Leila's POV

The days had passed by slowly at the beginning, since I stayed home most of the time, but ever since we began to prepare for Tori's wedding, they flew by just like that. Since I was her maid of honor, I had been with her when it came to choosing the best cake flavor, the theme colors of the wedding, the venue, the dress, everything. It kept my mind of of you know who. His name shan't be mentioned.

There were moments when I thought of it, but I quickly dismissed those thoughts before they took me to places I didn't want to go; to a place where I could feel all those emotions again.

The day before her wedding, we had her engagement party, where women and mothers from the church came and told us all the juicy stuff. I remembered that most of the time, I closed my ears or excused myself to the kitchen. Tori looked outright uncomfortable, and I couldn't help but laugh at her. Our mothers were with us as well, so my Mom made sure that whenever she got lucky and saw me try to escape, she'd hold me back.

"You need to know these things, baby. You'll need it some day."

Not anytime soon.

The party was a success and everyone learned all they could, while I tried to wash out as much as I could but I failed successfully. These women could be crazy sometimes, if you actually sat with them long enough and had weird conversations. Surprisingly, when I told my mother about how I didn't want to go through what Tori did in my future, she said that she already knew who to call when it was time. That only freaked me out all the more.

******

Finally, the day for the wedding had finally come and everyone was getting ready. Tori was already in her dress and she looked stunning. The makeup artists were still putting on their final touches while the bridesmaids wore their dresses.

"Leila......I don't think I can do this."

Suddenly alarmed by my friend's statement, I quickly rushed to her side and held her hand.

"Yes, you can. It's the wedding jitters that are getting to you. You love Gabriel, don't you? Don't answer, I know you do. Now, you're about to go on the biggest adventure you've ever had in your life. It's gonna be bumpy sometimes, which I'd suggest is the reason for you to say what you just said. You just have to be strong and don't forget that God is always there, at the center of your marriage."

She smiled then, and gave me a hug, careful not to remove the makeup from her face.

"Thank you, Lei. You always know what to say."

I winked and smiled at her.

"I try. Now, let me gift you my goodbye present, since you're no longer in the single squad."

I took the necklace that I'd seen in a jewelry store and had reminded me of her, and carefully put it on her neck. It looked great on her, amd I was glad that I'd made a great choice. Suddenly, the door was opened and my Dad peeped in.

"People are waiting for you. The flower girl and the boys are ready."

"We'll be out soon. Just a few more minutes."

Tori and I looked at the mirror in front of us, and we smiled, suddenly remembering how we'd said that we'd be each other's maid of honor and there we were.

"Let's do this."

********

We could hear the buzz of activity going on in the church when we got there, and we began to get out of the rented limousines. The little flower girl got out of the car first and went with the little boy who was there. She had the basket of flowers while the boy had the rings.

Next, it was time for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to go and we walked in, while I, being the maid of honor, was behind with the best man. Everything was silent, except for the piano that played the usual song.

Everyone's eyes were on us, and I felt slightly awkward, but I kept my head up and made it to the front. When we got there, we stood in order. I looked at Gabriel, who looked amazing in his black suit. That was the first time I'd seen him look a hundred percent formal.

I looked to the door, and waited for my best friend to wall down the isle. It took longer than necessary for them to show up that when I saw her with my father at the doors, I breathed out a sigh of relief. People stood up and they began to walk towards us. Tori's face was covered with a veil, but Gabriel looked at her as if he was seeing the most beautiful girl in the world. She was handed over, and the pastor began to speak.

"We are gathered here today to witness......"

The following words were drowned out of my head while I kept my eyes on the soon to be married couple. They said their vows, which brought a lot of awws and tears from the crowd. I'd heard their story before, so I just smiled at my couple, glad that they'd done it and there they were, getting married.

They wore their rings and they were pronounced man and wife. Gabriel honestly couldn't wait to see her. He opened up that veil and kissed her in nanoseconds. That had the crowd in cahoots while we clapped in merriment. It truly was a beautiful moment to witness.

Everyone went to reception, where people began to talk to the bride and the groom. Then music began to be played and the newly married couple had their first dance. When they were through, everyone went onto the dancefloor. I had a dance with the best man who was called Asher. We had a blast on the floor and then the tune turned into a softer number which required a slow dance. We got off the stage and I went to get myself a drink.

"Care to dance?"

The liquid contents in my mouth were almost spit out, but I quickly composed myself and swallowed. Slowly, I turned around to see Adam wearing a brown suit with a sly smile on his face.

"Why are you here?"

He seemed confused for a second, but then he got himself together again.

"The whole church was invited, remember?"

How could you honestly forget?!

I nodded my head and took my sip of my beverage, looking at the happy people surrounding us.

"So.....do you want to dance?"

That sly smile had returned, and I wondered what was wrong with the man. Maybe his relationship with Jane was making him have a weird confidence boost. I looked around, hoping to see her close by, but I was surprised to see that there was no one around.

"Uh.....sure."

He took my hand and led me to the floor. We began to dance to the song but I kept my glance at anything else but at him.

"You're a good dancer."

I thanked him and proceeded to dance in silence.

"Where's Jane?"

"She left for Italy last week."

"Oh. Ok then."

His voice held an aura of confidence, as if he was in control of the situation.

"Why do you want to know?"

I shrugged, acting nonchalant, and replied.

"I was just curious."

He laughed slightly then, which made me look at him, confused. Was what I'd said funny?

"Don't misinterpret, Leila. I just thought of something that happened a few weeks ago."

I didn't ask what it was, but I guessed he saw that he had to tell me.

"I came across our bride in a store. She was angry at me for some reason, and I tried to talk to her like a normal human being but the conversation was just not flowing right. I asked her what her problem with me was, but she just gave me the death glare. So, being the inquisitive being that I am, I kept on following her and pestered her. She suddenly snapped and ended up saying things that she probably shouldn't have, judging from the look on her face after."

Tori was looking at us with a shocked scared look, which made me worry.

"What did she say?"

"Well..... She told me the real reason why you left."

That made my feet stop moving, which made us stop dancing. I looked up at him, shocked to see that the sly smile was back in full force.

"That is......"

He put his hands in his pocket and said it out loud.

"You love me. And you left because you thought Jane and I are together."

My heart dropped, making the room quiet for a second before all the sound and events came back in full force. He knew now, how I felt about him. There honestly was no way I could deny it.

"So what if I did? It doesn't matter anyways."

I was about to walk away when he held my hand and pulled me to him. With wide eyes, I looked into his.

"We need to talk. Come with me."

Suddenly, I was being pulled through the crowd and then led to a balcony. When we got there, he let go of my hand and closed the doors, giving him all the privacy he needed. I, however, felt like a trapped animal that was about to be eaten by its prey.

"What do you want to talk about?"

He raised his finger silencing me, and he began to speak.

"About us, about how this all happened. I don't remember exactly when I fell, but I think it was on that day we went to the carnival. It finally dawned on me when you were gone that I really did love you."

He took a breath and ruffled his hair.

"Before you came into my life, it was very normal for me. I just breathed and that was okay for me. But, when you came, I realized, slowly but surely, that my life really wasn't living. That I was lonely, sad, deprived of happiness, that I felt like I didn't deserve God's grace because of Katherine's death. You helped me change my perspective on forgiveness and faith."

He took a step closer and took my hands, and all I could do was look at me, overwhelmed by the emotions of all that he was saying.

"My life got more color, a little more fun and a lot more smiles for both me and Emilia. You helped me become better, and I'd be the biggest fool in the world if I ever let you slip out of my hands. I love you too, Leila. I love you so much...."

He laughed a little.

"..... it's ridiculous."

He took me into his arms and hugged me then, and I was still as a statue in his arms until I relaxed and hugged him back. After a short while, he let me go and looked me in the eyes. He smiled then and held my hands.

"Say it."

I smiled too, and raised my brow.

"Say what?"

"Don't play cocky with me."

I rolled my eyes, still smiling.

"I love you. Are you happy?"

Then, out of nowhere, he pecked my lips.

"Yes. Yes, I am."

He pulled me to him and deepened the kiss that time and after our passionate kiss, we looked at each other and he began to laugh.

"What's so funny now?"

"Oh, you know....."

He intertwined our fingers.

"How we could've avoided this whole month of pain if you had told me how you felt earlier."

Shocked, I hit his shoulder lightly.

"Why does it have to be me?"

"Why not you?"

He opened the door and led us back to the room that had become a houseparty in our absense. Tori looked at us with fear in her eyes, but when she saw our smiles, she smiled too and turned her attention back to her husband. Adam was looking at the couple too.

"That is going to be us soon."

I looked at him then, eyes wide.

"What?"

"What? Did I say something? Let's go dance."

I was stuck with him for the rest of the night. Where he went, there I was also. However, I had no regrets. I was with the one I loved; the one God had given me and I couldn't ask for a better man than him. With all his broken pieces, he was all mine.

But, then again, aren't we all a little Broken?

††††††††††

THE END

I will write an author's note later. I need some shut eye😴