The awaited day has finally arrived. Lucas fidgeted in his seat, eyes darting from left to right as his foot tapped on the floor restlessly. He breathed out. The cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and he frowned, only growing more anxious as each second passed by.

        Lucas heard a chuckle behind him, and he turned around, seeing his best man's mocking grin. "What's with that grin you're wearing?"

         "Nothing," his best man replied, walking towards him and arranging Lucas' crooked bow tie. "It's just funny to see you panicking on the day of the wedding." He then took a handkerchief from the pocket of his coat and used it to wipe Lucas' sweat.

         "How can I not panic, Jay? This is the day we're talking about. Everything needs to be perfect!" Lucas waved his hands in the air frantically, surprising his friend.

        "Oh really?" Jay snorted. "I can't believe that you're the same person who composed a song on piano and played it for the one you're going to marry now."

         Lucas rolled his eyes. "That was different! I had Aubrey then! She helped me organize the things I needed because I was a panicking wreck!"

         His best man parted his lips, about to retort, but the door opened and a female poked her head in, looking distressed. "Umm.. Sir Lucas?" she called.

          "Yes?" Lucas sighed, resting his chin on the palm of his hand, his elbow on top of the table beside him.

         "Miss Aubrey isn't here yet but the wedding is about to start. Mrs. Ainsworth took care of the bride instead."

         "What?" Lucas stood up, eyes searching the woman's face for any sign of lies. "You've got to be kidding me..." he whispered when the woman shook her head. Lucas turned, walking back and forth, his fingers stroking his chin as he stared at the window that overlooked the city streets.

         "But I don't understand..." He stared at the buildings in disbelief. "Aubrey is never late, let alone absent." He released a sigh, lowering his head. "Why...?"

         "Hey man, maybe she just have to take care of something. Don't worry, she'll be here. For now, you have to go out there. I'll follow you in a few minutes." Jay gave his friend a reassuring smile, before pushing Lucas out of the door. He looked back to protest, but Lucas was met with the door slamming on his face, and he grunted, leaving.

          Jay's words were meant to comfort him, but now he just feels more anxious. This is his special day, and the duo made sure that this day is free for the majority of the guests. He went down the stairs in a hurry, brushing his hair one last time.

         The hours went by in a blink of an eye, and Lucas found himself staring at the empty spot by the stairs, before he looked at his bride. He forced a smile, fingers reaching for the veil. Somewhere on the far corner of his mind, a tiny voice screamed in pain, but he ignored it, eyes trailing to the vacant spot on the chairs, where a familiar woman sat.

       "You may now kiss the bride."

        The moment was short, and sweet. But Lucas couldn't help the bitter scent that enveloped his heart, and he looked over to the woman's previous spot, only to see her gone. When the cheering died down and it was time for lunch, Lucas rushed out of the church.

         He pushed the double doors open, seeing the woman with her head down as she sat on the bench surrounded by roses. "Mrs. Lindley?" he called, stepping towards the woman. He slowly grasped her hand, and she looked up, tears brimming her eyes. Her hand held her phone tightly, as if she's scared to let go.

         The sight surprised Lucas, but he swallowed his pride and asked, "Is everything alright?"

         The woman burst into tears upon hearing his question, making Lucas almost take a step back. "No, it's nowhere near alright," the woman struggled to speak between short breaths. "It's not alright at all..."

          "What? Why?" he asked, hands reaching for the woman's back. "Did something happen?"

         Mrs. Lindley sniffed, nodding. "Y-yes," she stammered, barely keeping her voice from cracking.

         "What is it? You can tell me if you want to," Lucas replied, voice growing more hushed as time went by. His mind is overflowing with thoughts, making his heart quicken its pace. Just by looking at the woman, he could already tell that something happened. Something happened to Aubrey.

          'Please. Please, be safe.' he desperately prayed, gaze turning to the woman's phone.

         "Aubrey..."

         There.

         Lucas' breath hitched. The name that left the woman's dominated his ears, muting other sounds around him. His lips parted, but he can tell. They were shaking. "What..." He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "...happened to Aubrey..?"

          "I believe we can explain, Lucas." Another voice came, making the said person whip his head around. A group of 3 people stood in front of him.

          "Mom..." he looked at the woman in her mid thirties, holding a bouquet of roses, "Dad..." he then switched his gaze to the man who had his hands tucked deep inside his pockets, "Jay..." he uttered at last. His best man that wore a big, wide smile when they were preparing for the wedding earlier looked different. A dismal expression was on his face, his empty, hollow eyes staring at nothing.

          "Mom, please." Lucas took a step forward. "Please tell me. What happened to Aubrey? Why isn't she here? Why is Mrs. Lindley the only who attended? Where's Mr. Lindley?" His questions went on continuously, and he only realized that he was in the brink of insanity when he stopped speaking to gasp for air. He coughed, but his gaze was still, firm, looking straight into his parents' eyes. 'Tell me.' One last attempt to get his message across, ignoring the concerned looks on their faces.

          "I'm sorry, Lucas," his best man started. "But Aubrey..." His tone became dark. The winds died down, the sky turned black. Little bits of raindrops came, but none of them moved. Mrs. Lindley, who was silent for a while, stood up and sighed.

          Her quavering voice was the only thing they heard that moment.

          "She's dead."