Chapter 10: Here Comes The Bride

It was finally the wedding day of Antonio Kissle and Melissa Harwood.

Anna woke early and found a package outside her bedroom door with her name attached to it.

She picked up the box, heavy frown displaying on her face. She tore off the tapes and the laps that concealed the package. She unfolded and extended her arms to reveal the peach bridesmaid dress.

Laughing bitterly to herself, she threw the dress at the floor and stomped on it.

"He supposed to be marrying me! He supposed to be marrying me!" she yelled while stomping on the dress. Tears flooded her eyes but she quickly composed herself and went into the bathroom to get herself ready for the big day.

___________

She watched as Antonio adjusted his necktie on the other side of the alter while whispering to his best man. Anna tried her best to bury the pain, the lost and the defeat she had been carrying for weeks, knowing well she put herself in such situation and she shouldn't put the blame on anyone else but her.

Anna's wild imagination began its picture mode moments. She saw herself in a perfect white wedding dress with a Veil covering her beautiful face. Her hands held a boutique of light pink roses and she was carefully walking down the aisle to Antonio Kissle.

The memories vanished when the song began playing from the church's surround sound system. 'Here Comes The Bride.'

Everyone in the church stood and turn to the direction of Melissa walking down the aisle, arm wrenched with her father's. She held a boutique of peach roses and a bright smile through her veil.

Anna hated the sight of her instantly. She laced her eyes onto Antonio who glanced quickly at her before turning back to his bride. A smile of satisfaction wore on his face as he held her hand and guided her to the platform.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered in her ear.

"And you're so handsome," Melissa responded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Today, we've gathered here to give thanks and recognition to Melissa's and Antonio's love in front of you," the reverend began.

After he spoke for another twenty minutes and read three chapters from the Holy Bible, it was finally time for Antonio and Melissa to say their vows.

"Antonio, you're everything and more to me. There are absolutely no words to describe my love for you because I love you so much. You're my best friend and I'm so happy that I'm marrying my best friend. I promise to always stick by you through sickness and health, good times and bad times, gain and loss. I'm not going to give up on us no matter what."

Anna scoffed a bit too loudly. Several eyes landed on her.

"I'm sorry. I had something stuck in my throat," she covered.

Antonio glared dangerously at her but he turned his eyes back to the woman in front of him.

"Melissa, you're everything a man could hope for. You're beautiful, kind-heart, loving, caring and so much more. I always tell myself that I don't deserve you but you always say that I do. Baby, we were meant for each other and I want to be with you in this life and the other one. I love you and I promise to do right by you."

Anna coughed then cleared her throat. Eyes went back on her.

"Can you stop doing that," Elizabeth ordered in a whisper.

"Can you shut up and don't tell me what to do?" Anna whispered back.

"Now, shall we have the rings?" the reverend asked to the best man who was anxiously awaiting to display the pair of expensive wedding bands.

Melissa placed the ring onto Antonio's finger and he did the same to her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I now pronounce Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Kissle!"

The church erupted into cheers and applause as the now married couple kissed and ascended the alter. Anna clapped dryly while Elizabeth was over the moon for her employers.

______________

The reception was held back at Antonio's mansion. His friends from near and far came to show their support and share their congratulations to the couple. Antonio's parents were very proud of him and his new bride.

He had the biggest smile like that cat from Alice in wonderland. He felt on top of the world with his achievements and success over the years.

~

"Congratulations," Anna said to him as they met in the wine cellar for a bottle of wine.

"Thank you Anna," he answered.

"There's something you should know before you actually celebrate."

"And what's that?" His voice carried annoyance.

"That I like you and you getting married isn't going to change that feeling I have for you."

Antonio chuckled lightly to himself, took a bottle of Santa Carolina Merlot off the shelf and left the cellar.

Anna felt lost. She wanted her happiness too but life had working very hard to keep that away from her. She had wrecked too much happy relationships for her to have any trace of happiness.

She left the wine cellar and retired to her bedroom. She removed the thick bridesmaid dress and got into the shower for a cold shower.

______

There was a knock on Anna's bedroom door as she tried to fall asleep. She opened the door slowly and Elizabeth squeezed herself through the small opening.

"What was your problem at the wedding? Do you want to lose your job?" she asked her.

"Why would you even care?" Anna asked as she lazily crawled back into bed.

"Anna, because I know deep down, underneath all that bitter, all that ugliest and anger, you're a beautiful person. I still want us to be friends."

"If you really want to be my friend, then leave me alone."

Elizabeth respected her wish and left the room. Anna turned on the television and another knock came on her bedroom door.

"What the hell! Would it be better to just take down that door so people wouldn't have anything to knock!" she yelled.

She flung the door open angrily and saw Melissa standing there.

"Oh," she began. "I didn't know it was you."

"Obviously not. There's something I've been meaning to ask you Anna."

"What's that Miss. Harwood? Oh, I meant Mrs. Kissle."

Melissa's suspicious mind grew more.

"Do you have a thing for my husband?"

Anna took two steps backwards, afraid and unsure of how much Melissa might actually know about hers and Antonio Kissle's previous encounters.