"So, Bernice, I've been having this weird vibe about Reiss, and it doesn't sit right in my stomach," I said as my makeup was getting done.

 

It's D Day!

But I'm trying not to fret over it; I don't even know where I'm getting married or what the plan is. If you ask me, I honestly don't care; I'd rather leave that all to the person who instigated the marriage proposal in the first place.

They even sent a car to come pick me up and take me to this one-of-a-kind makeup artist, whom I swear to have seen on the cover of magazines as the queen of beauty. I was surprised to see Bernice here too; I guess they kidnapped her also.

We were the only ones here; it does make me feel like a VIP, you know, but I'm still angry no matter how cool this is turning out to be; there is still something, or should I say someone? that troubles me deeply.

"Well, on with it; what is the matter, dear?" Bernice asks me,

But I'm afraid, or should I say suspicious, of these people around us. They must be loyal people to the Sukunas, so any word could reach Reiss in an instant. If only they could give us a minute to talk, I wouldn't be fidgeting over here. Just looking at those big guards at the door makes me lose my confidence.

"Oh, it's nothing," I finally say as I slump my shoulders on the chair and let the artist design my face, but then she slouches ever so closely, her lips practically to my ear and her black curly hair touching my cheek.

"If it is privacy you want, then surely you shouldn't be acting this way. You are about to get married into a very powerful family, so do not squirm; you demand privacy, and as for me, I heard nothing." Her sweet, lovely voice echoes in my head.

"Can I trust you?" I finally say:

"It would be wise not to, but getting involved in someone's business is just not my style." She winks at me before returning to my makeup.

Bernice gives me the "What was that look?" but I just wave it off. Wise words from a wise woman, I'd say, and she is right. If I want privacy, then I should be willing to demand it!

I smile at her before getting on my feet. "Could everyone give us the room, please?" I say with confidence as I turn around to the other makeup artists and the fellas who were busy making final touches to the gown, and of course the bodyguards who turned to each other and looked back at me, probably readying their defence speech.

"Look before you say anything; I am the bride, and when I need some time alone, you give it to me, no questions asked. Okay!" Besides, it won't take long, and I'm sorry for yelling, obviously.

"Yes, ma'am," they say, and then they open the doors to usher everyone out.

"No, you stay and finish my makeup." Bernice is already done. I hold my makeup artist by the wrist before she leaves, like everyone else.

"I knew something was up; come on, spill," Bernice says as soon as the last person walks out.

"It's about Reiss." "Remember when I told you he visited the company?"

"Yeah, and you thought it was Michel instead. You know what? Let's call him a duskbag from now on. I still can't believe he almost cheated on you when you were dating, and I still can't believe you had to wait a whole day before telling me all this stuff; what a friend you are." She fumed

"And I am sorry about that, look." The main point is, ever since day one I heard of that surname and laid eyes on his father, I got this hazy thought, and when I finally saw him, even though he gave off a scary aura, I felt like... Like I've seen him before."

"Duh idiot! He's famous, so he must have been featured in the magazines once in a while," Bernice snorted.

"No, not that kind of seeing Ber; like, I know him from somewhere, but I don't know where." I envisioned a bleak scenario with Reiss at the centre of it all.

"Okay, I think it's the bride fever; you're starting to go nuts because I don't think we've ever met Reiss before; he's a stranger; let's not forget that. Look at the mirror; come on," she says, spinning me over.

"You look beautiful; even though this isn't the ideal wedding, this one has lives depending on it. We will look at how far we've come to not back out now, and we will breathe, right?" She raises a brow.

"Yes"

"And we will remove every distracting thought from our heads and focus on that altar."

"Focus on the Altar"

"And you will walk down the aisle and say your vows to our heavenly father, and you will give your best in this marriage no matter how imperfect it already is."

"Right. What would I do without you, Bernice?" I smile as a tiny tear threatens to ruin my makeup.

"Don't cry now; we don't want Latifa's work of art to be smeared by your annoying tears." Latifa… So that's her name.

"They are not annoying! And besides, you're the one who made me all teary."

"If you're done now, I'm sure they'd like to come back in here and help you get in that dress." Latifa utters

"Yes, they can come in." I laugh.

…

"I'm feeling a bit confident now that I'm in this," I say, gesturing to my dreamy wedding gown. I know I need to offer my thanks to my mother for getting this for me; it's one of the few things that makes me want to put on a smile today, but she isn't here. I guess I'll see her at the church.

"Are you ready, ma'am?" A guard asks me.

"Yes, I think. Are you done?"

"I'm good to go," she said as she stepped out in a pink bodycon with a thigh-high slit, hugging all her curves in the right places, her hair held in a high ponytail with two pieces falling in front.

"Damnn!"

"I know, I'm fab," she twirled around.

"Now you're making me feel like the bridesmaid," I laughed.

"Maid of honour, please," she curtsies.

"I stand corrected." I return the curtsey, and then we're both laughing.

"Let's go then," I say as I step out and send a wave to Latifa.

We get into the black BMW and zoom off to the cathedral, I guess, but when those doors finally come open, I find myself at the airport.

"What's going on?" I ask as I step down.

"Mr. Sukuna would like the wedding to commence on his private island."

"Talk about extra," Bernice sighs. Yeah, of course they would have a private island; all rich people like that kind of thing.

"The guests?" I question.

"Already there"

"It seems like we're the last to set off."

"Well, let's not keep them waiting any longer than they should," I sigh.