Puppets on a string

BREATHIN'

It's been a few days since that Maisie chapter was closed. They still talk sometimes but now I don't really mind. It is my cousin brother's wedding tomorrow and I am very excited is an understatement. I have done all the shopping for the wedding and came to his house today morning with my mom. My mom is very close to her sister and my aunt doesn't have any daughter, so she treats me like her own. I am very close to my cousin too even though he is 9 years older than me.

I was very busy today with all the decorations and household chores as their whole house was full of cousins and guests. I being the groom's sister had loads of responsibilities on my head.

"Ash, did you see the shoes I need to wear tomorrow for the wedding?" The groom a.k.a Michael asked.

"I put it inside your cupboard. You left them on the floor after showing them to Kevin." I replied back while arranging the chairs in the backyard.

"What would I have done without you sister" He said pecking my head making me giggle.

I really haven't been able to hold a proper conversation with Samuel since morning as I was really busy. Michael lives in LA with his family which is like 2 hours drive from our home. And when I am with my family, I really avoid talking to Samuel. I don't want to fight with my family again.

Samuel has been texting me since morning, and I barely had the time to talk to him. I replied to him once in every 2 hours.

At night I was bunking with my other cousins in guestroom when I finally had the chance to talk to him.

"Hey babe" I texted him

"Hey" He replied back

"What Hey? No baby or babe or any nick name" I replied fake frowning.q

"I will talk to you tomorrow. You go and stay busy with your cousins" He replied rudely.

"Is someone angry with me?" I pouted very well knowing that he can't see me.

"No. Where the hell were you whole day? I wanted to talk but you were busy"

"I am sorry. You know how the weddings work. I barely had time." I replied back this time frowning for real.

"Sorry. I just had a bad day. I didn't want to take out my anger on you"

"What happened? Everything okay? Tell me" Now I was worried.

"Got into an argument with a customer in store today. He broke some beer bottles and refused to pay for them."

"Oh! Everything okay now?"

"Yah! He had to pay when I threatened to call the cops. Now everything's fine."

"Thank God. How are you feeling now?"

"Fine."

"I am sorry I wasn't there for you today. Forgive me?" I replied

"You don't have to apologize baby. I should have understood that you were busy. Now go to sleep, you have to attend a wedding in morning. Have a good night. Love you" He texted.

"Good night. Love you more" I replied and drifted into a sleep.

I just got dressed and did my makeup looking at my reflection in the mirror. I wore a red sundress with matching sandels. My black hairs were left flowing on my shoulders while my bangs were wrapped to the side with clips. I took a selfie and sent it to Samuel.

"Ash, how long are you going to take?" I heard Andrew's voice.

"Just a second" I shouted and put my phone in my bag and made my way out to the backyard.

"You look so pretty" My aunt complimented me kissing my cheek making me blush.

"For the first time in her life, she is looking pretty" Sandy said tugging my hair a little making other's laugh.

"Touch my hair again and it will be your last day on earth" I said glaring at Sandy making him laugh and he sticked out his tongue to tease me. My phone started vibrating but I ignored it.

I sighed and greeted my other cousins. After a few minutes I heard someone's voice.

"Bride is about to enter. Just take your seat"

I was about to sit when I felt my phone vibrating again. It hasn't stop vibrating since 30 minutes now. Who is it?

I quickly pulled out my phone and there were 5 missed calls from Samuel and more than 20 texts from him. I got really worried and made my way out of the backyard towards the washroom.

I quickly went in and opened his texts first.

"You look pretty"

"Pick up the call"

"Why aren't you picking the call?"

"Ash you can atleast take 1 minute to talk to me"

"Where the f*ck are you?"

"Are you seriously at a wedding?"

"Ash why do I feel like you are hiding something from me?"

"For f*ck sake, tell me the truth. You are cheating on me right?"

"I knew you were a b*tch sleeping around with others"

"I can't believe I fell in love with a sl*t"

"Looking hell of sexy in that dress and seducing the guys at the wedding. I am sure you are looking for someone to screw right now"

"F*ck you b*tch. It's over for us"

As I read those messages I couldn't help but felt the tears falling from my eyes. Samuel can't send these texts. He has always been respectful. He can never call me names like this. His phone must be stolen or something.

"What the f*ck are you talking about?" I texted back but the message was left unsent.

I quickly dialed his number but he declined. It happened a few times before he finally picked it up.

"Sam what the f*ck were those messages" I said as soon as he said 'hello'

"Tell me who were you f*cking behind my back Ashley?" I heard his voice making my heart stop again. It was Samuel. How could he text me like that? What the hell is happening? I can't understand anything.

"Sam what the hell are you talking about. I told you that I am at my cousin's wedding " I replied almost shouting at him desperately.

"Don't lie to me b*tch. Do whatever you want. I am done with you. I am breaking up with you" He said and hung up the call.

I panickly dialed his number again trying to talk to him again but he blocked my number.

Now the tears were freely falling from my eyes continuously. I was sobbing so hard. What the hell happened? Everything was fine till morning. Samuel never talks to me like that. He never talks to anyone like that. I just sent him a picture in morning and now he is calling me names. What did I do? Did anyone say something to him?

I fell to the ground still crying when I felt my breaths ragged. I tried my best to calm myself but the sobbing didn't stop. I put my back on the wall of the washroom still sitting on the floor when I started breathing hard. I felt oxygen leaving my lungs. I started feeling cold when I was sweating hard. I wanted to call someone to help me but I didn't want to ruin Michael's wedding. I need to calm myself. I knew what was happening to me as it has happened to me before too. A panic attack. It's been 3 months since I first had it. I thought that it was a one time thing. Then I remembered that I fainted that day. Sh*t! I have to calm myself now.

I started rubbing my palms and removed my sandels rubbing my feet too. I saw on internet that it helps to calm down. I rubbed my feet and palms together very hard until my whole focus was on my palms and Samuel was finally out of my mind.

Slowly my breathing came back to normal. I kept sitting on the floor until I could feel my legs again. I slowly stood up and saw my reflection. My whole face covered with black lines because of my mascara. Why ? Why Samuel? I washed my face and dried it with towel quickly. I took out lipstick from my bag and applied it. There is no point in doing the whole makeup again.

"Ashley, are you in there?" I heard Patrick's voice from outside.

"Yeah! Give me a minute" I said pulling myself together. I just hope noone realizes that I cried.

"Let's go. Ceremony must be about to start" I said quickly taking his hand pulling him but he didn't move.

"Ceremony is already over Ash. You missed it" He said making me freeze. I missed my cousin's wedding. I know it's not a big deal but Michael treats me like a real sister rather than a cousin. We love each other like siblings and I missed his wedding because I was crying over my boyfriend. Why would you do this Samuel? What the hell happened? I have never been this confused before.

I slowly nodded and left his hand.

"Where were you? Andrew and Sandy were looking for you everywhere". He asked.

" I am having upset stomach. I guess I caught food poisoning" I lied hoping that he won't catch the lie.

" Oh! Do you want to have any medicine?Should I tell others? "

"No, no. I am feeling better now. And please don't tell others. They will get worried"

" Are you sure?"

"Yeah! Let's go outside" I said taking his hands and making my way to the backyard.

Everyone was enjoying and dancing in the reception. My parents and cousins dragged me to the stage but I just couldn't dance. My mind was still filled with Samuel's hurtful words. I was hurt, like really hurt. I didn't speak a word throughout the reception. I just sat in a corner eating. Food was again my best friend right now.

I thought that today will be full of happiness and now it is completely ruined. I couldn't even bring myself to give a genuine smile.

The panic attack I had earlier was also bothering me. I just hope that it never come back again. And as for Samuel, I just hope that there is some reason behind his doings. Yes, I am stupid, stupidly in love. I can't believe that he will do something like this. I need to talk to him and that will happen when I make my way back to Diego.