Page 39 of Tarek

“She looks beautiful,” I mutter, my voice trembles with pain. I never envisioned myself not being in my best friend’s wedding. I always thought I would be a chief bridesmaid, that I would be the one fixing her dress, holding her flowers. Then again, I thought she was my best friend.

Her dress gave her an elegant silhouette, with tiered ruffles, cascading down to a beautiful skirt. The bodice was corseted and covered in a diamond appliqué. Her train appears to be long, the edges have trims of lace, giving that hint of vintage charm.

My heart skips a beat as I shift my gaze to the groom, everything about him to me was perfect. The way his dark hair is slicked back from his face.

The way his tailcoat jacket fitted his wide shoulders, the white of his shirt shone under the sun. His friends tap his back with congratulations. People were shaking his hand, singing his praises. He did it, he was now everything that he thought he needed to be.

Ilyana’s eyes catch mine and she smiles even brighter. She tiptoes and pulls Dereck by his neck for a kiss. He pulls her closer at the waist and bends her backward.

It’s picture perfect, the cameras around them flash, the small crowd roars with exuberance, more rose petals float around them.

A splash of water lands on my wrist, my mom pushes a handkerchief in my hand. I didn’t even realize I was crying.

I look away and wipe my face, wanting to leave, to get as far away as possible from here.

“Don’t look away, I want you to see and understand,” my mother says in a firm tone.

Lifting my head, I observe Ilyana wipes Dereck’s lips with her thumb. She stares up at him with love and a promise of forever. He looks down in adoration. See and understand, I get it. Dereck never loved me as much as I loved him. He looks happier, one day I hope to find the happiness that he has. My heart feels like it has been ripped out of my chest and thrown on the asphalt roads.

As they make a slow descent down the stairs to the white Rolls Royce, Dereck opens the car door as Ilyana waves at the crowd, she slips inside, she bends her head with a smirk as she inspects her flowers. The photographers come to the side of the car and begin taking pictures of her. Dereck waves to the crowd, he places his hand on the top of the car, and he stops. As if he senses someone is watching him, he glances around the street.

Then his gaze reaches mine, his smile drops, and he begins to move forward and I shake my head.

The crowd, still not aware of what is happening around him, begins to throw more petals at him. In that moment, the world around us stood still.

His eyes plead with mine, to stay, to commit…I give him a sad watery smile and I shake my head at him again.

Wanting to tell him that I am keeping his baby, that I will do it on my own. I close my eyes, as emotional pain rages through my body.

I open my eyes to see him hugging Gregory Wildingham, his eyes never leave mine. Nodding, I exhale, place my hand on my tummy, lift my head, throw my shoulders back and look at the road ahead.

“I’m ready, Mama,” I state, because despite the pain, despite the hurt. I have a little human to take care of, and unlike their father I promise to always be there for them.

* * *

TAREK

My little club? She sways as she walks through the dining room. Suddenly she stops and turns to me. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

“It’s right there behind the brass poles. I will meet you at the valet.”

Watching her walk away sparks an idea in my head. Darting through the patrons, I dash to the podium and speak to the valet.

“Joshua, right?”

The pimpled face teenager smiles eagerly at me.

“Yes, sir.”

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I ask, “How would you like to make a quick $2000.00,”

“Oh my gosh. Yes, sir. What do I have to do?”

“I thought you would never ask. How good are you with a car’s electricals?”

Ten minutes later, I feel a light tap on my shoulder.

“You ready?” she asks.

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