For years I pictured my wedding day in my head. Beautiful decorated Chapel, my friends and brother sitting on the side as I walk down the aisle with my hair curled in my white off-the-shoulder wedding dress. My groom would meet me halfway dressed in a tuxedo, looking handsome as ever. We'd exchange our vows and he'd give me a passionate kiss on the lips to sealed our faith, then we'd drive to the airport and spend on honeymoon in Puerto Rico. But that's not how my wedding day has been so far.
Instead of going to a church in a beautiful white dress, I went in from of a judge in a city hall wearing a royal blue maternity dress. My hair was in a messy ponytail. I wasn't wearing any makeup or anything that would enhance my beautiful. I was supposed to feel beautiful on my wedding day but I didn't feel beautiful and I wasn't happy either. I didn't even know today was going to be my wedding day, which also made me angry.
Andrea left me in his apartment and went to work just like the past week I've been here, except this time he called and tell me to put on a dress and he'll pick me up. Next thing I knew I was in front of a judge signing.
My brother didn't come to the wedding, he probably didn't even know about it. Andrea's lawyer and his assistant, Daniel were the only persons there and they were only there as witnesses.
The atmosphere was tense and no one bothered to address the elephant in the room since it was already pretty obvious.
Andrea was only marrying me because I was pregnant.
We were married in less than five minutes. The next five minutes Andre spent talking to his lawyer and his assistant and he was finished talking to them, he came over to tell me that Daniel will be the one taking me home because he had a meeting to attend.
Thanks for being romantic. Not.
I shook my head, I don't know why I expected him to bring me home after the wedding.
Maybe you thought thinks would change.
But somethings just don't change after marriage. We weren't on talking terms and it didn't seem like things were going to change either. If we haven't been talking before marriage why should we be talking after marriage?
He still hated me for keeping the baby a secret and I still hated him for calling me a bitch and forcing me to marry him.
Whatever friendship we had before was gone. There was little to no communications between the two of us. It started out that way because I hated the fact that he'd force me to leave New Jersey and come to California, I didn't want to talk to him and so I didn't. Eventually, he gave up and stop talking to me as well. He made sure I was sleeping before he came to bed and left before I woke.
"Are you ready to leave Mrs Moretti?" Daniel asked as she approached me.
For eighteen years I dreamt having that last name and now I had it, but not the way I wanted it. "Please call me, Jaimee."
She gave me a smile, "Jaimee, it is."
I nod at the beautiful young woman. She couldn't be older than twenty, she looked like she just finished school. Curiosity got the best of me and so I asked, "How old are you, Daniel?"
"I'm twenty," she answered immediately.
"You didn't want to go to college?" After being a teacher for five years I developed qualities that came with the profession, such as inquisitiveness and caring and both tend to work together. "Sorry, I'm just curious."
She smiled, "No, It's okay. I do want to go to college but right now I can't afford it. I'm the oldest of four children. My parents are not the best examples so I have to be looking after my siblings."
I nod, "If you need any help you can ask me."
She smiled, "That's the same thing Mr. Moretti said." I returned his smile. It was obvious she held Andrea in high esteem, Andre had that effect on people. He was generous, caring and compassionate to persons on his good side. "So what do you do for a living?" she asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I'm a teacher."
"Really?" she looked at me quickly then placed her eyes back on the road, "Yeah, I believe you."
"What do you mean?" I asked with a small smile.
"Well you look like a teacher, you dress like a teacher and you ask questions like a teacher."
"Ah!" Why did conversation sound so similar? "Occupational Hazard. I could have been a doctor."
She shrugged, "Meh, I knew you weren't. Mr. Moretti wouldn't date a doctor."
I frowned, "How do you know what Andrea would date? Exactly how long have you been working for him?" Did he date her? Nah, she was way too young for him and she wasn't exactly his type either.
Neither are you.
"Since I graduated. I'm guessing he was dating you at the time but that's not how I know he wouldn't date a doctor. You see Doctors tends to independent and overconfident people..."
I interrupted "Are you saying I'm not independent or overconfident?"
"No, ma'am. I'm saying that doctors have big egos and Mr Moretti doesn't like when a person is too much into themselves and you fit the description perfectly. Teachers are caring, they usually put their students needs ahead of their own. I think that's why Mr. Moretti choose you."
I shook my head and smile, "You couldn't be farther than the truth. You see I've known Andre since I'm eight. He likes redhead with long legs and green eyes, that's his type. He only married me because I'm pregnant." She probably already guessed, so why not say it out loud.
She frowned, "I don't think so."
I smiled at her innocence, "Andrea is my brother's best friend and he got me pregnant, he wanted to make things right between my brother and him and other reasons as well."
"You're Mr. Joris's sister?" she sounded a little surprised.
I couldn't help notice the blush that came on her face when she said the name, "You're in love with my brother."
She flushed and looked straight ahead, "I do not."
I laughed, "You do." People tend to not use contractions when they're nervous.
She sighed, "Is it obvious?"
I smiled, "Only because I used to feel the same way."
"With Mr. Moretti?" she asked. When I nod she asked, "So you don't love him anymore."
I laughed. I wish I didn't. "I do. For some crazy reason, I do still love him but I also hate him so what he's done to me."
She shrugged, "You should forgive him. He loves you too and he's angry at you as well but if you forgive each other then everything will be okay."
"He doesn't love me."
She frowned, "Of course he does. Why else would keep a picture of you in his wallet?"
"He keeps a picture of me in his wallet?" I asked surprised like a high schooler with a crush. Why would Andrea have a picture of me in his wallet? He probably had one with my brother as well.
She smiled, "Yes, I saw it with my own two eyes. At first, I thought it was his sister but then when I saw you today, it made perfect sense. You shouldn't worry too much."
I sighed. She had no reason to lie and she didn't look like the type to either but it was hard to believe that Andrea walked around with a picture of me in his wallet. Why did he do that? He didn't love me, I wish he did but he doesn't.
I looked and the younger woman and told her the honest truth, "I wish I could tell you the same thing but I can't. I don't know much about my brother's dating life and I don't want to know to be honest. I wish I could tell you that the love you feel for him will disappear but I'm going, to be honest with you, love doesn't just disappear not even with time or space. I can't give you any advice because we're basically in the same position. In love with a guy who doesn't love us back, well I'm guessing he doesn't love you back or else you'd be in a relationship."
She nodded, "I doubt he even knows I exist."
I smiled, "You're Andrea's assistant, I'm sure Jules know you exist."
"When he wants coffee," she mumbled under her breath and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm sorry, I just had to laugh."
She shrugged, "It's cool. I know a guy like him would never like a girl like me anyways."
I gave her a sad smile, "We should hang out some more. You seem like you'd be a good sister in law."
Her face lid up, "You have another brother?"
I shook my head and laughed, "No, just Jules but if you like him so much maybe I can help you."
"You don't mind." she nodded. "If it involves Mr. Joris giving me a little attention then I'm glad."
I smile, "Of course. I have a few weeks until the baby comes, I might as well spend it doing something fun."
She frowned, "Something fun?"
I smiled and rest my hand on my tummy, "Playing Matchmaker."
.....................
Jules and Daniel's story is called Sweet Distraction (Upcoming, 2020)
Thanks for reading. Please read, vote and comment. (They make me smile)
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