It still took Kael an hour to arrive at the venue.
By then, his parents were already restless. They were smiling, exchanging pleasantries with the guests, but deep inside they were already embarrassed.
They had always been so conscious of how people looked at them, so aware of their family's reputation.
When Kael and I got together, they were adamant on separating us. They said I was just an ordinary person and what they needed was a woman from a strong and wealthy family.
Despite their opposition, Kael still chose me. So, I could tell that his love was true for me. This was also the reason why I deeply fell in love with him.
I didn't want to cause any rift between him and his family, so I revealed my identity. I never flaunted my origins and didn't want people to look at me with hidden intentions.
Only then did I tell them that I was a daughter of the Belmont Family.
Their treatment of me changed since that day. I didn't mind it at the time, but I should really have considered it.
When they learned that Kael and I were about to get married, they were very happy and could not help but flaunt it.
And on this day, the day that was supposed to mark the joining of two families, all they could do was sit and wait while their son was nowhere to be found.
Everyone had been waiting for two hours already. The elder who would be officiating the ceremony was already standing at the altar, holding his book, glancing at the doors from time to time with growing impatience.
Guests were already seated, murmuring among themselves. Laughter had died down into whispers, whispers that slowly sharpened into gossip.
At first, Kael's parents were proud. They had basked in the compliments about the venue.
The chandeliers dripping with crystals, the flowers that painted the hall in soft shades of ivory and blush, the music that floated like a dream... it was majestic, it was expensive, it was everything a fairytale wedding was supposed to be.
And they hadn't even lifted a finger for it.
They hadn't arranged the flowers. They hadn't chosen the drapery. They hadn't even bothered with the food.
They didn't know how much sweat and sacrifice had gone into making this day happen.
They didn't know that every small detail, the gilded invitations, the carved wooden chairs, the lace-covered tables, had cost me countless sleepless nights personally decorating.
They only knew that people were praising the beauty of it, and so they smiled as though it were theirs to claim.
But as the minutes stretched, pride turned to unease.
As the whispers turned into obvious stares, pride became humiliation.
"Where are the bride and groom? Are they still not done?" one asked.
"I'm not sure. I didn't even see any of them while I was walking around passing time."
"Do you think the ceremony has been cancelled?"
These murmurs brought more shame, so the couple decided to wait at the entrance so they would know firsthand when Kael and I arrived.
One hour passed before Kael finally appeared.
There was a sharp turn of heads, the wave of relief that swept across his parents' faces when they spotted him at the entrance.
They rushed toward him, smiling at first because he was finally here, because maybe now things would proceed as planned.
But that relief was short-lived.
Their smiles cracked the moment they stood close enough to scold him. Their voices were low but sharp, filled with the anger of parents who had been forced to endure shame in front of hundreds.
"Kael, what on earth took you so long?" his father hissed. "Do you realize how long everyone has been waiting?"
His mother's voice followed, sharp and trembling with fury.
"Two hours, Kael! Two hours! The guests are restless, the elder is already at the altar, and you. Where have you been?"
Kael was still breathless from hurrying over, his shirt slightly wrinkled as though he had thrown it on without care.
His hair still smelled faintly of alcohol, though he had tried to mask it with cologne.
"It's fine," he said. "Everything is fine."
But it wasn't.
His parents pressed him again, this time their voices rising above the quiet murmur of the guests.
"And where is Serena? Where is your bride?"
Kael froze.
He didn't have an answer.
He fumbled for his phone instead, pretending calm, pretending control. He excused himself with a forced smile, telling them he would call me. Telling them not to worry, that everything was under control.
But every call went unanswered. He tried to send texts, but he was surprised that I had blocked him.
Still, he tried again and again, as if by chance one of his calls would go through.
His parents grew restless. Their voices, once scolding, now turned into panic.
"Where is she, Kael?" his mother pressed, her voice breaking. "Now that you're here, we only need Serena. Where is she? Is she on the way?"
Kael wasn't able to answer. He had no idea where I was. We hadn't met for an entire day. His father suddenly became suspicious.
"What did you do?" his father demanded, though the words came more like a growl of fear than an accusation.
But Kael didn't answer. He wasn't sure what to tell his father.
And suddenly there was a sound.
A car.
The sharp purr of its engine cut through the restless whispers. Heads turned at once toward the entrance.
Kael sighed in relief, as though that single sound had saved him. He thought that I hadn't answered because I was already in my gown and it would be difficult to carry my phone as well.
Everyone rushed toward the doors, relieved that finally the bride was here. They were all tired and hungry from all the waiting.
The car parked slowly, its polished surface reflecting the bright lights of the venue. The doors opened, and every eye followed with bated breath.
A hush fell over the hall as a figure stepped out.
And walking out of the car was a bride.
