Episode 4

The Wedding

They lived.

I slowly moved the phone away from my ear and placed it on the table, tears streaming down my eyes as every word she said echoed in my head.

"Ready for...?" Jeimy enters the room and upon seeing me, falls silent and rushes towards me. "What's wrong, Vivian?" she asks, alarmed. "Tell me those tears are of happiness," she questions, and I shake my head from side to side, denying it. "What's going on?"

"Kendall called me, and..."

"What did that idiot tell you?" she asks angrily.

"The same things I already knew," I respond. "Jeimy, this is a mistake, this is wrong, it's best to cancel this wedding," I say, wiping away my tears.

"No way! You can't do that!" She exclaims. "You can't give her the satisfaction, that harpy."

"Jeimy, it's not about giving her satisfaction, every word she said is true."

"Forget what she told you! Vivian, she's desperate, that stupid girl feels threatened, that's why she called," Jeimy takes my hand and intertwines it with hers. "I bet she told you that Tomas won't love you and that he'll always love her and blah, blah, blah. It's obvious she's scared! If not, why did she wait until today to call you? Why hadn't she called or tried to reach out to you before?"

"I... I don't know, I guess Tomas convinced her not to," I respond, confused.

"Yes, and she waited until now, that implies fear. Vivian, don't let yourself be intimidated by the poison that vile woman spewed. Jeimy tightens her grip on my hand and smiles sweetly. "Remember that a few weeks ago, you were resigned to never being by Tomas' side, and now you're about to become his wife. Don't cower now."

I remain silent for several seconds, contemplating Jeimy's words. Could she be right? Did Kendall only call to say those things because she feels threatened? If I decide to continue with this wedding, will I ever have Tomas' love?

The door to the room opens, and mom enters with a smile, but her expression immediately changes upon seeing me.

"What's wrong, Vivian? Why that look on your face? You seem like you're going to a funeral, not your wedding," she says, approaching me.

"Nothing's wrong, Mrs. Luisa. Vivian is crying tears of happiness, right, friend?" Jeimy asks.

I remain silent for several seconds, and both of them look at me expectantly. In that moment, I remember the words mom told me when she found out about what had happened and about my upcoming wedding to Tomas.

"You've been in love with that boy since you met him, just like Jeimy says, this is a great opportunity. If you want him for yourself, get married, don't be foolish. If not, look at me, because of my stupidity and cowardice, your father left with that bitch. Sometimes I think if I had acted more intelligently, I could have made him stay with me, but I wallowed in sorrow and ended up alone with a daughter in bed."

Mom is right, and so is Jeimy. I can't give up now; I have to seize this opportunity. Maybe it's the only one I'll ever have. I dry my tears and smile.

"Yes, mom, I'm just crying tears of happiness," I say, and she smiles enthusiastically.

"Okay, for a moment I thought you had backed out," she comments.

"Not at all," Jeimy says.

"Well, I came to tell you that the notary has arrived, and everyone is waiting for you. So, let's go."

"Oh, really? But let me fix your makeup first," Jeimy exclaims.

"Hurry up, we can't keep the guests and the groom waiting," Mom comments.

Minutes later, I walk nervously down the aisle formed by the chairs where the few wedding guests have taken their seats.

Right in front of me, a few meters away, Tomas stands, dressed in a black suit that makes him even more handsome than he already is. His expression remains stoic, without a trace of emotion, and I convince myself that it's normal for him to be that way since he's only doing this out of obligation. The people around me murmur who knows what, making me even more nervous. After several seconds, I reach the end of the aisle and stand next to the groom.

"Here is my daughter, Tomas. She's my treasure, so take care of her," says my mother, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Anyone listening would think she's a loving mother, but nothing could be further from the truth. Tomas remains silent, simply positioning himself in front of the notary, and I do the same.

"You may begin," orders Tomas.

"Very well, Tomas Jhonson Stevens and Vivian Smith Laurent are gathered here this morning to unite their lives in matrimony..." the man continues with the customary words until he asks the long-awaited question.

"Tomas Joseph Jhonson Stevens, do you accept Vivian Elisabeth Smith Laurent as your lawfully wedded wife, according to the laws of the United States of America?"

"Yes," he replies curtly.

"Please sign here," the notary asks him, handing him a pen. Tomas takes it without hesitation, signs the document, and returns the pen to the notary.

"Vivian Elizabeth Smith Laurent, do you accept Tomas Joseph Johnson Stevens as your lawfully wedded husband, according to the laws of the United States of America?"

"Yes," I hesitantly respond.

"Very well, please sign here." In contrast to Tomas, I take the pen with trembling and sweaty hands, but manage to place my signature on the paper.

"Very well, is there anyone who opposes this union?" the notary questions, and after several seconds of silence, he smiles. "Very well, by the power vested in me by the laws of the United States of America and the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss." He concludes, and the guests applaud enthusiastically. I swallow hard and look at Tomas, who maintains his stoic expression. Without saying anything, he approaches me and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"You'll never be my wife," he whispers near my ear before stepping away, leaving me static for several seconds as I muster a titanic effort to hold back my tears.

"Congratulations, my friend!" Jeimy exclaims, reaching me and embracing me. "We're sisters-in-law now. Isn't that wonderful?" she questions, and I nod. After her congratulations, others follow.

Several hours later, the reception finally comes to an end. At this moment, I find myself in a limousine with Tomas, heading towards a hotel where we are supposed to spend the night. There will be no honeymoon trip.

There is a heavy atmosphere in the air as neither of us says anything. Tomas looks irritated, so I prefer to remain silent, recalling my mother's advice.

"Stay away from a man when he's angry if you don't want to get hurt."

Just the thought of it sends shivers down my spine, although I doubt Tomas would physically harm me. Nevertheless, I decide to keep quiet.

After a few seconds, the limousine comes to a stop, and the chauffeur opens the door. Tomas exits first and walks towards the hotel entrance, while the chauffeur extends his hand to help me out of the car.

"Thank you," I say, and he smiles at me.

I walk with quick steps, and upon entering the hotel, I see Tomas handing his credit card to the receptionist. Wasn't the room already paid for?

I approach them, and the receptionist greets me warmly.

"Good morning, ma'am. How may I assist you?" she asks, and I furrow my brow, thinking Tomas was supposed to pay for our room. He remains silent, and I look at the receptionist. "We have a reservation for a room under the name of Tomas Jhonson," I say. The woman furrows her brow and glances at Tomas.

"Give us a minute," he says, taking hold of my arm and forcefully pulling me towards a corner.

"Ouch, you're hurting me!" I say, trying to free myself from his grip.

"Shut up and listen," he announces, annoyed. "Did you really think I would spend the night with you? Are you crazy?" he says. "I canceled the reservation that my grandmother had made. I asked for a room for myself and Kendall." I look at him, shocked.

"B...But it's our wedding night, you can't do this," I whisper in a barely audible voice.

"I already did."

"And where am I supposed to go?"

"I don't know, do you think I care?" he questions, smirking. "You can go sleep under a bridge for all I care," he concludes, walking towards the reception desk.

"Tomas" I call him but he doesn't answer, when he arrives at the reception, the girl gives him the room key. Just at that moment, Kendall enters the hotel, dressed in a beautiful red dress, perfectly made up. He smiles at her and walks towards her. When he reaches her side, he takes her by the waist and kisses her passionately.

My chest aches as if a dagger had been buried in my back, and tears stream from my eyes.

They finish the passionate kiss and look at me. She smiles triumphantly while he takes her by the waist and guides her to the elevator. The elevator doors open and they step inside. They kiss again, and with that scene, the elevator doors close, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth and a piercing pain in my chest.

Kendall Donovan

Poor Vivian, she is very naive and easily manipulable. Unfortunately, the people around her take advantage of that.

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