Lyra's POV
My chest tightened as his words sliced through me, each syllable colder than the last.
"Don't piss me off Lyra. I did love you but you annoy me to the core. You make everything all about you without caring about me at all or anyone else. You are not the only one with unsolved problems in life. Wake up to the reality that life is not only about you. Those around you are humans too.", these words came from the man I thought couldn't live without me. Is this really what will be the end to all the love and care he showered me repeatedly? I asked myself all these questions but who was even going to give me answers to them.
*FLASHBACK*
"Come on Lyra, come with me to the wedding tomorrow. You know I don't have many friends, infact, I don't have any friends other than you", Isabella Clarke; the youngest daughter of the company I worked for; also my bestfriend asked me.
"Okay okay okay, I will come along with you. Happy now?", I finally agreed to escort her after days of trying to convince me not knowing what was about to hit me.
"Yes, Lyra. I am so so happy now. Thank you babe.", she hugged me feeling joyful.
* * * * *
In the car on her way home
"Send this dress over to Lyra", Isabella said to her female assistant as she handed over the tablet to her. The assistant collected it and processed the purchase.
* * * * *
By night time, I received the dress and liked it alot. It was for the wedding taking place the next day so I kept it aside till then.
* * * * *
On the day of the wedding; Isabella's older step sister's; Sandra Clarke, the heiress to Vela Rosa Royale Designs.
"Hurry up Lyra. We don't have much time left.", Isabella called out to me as I got ready. "I am done, Bella.", I said to her as I stepped out slightly pulling the dress.
It was a floor-length champagne-gold gown, crafted from hand-embroidered silk tulle. The bodice hugged my silhouette with couture-level precision, the off-shoulder neckline adorned with delicate crystal beadwork that would definitely catch the eye without screaming for attention. "Gorgeousness at it's peak.", she complimented me with a sweet look and I smiled even wider than that on my face when I got out from the dressing room.
"We might just as well find you a groom at the venue", she said to me jokingly.
"Then what would I do about my dearest Alex?", I responded acting annoyed.
"Don't worry, you will forget about him this very day.", she chuckled. I let out a broad laugh and so did she.
"Aunt, we are leaving.", I screamed for my aunt who is more of my mother than my aunt to hear me from wherever she was. She is an epitome of beauty with the kindest heart. She took very good care of me ever since my mum's demise and took even better care after my dad's fallout. Treating me just as amazing as she does my cousins if not actually better hahaha.
"Bye, Enjoy…", my sweet woman responded.
* * * * *
We made our way to the venue, walked through the entrance, exchanged pleasantries with lots of VVIPs. I began to feel important too, lol.
The ceremony unfolded on a private oceanfront estate in Miami's most exclusive enclave, where the turquoise waves lapped lazily against a stretch of imported white sand. An aisle of crystal-clear acrylic seemed to float over a shallow reflecting pool filled with white orchids, leading to an altar framed by a sweeping arch of cascading roses, peonies, and rare tropical blooms flown in from Colombia that morning.
Gold Chiavari chairs, draped with sheer blush organza, faced the ocean, each seat adorned with a monogrammed silk program and a single gardenia. Soft jazz and the gentle hum of a string quartet mingled with the ocean breeze, while giant palm fronds and artfully placed torches gave the setting a golden tropical glow. Guests sipped Dom Pérignon from crystal flutes, the air perfumed with the subtle scent of Jo Malone candles scattered between lush floral arrangements.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky blazed in pinks and golds, mirrored in the infinity pool beside the reception area. Here, long banquet tables gleamed with mirrored tops, towering centerpieces of white hydrangeas and orchids, and gold-rimmed crystal dinnerware. Overhead, thousands of fairy lights twinkled like a blanket of stars, and a live band in white tuxedos prepared to strike up the first dance under a canopy of moonlight and champagne.
"This is luxury", surprised me thought quietly to myself. I very much adored every side of it.
---
The ceremony went on well till the biggest shock of my life struck me hard. I spotted him, but doubted myself for a second till the truth got clear The groom– it was Alex. But how? I stared hard in shock. Was it the lingering handhold or his smile that felt more of a betrayal. I definitely wasn't feeling myself– more like I was paralysed. I turned to Bella and it was clear that she was very much aware of what was happening.I tried to approach Alex but just then, I was pulled away by some men. Before I could even make any noise, they stuffed my mouth. I was taken to a store and locked up. I cried my eyes out, not because I was locked out but because I just watched my man get married. The same man I spoke to earlier that day who told me about the fact that he was feeling unwell and would need to visit the hospital. I had told him that I would come check up on him when I leave the wedding not knowing that he was actually the one getting married. My heart was shattered to no repair. Do such things happen on a normal basis or is it just my ill luck?
Still in thoughts and drowning in tears, I heard the door open, locked up just to see Bella; my so called bestfriend. I ran to her and held her hand.
"Bella, I'm really stupid", I chuckled. "I thought I saw Alex get married to your sister. I wonder what's wrong with me. How can I have such imaginations? Maybe I am just thinking of Alex alot.", I continued still in tears but trying to accept that it was just my imagination.
"Let's head back together", I pulled her towards the door.
She pushed me away and I fell to the floor. "Snap out of it, Lyra", I heard her say to be making me realise that it was reality. "Alex is now married. He left you and married Sandra"
I stared at her sternfully. "You knew about it, didn't you?", I asked her even though I knew clearly that she was aware. Come to think of it, her reaction whenever things came to Alex was something I ought to have realised and suspected but I was too foolish for that. I got up angry and left. As I approached the exit, I saw him– the groom. Our eyes met and I looked across him with disdain.
* * * * *
On my way back home, I received a call. It was the latest groom– Alex. I rejected his calls twice and ended up accepting it on the third trial.
"Lyra, where are you? I'm really sorry", he asked me with a simple and probably perplexed voice. I stayed mute. "I really need to see you. I want to explain everything. Lyra, things…", he continued but I cut him short.
"A demon is what you are. How could you be so cruel and heartless? Is this how stone hearted you have always been?"
His words failed me and I felt shattered. Out of anger, I threw away my phone and it crushed completely after hitting a rock. I felt no remorse whatsoever as the anger in me already overcame every other possible emotion at that period.
*FLASHBACK ENDS*
I found myself at a bar hold a bottle of whiskey. Apparently, it was the second bottle. I was already drunk but still drowning it thoughts.
"Despicable bastard. What did I even expect from his useless self" I cried out as I sipped my drink.
"Hello beautiful ", a tall, definitely handsome dude in a tailored suit approached me.
"Hey handsome ", my drunken self responded sweetly.
"May I?", he asked signaling at the seat beside me.
"As long as you are gonna buy me more drinks", I chuckled.
" ofcourse ", he responded and took his seat. "Waiter, more bottles please.", he waved at the waiter and requested.
"So what is a beaut like yourself doing over here drunk all alone", he asked me. "Clearing my mind from the worries of this shitty world", that was the only response I felt was fit for such a question.
"What possible worries could you be having", it seemed like he was going to continue bombarding me with questions. "Men!!! I hate you men!!!", I screamed. The waiter arrived with our bottles and I quickly picked one to continue the night. I wasn't exactly getting the feeling I wanted or needed but this was also okay.
We talked unnecessarily and the next thing was me kissing him. He kissed me back and things got even more intense. We went into a room and my impatient self started to undress him real quick. He stopped me and asked if I was sure about going ahead with it. I felt reckless and was very much aware that I was crossing a line but I affirmed and the rest of the night went on roughly.
* * * * *
"Is Lyra back home?", Isabella asked Lyra's aunt on a phone call.
"No, why?", she responded worriedly.
"She ran off from the wedding and I can't find her anywhere. Call not going through either. ", Bella decided to inform Lyra's aunt so a search can be done to find her before she harms herself or something.
" Then where could she be?", she cries out. The call ends.
Aunt phones Lyra several times but to no avail. She tried reaching out to Riley; her daughter; Lyra's cousin of the same age range but to no avail either.
"What on earth is wrong with these children?", she asked herself worriedly.
* * * * *
The next morning, I woke up beside a man. "What rubbish did I just do? Had a one night stand with a stranger? How frustrating" I looked at him sleep soundly. His clear skin, dark hair and muscular chest rested so peacefully. I needed to make sure to escape from there before he wakes up and sees my disgraceful face. I couldn't face him because of the things I said the former night. I literally poured out my devastating life to a complete stranger. I picked up my clothes, dressed up, picked up my footwear, hand bag and tiptoed towards the door. Before I could open the door and leave, he called out to me.
"Pls wait", I heard him say. Not knowing what to do, my adrenaline just activated flight mood and I escaped from the room without a single word.
"I really wanted to speak to her. I hope I get to see her again. I know the heavens will bring us back together", he smiled to himself and headed towards the bathroom.
Finally going back home, I hoped I never have to cross paths with him again. It would be such a shame.
Aunt must be so worried. I was out overnight without notice and I wasn't even with my phone for her to be able to reach me and hear from me. I knew I was going to be scolded alot for my actions.I boarded a cab and made my way back home.
In the Clarke mansion, particularly Sandra's bedroom.A bedroom bathed in soft champagne tones, with a rose-gold framed king bed draped in cashmere and silk. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealing a glittering skyline, while a marble fireplace casts a golden glow over a velvet chaise. One wall opens into a glass-front walk-in wardrobe lined with designer gowns and diamond displays, turning the space into both a sanctuary and a showcase of power.
Sandra woke up and faced Alex on the bed. "Good morning, Handsome.",she greeted her husband who was still sleeping after staring at him lovingly admiring his appearance and appreciating the heavens for finally bestowing him to her alone.
"It's morning already. Let's freshen up together and the we go for breakfast.", she said to him after he opened his eyes.
"Okay, go ahead, I will join you in abit.", he responded in his cold and sleepy voice.
"No no no. Get up and let's go together. ", she pulled him up and both of them went into the bathroom.