Feather After // Chapter 69 // Yes Or Now

Aria's POV

Were there any more secrets to be revealed just yet? I mean at this point and time, it didn't even feel like I knew things. Whenever I felt that I knew everything and everybody around me were trustable, something or the other came up and I was like what the hell is happening? At first, I even thought and believed that situations were not as worse as I portrayed them to be, but now when I looked back, I just felt sad and unhappy, because I couldn't do anything about it, I couldn't do anything about marrying him. I couldn't even do anything about wanting to do something about it.

I got up from my bed and I realized that the day had finally come, the day I would remember in the future as the day which changed my life. I didn't know what to do. I went to my washroom and washed my face, to my surprise my eyes were still swollen because I had cried my self to asleep the night before. The tap water was cold and it felt really nice on my skin, almost too refreshing.

I still couldn't comprehend if the whole Zachariah incident was even true, I mean he said that he was the guy who had helped me be, you know. He said that he was the guy who helped me out; he said that mum tried to mess up with my brain. I somehow believed him because I did have two memories of the whole car accident, I still didn't know which one was true and which one was false but I didn't know medicines could mess up with your memories. I wanted to scream at my mom, but I didn't want to go ruin my mood anymore.

I brushed my teeth and did my business. It was eight o'clock, and I almost had one hour, before I had my mom's hairstylist and makeup artist to do my hair and makeup. I tried my best, to think about anything else. The sun was still setting in and I could hear the birds chirping outside. Today is the day, Aria. Today is the day you will be married to Zachariah; I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were very noticeable. I guess, the makeup artist would have to put it a lot of effort to make me look nice.

I wonder if being unhappy in your own wedding was illegal or not. Aria Everly Rhett, the most unlucky girl, and the saddest bride to ever exist, do you take Zachariah Something Albason to be your lawfully wedded husband? I really hoped, that I wouldn't start balling my eyes in front of everyone, Rachael said that it would look as if I'm really in love with Zachariah and that my dreams have come true in marrying him, this was going to be one eventful day.

I quickly took a shower and wrapped my towel around my body and the other on my hair. Before I could even step outside my washroom, I knew Nanna had stepped in, "good morning bride to be!" She said, and it felt like it was even very painful for her to say it.

I just nodded at her and seeing my reaction, she came towards me, "look at me," she said and made me look in her eyes, "if you don't like anything, it doesn't mean it should stop you from, having fun, I understand you don't want this, and that your parents have taken the right to choose your better half all by themselves, but you can still choose to be happy, nobody in this world, not me," she pointed at herself, "no Gemma, no one can make you feel less. Enjoy this day, enjoy the pampering, and no matter what happens, you'll always find me right there," she pointed next to me, "right beside you," she wiped my tears and kissed my forehead, "you'll always have your Nanna, Aria, always."

With that she left, she left me feeling so sad, and good all at the same time. Sooner makeup artist came in, she made me change into my robe and started screaming at the hair stylist for coming late because he was five minutes late. She screamed at him for straight minutes and then asked him to do my hair before she started with the makeup.

"So what kind of hairstyle do you want?" He asked me, while he evaluated my hair. I hadn't even thought about my hair to be honest. The last thing that came to my mind was my hair.

"Anything that will look good, I mean you know this better than me, what about a bun?" He looked at me in the mirror and nodded.

"That's a very good idea; aside bun will definitely compliment your face structure. And it will be very easy to attach the veil to it, elegant and classy," he smiled at himself, almost too proud, of what he had been suggested.

He started blow drying my hair and then he pulled out these different kinds of hair clips from his pockets. I had never seen so many kinds of hair clip before.

After he had done his part, the makeup artist came in. She had different kinds of brushes in a bag which were wrapped around her waist. She started by applying some cream on my face and then she asked me to close my eyes, sit back and relax. I could feel various brushes on my face, but I was very relaxing so I didn't open my eyes.

Soon she was done too, I said thank you to her, and Nanna entered. She had a white dress in a plastic bag in her hand, she was already tearing up. "Your grandma told me that I should be the one to help you in and see you first, I hope you don't mind."

I shook my head and she carefully removed the dress from the plastic cover. She helped me into the gown, and I put my hands up in the air, I felt happy and sad all at the same time. Happy because how special the moment was and sad because of what was coming my way after this.

"All done," she said and looked at me, and then put her hand on her mouth, "oh my god, you look so pretty," she waved her palm on her face and continued, "I dreamt and wished for this day for so long but not in this way. You look beautiful!"

I nodded at her, and I was tearing up too. Before I could say anything to her or even think of a reply, Rachael and Gemma burst into the room. At first, they didn't say anything but then rushed to hug me, "you look gorgeous breathtaking!"

"Where is Xavier?" I asked Rachael, and I pulled her in for a hug.

"I'm here!" He said and stepped into the room, "where is Aria?" He said and looked at me, "my friend looks like a loser, but you, marry me huh?" He said and put a pot of white flowers next to me, "This was delivered to you at your house door."

"Everyone get ready! Move it," Nanna said and everyone started rushing out. When everyone was gone, she looked at me and said, "You, relax!"

I nodded and sat down on my bed, making sure that I didn't crumble my dress. I didn't want to get a scolding today. I looked at the pot of flowers. They were filled with white lilies. I turned it around and saw a white envelope attached to it. My heart beat suddenly increased, who had sent me this?

I tore the envelope open and looked inside it; there was a stack of paper which was rolled neatly. I opened the sheets and I was shocked, I read the first sheet, it was definitely written by Ignatius.

Dear,

Aria Everly Rhett,

I don't know where to start and how to begin, but let me tell you something, my love. Thank you, thank you for coming back to me when I was a dick to you, I don't know what I did to even get time to spend with you but I'll be forever thankful. You know that I was wrong and irresponsible and I can't even begin to explain it. I remember the first time we met. You were my partner in poetry and how you dragged me to canteen only because I refused to work until my stomach was full. I remember giving you that poem that I had written behind that bill just because I could look at your expressions and laugh. You don't know how hard it is for me to not use the wrong words.

I know in the middle of everything I pushed you away. You came into my life and the most shocking part is that I didn't even feel your presence. I didn't even realize you were there, and that made all the difference. I'm sorry I pushed you away, I don't know why I did it, maybe it was because I was not ready to be taken care of, for a change someone wanted to take care of me and I freaked out love, I didn't know how to respond so I pushed you away. It was the easiest thing for me, I'm sorry I was scared. I'm sorry I hurt you.

I know I can't always blame my past for all the bullshit I have done but the only thing I can do right now is apologize and here I'm. I tried my best to leave but I couldn't, remember when I asked you to be my wife in the library, I still don't know why I said it or even how I did it, but I want you to know, I meant it. I know and I respect your decisions of marrying your fiancé and not me, but I wish that you would understand that I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to do anything wrong to you. And I'm so very sorry.

No matter whom you're with and what you do, please always remember that you're a gem, you are worth millions of dollars. I have seen a lot of people Aria, and I have seen a lot more attitudes but I have never met someone like you anyhow. Your heart is so pure, even though your mother has not been such a good mother figure in your life, yet you still choose to stand by her, I want you to know that I respect the decision that you have made. I can't forget the way you helped everyone you could, you were even nice to Misty when all she was, was a bitch to you.

I have no words to describe how thankful I'm that I met you, how thankful I'm, that I got to know you. You told me when we're looking out at Seattle from the Ferris wheel that I was changing your perspective on love, but let me tell you what, you have changed mine, you have changed me, you have healed me and you have taught me that iron cannot cut iron. I don't know how you look today, but I know you'll look good no matter what you do and what you wear because your personality will outshine anything and anyone.

Consider these my lasts words to you, once you say I do, I promise you, I'll leave you, I'll let you be. I was so troubled when you said you did not want me. I'm letting you go because I want you to be happy. When you look back at your self in ten years time, I want you to feel that you made your own choices and nobody made them for you. I'm letting you go, my love. I'm letting you walk away because I know if we're meant to be together, you'll come back to me, even if it takes time. I'm leaving Seattle for your and most importantly my own good, I'll see you if fate wants us to meet. All the best love, always remember, never let the fear of striking out prevent you from playing the game.

For the first and the very last time,

Yours truly

Ignatius.