Warm steam rose slowly, the scent of lavender wafting softly through the air, creating a calming effect. Rose petals floated on the surface, some sticking to the skin of her shoulders, half of her body submerged in the water. She rested her head on the edge of the marble, her eyes closed, trying to relax. Her breathing felt heavy, as if today would be an exhausting day for her.
At the edge of the bathtub was a glass of matcha that had not been touched. She didn't want anything, just to be left alone. Outside, she could hear the waiter's footsteps receding. No one was allowed to enter without her permission.
Her hand slowly parted the water, creating small ripples. Every movement felt slow and deliberate. It was very soothing. She loved it. She didn't say a word, only the sound of music could be heard. At this moment, silence was a form of luxury for Alexa.
She sat quietly in front of the gold-framed mirror, behind which small lights revealed her plain face without makeup. Her eyes looked a little puffy. Eyes cannot lie, she had been crying all night. Skilled hands slowly applied foundation to her face, concealing the traces of fatigue from the night before.
Next to her, the hairstylist began to style her hair neatly, rolling and clipping each strand into place, making sure everything was neat and nothing was out of place. There were no instructions or complaints. She just sat quietly, letting the process run its course.
Her footsteps echoed on the marble floor. The sliding door opened automatically, revealing a room that resembled a private boutique rather than a closet. Rows of symmetrically arranged shoe racks were filled with Passion Diamond Shoes, Louboutin heels, and other famous brands. Everything was clean and well maintained. On the left side was her collection of luxury bags. The bags were neatly arranged by color and size.
She stood in the middle of the room, wearing an emerald silk robe. Her hands picked up a dress that had been prepared for her. The gold satin dress fell in a strapless style with a V-neck and a subtle slit on the right side that was only visible when she walked. The dress perfectly followed the curves of her body.
Alexa looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked beautiful. She didn't want to be late for the blessing ceremony. Alexa immediately grabbed her clutch bag and the invitation on her dressing table. Her gaze instantly turned sad when she saw the name on the invitation. It was a wedding invitation from the Sterling family.
After the incident at the café, Alexa stopped communicating with Sean. For two weeks, her life felt lonely and empty. Shortly after that, Nathalia sent a gold dress that was specially designed for all her friends and relatives.
When she received the package, Alexa was shocked. Her chest felt like it had been hit repeatedly. She felt suffocated. She didn't cry at that moment, crying couldn't describe how hurt she was. Her brain was slow to process everything. Between belief and disbelief, everything felt uncertain. She just stood there silently, her hands trembling as she tried to strengthen herself to open the packages one by one.
Alexa's reverie was interrupted when she heard Alyssa shouting downstairs. Marrie and Alyssa had been waiting for her to get ready for a long time. Alexa immediately went downstairs, descending the stairs one by one.
"My beautiful daughter." Marrie greeted Alexa with a smile. Unfortunately, this never received a warm response from her second child. The three of them got into the car that had been waiting for its owner for a long time.
***
The evening sky stretched wide above the green courtyard. It was located right behind a private mansion overlooking the lake. The wedding area is like a living painting. The evening breeze moves slowly, stirring the thin curtains hanging from the glass arches decorated with roses, orchids, and peonies. The wedding venue is not a closed room. The transparent glass structure, as tall as a tree, is shaped like an open modern cathedral with walls decorated with fresh flowers.
The altar stood on a glass arch decorated with 30,000 white flowers that had been delivered a week earlier. Along the aisle were reflective glass panels built above the surface of an artificial lake. Guests sitting on the right and left sides could see the bride and groom as if they were walking on water.
At the dining table with white marble, linen napkins are neatly folded, complete with individual flower arrangements and hand-engraved name cards for each guest. As well as a gold foil-covered dinner menu.
This is not just a wedding, but a lifestyle statement. In high-end weddings, details are everything.
Alexa loved every detail of this wedding decoration. It was like seeing her own dream wedding come true. Even though marriage was no longer a priority in her life, a strange question still arose. Will I ever be at this stage?
People who don't want to get married are actually the ones who want it the most, but their desire is overshadowed by fear and trauma.
On the right and left sides, the bridesmaids stood neatly, ready to welcome the bride and groom with solemnity. At the same time, they witnessed the beauty of this sacred moment. Their journey of love would be perfected with the exchange of sacred vows before God as a form of their eternal bond. It was truly beautiful.
Elsewhere, a man was pacing back and forth wearing a black tuxedo with a black bow tie, giving him an elegant touch. His hair was neatly styled with a classic side part, emphasizing his authority. His hands held a piece of paper containing the sacred vows he would recite before his God. He had never felt this nervous before.
"Bro, relax." Raphael patted the man on the shoulder, trying to calm him down.
The man simply nodded. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, took a breath, and adjusted his hair slightly. He seemed nervous, because this was the first time he had shown the woman's face to everyone directly before God. The nervousness that now enveloped him could not hide the handsomeness and happiness that was clearly visible in his blue eyes. He was very happy.
Soon, the sound of heels approaching his room could be heard. The door opened to reveal a woman who was very familiar to him. The woman was moved, seeing the little boy she had raised now embarking on a new life. As a husband.
"The guests are waiting. Let's go out," said the woman.