Prim stood at the altar of the Saint Paul cathedral, where she and Gus had agreed on marrying. He had insisted on a beach ceremony but she wanted this. She liked the feeling she got when in the building. Not only was it filled with the unmistakable aura of old age but it also had the most beautiful stained glass windows.
She could not remember how she had gotten there. Her eyes darted to the bouquet of roses she held. White roses. They seemed lifeless in her hands. She made a mental note to call the florist and give her what's coming to her.
She looked around only to find that she was alone. No Gus. No parents. No Gladys. Nothing.
Father Simon walked in and began to light the candles that decorated the altar. A soft glow bounced off the wooden walls and floors of the darkening room and the scent of roses wafted through the room. The aged man knelt, said a short prayer and turned to exit, Prim's presence remaining unheeded.
"Father Simon."
The man slowed his pace but almost immediately picked it up again.
"Father!" Prim caller out even louder, her voice echoing. "Don't you dare ignore me."
The priest stopped but did not turn.
"Where is everyone? It's my wedding day! Where's my husband?" She was on the brink of tears.
He began to walk away. Prim's patience was wearing thin and Father Simon was definitely not helping with the situation. She ran over, risking tripping over her dress, and turned him to face her. Her touch was fire and he recoiled as though he had been burned.
"Fa-"
"Stay away, devil's child!" The leathery skinned septuagenarian pulled out his rosary and held it out towards her. "You are not welcome in the house of God." He retreated backwards slowly, fearful eyes stealing glances at the door.
"Stop being silly now, Father. Where is everybody?" Prim did not understand this man. Perhaps his old mind finally snapped. She was here just a few days ago to finalise the ceremony's details. She could not understand why the very same man looked at her with fear and distain.
Prim reached for him, her face twisted in confusion. Father Simon kept backing away, praying silently under his breath. Prim could not be in existence.
"You are dead." He put his rosary back in position and left her where she stood.
"Dead?"
She was not dead. She couldn't be. Dead people weren't as undead as she was.
"What in the bloody he-"
"There you are, honey," her favourite voice called out cheerfully. She was no longer in the cathedral. Instead, she was face to face with Gustav. A smile formed on her face and she exhaled a breath of relief.
"Oh Gus, you have no idea what I've-"
"Here I am indeed," a female voice said. The owner wrapped her hands around Gus from behind; she felt betrayed. Prim could not tell who she was from the tuft of brown hair peeking from behind Gustav.
He spun the woman around and Prim finally recognised her.
Gladys.
It was difficult to know without the crazy red hair. She stood dumbfounded as her two most loved ones looked at each other lovingly and shared in a passionate embrace. Her strength, whatever little of it remained, left her and she let her roses hit the floor with a hushed crush. How could they do this when she was right there with them? Maybe they were finally tired of keeping their affair a secret. Yes, that was it.
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. My. Man." The voice that escaped her mouth was foreign to Prim, laced with jealousy and anger. Her rage was increased by their oh-so-rude decision to ignore her.
"I SAID-" Prim pulled Gladys away from Gus by the collar "-GET OFF HIM!"
Gladys's eyes flashed with fear as she met Prim's gaze. Her face turned white and her body limp under Prim's grip. The angered woman pushed her friend, watching in glee as she fell backwards and hit her head.
"Gladys!" Gustav rushed to her side, picking her head and placing it gently on his lap. He whispered to her as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Please speak to me..."
"Prim..." she muttered incoherently.
*
"How is she doing?" Gus raked his hand through his blond hair after he finally allowed himself to settle down. He had been pacing around since he brought Gladys to hospital. The damned doctors sure took their sweet time attending to her.
"Luckily, your wife is alright. The hit to the head left no serious trauma." Doctor Yussuf scribbled something on his clipboard while an elderly nurse adjusted Gladys's medical support. "The sudden rise in blood pressure is a reason for concern though. Tell me... Has she had this condition before? Hereditary perhaps?"
"N-no. Her mum has diabetes but I'm sure it isn't hereditary."
"Alright then. We'll keep her overnight for some more tests." Doctor Yussuf scribbled some more on his clipboard and left the hospital room, the nurse close in tow.
Gladys attempted to open her eyes, her lids heavy from drowsiness. The harsh lighting in the room attacked her eyes and she was forced to close them again. The beeping of machines guided her back to sleep.
A veil floated in front of her; its owner had her back turned. The woman was Primrose Somette. She was sure.
"Prim?" The word came as more of a whisper than she had intended.
Prim turned. Gladys held her breath. It really was her. Her eyes welled up at the sight. There she was. Still as beautiful as she was on her wedding day five years ago.
She felt her long forgotten silver bracelet being shoved into her hands by the bride who looked at her with an angered expression. "Take it."
"Prim, I've missed-"
"How could you? No, how dare you?!"
"What are you talking about?"
Prim was frustrated. "Gus! Gustav! My Gustav! How could you?"
"Prim, baby-"
"Oh don't you dare baby me! I love Gustav. He is my fiancé. How could you stab me in the back like that?"
"You-" Gladys poked Prim's chest, though her hand phased right through her "-are dead! For five years, ya hear?"
"That doesn't matter!"
"Primrose, you can't expect him to sit around forever and love a dead woman."
Prim shot a nasty look at her. She could feel herself boiling over. "Do I look like I care?"
"I forgot you never did," Gladys said through gritted teeth. She clenched her fists in anger. She had forgotten how conceited Prim could be.
