When I found you... Chapter 24(Jaevon Fanfic)

“We’re getting married!” Fretzie and Brett announced to the group gathered around them.

The five people surrounding were all surprised with their mouth hanging open. Then a resounding applause and shouts of congratulations echoed through the room.

The two girls went to Fretzie and hugged her. Fretzie showed her engagement ring to Devon and Yen. The three men were surrounding Brett and patted him on the back.

“When’s the big day?” Ivan asked when they are all seated again.

“Two weeks from now. It’s too early, I know. Brett even insisted we do it this weekend. But of course, I have some preparations to make.”

“You can’t blame me. I can’t wait for you to be mine.” Brett said, looking adoringly at Fretzie.

“Way to go, man!” Ryan shouted and took a glass of wine and announced for a toast. “Here’s for the future Mr. and Mrs. Collin!”

“Cheers!” all of them gaily shouted.

They talked about the preparations and where it’s gonna be held. Brett chose James to be the best man and Fretzie chose Devon to be the maid of honor. Every now and then, the girls exchanged opinions on what color to use, flowers to buy, how many guests will be there and the time of the wedding. All the while, the men are talking nonsense on the sidelines, looking contented and lax.

The sun was glinting above the sky. The weather was warm and the sea breeze was playing along the shore, gently blowing the white cloth covering the chairs and tables, a perfect day for a beach wedding. People were busy preparing for the bounteous occasion. Everyone was scurrying, busy with their own task.

Fretzie kept looking at the window, looking at their guests. She has been pacing the room restlessly. Holding her bouquet of white roses, blue freesia with little sapphire crystals and silver painted shells, she felt dread and panic seeping through her, overwhelming her senses.

I can’t do this… God, I can’t do this…

Everything’s been a whirlwind! I don’t even know how to be a wife!

What if after a few days, weeks, months… Brett would be disappointed in me and leave me?

What if I can’t be a perfect wife to him?

What am I going to do? Fretzie thought, anxiously.

She was reeling from panic when an idea crossed her mind. She lifted the hem of her gown and ran to the back door. Just as she was about to close the door, Devon and Yen came in and saw her slipping out through the back door.

“Where is she going?” Devon asked Yen.

“Is she…? We better go after her.” Yen said and together they ran after her.

They caught up with Fretzie as she was about to hail a cab.

“Where do you think you’re going? It’s your wedding day! Brett is waiting for you at the altar.” Yen said and grabbed Fretzie’s arm, pulling her towards the side of the road.

They saw the tears falling down her cheeks, looking panicky at them.

“What’s wrong?” Devon asked.

“Guys, I can’t do this. I’m scared!”

“Fretzie calm down. Let’s get out of here and go somewhere quiet.” Yen said.

They headed towards a secluded part of the beach, away from the place where the wedding was to be held.

“I can’t do this… I’m not sure if I’ll be a good wife. I can’t cook… what if he wants a wife who will cook for him in the mornings? …we’ve never discussed that. He’ll just end up disappointed in me. I don’t want that to happen. I love him too much and I can’t bear if he leaves me for my shortcomings…” Fretzie said, crying her eyes out.

Devon and Yen’s phone kept on ringing, but they ignored it. Their friend is more important now than to answer a call.

“Marriage is all about risks. It’s a learning process. The both of you need to communicate and meet halfway. If he really loves you, he will accept everything about you.” Yen said, wiping the tears on Fretzie’s cheek.

“Are you willing to take the risk? The decision lies in you, if you want to continue or not. We’ll always be here whatever choice you make.” Devon told her, holding Fretzie’s hand.

Fretzie closed her eyes and shook her head.

“I don’t know… all I know is that I love him… and I can’t live without him.” Fretzie declared, opening her eyes, looking at her two bestfriends defeatedly.

“So that settles it. What are you waiting for? If you love him, then walk on that aisle. You can’t continue to live your life with full of doubts. We don’t know what the future holds. Who knows? At the end of the aisle you’ll find the happiness that you’ve been waiting for… the love that you’ve been dreaming of. ” Devon said, smiling at her.

“Show the world of the Fretzie we’ve known. The confident and always-sure-of-everything Fretzie.” Yen expressed encouragingly.

Devon took her appointed place at the front and looked at the lovely couple. She was happy that Fretzie pushed through the wedding. She stood quietly through the ceremony but when Fretzie began repeating the vows, the words held a poignancy for her that she never felt before, and tears suddenly stung the back of her eyes.

As the threat of tears passed and the emotions she felt began to subside, she looked at the people attending the wedding and saw that almost everyone was dabbing their eyes. She looked to where James was and her heart leapt and skipped a beat. A pair of penetrating hazel eyes looked straight into hers. She saw the love and the gentleness in his compelling eyes, humbly offering himself to her. She looked back at him and the gentle yielding in her eyes almost sent him to his knees. Without words, they looked at each other, professing their love for each other.

“I love you, Jaime.” Devon mouthed. James smiled and his love for her is shining in his eyes.

“Forever…” James replied.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

The crowd clapped and cheered on. Everyone rushed down the aisle behind the newly-weds and headed to the reception. James lagged behind and watched Devon weaving her way through the crowd. She seemed to be searching for someone. James smiled knowing that it’s him she’s been looking for.

Devon stopped by the entrance of the reception, scanning the crowd, when she sensed a familiar, tangible force stand behind her. She smelled the elusive scent of his cologne and heard him whisper lovingly in her ear. “I adore you.”

James felt Devon lean against him, feeling the exquisite sensation of her body pressing close to him. He gently slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him.

For a while they stood there, Devon locked in his embrace.

The host announced the entrance of the entourage. James reluctantly let go. Devon turned to face him, smiling up at him, grabbing his hand and pulled him towards the joyous crowd.

Devon, seated next to James, was eating her dessert together with Ivan, Yen, Ryan and Grazie, Brett’s cousin. The men are so engrossed in talking about nothing in particular, when Devon noticed Yen’s silence. She realized that something’s bothering her friend. She saw Yen’s eyes are bleak, which she failed to notice with all the commotion earlier. She then asked Yen to come with her to the CR.

“What’s wrong?” Devon asked once they were in the comfort room.

Yen avoided Devon’s eyes and just kept silent.

“You can tell me.” Devon pursued.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. I know you, Yen. I know when something’s bothering you. Now, tell me what it is about. Is it about your family? …Your work?”

“It’s Ivan.” Yen said resignedly.

“What about him? Did he hurt you?”

“No, that’s not it. In fact, he did everything to make my life perfect.”

“Then, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I can fit in his perfect world. I’m just a simple girl, living an ordinary life. I’m not used to all the glam and extravagance. Living in his world, seems to make my life much more complicated.”

“Does Ivan know about your feelings?”

“No, I don’t want to burden him of such petty matters.”

“Of course, your feelings are important. How will you make your relationship work if you won’t consider each other’s feelings? Talk to him. Ivan is an understanding man. Most of all he loves you. It’s obvious in the way he looks and cares for you.” Devon said, smiling at her friend.

“I’ll try. I’ll talk to him.” Yen said and smiled back at her. “Thank you.” She continued and hugged Devon.