Chapter 20: Tomorrow.
"Welcome back." Naya says as she hands me a cup of coffee.
"Thank you." I tell her as I walk to my office.
"Looking good, Miss Stone." Evan tells me.
Evan is an intern here at Stone Construction and also my cousin, on my mother's side.
"You can kiss my ass all you want, Evan. You're not getting the corner office." I tell him and he groans, throwing his hands up in disappointment.
I laugh at his reaction as I open the door to my office.
There's a huge stack of paperwork on my desk.
"What's all this?" I ask Naya.
"It's all the files and papers you have to sign. Welcome back." She says, placing my bag on the coffee table before she walks out of my office.
I sit in my chair and I stare at the stack of papers in front of me.
Ugh.
I better get to work.
Hours later, I sign the last paper and I lay my head on my desk, trying to catch some sleep.
My phone rings and I let out a frustrated sigh.
"Hello." I say as I bring the phone to my ear.
"Valarie." Ashton says and I roll my eyes.
"What is it?" I ask him.
"We haven't picked a date for the grand opening yet." Ashton reminds me.
"We can do it on the eighteenth of June." I suggest.
"That's my anniversary. How about the twenty-second?" He asks me.
"Yeah. Sounds great." I tell him, bored of this conversation.
I'm hungry.
"I'll have my assistant plan the whole thing. Talk to you soon." I say before hanging up.
I grab my phone, then my bag. Walking out of my office, I tell my receptionist to reschedule all the meetings I have today, for tomorrow.
I walk to my car and drive home. As soon as I get home, I pour a pack of cat food in Tiffany's plate. After that, I decided to cook some Lo Mein and chicken. It takes me forever, but I finish cooking and I make myself a plate. I place the tray of food on the dining table and then I grab a wine glass and pour white wine in it. I add some ice cubes in my wine and I place it beside the tray. I sit at the table and I start eating the food.
This actually tastes good.
As I eat alone, I can't help but flashback to the moments in my life, where I didn't have to eat alone. Whether it was a friend or love interest by my side, I never ate alone. But look at me now.
Sad and alone.
I'm sorry if I'm sounding depressed, but I can't help it. My life has lost its spark. And it's not helping matters that I'm attending my ex and ex-best friend's wedding tomorrow.
What is life?
I take a last bite out of my food before I pick up the tray and place it in the sink. I don't feel like washing it, so I just leave it there. I head to my room and I take a quick shower. I wrap myself in a silk robe, when I get out of the shower.
Getting into my bed, I snuggle with Tiffany who is already asleep and I try to sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a field day for me.
***
I fix my hair in the rearview mirror as I drive to the church where the ceremony is being held. I have on a maroon dress and silver heels. My makeup is natural and I pair the outfit with earrings and a necklace.
Parking my car in the church parking lot, before I come down and start walking to the building. As I walk inside the church, everywhere goes quiet. I feel eyes on me as I walk to the front row. The ushers out front already told me where I would be sitting. I see my name on the chair and I take my seat.
The ceremony starts shortly after and I brace myself. If you had told High School me that I would be sitting at Spencer and Alicia's wedding, I would have laughed in your face and poured my drink down your shirt. But I'm happy for them.
I really am.
Alicia was my best friend once upon a time and we talked about our wedding day all the time. Hers just happened to come before mine.
The pianist starts playing a tune and
Keith Yarander mounts the stage. I stare at him in shock.
No way!!!
He starts singing and the chapel doors open. Alicia is standing at the door with her dad by her side. Her gown is a mermaid tail dress with embroidered stones and crystals. It has a plunging neckline and is corseted around her waist. Her veil trails behind her as she walks. It's about six feet long. Wild guess, I don't really know how long her veil is.
She looks so beautiful.
Her father leaves her as she gets to the altar and hands her over to Spencer, who is dressed in a maroon suit.
"You may be seated." The pastor tells us, and the people in the congregation take their seat.
"Dear beloved, we have come together this morning to join Mr. Spencer Maddock and Miss Alicia Hastings." The pastor says and I relax in my seat.
Minutes pass and it's finally time for the couple to say their vows. The couple hold hands before Alicia starts speaking.
"Spencer, I am nothing without you. You have been my backbone for the last six years. I am in love with you and that will never change. I promise to be the heart of your home and the woman of your dreams. Having a husband like you is honor enough. I vow to love you and cherish you, till my dying day." Alicia says with a smile on her face.
"Alicia, you are a dream come through, an answered prayer. Loving you has taught me patience, loving you has made me brave. Brave enough to say that you are the only woman that I will ever love wholeheartedly for as long as I live. I vow to be the best husband to you and our children. I vow to provide for you and cater to your needs, both physically and emotionally. I vow to be one with you and no one else. I love you Alicia Hastings. Thank you for saying yes." Spencer says and I wipe my teary eyes.
When am I ever gonna stand on that altar and declare my undying love for someone's son?
I guess it's just not in the cards for me.
"With the power vested in me, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The pastor says and Spencer grabs Alicia's face and presses his lips on hers.
Everyone stands up as they clap and cheer for the newlyweds. Someone places a broom at the edge of the altar and Spencer and Alicia jump over it. The crowd cheers for them as they walk out of the church.
My phone buzzes in my purse and I ignore it. An announcement is made about the reception. I make my way to my car. As I get to my car, I hear someone call my name. Turning around, I see Spencer.
"Hey, congratulations." I tell him and he smiles in response.
"Alicia and I were wondering if you'd like to take a picture with us?" He asks and I nod.
"I'd love to." I tell him. He leads me to where the photographer is standing and for the first time in the years, I am standing face to face with my ex-best friend.
"Hi." I say, awkwardly.
Alicia doesn't say anything back, instead she pulls me into a warm hug. We stay like that for a while before we pull away.
"Thank you for being here. For real it means a lot to me." She tells me.
"I had to come. We talked about our weddings all the time. I'm very happy for you and I'm so glad I got to witness yours." I say, smiling at her. "And you had Keith Yarander sing at your wedding, nothing tops that." I add.
"I know right." She squeals.
"Alright ladies, picture time." Spencer says, standing beside me. I'm in between Alicia and Spencer. I smile for the photograph and the photographer takes the picture.
"You guys better make some babies tonight." I tell them. They laugh as I pull away.
"Are you coming for the reception?" Alicia asks and I shake my head.
"I can't. I have a meeting with the mayor." I say, trailing off.
"Well, you can't miss that. I'll call you when I can." Alicia tells me and I nod.
"See you guys soon." I tell them before I walk back to my car and get in. Staring at the two of them from my car, I try to make peace with what has now become.
I don't hold any grudges against two of them and I wish them the very best. Putting my car in drive and I pull out of my parking spot. I speed down the road, heading to the mayor's office.