You Before Him

CHAPTER ONE:

The day had finally arrived, and if I was being honest, I felt very nervous. I stared at my reflection as I tried calming my rapid beating heart, smoothing down my dress for the fifteenth time.

"Are you ready?" my mother asked gently as she entered my room. She smiled as she looked at my outfit, it was definitely approved by her. I wore a simple black off the shoulder dress that reached just above my knees with a simple pair of black heels. My hair had soft curls while my makeup was kept at a minimum.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I smiled at her, looping my arm into hers.

Upon reaching downstairs, we were greeted by my father who stared fondly at us, "well don't my girls look beautiful."

I couldn't help but smile as I felt the nerves leave my body, I was ready for today. The day that would seal my fate.

**

The restaurant was decorated with fairy lights all throughout the balcony and front entrance, the cool breeze outside adding a nice effect to the atmosphere.

"At last you're here!" the man I remembered to be Chris's father smiled, as he took my father into a tight hug.

"Glad to finally see you again," my father greeted as he hugged him back.

"It's so nice to see you again," my mother smiled as she embraced Chris's mother.

"It has been too long," she chuckled before all the attention was turned to me.

"Well don't you look gorgeous," Chris's mother smiled widely as she took me into her arms, "I swear you only get more beautiful as time passes."

"Oh please," I smiled as I hugged her back, "I should be saying that. You only get younger as the years pass."

She chuckled lightly as Chris's father stepped forward and embraced me into a comfortable hug, "You've grown into such a beautiful woman."

I couldn't help but smile widely at him as he pulled me into another hug. If there was one thing I was looking forward to in this planned marriage, it was definitely being close with Chris's parents. They had always been so kind and welcoming to me, they treated me as one of their own.

"So, where's the man of the hour?" my father questioned as he looked around, it wasn't until that moment that I realized Chris was nowhere to be seen.

"He's on his way, there was a lot of traffic coming from downtown," his father smiled before gesturing towards the private room they had requested, "why don't we get settled as we wait for him?"

My father nodded as he walked forward with Chris's dad, a small chat was filled between the two.

"Are you coming?" my mother asked as she began to walk forward.

"I'll be in soon, I'm going to the ladies' room really quick." Both women nodded as they made their way into the room, leaving me to gather my thoughts alone.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way towards the exit. I tried regaining my breath as the cool breeze hit my face and helped me clear my mind.

"You're not leaving me stood up, are you?" a familiar voice spoke as the silhouette of a man approached me. Upon further inspection, I came to the realization that Christopher Bang had only become more handsome over the years.

"I should be the one asking that," I replied, crossing my arms as I looked at him, "aren't the girls the ones who show up fashionably late?"

"I decided to make a dramatic entrance," he shrugged, his dimples appearing as he smiled at me.

"Same old Chris I see," I chuckled before turning on my heels and walking into the restaurant, Chris close behind me.

"I would say the same thing for you, but you've clearly changed," he replied as he studied my face.

"How so?" I questioned, stopping outside of the room our parents were in.

"Well for one, you're no longer moping over me," he smirked.

The small statement caused my cheeks to heat up as I remembered the old times. This was embarrassing but I wouldn't show it.

"I guess I grew up to realize there were better things in the world," I shrugged before quickly entering the room.

"Ah, there you guys are," my father smiled as he stood up, making his way to Chris.

"It's so nice to see you again Sir," Chris smiled as he shook my father's hand before turning to my mom, "I see you only age backwards," he complimented her.

This caused my mother to blush as she took Chris into a tight embrace, "you've grown into such a handsome young man."

Chris only smiled before heading over to his parents and greeting them.

"Well, let's all sit then."

And soon enough, Chris and I's future became the talk of the night.

•••
So, the first chapter is done and published! I'm so nervous to have people read my book...lol. Hopefully you guys like this book and it becomes one of your favorites as I upload! I'm thinking about uploading three times a week? Tell what you guys would like :)