Call It Love

Chapter1

I clutch onto my bouquet of flowers and take a deep breath. Anxiety creeps over me. It’s my day, the day I’ve been dreaming about since I met him. The sound of my heart pounding against my chest walls fills my ears and I take a deep breath. I didn’t think I would be this nervous on my wedding day. I guess I was wrong.

“You look beautiful, Amy” Zoe, my best friend, whispers over my shoulder as she adjusts my veil. “Ryder is definitely very lucky to have you. You make a wonderful bride.”

I manage a small smile as she holds my hand in an attempt to calm me down. I’m beyond excited yet there’s this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can’t shake off. It’s probably wedding jitters. I’m finally marrying the man of my dreams, Ryder Ashford, the man who made me know what true love really is. I should focus on being excited.

The sound of the orchestra fills my ears as we walk towards the altar. The sight of my mom smiling at me from the crowd warms my heart. She seems genuinely happy for the first time since dad died. I would have postponed the wedding but she insisted that I don’t wait any longer. Now, I’m glad I didn’t.

My racing heart slows down at the sight of Ryder waiting for me at the altar. His eyes drift away from mine as he looks beyond me. He’s probably as nervous as I am if not more.

“Dear beloved” The priest begins “We’re gathered here today to witness the union of this beautiful couple. If anyone has an objection to this marriage, let them speak now”

The room goes dead silent of course. Why would anyone have any reason to object to our marriage after five years of being in a relationship? I slowly raise my head to look at Ryder who for whatever reason doesn’t seem to look into my eyes.

“…can’t back out now, Ryder. Deal is done” I hear Evans, his best man, murmur. Ryder’s jaw clenches and he sighs. He must be really nervous.

“Do you Ryder Ashford, take Sophia to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Sophia?

A woman with piercing blue eyes and raven hair emerges from behind me, drawing closer to Ryder.

“Yes, I do” Ryder says, clearing his throat.

My heart pounds faster against my chest as I try to comprehend what is going on.

“Do you Sophia, take Ryder to be your…”

“What is going on here?” I manage to ask yanking the veil off my face, hoping and praying that it really isn’t reality. My chest feels tight and suddenly, breathing feels like a chore.

“Priest, can we just get this done and over with?” Sophia or whatever her name is groans.

“Who the hell are you?” I walk closer to her. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. Ryder and I are getting married here. Today. Now”

“Ryder, tell her” She rolls her eyes at me before looking in Ryder’s direction. I turn to face him and he still doesn’t look at me.

“Ryder, tell me what’s going on?” I plead, holding his chin and forcing him to look into my eyes. “Look at me.”

“Enough of the drama, Amy Flynn” William Ashford, Ryder’s dad steps in. “Ryder will not be marrying you”

“What do you mean Ryder won’t be getting married to me. We have been planning our wedding, our married life together since we fell in love.” I laugh painfully

“Look, your relationship with the Ashfords has always been conditional. Everything is transactional, Amy Flynn. You must be out of your mind if you really think that I’m going to allow Ryder to get married to you after everything. What do you bring to this family? Leo is dead, you’re broke.” He scoffs

“Is this what this is about?” I let out a painful laugh.” My dad is the reason you’re who you are today. You were just another unemployed American. Now that he’s gone, this is what you can say? “

His jaw clenches in anger but I really could care less. He’s an ungrateful bastard! Everyone in the crowd seems to be murmuring one thing or another. And for a quick second, I turn to look at Zoe. Her face is pale. She looks horrified.

“Fine! We don’t need your permission to get married anyway. We are two grown adults” I mutter, looking at Ryder who now looks back at me.

“Let’s go, Ryder. Let’s leave here, get married somewhere else and start life afresh.” My hands hold his face tenderly with new found hope. He loves me. Ryder loves me more than anything in this world, he’ll leave with me. I hold his hand in mine and attempt to leave the room. Then, he pulls his hand out of mine and I find myself staring at my now empty hand.

“Ryder…” I whisper.

“I’m sorry, Amy. I love Sophia. No one is forcing me to do this. I’m sorry for raising your hopes and disappointing you”

“Nonsense” I laugh “Ryder…”

“Are we done with this drama? I’m bored already” Sophia’s annoying voice interrupts me as she pushes me aside and takes Ryder’s hand in hers. “Let’s skip to the part where Ryder kisses me, Priest.”

“Do you take Ryder to be your…” The priest resumes.

“ Yes, geez” Sofia scoffs before wrapping her arms around Ryder’s neck as their lips meet in a kiss.

Without a second thought, I stride forward and towards them. My hands grab Sophia, pulling her away from Ryder.

“What happened little Princess? Jealous?” She chuckles.

Before I realize it, my hand meets her cheek in a resounding slap. She stumbles backward, holding her now crimson cheek and her eyes widen in disbelief.

“Amy Flynn!” William yells, cutting through the murmurs of the stunned guests.

My heart crushes into a million pieces as Ryder rushes to her side, holding her. The tears I was holding back trickle down my face as Ryder shoots me a look he always reserved for other guys he saw as a threat. Ryder now sees me as a threat!

I feel a hand grab my arm and I turn to see Zoe looking almost as sad as I am.

“Let’s go, Amy” She whispers and I shake my head. I must marry Ryder. Something is not right. I can’t throw away years of our relationship just like that. It’s not possible!

A loud thud from the crowd grabs our attention and I turn to find my worst fear come to reality.

“Mom!”