Too enticing to resist

ALISON POV Alison stared at herself in the mirror, taking in the sight before her.she was in a knee-length bridal gown and her face looked stunning despite her makeup being done by her friend Chloe.It didn't matter if she couldn't afford the best wedding gown or pay the most stylish makeup artist, all that mattered to her was that she was getting married to the love of her life and the man of her dream Max. She thinks back to weeks before,when Max proposed to her in front of the coffee shop she had just gotten,they had just finished signing all the necessary documents and she just became a coffee shop owner, courtesy of Max who had helped her in everything step of the way both financially and physically. She was closing up the shop ranting to Max about how they needed to get the necessary items to start up the coffee shop when he went down on one knee and proposed to her. She squealed excitedly and said yes without hesitation. A number of people had gathered and cheered them on. It was a wonderful evening. She wanted to focus on the coffee shop first then get married when she officially started making money but Max wanted to get the wedding done as fast as possible,he kept telling Alison he couldn't wait to start a life with her and would always be there for her in every step of the way so she had nothing to worry about. The problem with rushing things was that there was little time and, worse, they had little to no money at the moment,they had ventured most of their money into the coffee shop. Max knew this yet he wanted them to get married so fast. Alison tried to reason with him but it was like his mind was made up,he said he wanted a quick and quiet wedding, while Alison, who had always envisioned having a large wedding had to reduce her expectations, hence her standing in front of the mirror in a simple yet elegant gown she had gotten at thrift store but she felt fulfilled. Someone tapped on her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was the receptionist in charge of the garden they planned to use telling her it was time for her to get married. It was supposed to be a quick wedding that would take place within two hours because according to the receptionist, another couple needed the space for the whole day. A lot of pleading had gone into getting this place after most of the places they went to had been fully booked. It wasn't like they could afford them in the first place but after a lot of pleading, the receptionist was kind enough to squeeze them into a two hours morning wedding since the bride and the groom for that day wanted an afternoon wedding. Alison took a deep breath felt a tight knot in her stomach,she was nervous at the same time excited but more nervous,she took the bouquet and slowly walked towards the garden where four people were seated. Max was a very secluded person,he didn't have a lot of friends,he only hangs out with Patrick,they were roommate since college and have always had a good relationship which they maintained even after college. Patrick was to be his best man,Max had another rich friend who traveled around but they constantly kept tabs on each other.I think he goes by Ryan,yes Ryan. Chloe and her boyfriend were seated by the right side of the garden,as Alison walked past them,she saw Chloe give her a thumbs up and she suppressed her grin,Chloe could be funny sometimes even when she wasn't intending to. Patrick stood next to the reverend but something wasn't right,Max wasn't beside him, Patrick looked sick,did he have a flu? why Max was running late,he was supposed to be here already, Alison gave the reverend a quick smile and glanced at her watch,Max was late,about ten minutes passed and Max still hadn't arrived,Alison was starting worry,she could feel Patrick glancing at her from time to time but anytime she tries to make eye contact with him,he would divert his eyes elsewhere,was there something he wanted to tell her?. Alison looked at the crowd and saw Chloe trying to stifle a yawn and her boyfriend looking bored as hell. She saw someone arrive in a sharp tuxedo and sunglasses. He must be Max's rich friend. If Max invited his rich friend,then he wouldn't try anything funny Alison thought to herself. She took a deep breath and decided to wait for about five minutes before excusing herself to call her husband to be. It hadn't been up to a minute when the reverend made a short sound indicating he was waiting, Alison decided to f**k it and left the garden to call Max,what was taking him so long?. She dialed his first number, which was switched off,tried calling his second number,it was the same. Now she was starting to panic.She kept calling him despite both numbers repeatedly telling her the same thing,it cannot be.No,Max couldn't have left her,it was his idea to have a small yet intimate wedding,he wouldn't do that to her,yet she could remember Patrick look and knew something was going on. She walked back to the garden to see the receptionist whispering something into the reverend's ear, who pointed at me,she then walked towards me to tell me we had thirty minutes before they started setting up the place for the next bride and groom,Alison nodded in understanding and dragged Patrick with her out of the garden,she could feel eyes on her but she didn't care, “ What is going on Patrick?” Patrick diverted his eyes to the ground, kicking off a stone. He then looked back up at her and she knew at that moment that her husband to be had left her, but she needed to hear him say it,she had to know for sure so she asked him directly “ Is he gone,did he leave me ?”. Patrick didn't beat around the bush,he replied with a simple “Yes” Alison kept shaking, unable to control her stance she fell on her knees because they gave out on her and a teardrop fell from her eyes as Patrick looked at her with pity whi le she cried like a child.