Chapter: The Wedding Day (Jay's POV)
The house was louder than ever.
Voices everywhere.
Footsteps rushing. Doors opening and closing. Makeup brushes, dresses, jewelry, everything scattered like a storm had passed through.
And in the middle of it all…
Celestine.
She stood in front of the mirror, perfectly still.
For once… she wasn't talking.
I walked closer slowly.
"Hey," I said softly.
She didn't answer immediately. Just stared at her reflection, eyes slightly glossy.
"I'm getting married," she whispered.
"Yeah… you are."
She let out a small breath, almost a laugh, almost a cry. "This is real."
I stepped behind her, resting my hands gently on her shoulders.
"You look beautiful," I said quietly.
She smiled through the emotion. "You haven't even seen the full dress yet."
"I don't need to," I teased softly. "You could wear anything and still make Adrian forget how to breathe."
That made her laugh.
Finally.
And just like that, the tension broke.
The room filled again—makeup artists fussing, Mom tearing up for no reason, Percy running in and out like he had ten jobs at once.
"Jay!" Celestine suddenly turned. "Your dress!"
I groaned. "No one is seeing it yet."
"Especially not Keifer," she said quickly.
I smirked. "Good. Let him suffer."
Time passed too quickly.
Before I knew it, I was standing alone in front of the mirror.
My dress fell softly around me, elegant, simple—but perfect.
For a moment…
I forgot everything.
The chaos. The past. The doubts
Until—
"You look… unreal."
I froze.
Keifer.
I turned slowly.
He stood at the doorway
already in his suit. Looking handsome
Clean, sharp, composed—but his eyes…
His eyes weren't calm.
They were locked on me.
"You weren't supposed to see this," I said, trying to stay serious.
"I wasn't," he agreed.
But he didn't move.
Didn't look away.
"Then why are you here?" I whispered.
"Because I couldn't stay away."
My heart betrayed me instantly.
He stopped right in front of me.
Close enough that I could feel his breath.
"You're staring," I murmured.
"Can you blame me?"
My cheeks warmed.
"You're not supposed to see me before the wedding," I said.
"I'm not looking at the bride," he replied quietly.
"I'm looking at you
."
That made my breath hitch.
For a second, everything went quiet again.
A loud knock interrupted us.
"JAY! TIME!"
I jumped slightly.
Keifer smirked faintly.
"Duty calls, maid of honor."
I rolled my eyes. "Go. Best man."
He stepped back slowly.
But before leaving, he leaned in—
Pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead.
"For luck," he murmured.
Then he walked away.
I stood there for a moment.
Heart racing.
Breath uneven.
But this time…
The doubt felt smaller.
Quieter.
Because he stayed.
He always stayed.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
I was ready to believe it.
The music started softly.
Everything went quiet.
The kind of quiet that makes your heart beat louder than anything else.
I stood at the behind Celestine, my hands clasped tightly together.
My chest rose and fell slowly, trying to keep calm, but it was impossible.
This was real.
This was happening
.
I glanced at her.
She looked… unreal
Not just beautiful.
Happy.
And for a second, my throat tightened.
She made it.
After everything, after all the chaos, the pain, the misunderstandings…
She made it here.
And so did we.
"Don't cry," she whispered under her breath, not even looking at me.
"I'm not," I whispered back quickly.
She gave me a look.
I blinked fast. "Okay… maybe a little.
She smiled softly.
Then the doors opened.
And everything changed.
All eyes turned.
Adrian.
He stood at the end of the aisle, waiting.
But the moment he saw Celestine—
He froze.
Completely.
Like the world had just stopped for him.
His expression softened, his eyes slightly glossy, and for a second, he forgot everything else around him.
Only her.
And I felt it.
That kind of love.
The kind that doesn't need words.
I turned slightly—
And that's when I saw him.
Keifer.
Standing beside Adrian.
Best man.
But he wasn't looking at Adrian.
He was looking at me.
My breath caught.
His gaze didn't move.
Didn't shift.
Just stayed there—steady, intense, soft in a way I wasn't used to.
Like I was the only thing in the room.
I quickly looked away.
The ceremony began.
Words were spoken.
Vows were exchanged.
But I barely heard any of it.
Because every time I looked up—
He was still looking at me.
Not distracted.
Not joking.
Just… there.
Watching.
Like he was making sure I was still real.
Still his.
"Do you take—"
"Yes," Adrian said before the officiant could even finish.
Everyone laughed softly.
Celestine rolled her eyes. "At least let them finish."
"I've waited long enough," he replied.
Then came the final moment.
"By the power vested in me…"
My heart raced.
"You may kiss the bride."
Cheers erupted.
Laughter filled the air.
And just like that—
They were married.
Everyone stood, clapping, smiling, celebrating.
But I didn't move immediately.
I just stood there…
Watching.
Feeling everything all at once.
"Jay."
His voice
.
Right behind me.
I turned slowly
.
Keifer stood there, closer now.
Too close.
"You're crying," he said softly.
"I'm not," I replied quickly
.
He raised a brow.
I sighed. "Okay, maybe a little."
He smiled faintly.
Then—
Without thinking—
His thumb brushed under my eye, wiping a tear away
.
The touch was gentle.
And just like that…
Everything around us faded again.
The noise.
The people.
The celebration.
All gone.
Just him.
And me.
Standing in the middle of it all.