ARIELLA'S POV

FOUR YEARS LATER
PRESENT DAY

EVERY girl's dream or at least my dream was to get married to the love of my life and fortunately for me, that big day was today. It was my wedding day and I was going to get married to my Prince Charming, Steve Willows.

We had been dating right from our high school years.  He proposed to me six months ago and without a doubt, I accepted with all my heart. We had our whole lives planned out. He would continue playing basketball professionally while I would take pictures around the world. Dobana was not too big so there were not enough places to explore but Steve and I would go to so many big cities in different parts of the world for adventure and to dive into different experiences.

Steve made me happy. He was easy to relate with but my heart didn't beat for him. I wondered why since I was sure that I loved Steve. I didn't understand why my heart didn't beat for my true love. Perhaps, my heart was not programmed to beat for him but I still loved him.

              "Your wedding gown is perfect and you're the most beautiful bride ever," my Mom tore out.  Mom was undoubtedly gorgeous in her shimmering burnt orange gown, her silver accessories matched her outlook and she was overwhelmed with joy. I would definitely miss Mom's delicious dishes, her warm smiles that always brightened my life, her magnificent paintings, and her selfless acts. I knew I got my beauty from my mom but I wasn't as selfless as she was.

            "Thanks, momma. Stop crying or else I'll cry and we will end up ruining our makeup," I chuckled while hugging her.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time admiring my wedding dress and my veil. The wedding dress was very classy and at the same time, it was sexy too.

This was really it, I was going to marry him in a few minutes.

Steve was always punctual so I was sure that he must be waiting for me. Besides, he had been anticipating this day more than me. I was finally ready to walk down the aisle so I called for my dad.

Dad look bewildered as he walked into the room, his almond eyes fixated on him and I could tell that he was being emotional which was a rare thing for him.  "Sweetheart, you look extremely gorgeous," Dad complimented, approaching me. He was good-looking in his black suit, a burnt orange inner shirt, and a well-knotted black tie. Mom did a great job by selecting his outfit. In a way, I would miss his lecture, I would surely miss his overprotectiveness but I was also relieved and estática that I would start my own life far from Dobana.

              "Thank you, Dad! Do you think Steve has arrived?" I double-checked cause I was the bride and I didn't want to be the first to reach the aisle. Ugh, that would be so awkward.

             "I don't know but I'm sure that he's already here," Dad reassured me.

            "You know what? I'll just go and check," Mom said as she went to check for Steve.

We were in the church,  I had gotten ready in the room upstairs. My sister, Elie had done my make-up and dressed me up too.

Rachel, my best friend was meant to be here with me but I hadn't seen her since yesterday. She was my maid of honor so I was sure she wouldn't miss my big day, my wedding. Knowing her, she must be cooking up a good surprise for me and Steve.

               "Your Mom is taking too long. I really think we should go now. Besides, you have made that young man wait long enough," Dad pointed out. I nodded and we went if the room.

I smiled as he walked me down the aisle, my favorite flowers, Daisies were in my hands and the sweet wedding bells welcomed me with delight but to my surprise Steve, my husband-to-be wasn't waiting for me. They should have told me that he wasn't here yet or was I too early? No, I was not too early. Dad reassured me that he would be here shortly but I felt very awkward waiting for my groom. Not wanting to lose my self-confidence, I  steadily composed myself and waited.

          "Where is the groom?" Some of the guests started whispering making me get impatient and annoyed.

Did he actually leave me? Did something happen or was he scared? Or was this a nightmare? Those were all the questions in my mind.

No, he wouldn't stand me up.

I glanced at the Rose and Daisy flowers used in decorating the church. The decor was superb, Steve and I carefully planned everything out so would he just chicken out and not show up?

Seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours and hours turned into disappointment.

I watched everyone leave with disappointment, even the Priest went away cause he had another appointment.

I just stood there frozen like a statue, looking at my beautiful dark forest cake and the lovely decorations. 

Jonathan rushed to me, worry plastered on his face as he mouthed, "we have looked for Steve everywhere but he can't be found." Even my dad who had never bothered about how he would address someone was reluctant to speak. He didn't know how to tell his daughter that she had been stood up by the love of her life. Yet, he managed to say, "sweetheart, I think we should go. I do not think he is coming."

My sister and my Mom slowly added, "Ari, please let's go."

I couldn't swallow the tears any longer. Tears rained down my cheeks helplessly and at that moment,  I wanted to faint but I didn't.

              "No, something must have happened but I'm sure that he didn't just leave me like this. I'll find Steve and bring him back here! We'll get married just as planned," I refused to believe that Steve stood me up. Dazedly and promptly, I ran out of the well-decorated church.

My family came after me telling me to stop but I just kept on running as if my life depended on it. Maybe, it did.

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Hi, sweeties and hotties ❤️

Lol, this chapter was initially chapter one but after editing, I realized it needed to be shifted. Sometimes, we need to shift from the spots that we're places so that we can experience new things :)

Please support with votes, comments and kindly share with your friends ❤️ 

Love y'all ❤️

Aduke Zaizai💕💖
AKA @sweetandhotcreator