happy new year and may 2021 be a great year for all of us <3 always keep hydrated and stay safe !

with love, vea.

✰✰✰

"Will they like me?" Jelly tugged the end of my shirt. She's not nervous before but now that we landed in Los Angeles, she keeps asking me the same question.

"Of course, baby," I give her a smile to assure her. "Your grandparents missed you, a lot."

"But they never met me?" My little girl frowned at me and I only laughed instead of answering. Jelly really has a unique way of thinking for a child.

As we continue to head out of the airport, my heartbeat increases. The more we're stepping closer to him, the more I feel nervous. Especially now that Yoongi had to use a different time for his flight. He'll arrive later because he had to fix some things with work that he just couldn't abruptly leave.

Aside from him, what I missed a lot in LA is the sun. Though I genuinely loved the snow in Japan since it's what I've been wishing for. The sun here is brighter and happier than anywhere I'd been to.

Once we reached the fetching area, a man holding a 'Ms. Austin', I hurriedly knew that it is what Ria said earlier. "Mr. Reynolds?" I approached the man. He then looked down on a photo he's holding to confirm if it was me.

Then he smiled, "This way, Miss." I still can't believe Ria had to hire a driver to get us. When I could just message Serene to fetch us from the airport or hail a cab on our way.

Jelly and I followed him to where the vehicle was parked. After Mr. Reynolds helped us with our baggage, we were ready to go. But before he started the vehicle, he grabbed two big boxes on the shotgun seat and passed it to me. "Ms. Ria wanted me to give these to you," He said.

"Oh, thanks," Is all I managed to say.

"Presents!" Jelly exclaimed. "Open it, Mommy!"

With hesitation, I opened the lid and it showed a beautiful white dress accompanied by an envelope. "Wear this and go to the address below at 3 PM. Please? I bought Jelly her outfit too, P.S. Don't be late."

Ria's spending like crazy these days. What's going on? "Ooh, then this is mine?" Jelly looked up at me. The engine started and before I knew it we were already moving.

"I guess so," I shrugged my shoulders then the little one opened the box and squealed. "Hey, Mr. Reynolds, you're taking us to Glendale right?"

"Yes, Miss," He answered.

"Alright, thank you," I was just making sure. I thought Ria instructed him to send us to a different location or address.

Lifting my wrist, I noticed that it's already eleven in the afternoon. Yoongi will probably arrive at two. "Mommy, look!" Jelly pulled out another white dress that fits her this time.

"It's pretty," I beamed. "Later we'll go to your Aunt Ria to thank her, okay?"

"Okay," Her eyes are still scanning the dress. I initially planned to go next to my parents after getting some rest, but since Ria is requesting something, I might have to change that plan. Besides,  it's not like Mom and Dad know that I'm here. It'll be a surprise visit later.

=====

"Mom, faster!" I heard Jelly's high-pitched voice from downstairs. "We're going to be late!"

I look at my watch and it's quarter to two in the afternoon. There's no way that we're going to be late to whatever Ria is inviting us to. Not when the address is written is just around the corner. From my understanding, I believe it's the address of an event place. So I quickly recalled if it's Ria's birthday, Ryan, her parents or whatever. But none. I have no clue what celebration we're going to. And she wouldn't tell me earlier when I called her.

"Aw, you look beautiful..." I lovingly stared at my precious one.

"Thank you, mommy," She hugged my legs. "I know," I laughed when she added those last two words.

My car is at my parents' house. Fortunately, we wouldn't have to commute while wearing these lovely dresses. Mr. Reynolds has been waiting outside as per the request of Ria.

In no time, we were already on our way to the said address on the envelope. It didn't take an hour for us to get there. Without me knowing, we're already hopping out of the vehicle.

The place is huge. There are big gazebos and one house in the area. But I don't see any decorations for a celebration or an event. "Where's Ria?" I asked Mr. Reynolds and he pointed at the house in the middle.

With my left hand, I hold Jelly's hand and we both stride to the direction of the house. Mr. Reynolds is following behind us, I didn't mind. After knocking on the door, a lady opened it for us and welcomed us warmly inside. "Hi, is Ria here?" I tried to smile. The lady looks a little intimidating.

"This way," She turned her heels and we stroll behind. Once we're in front of another door that leads to a room, Jelly tugged my dress.

"Hm?" I hummed and looked at her. The other two, Mr. Reynolds, and the lady have their attentions on her too.

"I need to use the toilet," She whispered.

"Oh, okay," Then I face the lady. "Can we use the nearest bathroom?"

"It's down the hall, second door on the left," The lady instructed.

"Okay, bye!" Jelly pulled her hand away from me and runoff.

"Jelly!" I yelled and my voice echoed in the whole mansion.

"It's okay, ma'am. I'll follow her," Mr. Reynolds said. After that, the door behind us opened and a sound similar to a screeching wheel rung into my ear.

"ELISE!" Ria immediately hugged me and it caught me off guard. "You made it! I thought you're going to toss my gift," I can hear her sob. With a smile, I hugged her back. A second later, she pulled away.

Just then I noticed what she is wearing. A robe and her face have full make-up. "Come inside," She pulled my hand back inside the room but I looked back just in case I see Jelly. Instead, I find Mr. Reynolds heading in the same direction where my daughter escaped.

That little girl is getting a handful of lecture from me.

I was almost blinded by the lights when we entered the room. It's full of vanity mirrors and make-ups. There are also some people who are busy doing something, and some looking at the two of us. But what got my attention is the elegant and probably expensive white dress displayed in the middle. If I'll be more specific, it's not just a dress.

It's a wedding dress.

"You're getting married?" I asked her with wide eyes and she nodded enthusiastically.

"Surprise!" She said. "I knew I had to use your birthday as a bait. If I had just sent you an invitation you might ignore it. So I sent you plane tickets instead," She giggled.

"Oh my god, congrats!" I pulled her into another tight embrace.

"And I'm glad you got here early because I need to ask you something," She said and broke the hug.

"Jelly wanted to come here early," I sighed. "What is it?"

"Where's Jelly by the way?" She looked behind me with a wide grin.

"She's running around the place. Mr. Reynolds followed her," I informed.

"Oh, don't worry then. Mr. Reynolds will bring her here," She squeezed my hands. "He has been working for my parents' since he was a young adult."

"Speaking of your parents, where are they?" She already knows that I'm pertaining to her biological ones.

"Mom and Dad one will arrive later, while Mom and Dad one point two still has to fetch Ryan from the airport," She groaned. "Ryan was very determined not to attend my wedding. Not until I mentioned that you're coming," She teased.

I rolled my eyes at her, "He's either coming alone or with that girl she met in Greece. I heard she's pregnant," She whispered the last sentence.

"What's so shocking about that?" I laughed a little.

"You know, I just can't believe my brother finally had sex," She grimaced. "Okay back to the question," She took a deep breath. "Will you be my bridesmaid?"

I chuckled, "Of course, that would be an honor," I bowed to her while I hold the skirt of my dress. "So who's the—"

"Excuse me, Ms. Austin, I can't find your daughter," Mr. Reynolds entered the room, catching his breath.

"What?!" Ria and I both exclaimed. "She's probably just around," Ria groaned.

"I'll find her," I walk out of the room not waiting for anyone's permission. I heard Ria trailing behind me.

But then we both stopped in our tracks when we both saw my little girl on the stairs. I wanted to breathe in relief but what I saw isn't that relieving at all. My daughter's hand is held by the man that I was dreading to meet again.

His eyes landed on mine, and both of us had the same expression.

Shock.

"Mommy!"

"Jimin!" Ria and Jelly shouted in chorus.

My daughter carefully ran down the stairs back to me. "Where have you been?" I whispered to her, trying to divert my attention towards my daughter and not the person in front.

"I found her upstairs, admiring the view in the balcony," Over the years, his voice and tone changed. I wonder if he still sings.

"T-thank you," Is all I managed to say to him.

"Why are you here?" I heard Ria hissed at him. My eyes went down on her arm that is linked to his. "You ruined the surprise," She rolled her eyes.

"Sorry," Jimin muttered.

"Well, now that we're all here. Jimin, I'd like you to meet the bridesmaid, my very best friend, Elise," She started. "Elise, this is Jimin," She looked at him. "My groom."

=====

All I hope for now is not to fall. I'm next in line and being the bridesmaid,  I have to walk the aisle all by myself. I don't know if it's me or the heels that I'm wearing. My knees are trembling.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. I saw my little girl happily chatting with other flower girls in front. That's enough for me to have the courage and walk down this carpet.

The wedding organizer signaled that it's my turn to walk. Ria whisper-yelled the words "Don't forget to smile," behind me.

I took the first step and there's no backing out now. My eyes only focus on the altar in front, or on the flowers I'm holding. Everyone around me is the people I've escaped from because of Jimin.

Hoseok, Namjoon, Jungkook, Jin, Taehyung, and even Lana is here. Her eyes are filled with worry for me, and I don't want to see it. I might breakdown in front of everybody if I did. Ryan is next to his parents. He's not looking at me and I guess that's given.

It's a good thing I didn't see Ina here. She'll probably add wood to the blue fire I'm feeling after her son and her son's friends got me into this. I bet she'll feel sorry and I'll hate it.

I've recently learned that Ria is a Davis. Lucinda and Finn talked to me privately earlier, asking if I was alright. Who am I to say no? Still, they feel bad about me even though I've assured them that it was ages ago. Jimin and I are not a thing anymore. Something I wished to change in a span of seven years. And it looks like it's going to be the same way.

"Ms. Austin?" I heard the whisper of the wedding staff on my left. He is gesturing for me to continue to walk and turn to find my seat along with the guests.

Only did I realized that I halted in front of the altar, with flowers in my hand, and Jimin centimeters away from me. We locked gazes and to my surprise, he smiled at me, and I returned it bravely.

With all the courage I have in me, I turn left and let the man I've loved for so long go to one of my dearest friends.

=====

I sat down on a bench at a nearby park where I brought Jelly. The events after the ceremony weren't pleasing, at least for me. Everyone is having fun and I can't hold it in anymore. I told them I had to go early because Jelly is sleepy, and thankfully, my little girl didn't say anything.

Perhaps, she really is tired after having a long and straight day. Seeing how she's asleep on my shoulder and in my arms, I know that she is.

After a few minutes, a familiar car stopped in front of us. I stood up and greet the man behind it. He jumped out of the vehicle and he snatched Jelly carefully from me, not trying to wake her up.

"What took you so long?" I smiled. In a blink of an eye, after Yoongi tucked Jelly inside the backseat, he hugged me. "What's wrong?" I feigned innocence.

"I heard what happened," He briefly stated. "Hoseok messaged me."

"Weren't you invited?" I laughed, tears are slowly forming in my eyes.

"I wasn't. But I heard the news from Hoseok. Never heard the name of the bride either. If only I knew that's the reason why your friend gave you those tickets, I would've ripped them apart," He said, loathing.

"It's alright..." I half-heartedly laughed.

He pulled away and looked straight into my eyes. "Lie," He started. "Tell me what you really feel."

My lips trembled, "It..." I took a deep breath. "It hurts," I looked down as the tears flowed out rapidly. Yoongi embraced me again. The pain I feel in my heart is like being rolled by a ten-wheeler truck and being struck by lightning. I can't believe I managed to put on a smile the whole time there.

I was hurting. Still am hurting.

How could fate play with me like this? It isn't fair. Don't I deserve a happy ending?

"Just cry, I'm here..." He repeats those four words until I felt like I've let it all out already.

We stayed at the park, while we let Jelly sleep peacefully in his opened car. "Didn't you know?"

"I have no clue," I shook my head. "It all happened s-o fast..." I keep on catching my breath.

"What are you going to do now?" Yoongi asked.

"Let it be," I sighed. "They're married. What else could I do? I think we're just meant to fall, but not in love. Does that make sense?" I laughed. "I should just accept the fact that he's just a character from another chapter of my life. A character that never sticks by."

"But you have to tell him about Jelly," He reminded.

"No. I will not let him take her. She's the only one I have left," I looked down. It might sound selfish, but I think I deserve to be after what I've been through. For my own happiness.

"Wrong," Yoongi clicked his tongue and I frowned at him. "You still have me," He smiled.