An hour later...

We all just had dinner, and it was sumptuous. I could get used to eating chef-made food. At least I won't have knife cuts on my fingers, and maybe I could really grow out my nails.

Soo… I found out Solomon secretly sneaked Bernice into the kitchen so she could get some food before the reception even started. I can tell they'll become good friends after this, and maybe they could become something more. You know, I ship them honestly, and I'm already seeing how cute their kids would turn out to be.
Unlike this cold guy sitting beside me, I haven't even felt the need to say a word since I chased him. My pride just won't let me bother someone who seems to take me for granted. He has to apologise; that's the only way.

"Uhum! I'd like to make a toast to my best friend and his beautiful bride, Freya.
If anyone had told me that Reiss would be tying the knot in a few months, I would have laughed my ass out.

We always thought I'd get married first, but here we are. I just want to say thank you for being a true friend to me and for having nice food at your wedding. I wouldn't want a running stomach, because unlike you, I still have work Monday morning." He laughs a bit.

"Freya, please take care of him; he can be such a hothead sometimes. I'm rooting for you both! A toast to everyone! To the bride and groom," Solomon says as he raises his glass.
"To the bride and groom!" The hall echoes.

"Cheers!" I smile. That was a nice speech. Short, simple, and funny too.

"I'd like to make a special toast." Reiss says as he gets up with a glass in hand.

"You see, success, fame, and money attract women like ants surrounding a cube of sugar; it's funny how only the strong and cold-hearted could achieve so much, much more than mere men.
The best houses, the best cars, the best companies, and the best girls Power equals success and wealth. I tell you, a man becomes weaker than a woman if he doesn't possess it.
"When a man with power walks, the world spins at his feet, begging to grant any wish he requests, just like how a mere man could sell his child just to get a glimpse of that wealth; he can't see beyond the riches to know that the source right there is power."

Uhm...  Okay?
 
"But our love was not like that; she saw me for who I am, and she loved me wholeheartedly. Indeed, ours was true love. He smiles as our wine cup makes a clink sound, completing a cheer at the end of that weird speech.

"Cheers," the guests say, but I bet they're as confused as me. What does that speech have to do with our marriage?
 
Either way, I expected more. Back when I had envisioned my wedding, even though it was not as extravagant as this, I wanted a speech that would bring me to tears or something so touching, romantic, and just lovely! Just like how I expected a tear to fall from my eyes when Michel would finally propose...

I've been through a lot, but I still miss him, I still love him, and I'm still utterly heartbroken.

It's the memories, babe, of how we planned our lives together, how he'd say something cheesy on our wedding day at the altar, how he'd kiss me till my knees grew weak and I found it hard to walk again. Lol. Like that could ever happen. But still…

"Freya! " It's time for the couple's dance." Bernice taps me, and I'm back to reality.

"Girl, don't be spacing out like that. He's a Dutch bag; remember, screw him," she says.

I wanted to say, "How did you know who I was just thinking about?" but it's Bernice; of course she would know.

"Okay"

I take a look at Reiss as he lifts me up, and we walk to the dance floor. The orchestra plays something smooth and heartwarming, and at this moment and point in time, I just want to forget about everything that concerns my heart and deal with what's on my mind.
Who is this man, really? Why do I feel like I know him from somewhere? And no, it's not from a magazine; I mean a real-life, one-on-one encounter. I want to clear the air on this, so at least I can have peace of mind.

"I've been having this strange uneasiness, and I'm sorry if I'm ruining your quiet dance for this. Earlier today, at the altar, you said something that I didn't quite catch. And I've come to the conclusion that I have met you before, or am I wrong?" I stared at him so he'd see I wasn't just bluffing.

He stays silent for a while before saying, "You're not."
Aha! I knew I was right!.

"The only problem is, where did we meet?" I look into his eyes in hopes that he will still answer this one question.

"Oh, it really is a small world, isn't it?" He chuckles before staring at me intently.

"Then let me refresh your memory, hun. Daepyo Dan High school, 11 years ago, when we first met. I was the skinny boy who you called Ramen because my name was way too cool for me. My friend over there, you'll know him better; you called him the 'voice of the weak' because he was trying to protect me from that stupid love letter he had written to you. So yes, love, we have met before, and it hurts quite a bit that you can't remember what you did." He smiles dangerously.
I froze on the spot.

"What? Did you just say?"

"Daeypo Dan...?"

"Correct!" He said it with amusement.

"When I was 16?" I furrowed my brows.

"Don't tell me you've lost your memory now, hun. I thought such a smart girl like you would quickly put the pieces together. But I guess I gave you too much credit." He sighed

And that's when it came to me.
The deed I committed when I was 16 years old...