AFTER ONE NIGHT

• Wedding Day • Ever Green Cathedral (Houston, Texas), 1:30 PM Ashley glanced at the large Asian clock hanging on the wall for the umpteenth time, feeling an overwhelming urge to scream. "It's okay," she murmured, blinking rapidly while patting her thigh. She needed a distraction, anything from the hundreds of eyes focused on her, and a cracked spot on the wall behind the altar came to her rescue. Marrying Anthony, the love of her life, was all she had ever wanted. After seven years, her dream was finally becoming a reality. A little smile spread across her lips as her mind darted to their little prep talk earlier. "Hi my love, I can't believe this is happening...you’ll finally be mine. Forever!! Thank you for saying yes," he had said excitedly, like a child, a part of him she adores so much. "You always have a way with words, honey...don't make me blush," she teased. "No you should, love. I want you glowing even before you walk down that aisle." Typical of Anthony, her man, who always makes her feel special. "I'll see you at the altar, okay? Try not to outshine the sun, my love" Right now, all she wants is for the wedding and the formalities to be done. To be wrapped in his arms, while she stray to the part where they make love in their beautiful penthouse all day... But where was her lover? A mix of fear and anger surged through her as the murmurs grew louder. Could it be an accident? No! God forbid. It had to be the car; it might've broken down. And wherever they were, the network seemed terrible for calls. They were probably fixing it, and any moment now, Anthony would walk through that massive door, breathless from running, with an apologetic smile, she convinced herself. Moments like this reminded her of her best friend, Claire. If only she were here, she would know exactly what to say to calm her down, but work called. Being a supermodel, she had an important shoot in Paris that coincided with her wedding. As the minutes dragged on painfully, doubts seeped into her thoughts. She knew one thing: no matter what was happening or had happened, she would wait for her lover and not humiliate herself by crying. What bride cries on her wedding day except out of joy? At last, the big door creaked open. The man of the moment arrived. Ashley's heart raced with joy as she turned, relief flooding through her, only to freeze when she saw him. He walked in unbothered, as if he wasn't embarrassingly late for his own wedding. Not even a hint of an apologetic smile crossed his lips. The knot in her stomach tightened as she waited for him to close the gap between them, surrounded by a suffocating silence. When his eyes finally met hers, Ashley felt a cold wave of unease wash over her. This wasn't her excited lover. Yes, he had the same features, but...why wasn’t he apologizing, and why did he look so cold and indifferent? "You're late," she blurted out, afraid and irritated by his blank expression. The countless eyes were still on them, but he said nothing. "Say something, Anthony!" she whispered, ignoring the voice in her head warning her that the worst might be coming. "I can't do this." Ashley blinked in confusion. His words didn’t register for a few seconds, but the gasps from the guests shattered her thoughts. She forced herself to breathe, to react...anything but stand there like a fool. "You. What?!" This time, she hoped her ears were tricking her; maybe she hadn’t heard him clearly. "I don’t want this wedding, Ashley. I can’t marry you." Another wave of gasps followed, making the air feel heavy; her stomach tightened violently as nausea crept up her throat. This had to be a mistake, a moment of panic...he probably wasn’t thinking clearly, she thought. "Why?" "My heart belongs to someone else, Ashley, and I wouldn’t let you be trapped in a loveless marriage." Loveless marriage? She couldn’t believe her ears, couldn’t believe Anthony. It felt as if her world was collapsing with every word he spoke. Did that mean he never loved her? Her hands turned into fists, her nails digging painfully into her palm. She wished this were just a nightmare, that she would wake up soon. But looking at the man in front of her, he was nothing like her loving partner. He was a stranger, someone who meant every word he said and had waited for the right moment to tear her apart. Tension filled the room as the flashes of cameras captured her humiliation, eagerly documenting the unfolding spectacle. She couldn't take it anymore. If only she could disappear, but she deserved an explanation at least. "Why? Why wait until now, Anthony?!” she choked. “To humiliate me? To make a mockery of yourself? Why, answer me!" She threw weak punches against his chest in frustration, but still, he stayed silent, which told her everything she needed to know. Whatever was happening, whatever had changed, he had made up his mind long before this moment. She fought back tears welling in her eyes, determined not to cry in front of him. Slowly, she gathered her dress, turned away from him and the cameras, ignoring the questions shouted at her by paparazzi on her way out, except for one. "Would you like to know your husband's secret lover?" God damnit! There was someone else?