22 Beautiful In White

"Perhaps,  I was the most beautiful woman on that day,  in that white wedding dress. I stood up in a full-length mirror, looking closely at my pretty self.  Not only would I be wed to a handsome groom,  but to the person who had such a big heart in accepting my baby and me. Most of all, I would be marrying a man who promised to do all that it takes to learn to love me." Giselle then broke into soft laughter, but tears rolled out endlessly into her face.

"Jia, at that moment, I remembered you.  And I also remembered Anthon and his pain when you left. I recalled his sleepless nights..."

"It just broke my heart. And I asked myself many times if this decision was right. How could I allow two lovers to suffer because of my selfishness?"

Giselle paused and looked at Jia, who was already sniffling in her tears.

" Anthon came to see me while I was still standing before the mirror. He was so handsome in his wedding tux. He hugged me from behind. And he said,  "See you later on the altar..."

"The people around who saw us perhaps thought it was romantic and sweet of him, but I felt self-pity instead."

"On the way to the church, I held my purse.  Inside it was a plane ticket I had booked ahead. That would be for our freedom."

"So, when we were halfway to the church,  I asked the driver to drop by a pharmacy. But the moment he went out of the car,  I also went out and hastily pulled out all the flowers in my bridal car.  I then took over his seat and drove straight to the airport."

"That way,  I saved Anthon from the blame.  I only came back this year because my parents have already forgiven me. They couldn't wait to see my little girl."

Giselle then paused and covered her face with both of her hands. In the next moment, her shoulders moved, and her sob's soft sound  stirred the silence at the coffee shop.

When she calmed down,  she turned to look again at Jia, who was now sobbing louder than she did. Every now and then, she would stop crying to sip her coffee in large gulps. She never said a word throughout Giselle's confession. She looked funny, but pitiful because Giselle understood her emotional struggles. But then Giselle noticed that she almost consumed her third tall cup of coffee.

Giselle then picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Anthon, come over and bring some antacid. Your beloved is killing herself."

Terrified,  Jia hurriedly stood up and grabbed her phone. Her sobs got even louder.

Amused, Giselle shook her head and exclaimed, "You, fool! "