Happily Ever After

The doors opened and I took my first step toward a new life with him. I felt like I was floating on a cloud of happiness and nothing could bring me down. A hush fell over the crowd as I slowly walked down the aisle, trying not to trip on the 4 feet high heels the wedding planner and Adrienne, my partner in crime for everything, had insisted on me wearing. I rolled my eyes as I recalled the memory. Adrienne usually stood on my side for just about everything. But when it came to fashion, she's a force all on her own. Lost in my thoughts, I did not notice the unearthly quietness of the church before it was too late. Reaching the end of the aisle, I Iooked around for Alexandre, my fiancee and soon-to-be husband. Not finding him anywhere, I felt a frown slowly start to form on my forehead as I tried to calm my wildly beating heart. It's ok. It's ok. He wouldn't do that to you. You know that Alice. I slowly turned to my parents and raised my brows in question." Errr.....where is Alexandre?" I whispered to my mom who was looking at me with the same question shining in her eyes. "I'm not sure either honey. Maybe he's just late? You know how he and the boys can get when there are drinks. Especially at a bachelor's party." she murmured back to me, trying to soothe me in the same way she used to do when I was a child. At this point, most of the guests had begun to be restless and impatient, murmuring to each other about things that i probably did not want to know about. Some looked on curiously at our exchange. " Right. Could you try calling him?" I whispered back impatiently, not wanting to keep our guests waiting any longer, and also to calm my self down. "Your dad already tried doing that but he's not picking up. Adrienne and I have also tried calling him but all of the calls just went to voicemail." Maybe he's still sleeping. It could happen. At least that was a better thought than the alternative. "Don't worry cupcake, I'm sure he'll be here soon." my dad said from beside my mom, giving me the same reassuring smile he always did whenever I was feeling anxious or worried. It had always done wonders in calming me down, but this time it wasn't working. "Oh come on Al. You don't seriously believe he'll give you up do you?" Adrienne said. " I don't know Adri. It sure seems like it." I murmured back. "Tell you what honey. Why don't I inform the guests on what's going on. We'll wait with you for as long as you need, but I'm not so sure about the others." my mom suggested. Both Adri and my dad nodded in agreement. I just sighed and agreed to it. After all, there wasn't exactly much that I could do at this point. My mom made her way up the stage and immediately snagged the attention of all the guests. She always did have that aura around her that demanded attention and respect from those she needed it from. It was how she had risen up to her Directorial position at her workplace after all. "Dearly beloved, we were gathered here today to witness the matrimony of my daughter Alice Roux and her fiancee Alexandre Lenox. I regret to inform you that Mr Lenox has not yet arrived and we will not be able to start until he does. Those who wish to take their leave now due to other prior engagements or for any other reasons may do so at any point in time. Thank you all for your presence here today." With that my mother daintily stepped down from the stage and made her way over to us. Immediately, a few of the guests stood up and made their way to the exit. I was at least glad to see that majority of the guests remained. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- As the hours went by, I begun to grow more and more worried, with more and more guests leaving. Until only our family members and some close friends were left. It soon became clear that Alexandre was not going to turn up and that the engagement was over. Heartbroken and betrayed, I felt myself sink to the floor. My vision begun to blur as huge rivulets of tears poured out of my tear ducts. My mom and Adrienne tried to comfort me as best they could while my dad just looked like he was ready to start smashing someone. "I'm so sorry Al. He doesn't deserve you if he just left you like that. You deserve better." Adrienne tried her best to comfort me while my mom continued to hug me silently. I could already see the wheels in her head turning, plotting out all possible ways to make Alexandre pay for what he had done. "It's okay mom. Please don't do anything to him that you might regret later. He's not worth it." My mom looked at my watery eyes and sighed in resignation. "If you say so sweetheart." "That includes you too dad." My father looked at me in disbelief before giving me a tight nod. I could tell he wasn't too happy about being told to stand down. But I did not wish to see my family in jail just because of a bastard of a jerk who decided that he was too good for me. I did not know why he left me or what had made him change his mind about marrying me. But what I do know is that there are no happy endings. Those only exists in fairy tales and in the dreams of a girl who did not know the harsh reality of the world. That very girl died the same day my heart did.