☆The Perfect Wedding
907 Words
DAY THREE
After a ten-hour flight, the Gilberts arrived at the port, their servants unloading luggage behind them.
Waiting was Dawnafore Delano, a tanned woman in an absurdly colorful dress, layered with bows, flanked by two bodyguards.
The woman, dressed like she belonged at a festival, ran straight to Charisma and grabbed her hands.
Charisma blinked.
No one ever got this close to her, apart from Rachael and William.
"Hi! I'm Camilla! Britney, you look way prettier than in your pictures!" she said in one breath.
That's when Charisma registered it; she was Britney now.
Camilla beamed, pulling her into a hug.
Charisma's father stepped forward and shook Dawnafore's hand.
Charisma's lips parted, but no words came out.
How could anyone be this excited to meet a stranger?
Charisma arrived at the Delano estate, which was slightly larger and far more luxurious than her home.
Camilla led her to the dressing room, talking nonstop about herself and how excited she was to finally have a sister-in-law.
When Charisma stepped inside, three makeup artists were already waiting.
"You're already pretty, so a little light makeup will do." Camilla pulled her toward the seat in front of the mirror.
Charisma stood abruptly, pushing the chair back.
"I need space," she said. "And a shower."
***
Elsewhere in the manor, Camilo lounged on his bed, doomscrolling through i********: in nothing but sweatpants.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
A maid stepped in, her hands trembling. "Sir, the Gilberts have arrived. Ms. Britney is getting ready, and everyone else is preparing to leave for church."
Camilo sat up. "My apologies, I forgot today was my wedding day." He stretched lazily and walked toward the bathroom. "Get my tux ready."
The bathroom door clicked shut.
The maid didn't wait, she hurried out immediately.
***
Back in the dressing room, Charisma sat in front of the mirror while a stylist blow-dried her hair.
Camilla was still there, watching like a child. "Your hair is so long!" she said, holding a strand of it.
Charisma studied her reflection. She had never straightened her hair before, so it only just occurred to her that it reached her waist.
She glanced at Camilla. Her black curly hair was gathered into a fluffy bun that gave Charisma the sudden urge to touch it.
Her fingers twitched slightly before she looked away.
Camilla also had big blue eyes and beauty spots just below each eye. She was unusually cute.
How could someone be this comfortable with a stranger?
Given Britney's personality, she and Camilla would have instantly clicked, Charisma thought with a quiet sigh.
***
The music swelled as she stepped forward, the weight of the dress dragging behind her like a decision she couldn't undo.
Every eye in the room followed her.
Not Charisma.
Britney.
And then she saw him.
Camilo.
Immaculately dressed in an emerald tux, his dark hair curly and slightly messy.
He didn't even look at her.
It was like he didn't care.
Charisma's eye twitched.
There she was, wearing this over-exaggerated dress... and he hadn't looked at her once.
She exhaled through her nose, her fingers digging into the fabric.
Charisma reached the altar.
Their eyes locked.
Not in a romantic stare, something neither of them could define.
She studied him. Dark grey eyes. A beauty spot just below his right eye.
Camilo didn't look intimidated.
He studied her too.
This was the first time they had met.
His lips curved into a grin.
Charisma froze. He's noticed. I'm not Brit.
But Camilo said nothing.
The ceremony continued.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of Britney Gilbert and Camilo Delano," the priest said.
Charisma's eyes drifted. Her family sat in the front row, her father and Rachael looking stiff, silently praying nothing would go wrong.
On Camilo's side, his father watched quietly. Camilla was already crying, and two others Charisma hadn't met sat beside them, one who could have been Camilla's twin, and the other, the oldest brother.
The priest spoke about love, unity, and commitment.
When it had nothing to do with fashion, she just wasn't interested.
She could still feel Camilo staring at her, and for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
"Repeat after me..." the priest turned to Camilo.
Repeat? Why the hell was I memorizing vows last night? Her eyes locked on Rachael.
Then she heard him speak. His voice was low, husky. Butterflies stirred in her stomach.
What the hell is going on?
Her eyes twitched.
"Do you take this man to be your husband...?" the priest turned to her.
For a second, she said nothing. Then her lips parted, her fingers digging deeper into the fabric. "I do."
Charisma looked up at Camilo, forcing a smile. "I, Britney, take you, Camilo, to be my husband..."
The priest handed Camilo a ring. When he slid it onto her finger, the subtle contact made her shiver.
After the exchange, Camilo was handed a small decorative box. He placed it in her hands.
"I give you these coins as a symbol of my trust and everything I have." The way he said it, he didn't even look like he meant it.
Charisma took the box.
"And now," the priest said, "you may kiss the bride."
Charisma froze.
The box slipped from her fingers and hit the ground with a dull thud.
The gold coins scattered across the floor like spilled sunlight.
- Writer
