"Can you believe the trending topic on social media is if today will be like last time. They're calling it the third day curse." Saline paced up and down the kitchen floor, reading comments under TMZ's post.

"Can you not." I close the fridge, taking a sip of my milkshake.

"They are not about to think my best friend is some hoe." I sigh, shaking my head.

"Have you gotten your dress? Dan's mom told me they got theirs." She lets out a squeal turning to me.

"I still can't believe the Zuhair Murad is the designer of our dresses for the wedding."

"You know how much I love his work. Especially his Fall 2022 collection. I can't believe I get to wear one of his designs."

My dress made me feel like a princess. The detailed designs of cabochon-cut stones and the princess-cut skirt in warm, magnolia-colored silk tulle... yes I know the terms. It's just beautiful.

I can't believe I'm getting married...again.

My phone begins to ring, and I pick it up, seeing his ID. My face lights up and Saline shakes her head, giggling.

"Hubby is calling."

"Stop." I blush, answering the phone.
"Hello."

"Hey baby."

"Hi." I shyly reply and he chuckles.

"I was just calling to tell you that I'll be heading to one final meeting with one of my clients and I may run a bit late. Can we meet at the restaurant instead?"

"Sure."

"Thanks baby. I'll see you later tonight okay?"

"Okay." I hang up the phone, after exchanging I love yous. Saline smiling from ear to ear.

"I'm so happy for my girl." She dramatically says, coming over to hug me.

"I think God heard my prayer." I pull away, looking at her confused.

"You prayed I would meet someone?"

"I prayed you find a love like what you had with Damien again, but even better." A tender smile comes unto my face, and I hug her again.

"I love you."

"Same best friend."

—

I walk into the restaurant, heading to the table he had reserved for us. Some of the people looking my way. Being with Daniel, meant I was always in the people's eye. I mean it was the same with Damien, but there's something different about Daniel, and I think it's because of his past.

I can't believe it's only three more days. Last week was bachelor and bachelorette week. I'm still shocked they had a stripper there.

"Good evening Ma'am. Is there anything I can start you off with." I smile up at the waiter.

"I'll take some water for now please. I'll order when my fiancé comes." He nods, and walks away.

"Valentina?" I look behind me, surprised to see the person behind me.

"Kimberlie." I stand to my feet, glancing at the man that was with her.

"Oh. This is my boyfriend Philip. Philip this was my late brother's wife." He stretches out his hand to me, and I accept it. She's acting...mature.

"It's nice to see you. How is everything?" My eyes widen when she smiles! An actual smile.

"Oh. Umm...Everything is fine. How are you?"

"I'm doing great as well." I awkwardly nod.

"That's great to hear. And your mom?" Her expression falls a bit.

"Oh umm...I haven't spoken to her in some time." My jaw drops. She nervously shifts on her feet, glancing at the man behind her.
"She's not very...fond of Philip and I." My mouth makes an O shape.

"I guess you can call it Karma, because I understand now why Damien was the way he was." She gives me a small smile.

"Well...we're going to leave. It's nice seeing you." She steps forward to hug me, and I very awkwardly hug her back.

"For what it's worth..." she says stepping back.
"I'm happy for you." I softly smile.
"You deserve it."

"Thanks." I softly say, and she gives me a final smile, before walking away with her boyfriend. The way he looked at her, you could clearly see he loved her. He must also be the reason, she matured.

Carla is all round doing great, and my bridesmaid at that. I wonder if they met up yet. She'll be shocked by her drastic change I can say that.

I turn around to sit back down, when I hear a man calling my name this time. I look behind me again.

"Lorenzo! Oh my gosh hi!" I hug him.
"When did you fly in?" I pull away.

"Just this morning. It's good to see you Ms. Soon to be married." I laugh.

"Val?" I look behind him to see, Daniel staring at us with an unreadable expression. A few people staring at us as well, some even having their phones out.

"Dan." I go over to him, grabbing hold of his arm.
"Remember I told you about my friend Lorenzo, who I met two years ago when I visited Italy?" His face changes into one of recognition.

"Oh. It's nice to meet you. She's told me a lot about you." He stretches his hand out for him to shake.

"Only good things I hope." He says and I smile.

"Of course only good things. How's Angelina?"

"She's doing fine. She's in the car but I had to come back and get her scarf that she left on her chair." He shows it to us.

I giggle.
"Always so forgetful." He smiles.

"And I love it." I laugh.

"Of course you do." He glances at Daniel.

"Well don't let me keep you guys long. I'll see you again tomorrow, but act surprised when you see us. She wants to surprise you." I nod laughing, hugging him again.

"È bello vederti principessa sorridente."(It's nice to see you smiling princess.)

"Grazie."(Thanks.)

He shakes Daniel's hand one more time before walking away.

He turns to me.
"I.."

I cup his face, smiling up at him.
"It's only you Daniel." I mutter, pecking his lips.
"Now come on I'm hungry." He chuckles, nodding. He pulls open my chair for me and I sit down.

"How was your meeting?"

"It was good. Things are running smoothly and I've finalized everything with Dad, for when he has to take over for me." I nod, in understanding.

"How-" the waiter comes over, cutting my words short, and we look over the menu, ordering our food.

"Any dessert will be added to that?" Dan looks to me, but I shake my head.

"Saline and Cammie will kill me." He laughs. The waiter leaves and he asks me what I was going to say.

"How are you feeling? We'll be married soon." His lips stretch into a smile, his hand reaching for mine.

"Honestly?" I nod.

"I'm trying not to listen to the negative thoughts. Honestly when I saw you with him, I started to think and feel as if it was happening again, but I wanted to be sure before jumping to any conclusions."

"I would never cheat on you Dan." He nods.

"I know. My mind just..." I nod in understanding.

"I get it."

"And what about you?" He asks and I sigh.

"I don't feel like I'm betraying Damien anymore, but I do want to visit his grave before our wedding. Say my final goodbye in a sense." I say, but I could feel my heart clenching.

I don't want to self sabotage myself and my happiness but, moving on with Daniel, meant letting go of Dame, and...I felt ready but I kept feeling as if I wasn't.

"I've been thinking a lot these last few days and  I want-can you come with me to visit his grave? I know it might be horrible to ask that, so-"

He squeezes my hand, before leaning forward and bringing it to his lips.
"Of course love." I could feel the tears in my eyes, but I managed to hold them back.

"Tomorrow then?" He nods.

"Tomorrow."

~~*~~