My phone is vibrating in my pocket but I dare not answer it. I don't want to answer it when I'm all stressed out. The last time I did I got an invitation to organize the wedding of the one I love to another man. I'm not taking any risks this time. After sometime the vibration stopped and the tone signifying I got a text rang. I fished my phone out of my pocket and flipped it open to read the message Hey Nathan! Me and the guys are getting together this evening if you're not too busy maybe we you'd want to come? It's at the pub just down your workplace. See ya! -King I looked at the clock hanging on the wall above the door of my office 8:00 pm I sighed as I grabbed my coat and my keys. I need that drink. A groan. A thud. A curse I lifted my arm to shield my eyes from the glaring light from my window. I then glanced at my side to my clock and my eyes widened. 7:30 am Fuck! I'm late for my meeting. But just as I tried to stood up a strong throbbing sensation hit my head and a prickling pain suddenly shot through my body causing me to fall back on my bed Dammit! I can't be sick! I have a lot of work today and I'm already late I swung my feet to the floor and tried to stand up ignoring the searing pain in my body. I was just a few feet away from the door when I felt myself losing my balance and my consciousness. THUD "Nathen! Dammit! I told you to stay in bed" I half opened my eyelids and stared at the ceiling. What just happened? Massaging the bridge of my nose I tried to remember last night's events King's invitation. Driving to the pub. Getting drunk. Passing out. Waking up with hang over big time. Falling on the floor then passing out again and the last thing I remember was a familiar voice calling me and auburn hair Then it hit me. I thought I fell on the floor? How did I get here? And why did I suddenly think Melissa was here? 'Oh great' I though 'Not only am I sick I was suffering from hallucinosis too. What's next?' Note to self never drink raw vodka coming from King. I was snapped out of my thoughts when a voice suddenly spoke "Oh good. You're awake" said a voice I know too well. She approached my bed carrying what seems to be a basin with cold water. She placed it on the table beside my bed, which I didn't notice probably because of my hang over, and reached out to touch my forehead. A shuddered ran down my spine at the contact and I almost sighed in disappointment when the hand lifted "Good. You're fever has gone down" she said with a smiled before put a wet towel on my forehead "Just drink you're medicine and you can go back to rest" she said as she helped me sit up and fed ma a tablet before assisting me on drinking water. My vision is still hazy but I'm sure as hell that the one with me right now is Melissa. She helped me lie down again, tucked the comforter up to my waist and even fluffed my pillows "I'll be here when you need me just call out 'kay?" she said patting my head "Thank you, Melissa" "Sweet dreams Nathan" I woke up for the third time this day but this time feeling much better. Noticing the darkness in the room I guess it's already dusk. I stood up and headed for the bathroom and proceeded to the kitchen after getting dressed. Noticing a sticky note stuck on the plasma screen in the living room I approached it and plucked it off. Hey Nathan! I hope you're already better when you read this. Jeez, Nathan know your limits! I'm not your nanny who would pick you up when you crashed down due to alcohol! There's food on the table and remember to drink your medicine okay? X X little girl P.S. since you're sick today I'll let the nickname pass! XP I smiled at the note she even used the nickname she was most annoyed at. Proceeding to the kitchen to and sure enough there is food on the table. I put it in the microwave to heat as I read the note again. Then I sat infront the television as I ate the delicious meal she cooked. I smiled ruefully. I would be waking up everyday like this if only I wasn't such a coward. It's been a long time since someone took care of me that I forgot how it feels like. It felt nice
November "Oi Nathan I want my wedding to be on November" "Why's that little girl?" She gave me a mysterious smile before turning back her attention on the parfait she was eating. "Sir, where shall I put this?" "At the left side of the patio" "Sir the flower arrangements just arrived" "Bring them in" Another tiring day, another day of pure torture organizing her wedding while pretending to be impassive and convincing myself I'm happy for her. Staring outside the window admiring the city lights at night I didn't sensed the person who entered my office "Boo" I jumped when that person blew on my ear as I instinctively whipped my head a round to see Randy on the floor laughing "Goddammit you idiot! You almost gave me a heart attack!" He just continued laughing almost out of breath. Now if this man wasn't my bestfriend I would have pummeled him but instead I settled on glaring at him and let him continue with his laughing fit "Yeah, laugh all you want because when Helen gets pregnant you won't be able to laugh that hard for a long time" His laugh gradually turned into snickers and he looked at me with a smirk. Seriously, where did the old Randy go? He used to be this gentle person who wouldn't scare the crap out of you and then laugh afterwards. He used to smile not smirk. And I blame Helen. "Who would've thought I'll live the day to see the great Nathan Harris on edge" "Shut up" "Nervous aren't we?" "What?" "It's normal to be nervous when you're getting married. After all you're saying good bye to your freedom" he said with a smirk And I have no idea what he's talking about "What are you saying?" He sighed and playfully rolled his eyes "Congratulations pal. You're finally getting married" he patted my back "I'm not" Randy stopped and looked at me questioningly "Aren't you and Melissa getting married?" "She is. I'm not" "What?" I sighed and stared at him impassively, trying not to show my despair "It's not me" "What do you mean it's not you?" "She's getting married and it's not me" I inwardly cringe at the words and at the face Randy made the moment he heard the truth Yes. I, Nathan Harris, had lost -a couple days later- "Hurry up Nathan! We haven't got all day!" she hollered at me skipping towards the cake shop. I sighed as I tried my best to catch up with her. "What is taking you so long slowpoke?! C'mon!" I glared at her back. Reaching my destination, I stopped to catch my breath. I pushed the door open and walked in. Her head whipped around as soon as she heard the bell of the cake shop sound. "Finally! What took you so long? It's like what, a five minute walk from the shop to here" she said incredulously Dropping the bags on the marble floor I glared at her. "Huh. Easy for you to say you idiot. You're not the one lugging around this multiple carrying bags" She giggled and stood up from the stool she's sitting. She walked towards my direction and tugged my hand to the receptionist "Aw c'mon, you know you love me" I stiffened at her words. Does she even have any idea what she's saying?! I inwardly smirked as I thought about this. You have no idea. Absolutely no idea "Oi Nathan" Melissa called from the passenger seat. "Hn?" I grunted half listening half concentrating on the road "What f it rains on my wedding day?" she asked worriedly. I sighed "No it won't" She looked at me beadily "How would you know?" "It won't rain" "You think so?" her gaze turning into a hopeful one I parked the car and turned off the engine. Turning to her I said confidently "I know so" before getting out of the car She smiled before going out of the car as well. "Thanks for going shopping with me Nathan" "Hn" I looked at her blankly she's shifting her gaze from my car to hers in a contemplating manner "Sorry but…can you help me transfer them to my car" I looked at her irritation clearly etched on my face "Don't push your luck little girl" Melissa looked at me pleadingly. Jutting her lower lip in a pout and putting on those deadly puppy dog's eyes of hers. "Please?" Goddamn her cuteness. "Fine!" I said in surrender opening the compartment of my car getting the heavy stuffs while she carried the lighter ones and put them in her car. "There. Happy now?" She nodded enthusiastically "Is there anything else your highness?" I said executing a mock bow Giggling she punched my playfully in the arm "Don't be like that Nathan!" she tittered "You know you love me!" Suddenly all the playfulness in me vanished. I straighten up, finding the ground surprisingly interesting. She's been saying that throughout the whole trip completely unaware of its effect on me. I've been ignoring it all day but somehow this time—this time—something snapped. This time it made something inside me light up and before I knew it words are streaming out of my mouth by uncontrolled feelings "You have no idea do you?" I asked eyes still casted on the ground "What?" "Yes. I do" Puzzlement visible in her features "What are you talking about Nathan?" I clenched my fist at my side. Why is she so effing dense?! "You still don't get it do you?" Looking at her vexation clearly in my features. I took a step forward "I love you" I said and looked her straight in the eyes with conviction "I always have and I still do" I heard her omit a small gasp upon my declaration "And even until now that you're getting married I still love you" putting a hand on my forehead a wry smile escaped my lips "After all these years I can't believe I never got over you" "And you even want your wedding to be on my birthday" I said with clenched teeth "You're really trying to kill me aren't you?" I looked at her again and I notice her shocked face. Of course, who wouldn't be? "Then why did you agreed to organize my wedding?" "I did it because I thought if I can remember every single day that you're already taken maybe these feelings might ebb away into nothing and I can slowly accept the fact that you'll never be mine" "But—" "Sorry" looking down I spoke again "I didn't say this to ruin your wedding and I'm not expecting you to return my feelings. I..I" I looked up and saw tears streaming down her eyes "I just want you to know" She walked towards me and for a moment I braced myself for a lashing or any kind of action she would do, but instead she smiled up to me and reached for my cheeks caressing it with her thumb "Idiot" she uttered "I'm sorry Nathan" "It's not your fault" She shook her head no "I'm sorry I didn't realize it before and sorry for putting you through this torture but…you're just too late" Holding her hands I pressed my forehead against hers "I know" I whispered before leaning down and capturing her soft lips I kissed her tenderly pouring all of my suppressed emotions into the kiss. Frustration. Longing. Happiness. Guilt Tears continued to stream down her cheeks as she kissed back We parted for air and I hugged her. Savoring the last time I could hold her in my arms like this Pulling away I smiled a sad smile at her before walking away "Good bye Melissa" 22th November Lying on my bed I stared blankly at the ceiling of my room and listening to the pitter patter of raindrops outside. How pathetic. It's my birthday and the day of her wedding I could already hear fate singing me a birthday song. I smirked as I put an arm over my eyes. By now the wedding is already commencing and she's probably down the aisle saying her vows to the lucky bastard who have won her. And I know I should be there making all the final touches but I'm not a masochist. I don't want to be there to watch the only woman I ever love walk down the aisle to another man's arm and besides I don't think I could face her again after what happened two weeks ago. Sighing I continue to stare at the ceiling like it's the most interesting thing in the world Knock Knock I was snapped out of my reverie when I heard knocking on my door. I didn't move from my position not bothering to answer the door. It'll stop as soon as it realize no one's home Closing my eyes I prepared to succumb from the drowsiness overpowering me. The aftereffect of my work is slowly catching up. Exhausted from all the all-nighters I pulled just to give Mikan her perfect wedding Ironic indeed The knocking turned to banging and it became louder and louder as it got harder to ignore. Whoever this is he sure got the nerve to disturb me. I won't back down though. 'Bang as long as you want see if I care. I'm not dragging myself up just to open the damned door' "Open up Harris! I know you're in there!" The person banging the door shouted. The person I knew too well. The person who should be in the altar now saying 'I do' to her soon-to-be husband I shot up from bed immediately and ran from my room to get the door. And I was right There standing on my doorstep was Melissa. All soaked and disheveled. Her wedding gown that she herself designed was now smudged with mud, a torn part can be seen on the left side and some of the embroidered beads had fallen off. Her hair that seemed to be up in what supposed to be an elegant bun was now messy and lopsided and a quarter of her hair had fell and had stick to her face because of the rain. Her make-up gone and she was barefooted. "Well? Aren't you letting me in?" she said a frown on her face while she hugged her shivering self Stepping aside, I opened the door wider for her. "Looks like someone ran away from the most important day of her life" She stepped inside and glared at me "Shut up" "What are you doing here?" "I came here to have a refund you jerk" 'A refund?' I thought flummoxed. I just stare at her not believing what was happening. "You said it wouldn't rain on my wedding" Finally registering what she's saying incredulity crossed my face "What?!" I shouted "How would I know it wouldn't rain?! I'm just a wedding planner not a miracle worker for Christ's sake!" I bellowed as I continued my rant "Why are you women like that?! You think us wedding planners could do—" I was cut off by a pair of soft cold lips and despite my shocked state I managed to wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her back - hours later- "So all of that for nothing?!" She pouted "What? You got me didn't you?" I narrowed my eyes at her. Looking at her dressed with my smallest sweatshirt and shorts with that playfully smile on her face its hard to stay mad at her for a long time. I sighed. Seriously, what do I do with her? She inched closer as she leaned her head on my shoulder and I instinctively wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sorry I took so long" Realizing what she's saying a smile made its way on my lips as I wait for her to say the words I long to hear "I love you too Nathan" she uttered capturing my lips with hers in a sweet kiss She smiled when we broke a part "Happy birthday Nathan!" I smiled as I wrapped my arms around her petite form and rested my head on hers As we sat there on the couch enjoying each other's warmth, Melissa cradled in my arms, and the pitter patters of the rain outside I looked back at everything that's happened and at the same time the possibility that the next wedding I'd plan would be our wedding. A small chuckle escaped my lips at this thought "Who would've thought it would all turn out okay eh?" she asked seemingly reading my mind I smirked upon her statement.Yeah. Who would've thought?