CHAPTER 39: The Wedding Day

DARREN’s P.O.V

Before going straight to her tomb, I decided to went at the nearest flower shop first. I picked out and bought some white roses for my mom, for I knew that she wanted this kind of flowers. White as a sign of purity and peace.

As soon as I arrived at the cemetery, I parked my car and hopped down, holding the white roses. I inhaled the fresh air, coming from the open and peaceful field of the place. I walked to where she’s currently laying at, before kneeling down on the soft Bermuda grasses.

“Hey, Mom.” I smiled at her tomb. “I brought something for you.” I put down the flowers before wiping the dirt off on her tomb.

“I’m sorry... I haven’t visit you for a while now. So many things happened in my life but still, that wasn’t an enough excuse for me to forget you. I’m really sorry.” I took a deep breath. “You know what? Dad and I are finally talking to each other again. I met a girl. My dream girl, to be exact. But something happened and now she’s gone... And I don’t know that to do anymore...” I trailed off, as I felt my tears starting to stream down on my cheeks.

I weep, feeling safe and secured in front of my dead mother. This is my only chance to let all of my tears out, that’s why I must make the most of it.

“I don’t know if I’m making the right decisions anymore... I know I promised to you that I wanted to get the company someday... But I failed, Mom. All I wanted to do right now is to be with Claire... And now that she’s gone, I’m thinking that maybe, if I could fulfill that promise, I won’t be a big disappointment to you... Am I right? Or do you want me to be happy? That’s what you’ve always wanted right? I want to find Claire, Mom... But I don’t know how...”

I felt the cold breeze hug my body, and I shivered. Was that the answer I’ve been waiting for? Does my mother really want me to be happy?

“Mom... Is it really okay if I didn’t fulfill that promise? I love Claire, Mom... I love her so much...”

I continue to cry, until my eyes run out of tears. After that, I composed myself and bid my farewells to my mother. I wiped her tomb once more, wanting to hug it if only I could.

As I walk back to my car, I unconsciously looked at my wrist watch. It was already five in the afternoon. The sun is beginning to set for I haven’t track down the time while I’m talking to my Mom. I only have two days left to think about things through. I hope that talking to my Mom cleared my mind, now that I finally know what is my heart’s desire.

Two days have passed. Today is our wedding day. Looking at my bachelors, I couldn’t think straight for my best friend wasn’t there. I’m still confused right now, and maybe, just maybe, if I can talk to him it will ease the doubts in my mind.

“Where is my best man?” I asked to one of the servants.

They are helping us fixed ourselves for the wedding will happen in about two hours in time. I’m feeling nervous right now, not because I’m excited or what, but because I’m still hesitating. My mind keeps telling me to focus, while my heart keeps bugging me to stop this nonsense and start finding Claire.

“He’s outside, Sir.”

I just nodded as a sign of gratitude to her before walking away, going outside of the room to find him. I was roaming through the hallways of our mansion while searching for Elijah, but he wasn’t there. Until I saw a shadow walking towards my path. When I looked up, our eyes met and I could see how shocked he is right now.

“Elijah...”

“Bro.” Something is wrong. He sounds sad.

“Why are you here? The servants wasn’t finished with you.”

“I can take care of myself,” he laughed, but I knew it was fake. “What now? Do you need your best man to be by your side?”

“Are you alright?” I asked, raising one of my brows.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I? Besides, it’s my best friend’s wedding day. I need to be happy for you.”

“You’re not mad at me anymore?” I asked, confused. It’s still not over the week when we fought because of Claire, because of this wedding day.

“Nope. If this is what you want, I’ll just support you no matter what. And I’m sorry...”

“For what?”

“Nothing I just feel the need to tell you those words. You’ll be married in two hours...”

“Stop trailing off, asshole. Come here.”

I punched him on his shoulder jokingly. He laughed at me, trying to look happy. I know that something is very wrong right now. Maybe because of the fact that he wants me to find Claire, since he was the one who introduced us to each other.

“Are you sure we are fine now?”

“Yeah.”

I’m still bothered by his short replies but I tried to consider it. Elijah and I came back to the dressing room before all the bachelors decided to went to the church. Elijah and I will used the same car, since Dad is already there.

During the whole trip to the church, I felt anxious, not knowing what to do. I also noticed how Elijah look super uneasy. I ignored it, for all I was thinking about right now is Claire. What will happen to us after I did this wedding?

“We are here, Darren.”

I came back to my senses because of Elijah’s words. I walked towards the entrance of the church, making the people stare at me with a smile on their respective faces.

“The groom is already here!” the wedding planner announced.

“Darren! I can’t wait to be your father in law,” Mr. Frias stated as he offered his hands to me for a shake.

I’m hesitating to reached it when something called the attention of all of us. It was a the planner, requesting us to get into position as soon as possible because Kate had finally arrived. I still haven’t see my Dad, and I want to talk to him before all of this have started.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked to someone.

“He’s still outside. He’s currently greeting the newly arrived visitors and your bride,” they answered.

“Thanks.”

A few minutes had passed before I saw my Dad entered into the church. After that, they closed the door shut so that the visitors couldn’t see Kate.

“Dad...” I called him.

“Darren... Are you nervous?”

“Just a little bit.” For I already made up my mind. I already know my decision.

“Don’t be, son. I’m trusting your decisions.”

I thought things are going to be just fine. But I was wrong. Because the next thing I knew, Kate was already marching on the isle towards me and I still haven’t made any move yet to stop this wedding. I looked at my Dad’s disappointed and uneasy face, maybe he’s still waiting for it.

When Kate stopped walking in front of me, Mrs. Frias gave me a meaningful glare before looking at her husband. Kate smiled at me, looking very pleased. I saw from the corners of my eyes how my best friend, Elijah, simply wiped the tears away from his cheeks. I don’t know why. Is that how much he’s sad because of what happened to me and Claire?

Before the wedding had started, the priest asked us if there’s anyone who’s in favor of the marriage. No one answered. That is my chance, but I just let it slipped on my hands again. The ceremony begun, and I couldn’t say some words anymore. I’ve lost my tongue and I knew that if I didn’t speak up right now, I’ll be forever tied to this woman that I don’t love.

“Do you, Kate Frias, accepting Darren Herrera as your wedded husband?” the priest asked.

“I do, Father.”

“And do you, Darren Herrera, accept Kate Frias as your wedded wife?”

It was silence that reign in that moment. I couldn’t answer in front of the crowd. Her Mom was looking at me ever since the beginning with her glaring eyes. My Dad looked pale and nervous, while Elijah was docking his head on the seat in front of him.

“Darren... Answer the priest, please,” I heard Kate’s pleading voice...”

“I-I... I... do–”

“What?” Kate widen her eyes, motioning me to said my answer louder.

My voice is currently trembling so bad. I’ve never been so nervous before in my whole life. But I guess this time is the time that I need to be brave. For Mom, and for the love of my life. I’m doing this for Claire. I’m going to fix everything that I broke, including our relationship.

“I d-don’t... And I’m sorry.”

The crowd gasped in shock, while I saw how bright red Kate’s face turned into. Elijah was now alert and fully awake, looking at me in disbelief but I can also see the relief in his eyes. My Dad still looked pale, and he didn’t even move a muscle.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Darren? You’re bringing a shameful act to us and to your family as well!” It was Mr. Armando Frias who scolded me in the dead silence.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Frias. But I couldn’t marry a woman I just met and I don’t love. I already have a special someone in my heart, and that will never change until I’m still breathing and alive.”

Kate burst out in tears, while her Mom suddenly lost her consciousness. Mr. Frias quickly hold his wife, while still glaring at me.

“I’m sorry to disappoint all of you. But I’m afraid that there’s no wedding that’s going to happen today... And that’s final.”

The commotion starts as people started to whisper to each other while some of them offers help to Kate’s family. To avoid further more complications, I ran towards the exit of the church, having one place to go in mind.