TWO WEDDINGS
865 Words
The weeks following Laura's engagement were filled with excitement.
Every day seemed to bring a new wedding discussion.
There were decorations to choose, invitations to prepare, venues to inspect, and countless decisions to make.
For once, Laura didn't mind being busy.
In fact, she enjoyed every moment of it.
Whenever she looked at the engagement ring on her finger, she couldn't stop smiling.
The future she had dreamed about for years finally seemed within reach.
One evening, the entire family gathered in the living room after dinner.
Charles appeared unusually cheerful.
Maria sat quietly beside him while Patricia seemed strangely excited.
Laura immediately noticed it.
"Did something happen?" she asked.
Patricia exchanged a glance with her mother before smiling.
"As a matter of fact, yes."
Laura raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Patricia stood up.
"I have an announcement."
Everyone turned toward her.
A smile spread across Patricia's face.
"I'm getting married."
The room instantly became silent.
Laura's eyes widened.
"What?"
Charles looked equally surprised.
"Married?"
Patricia nodded happily.
"Yes."
"When did this happen?" Charles asked.
Patricia laughed.
"Recently."
"Who is the lucky man?" Laura asked.
Before Patricia could answer, the doorbell rang.
Maria smiled knowingly.
"That must be him."
Laura frowned.
Must be him?
The way Maria spoke made it sound as though she already knew everything.
A few moments later, footsteps approached.
Then a familiar face entered the room.
The moment Laura saw him, her eyes widened.
Robert.
For a second, she couldn't believe it.
The same Robert she had accidentally spilled wine on months ago.
The same Robert she had met during one of the loneliest periods of her life.
Robert stopped walking.
His eyes immediately found Laura.
A brief look of surprise crossed his face.
He remembered her too.
The moment lasted only a few seconds before Patricia moved closer to him.
"This is Robert."
Robert smiled politely.
"It's nice to see everyone."
Laura forced a smile.
"You too."
Inside, however, she felt strangely unsettled.
What were the chances?
Of all the people in the world, Patricia was engaged to Robert.
The situation felt almost unreal.
Charles welcomed him warmly.
Soon everyone settled down and began discussing the engagement.
It didn't take long for Laura to discover another surprising detail.
Robert wasn't simply Patricia's fiancé.
His family's company was preparing to enter a major business partnership with Charles' company.
The marriage would strengthen the relationship between both families.
Everything suddenly made sense.
Maria appeared especially pleased by the arrangement.
The partnership promised significant financial benefits.
Throughout the evening, Robert remained respectful and calm.
Occasionally, Laura caught him glancing in her direction.
Whenever it happened, he quickly looked away.
She chose not to think about it.
The last thing she wanted was unnecessary complications.
As the discussion continued, Patricia suddenly spoke.
"I've decided something."
Everyone looked toward her.
"What is it?" Charles asked.
Patricia smiled.
"I want my wedding to happen first."
Laura blinked.
"What?"
Patricia shrugged.
"I don't see the problem."
Charles looked confused.
"But Laura's wedding preparations started months ago."
"I know."
Patricia crossed her arms.
"But Robert's family has a busy schedule. It would be easier if ours happened first."
Laura stared at her sister.
Something about the request felt strange.
Yet before she could speak, Maria immediately supported Patricia.
"I think it's a good idea."
Laura wasn't surprised.
Maria always sided with Patricia.
Always.
Charles, however, looked uncomfortable.
"This should be discussed properly."
To Laura's surprise, Williams spoke up.
"I don't mind waiting."
Everyone turned toward him.
Laura looked particularly surprised.
She hadn't expected that response.
Not even a little.
Williams smiled.
"If it helps everyone, our wedding can happen afterward."
The answer should have comforted her.
Instead, it left her feeling strangely disappointed.
She couldn't explain why.
Perhaps she had simply been looking forward to becoming Mrs. Williams Stafford as soon as possible.
Eventually, the discussion ended.
Patricia's wedding was scheduled before Laura's.
The following weeks became increasingly busy.
Both weddings required preparation.
As a result, the families spent more time together.
Robert visited frequently.
So did Williams.
At first, everything seemed normal.
But gradually, Laura began noticing things she couldn't ignore.
Small things.
Tiny details.
Moments that didn't make sense.
Sometimes she would walk into a room and conversations would suddenly stop.
Other times she would find Patricia and Williams talking together.
Whenever she approached them, they immediately changed the topic.
Each incident seemed harmless on its own.
Yet together, they created an uncomfortable feeling inside her.
One afternoon, while discussing decorations, Laura noticed Patricia laughing at something Williams had said.
The laughter wasn't unusual.
What bothered her was the way they looked at each other afterward.
A look she couldn't quite understand.
The moment disappeared quickly.
But it stayed in Laura's mind.
That night, she lay awake in bed.
For the first time in months, doubt began whispering inside her heart.
She wanted to ignore it.
She wanted to believe everything was fine.
But the feeling refused to leave.
As she stared at the ceiling, one question continued repeating itself.
Why did it suddenly feel as though something was happening right in front of her...
And she was the only one who couldn't see it?
- Writer
