Stealing the Groom

Thirty-Two

XXXII: Wedding Day

MY BODY ACHES. Every movement is laced with pain, a reminder of my encounter with Dexter Arbogast when all I want to do is forget he ever existed.

As soon as I'd exited out the back door of the ballroom, making sure that no one saw the atrocious state I was in, I went to the penthouse to wash Dex's taste away.

Once I was in a pair of jeans and my trusty UGGs, I took my luggage and was ready to go out the door but the ringer of my phone stopped me in my tracks.

It was Simone, most likely wondering where I was. We were supposed to leave for our grandparents' estate right after the conclusion of the rehearsal dinner along with the rest of the wedding party.

My finger hovered over the screen, debating whether or not to answer. I let the call go to voicemail only for the screen to light up with Simone's name once again. With a sigh I answered.

"H-Hello," I spoke past the lump in my throat. Talking to her was the last thing I wanted to do right now, but also the bruising in my neck made it that much harder.

"Eleanor, where have you disappeared to? We've just gotten to Grandmother's."

I opened my mouth to say that I was leaving but I couldn't. I owed her an explanation,  and the physical signs Dexter left behind on my skin provided the best excuse for my need to leave. "I-I just came for something at the penthouse. I'll be there shortly."

"Do hurry, Eleanor. We're all about to go to bed. I don't want my maid of honor having bags tomorrow!"

In a quiet tone I ended the call and just as I was about to walk towards the elevator I heard it open. With a gasp,  I turned and hid in the coat closet. Seeing Max again tonight would not be a good idea, and I know for sure I won't be able to keep composed.

"So what are we doing here again?" I heard Cole say. My brows furrowed in confusion. What was he doing here?

"Told you, I've just come to get my keys and some files."

"What work could be so important that you're doing it the night before your wedding?" Cole said with an edge in his tone.

"Just...some stuff I have to look into. Look, I might be a while. Why don't you head over to the estate, I'll be there soon."

"Alright, whatever you say. But if you look tired as shit tomorrow Simone will personally kick my ass for letting you stay out in the city."

"I won't. Thanks man, see you."

I quickly texted Cole to wait outside the building as I heard Max's footsteps go up the stairs. Dashing into the elevator, I made my descend from Max's penthouse for the last time.

"What were you doing in there?" Cole said when he saw me exit the building.

"Getting my things. I leave tomorrow morning." Cole raised his eyebrows at that but didn't respond except for a worried look and a small smile.

"Alright, let's go then."

AT THE STRIKE of midnight tonight, everything will have changed.

Tonight, two people will exchange vows  and will greet the New Year, as well as their new life together, with open arms.

The time has come.

The wedding is just a few short hours away, and if there were ever any doubt in my mind that today would be the hardest day of my life, the worry was soon reassured when my eyes fluttered open to a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.