C1 One

The day before Cher’s wedding ceremony had finally come. We were together in her busy bridal room, chatting happily about the upcoming celebration. The room was adorned with delicate decorations, reflecting Cher’s vision of a romantic and elegant wedding. For as long as I can remember, this was her biggest dream. Marrying the love of her life.

“Can you believe it, Cher? Tomorrow’s the big day! You’re going to look stunning as the bride,” I said with excitement, admiring all the dresses and accessories in the room.

Cher beamed with happiness, her eyes sparkling. “I can’t believe it either! It feels surreal, but I’m ready for this new chapter in my life. Thank you for being here with me through all the planning and preparations.”

The last few months were super busy. I went dress shopping with her, cake tasting, and I even had to reach out to Ed Sheeran’s manager, because at the last minute she decided she wanted “Thinking Out Loud” as her wedding song.

“Of course! You’re my best friend, and I wouldn’t miss this special day for anything. It’s going to be a day filled with love, joy, and unforgettable memories,” I replied, feeling emotional seeing Cher about to start this new journey. It feels so weird. One moment we were graduating from college and the next I was attending her wedding. Where did the time go?

“Do you remember our adventures in the neighborhood?” I asked with a smile.

“Oh, definitely! We were like little explorers, always finding new places to play,” Cher replied, her eyes shining with excitement.

We had carefree days of playing hide-and-seek until the sun went down, and we’d laugh as we raced each other through the streets.

“I loved our secret forts in the backyard,” Cher said fondly. “They were our special place to dream big dreams.”

“Yeah, we’d plan all sorts of adventures there, pretending to be knights and princesses,” I added.

Thinking back, we also recalled the joy of the ice cream truck that we’d run to whenever we heard its jingle. Choosing flavors and eating ice cream on the curb was pure happiness.

The park was another favorite spot. We swung on the swings, climbed trees, and chased butterflies, feeling unstoppable in our little world.

“Oh, and those races we had were so much fun! We’d challenge each other and laugh all the way,” she said, with a playful grin.

High school had its challenges, but having each other’s support made it easier. We faced tough times together and were there to listen and comfort each other.

“I’m grateful for your support,” I said sincerely. “You were always there for me.”

“And you were there for me too,” Cher replied warmly. “Our friendship only got stronger through all those teenage ups and downs.”

Our teenage years were filled with sleepovers, gossiping about crushes, and trying beauty experiments. We had inside jokes and pulled pranks, making memories we’d never forget.

As we chatted, I couldn’t help but think about my own future with Leon. We had been together for a while now, and our relationship was getting stronger every day. Tomorrow’s ceremony made me think about my own dreams of starting a life with him.

I met Leon in my last year of college. It was hard to not notice him. Leon had a presence that captivated anyone who set eyes on him. His deep brown eyes glisten with warmth and intelligence, drawing you in like a moth to a flame. His raven-black hair added to his allure, cascading in sleek waves that frame his handsome face perfectly.

“Seeing you getting married has got me thinking about my future with Leon,” I shared with a soft smile.

Cher’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Oh, spill the details! How are things going with you and Leon?”

Blushing a bit, I said, “Things are wonderful. We’ve been talking about taking the next step, and I can’t stop imagining what our future will be like. It feels surreal, but I’m excited to see what life has in store for us.”

Cher leaned in with genuine interest. “That’s amazing! I can tell you’re head over heels for him. The way you talk about Leon, it’s clear that you two are meant to be.”

I nodded, feeling grateful for her support. “Thank you, Cher. You’ve always been there for me, and I’m so thankful to have you as my friend.”

She playfully winked, saying, “Well, you’re stuck with me for life, bitch. Now, have you thought about what kind of ceremony you want? A big wedding or a smaller, more intimate gathering?”

Chuckling, I considered the options. I haven’t really thought about it yet. I do have a Pinterest board called “dream wedding” but that was from when I was sixteen. “Honestly, I think I’d prefer something intimate. I’ve always liked the idea of exchanging vows in a cozy setting, surrounded by our closest friends and family. It just feels more personal and meaningful to me.”

I was not into big extravagant gatherings. My whole life I was pushed to attend those events, because of my parents. My dad’s a diplomat and my mom’s a model. It was always fundraisers, meetings, fashion shows, conferences, awards, and god-knows what else.

Cher agreed, saying, “I totally get that. It’s all about celebrating love and the connection you have with Leon. No matter the size of the event, your love will shine through.”

Her words touched me. “You’re right, as always. Love is what matters most, and I can’t wait to celebrate that with everyone dear to us. But enough talking about me. Your wedding will be the biggest wedding this city has ever seen!”

I was looking forward to the wedding of the year. It was going to be grand and extravagant. She was the only daughter and her soon-to-be husband is an only child. Both families went all out for their off-springs. Not to mention that they both come from a wealthy background. Her father owns a multi billion company in the United States as well as in Dubai. One of her twin brothers is a heart surgeon and the other one took after his dad.

Cher herself took after her mother who is one of the best lawyers in town.

“I’m so excited for the theme!” She gushed as she rummaged through her drawer. “It’s going to be so magical especially with the stargazing session during reception!”

As I already said before…wedding of the year.

“What do you think?” Cher dangled a bright red lingerie in my face. My eyes widened with excitement as I admired the bright red lingerie she was holding. “Oh wow, Cher, this is stunning!” I exclaimed, gently running my fingers over the delicate fabric. “You have such great taste. I bet your man will be blown away when he sees you in this.”

She smiled. “I hope so,” she replied, “I really wanted to spice things up a bit, and I thought this would be the perfect surprise for him.”

“I’m sure he’ll love it,” I reassured her. “And if he doesn’t, cancel the whole wedding.”

She laughed and then looked at me with that mischievous glint in her eyes that I know too well. “I also bought you one.” She pulled out another pair of lingerie and threw it at me.

My mouth fell wide open. “No way. This is crazy!”

Cher giggled playfully at my enthusiastic response. “Oh, Leon won’t know what hit him!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I couldn’t help but laugh along with her excitement. “You’re right! I can’t wait to see the look on his face,” I said, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation building up inside me. I wasted no time. I quickly slipped out of my clothes and carefully put on the bright red lingerie. The moment I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t believe the transformation. The lingerie hugged my curves perfectly, and I felt incredibly sexy and confident. Bless my mom for passing on her killer body to me.

Everyone always comments on how much I resemble my mom. We share similar facial features, with captivating eyes that reflect warmth and kindness, a well-defined nose, and a gentle smile that lights up a room. My hair is flowing and radiant, adding to my overall charm.

“You look absolutely stunning, Lily!” Cher complimented, clapping her hands in delight. “Leon won’t stand a chance!”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement. “Okay, I’m ready to surprise him,” I declared, determination evident in my voice.

Cher smiled warmly at me. “Go get ‘em, girl! You’ve got this,” she encouraged, giving me a reassuring pat on the back.

I left Cher’s place and headed home, ready to surprise Leon.

My heart skipped a beat as I approached the front door and heard faint moans coming from inside. My excitement quickly turned to confusion and concern. I wasn’t expecting anyone else to be in the house. My mind raced with thoughts, wondering what could be going on.

Cautiously, I unlocked the door and tiptoed inside. The moans grew louder, and now I could also hear giggles mixed in with them. My curiosity intensified, and I quietly made my way towards the source of the sounds, trying not to alert whoever was there.

I took a deep breath and gathered all my courage before pushing the door open. My heart was beating fast in my chest. But what I saw inside shattered my world. There was Leon, the man I loved and trusted, in a close embrace with another woman whom I recognized as Bella, one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. It felt like a huge wave of shock and disbelief crashing over me. It was as if my heart sank to my stomach, and I couldn’t find the right words to express the pain I was feeling. I felt completely betrayed.

“Leon!!” I called out, my voice trembling with a mix of hurt and anger.