The Wrong Bride

Caught In The Drama

It has been two weeks since the announcement of Maria's wedding. And it's only two more weeks left for our graduation, after that I have to start looking for work. I currently work part time as an assistant for my aunt Mellissa, my mother's sister. My parents died when I was 18 in a car crash and ever since, the closest family member I ever had was aunt Mellissa. Although a street dog might show me more emotions than her. She is a practical and brief woman who never beats around the bush.

I remember the day when my parents died, after coming back from the funeral she said to me, "Eleanor, you know you are alone now, well I cannot leave you on your own. Fine it's decided, pack your bags and come to New Jersey with me. You can work as my assistant in my law firm. Obviously, you will need money for your rent and college since your parents haven't left much for you. Working as my assistant will give you the money and I can use the help". After saying that she left, and that is how I ended up working for her. Even after four years of working with her, we barely exchange a single word more than necessary. But every Saturday she would invite me for coffee and ask about my life. We would talk for half an hour and then we would go our ways. Those half hours conversation was all I get with her. But I still like her. I know beneath that harsh exterior she has a nice heart, she just does not show it.

But after college I have to find a real job. Since I have a major in English, I need to find a job more suitable. Maria and I share a two-bedroom apartment. Since after her marriage, Maria will be moving out, Eddy will move in with me. Eddy has a major in physics and after graduation he will be pursuing post-graduation from the University. With Maria with her job in that Magazine and Eddy's post-graduation plans, it's only me who's left who does not have any plans after graduation yet.

Maria's marriage is scheduled for one week after graduation. She is so excited for it. I'm very happy for her, she is really lucky, she has got a perfect job, will be getting married to a perfect guy. She told be once, "After marriage I will talk to Damianos, I'm sure he will let me pursue a career after marriage". And I am sure he will. He doesn't look like a conservative guy.

Today I will be going for Maria's dress fitting. She was visiting her parents and will be coming back today. So, I am just lying in my bed waiting for her to come back. I heard the front door opening so I knew Maria was here.

I went to the living room to find both Maria and Eddy.

"Hey Marie, you're Back. Hi Eddy, what are you doing here?" I asked confused.

"He was roaming downstairs like a lost puppy so I brought him up", Maria said, slightly irritated.

On this Eddy pushed her and she fell on the couch. "Damn it Eddy you don't have to be such a s**t all the time", Maria yelled.

"Woh, Marie relax. What happened? You look a little annoyed. Aren't you excited about the fitting?" I asked.

"Fitting my ass, hell broke loose on me and you are talking about the fitting?" Maria ranted.

"Who whipped your tail monkey", Eddy teased.

"Eddy!" I gave him a look, "What happened Maria, is everything okay?" I asked concerned.

"The most horrible thing possible has happened. On the day I'm getting married, my interview with 'Ellet' Magazine is fixed". She put both her hands on her face, "oh I don't know what to do now?"

"Why don't you just reschedule the

interview", I advised.

"You don't reschedule 'Ellet', you reschedule yourself", she said hysterically.

"Is there any way you can change your wedding date", Eddy asked.

"No guys, the venue is booked, all the guests are invited, everything is final. There is nothing I can do. I have to make a choice between the two", she said tears forming in her eyes.

"Surely there must be something you can do, why don't you talk to your parents", I suggested.

"You think my parents would care? They were against me taking a job anyway. Oh, Elly I can't lose the job. It's my dream, my passion", she said tears falling down her cheeks.

I hugged Maria, hating to see her like this, "oh Marie, I wish I can do something for you".

"Yes, my little monkey, if it helps then I would dress up as a bride and marry that Costas". Eddy said half hugging Marie.

Maria gave a small laugh.

"I think it's not a bad idea", she said suddenly serious.

"Well Marie I understand your feelings, but I think Mr. Costas will have a rather shock on our wedding night don't you think", he said cheekily.

"Not you silly, Elly" she said in her plotting tone.

Both me and Eddy stopped laughing. We both looked at Maria.

"You're joking right, Maria", I said in horror because her face looked serious.

"Oh, please Elly just consider this once, you look just like me. And you will be wearing a veil all the time. No one will notice. And I will be back as soon as the interview is over. Then we will switch places", she said trying to convince me.

"Maria are you out of your mind? Marrying someone else's husband, that's preposterous. This won't happen. Elly don't even consider this", Eddy said, appalled at the notion.

"I'm not considering this anyway, Marie there's always a limit on what you can do. Choose one of them." I said with firmness.

"Guys you know I cannot live without my job. It’s a dream job. I'll die without it".

"Then talk to Costas or leave your wedding", Eddy said.

"Shut up Eddy, you know I can't talk to him or leave him. My parents will disown me. Oh, Elly please try to understand the situation", she pleaded.

"Listen Maria, you are panicking for no reason. I'm sure we'll be able to find a solution. Maybe if you talk to your parents or your fiancé, something will come up", I tried to reason with her.

Both me and Eddy stood our ground. Maria always have a habit of getting her own way. But this time, her request is very unreasonable.

Maria, understanding her defeat, stood up.

"Fine. But Elly I never thought you would leave me alone in the time of crisis", she said.

"Are you even realizing that you are asking me to marry Your fiancé?", I said.

She didn't say anything and just left the room. Whereas me and Eddy were left thinking about her stupid request.

#*#*#*

It has been a week since that incident. Maria has not talked to me since. She hasn't left her room much except to eat and when she did her face was swollen and covered with half dried tears. It was definitely not a sight of a would-be bride.

Her mother has called me hundreds of time to ask me about her. Many times, I wanted to tell her what the matter was, but I didn't want to tell her anything without asking Maria first. So, I would end up saying just pre wedding jitters.

But this behavior of Maria was killing me. She was making me feel as if this all was my fault. I don't know what to do in this situation. I asked Eddy but he said the same thing, that that would be stupid.

Only two weeks are left for the wedding and Maria was behaving as if someone had died. I was sitting on the couch when suddenly her bedroom door opened and she came out.

"Hi Maria, how are you this morning?", I asked trying to start a conversation.

But she didn't say anything and went to the kitchen.

Okay I have had enough of this. I went after her.

"Maria enough, stop acting like this. You are not looking healthy like a would-be bride", I said.

"Why would you care? Why would anyone care if I live or die? Just leave me alone Elly. This is the end, we're through", Maria said and started sobbing.

"No Maria don't say that, don't say we're through", I said tears forming in my eyes too.

"No leave me, everything is over, you are over and everyone else is over", said between her sobs.

This has gone too far. And I have a feeling that maybe we did leave her in the time of crisis. For Maria everything was fine one day and wrecked the next day. It was really sad.

Suddenly I had made my decision, I can do this much for my Friend. I said, "Fine, I will marry Damianos Costas".

#*#*#*