Mari
I was no longer comfortable. I felt suddenly hot and thirty
“are you okay? You look tense all of a sudden” Fred asked and I laughed
“I'm fine. Come on focus, the bride and groom are about to kiss” I said with a fake smile. He stared at me as if he didn't believe me before looking forward. I didn't expect him to believe me though, I was terrible at pretending and besides, my face looked sad already.
The couple kissed and turned to look at us. Everyone stood up to clap and cheer except me, I was absentminded
“Mari” Fred whispered
“uhh? Oh oh. I'm sorry” I quickly said as I was standing up. They walked through the aisle amidst the cheers and the guests started walking out too, heading for the wedding party
“isn't my cousin beautiful?” he asked
“very. Very beautiful” I answered and smiled. He held my hand and we walked out together. I could see Will and Wini walking side by side out of the church
“your veins are turgid Marigold. Are you angry?”
I exhaled
“there are lots of rich and sophisticated people here” I said with worry in my voice
“hey you're with me. Besides you're not any different from rich and sophisticated”
I kept quiet. If only he knew how I lived before and how Will changed my life.
*
“are you enjoying the party?” Fred asked when he got back. He handed me a glass of champagne which he went to get
“yeah. I am” I replied. That was a lie though, I really wanted to go home
“but why do you look tensed? Is something bothering you? Is it still about the rich and sophisticated?” he asked again and I heaved a deep sigh
“just tired of standing” I said and laughed nervously
“okay then. Let's go say hi to my cousin first. She'd love to see the girl I brought”
“just her?” I asked. I didn't want to meet Lucas her husband
“her and the groom of course” he answered
“uhhh... I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom first. Wait for me here” I said and gave him back the glass. I didn't even take a sip
“why don't you just gulp it down?”
I was already hurrying away “don't worry I'll take it later” I said and turned away from him. I held my dress up a little and hurried away. I felt pressed and stressed out too.
When I reached the restroom, I saw Winifred standing there with her arms crossed and a straight face like she was waiting for me.
“Winifred?” I asked. Ever since the breakup we haven't seen or talked. She didn't talk to Eliza either
“hey babe. Been awhile” she said with a smirk. I gulped down and walked to the sink. I began to wash my hands with soap
“look I'm sorry about what happened between you and Will” she began and I just gulped down again
“I don't know what's gotten into Will. He's changed and is so bitter towards even me” she said and I scoffed
“what's that?” she asked
“stop acting like you don't know your brother is now gay and even a drug addict” I spelt out as a matter-of-factly without sparing her a look
“wait. What?” she asked and I looked at her shocked face
“are you gay too? Just in case you are don't even try hitting on Eliza because she's straight” I said and walked out of the restroom. I was no longer pressed
I walked to Fred and sighed
“you're back” he said and smiled
“I wanna go home” I said straightly
“why?”
“nothing” I replied with no emotion
“did something happen in the restroom Mari?” he asked and raised a brow.
What's the need of hiding it from him? He's been my comfort so I just gotta tell him
“I saw my ex boyfriend's sister in the restroom” I said
“what? His sister? What is she doing at my cousin's wedding?” he asked. I didn't want to tell him that they were Luca's younger siblings because he'd know it's Wilbur. I just don't want him to know it's Wilbur that's my ex
“I don't know. I didn't ask her” I replied
“what did she say to you?” he asked
“she was trying to make me feel pathetic” I answered and scoffed
I rolled my eyes and they suddenly wet up with tears. I looked at the direction I rolled my eyes to and I saw Will. He was looking at me and he wouldn't take his eyes off. I was the one who looked away angrily and blinked my eyes
“Fred. I have to go. I just can't stay here ...anymore” the last word I pronounced was actually in sobs. I had began to cry already.
I ran and hurried outside to get a taxi.
I heard Fred calling me but I didn't look back, I flagged down a taxi and entered
“McDiamonds please” I said to the driver and he drove off