The bride’s dressing room was a cocoon of soft elegance, bathed in the warm glow of vanity lights that cast delicate shadows across the walls.
Aeri stood beside Sara, her light blue dress shimmering faintly, her arms crossed with a curiosity, her gaze wandered, taking in the orderly space as a casual question slipped out.
"Oh, and where’s Ezra? I don’t see him," she said, her voice light as she glanced around. "Didn’t you call him here earlier?"
Sara’s eyes widened for a split second, a flash of panic crossing her face before she masked it with a quick, awkward smile. "Ezra...?" she muttered, her fingers twisting the fabric of her gloves. Her voice was too high, too hesitant, and she caught herself, clearing her throat.
Aeri tilted her head, catching Sara’s reflection in the mirror, her brow quirking with curiosity. "Yeah, didn’t you call him for something here?" she pressed, her tone still casual.
Sara forced a laugh, the sound a little too bright, a little too forced. "Yes, yes, I did call him," she said, her words tumbling out as she leaned forward, adjusting her gloves unnecessarily. "I wanted to say sorry, you know? For how much I’ve bothered him and teased him over the years... ehehe." She punctuated it with another awkward chuckle, her eyes darting to the mirror, avoiding Aeri’s gaze.
Aeri’s expression softened, her suspicion easing as she nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I figured it was something like that," she said, her voice warm with understanding. "Like you wanted his blessing or something, especially after all those fights you two used to have. It’s sweet, Sara, wanting to clear the air on your big day."
Sara’s smile tightened, her fingers still fidgeting, but she nodded, seizing the explanation. "Exactly," she said, her voice steadier now. "That’s it. Just... making peace." She glanced down, smoothing her gown.
But then Sara’s tone shifted, a frown creasing her brow as she leaned back in her chair, her voice taking on an irritated edge. "And yet, can you believe him, Aeri? He was so rude about it," she said, her pout exaggerated, her eyes flashing with mock. "He said he only came here to eat the food and not to look at my ’ugly face.’ My face! Can you imagine?"
Aeri snorted, rolling her eyes as she leaned against the vanity, her arms crossing again. "Bear it," she said, shrugging, a playful smirk on her lips. "You two are the same, you know. Always bickering like kids. He’s just giving you a taste of your own medicine."
Sara’s pout deepened, her hands dropping to her lap as she turned to face Aeri, her voice rising in mock offense. "Not you taking his side!" she said, her eyes narrowing, though a teasing glint sparkled in them. "You’re supposed to be my best friend, Aeri. Where’s the loyalty?"
Aeri laughed, shaking her head. "Obviously I’m gonna take his side. He’s my so—" She froze mid-sentence, the word "son" catching in her throat. Her smile vanished, her face going blank as a rush of emotion hit her.
I wasn’t just her son—not anymore, not with the love that had grown between us, complicated and unspoken, a secret that weighed heavy in her heart. The room seemed to still, the air growing thick with the unspoken.
Sara’s eyes flicked up, catching Aeri’s reflection in the mirror, her own expression shifting to something quieter, more guarded.
"Aeri..." she said softly, her voice gentle, almost cautious, as she watched her friend’s lost, expressionless face.
Aeri blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
"Ah—yeah, I mean, he’s my son, so obviously I’ll take his side," she said, her voice strained, the words feeling hollow as she tried to cover her slip. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Yeah, true..." Sara said, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze dropping back to her gloves. Her fingers resumed their fidgeting, the soft crinkle of fabric filling the sudden silence that settled between them. A knot tightened in both their chests, my name hanging in the air like a shadow neither could shake. Sara’s guilt, hidden behind her quick excuses, clawed at her, while Aeri’s worry deepened, her mind drifting to the hallway, to my absence and position in her life.
The faint hum of music from the grand hall seeped through the walls, a lively melody that felt jarringly out of place in the heavy quiet of the room.
"So... um... where is he?" she said, her voice casual but tinged with concern as she glanced around the room. "He didn’t come to me."
Sara’s fingers paused on her gloves, her eyes flicking up to meet Aeri’s reflection in the mirror before dropping to the vanity. "Oh, yeah, he left," she said, "He got a call from some guy named Jonathan, then he took off."
Aeri’s shoulders relaxed slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips as she nodded. "Ahh, that’s why," she said, a faint smile tugging at her mouth. "No wonder it’s taking him so long. Sigh... working even now, on a day ."
Sara forced a laugh, the sound light but not entirely natural, as she fastened the earring. "I know, right? Tiring guy," she said.
Aeri chuckled softly and straightened, smoothing her dress as she glanced toward the door. "Anyways, I’ll wait outside now. You come fast, okay? Everyone’s waiting for you, and I mean everyone—Daniel’s probably pacing by now."
Sara’s lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes meeting Aeri’s in the mirror. "Yeah, sure," she said, her voice warm but carrying a quiet weight. "I’ll be right out."
Aeri nodded, turning on her heels, her dress swishing softly as she moved toward the door, her hand brushing the knob. But before she could step out, Sara’s voice stopped her.
"Aeri..." she called, her tone softer, almost hesitant.
Aeri paused, her hand still on the knob, and turned back, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"Hmm? Yes?" she asked, tilting her head as she studied Sara’s reflection from across the room.
Sara’s gaze dropped to her gloves, her fingers twisting the fabric again, and when she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I’m sorry..." she said, her words hanging in the air like a confession, heavy with meaning she didn’t elaborate on.
Aeri’s eyes widened, her face shifting into deep confusion as she stared at Sara’s reflection. The mirror framed Sara’s face—beautiful, poised, but with a shadow of guilt in her downcast eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line.