was quiet the whole time, burrowing beside Dylan and letting the banter fly right over her head. Only to become a nervous wreck when they had to part at the venue to change into their modern wedding attires.

Finally, the doors opened and the soft notes of a piano floated out to signal their entrance. The four women hurried into place and walked forward one by one into blinding sunlight. As she watched Xiaowen's dress disappear from sight, Yue felt her heart rise to her throat. She looked around desperately. Why was she on the verge of a panic attack right now?

Her hand clenched around her bouquet of pink lilies interspersed with soft yellows and oranges, and a few darker fuchsias. Her nails dug into her palm and the sting jerked her mind back to the task at hand. She swallowed and forced a foot forward. And another.

Until she stepped on soft grass. And her skin felt the warmth of the sun. Slowly adjusting to the bright light, her eyes roamed over the scattered tables filled with family and cousins, co-stars they each have worked with, schoolmates and childhood friends. She didn't linger on any of them. There was only one person she was looking for.

And then she saw him.

Standing at the end of the white carpet strewn with mauve petals, in front of a whitewashed gazebo bursting with lilies in pastels of yellow, pink and darker lilac. He cut quite a figure standing alone, his back towards her, the tension on his shoulders betraying the fact that he knew she had arrived.

Her lips parted in a gasp as every step became easier.

She watched his profile as he turned his head. The waves in his dark hair gleamed in the dappled sunlight. The shade from the canopy of towering trees casting the rest of his features in shadow. He paused halfway, before turning fully and looking at her.

When his gaze found hers, she felt the smile spread from her lips, to her cheeks, to her eyes. And the tears began. Again. She let them fall, running down her cheeks to her chin, and falling into her lilies.

She couldn't quite recall how she managed to walk the rest of the way without even being aware of the ground beneath her. All she could remember was drowning in his eyes. And basking in his warmth when he finally closed his hand around hers.

_______________________________

"Didi, I just wanted you to know that I hate you for ruining men for us all single women. And yes, that includes an engaged one like me. My fiancé will never forgive you too." Shui had to pause with the loud concurrence of the crowd. The offender merely smiled and nodded his head.

Lunch had been served to all of their fifty something guests, then cleared away. Still the revelry continued well into the afternoon, with the couple smiling evasively every time anybody brought up their surprise at the sudden nuptials. Almost everyone wanted to say something to the couple and it was now close to dusk. Fairy lights and strung incandescent bulbs sparkled to life.