Love, curves and heartbreak Chapter 56

"Look at this! Ia amazing!" Maggie says as we walked in and looked at the arrangements on the tables in the salon, I marveled at how it all turned out, everything is extraordinary and beautiful.

"God... I think I'm going to cry!" she says.

I'm filled with pride; it's clear that Lily's vision has been not only met but exceeded.

"Thank you, my dear, thank you!" Maggie looks at every detail and gives me a big hug.

Every single effort was all worth it, the sleepless nights, stressful evenings, working late until yesterday. I was exhausted, but everything looks so beautiful.

It is a dream wedding and all the guests who arrive are taking pictures and seem ecstatic.

"This is awesome!"

"Such a beautiful place" they say.

I am really excited, it feels like my first big accomplishment. It was hard to believe that we worked for moths for just a few hours of the ceremony and party.

Lily looks beautiful in an elegant dress, a wonderful bride. But even more important, she was happy, extremely happy. She has a loving family, her friends around and a wonderful groom who awaits for her.

"Caroline, are you okay?" another girl asked. My sister, even though she is the main bridesmaid, has her mind elsewhere.

"Yeah, yeah sure..." she replies. She looks worried, I think this is obviously related to the fact that her supposed boyfriend and plus one is not here.

It seems that she has left him thousands of messages, everything seems to indicate that with no response. So I try to do what she doesn't.

I'm by Lily's side the whole time, taking care of some details and bringing her food and water, since she hasn't eaten much from the nerves and stress of the day.

"Thank you, Prissy... you are an amazing friend" she says while I saw my sister yelling at her cellphone.

As it's time to enter the garden for the ceremony, Lily radiates determination and joy. The door opens slowly, and I follow the other bridesmaids in my newfound favorite dress, leading the way. All eyes are on Lily as she enters, arm in arm with her proud father, glowing like a princess. In the background stands William, her nervous but excited fiancé, eagerly awaiting her arrival.

I stand with the other girls, and in the front row sits Ethan, dashing in his tuxedo. His gaze takes my breath away, his smile lighting up the world. Minutes pass, but my focus remains on him, his devoted expression mirroring mine. It's a truly magical moment.

“Lily and William… here we are in front of your friends and family…” the priest says.

During their vows, William recalls the first time he laid eyes on Lily, how she transformed his life, and their shared vision for the future. He expresses gratitude for the higher power that brought them together.

Lily, visibly overwhelmed, steadies herself with William's touch, expressing gratitude for the union of their families and the profound gift of his love. Tears flow freely, and I'm swept up in the emotion of the moment, feeling like a part of a dream.

Their union is sealed with a kiss, and they are now husband and wife. The night feels endless as guests dance, snap photos, and share laughter. Ethan delights in dancing with his mother, his smile infectious.

The Fairfax family couldn't be happier, and so do I.

"I think congratulations are in order... again. You are a very talented and successful woman" I hear a familiar voice whisper to me, Ethan approaching.

"Thank you... it means the world to me" I say.

"Would my Princess allow me the honor of a dance? I have been told that I have greatly improved my dancing,"

"Really? Let's see..." I say.

God...Ethan looks so much better up close, he literally makes my knees weak. It seems like I haven't seen him in almost all these days, that I haven't touched his body more times than I can count, that I haven't kissed him and made love to him.

It's never enough. He never ceases to charm me, to make me blush at how incredibly attractive he is to me. It's not just his body, it's his expression, the way he looks at me that makes me feel like I'm in another world, an unbelievably wonderful one.

"Of course, my knight" I tell him and he comes to the dance floor. Slow music is playing, perfect to be with my beautiful man.

"You always look beautiful for my Prissy...but today... Damn it...what can I say? I want to have you all to myself all night long, just for me, to do things to you..." he says in a seductive voice, whispering very close to me.

"You look so handsome... you always look so good. I admire you so much" I tell him and he smiles from ear to ear.

"Even if things change?" he asks a little seriously. "If... maybe things are not as we planned?

"Yes, even then" I confess quickly, without thinking.

He smiles again and stares at me, I get the impression that he wants to tell me something, but in the end he doesn't say anything, he just stands there and looks at me. His hand on my back caresses my bare skin as he pulls me closer.

"I can't believe Lily is married after knowing her for so many years. It seems like we grew up so fast and it's like my life with your family is passing before my eyes" I confess.

"We had some great times, didn't we? Years together... I watched you grow... becoming an amazing woman..." he says.

"I saw you too, I can't take my eyes off you" we talk again about our childhood, about little Lily, about him and me as kids.

"Your family has always been wonderful to me, I feel you, all of you, like my own family. And tonight was more than special," I say gratefully.

"Prissy... the moment I saw you during the whole ceremony, I was in awe. You make me feel... insane, do you understand? Do you have any idea... how I care about you?" He asks me as if in a trance, bringing his face closer to mine, brushing the tip of his nose against mine.

"I couldn't stop seeing you either... I think it was almost magical," I reply, but he insists. I'm kind of nervous that people see us, this interaction, so close to each other.

"I didn't just see you... and believe me, that dress brings back wonderful memories... it's just that..." he says with a pleading look.

I look at him expectantly, I think he's going to tell me something important, but I don't understand what it could be.

"I need to say it: want more Prissy... I want much more with you. I didn't want this with anyone else but you," he tells me, attentive to my answer as we try to follow the rhythm of the slow music that continues to play at the party.

"W-what...?" I ask in a low voice, shocked.

He sighs, and suddenly it seems as if he wants to kiss me, here, in front of everyone, but finally he takes my hand and leads me out of the room, we pass some corridors until he spots a balcony and leads me there. We are alone, the music sounds, everybody is happy.

He closes his eyes as he concentrates, and he speaks to me again, incredibly serious, as if he were telling me something, as if it were a matter of life or death, he takes my hands in his and caresses my knuckles gently. He seems so nervous.

"Baby... I want more, much more than what we talked about in the beginning, more than just our deal... you know, I told you. I want it to be more than physical, I want us... to be a couple, to tell my family we are together, in the office, everywhere, to introduce you to everyone, to say you are my girlfriend..." he says, and I feel my heart jump.

"Ethan..." But he doesn't even let me speak.

"I've been in love with you, Priscilla... for a long time. I admit that one of the reasons I came back to town, besides Lily's wedding, was to see you..." he tells me with shining eyes, and I feel like I have to hold on because I'm falling right here, right now.

I can't believe it.

"But...we haven't met in years..." I say hesitantly, I seem to have lost the ability to speak.

"Prissy, I want to be your friend and sleep with you, but not only that. I don't care about our agreement! I will always be a selfish damn man, but I want more from you, a lot more”

“Ethan… what do you mean?” I ask and he looks so confident.

“I want to be your best friend, that you tell me your problems and doubts, I want to be by your side to help you, I want to see you accomplish everything that you wanted" he says, and I'm surprised, and he continues.

"I want to travel with you, to live with you, to talk to my friends and colleagues about you! To present you in front of my family, that adores you! I want to be close to you at dinners, breakfast, at the beach, on vacations! I want to spend my birthdays with you and celebrate yours the way it deserves” he says euphoric.

“I want to dress you and undress you, feel your hands hugging me from behind while I cook. I want this Priscilla to be with me until she gets tired of me... I want to give you everything you want. If you accept me, I'll wait as long as you need... but that's what I have to be for you, nothing less. That's what I'm offering you. I can't pretend anymore... that I'm happy with what we have now..." he confesses and sighs, waiting for my answer.

What on earth just happened? I ponder foolishly on the balcony, holding his hands.

The day and night were fabulous, we were happy, I felt so proud of myself. We were dancing and chatting like it was the most natural thing, reminiscing about happy moments from the past that bound us together.

And, suddenly, Ethan turned serious, expressing a need to share what was on his mind. It felt like he was opening his hearth, talking about his deepest secrets, emotions and needs.

He confessed his love for me, expressing a clear desire for more, for a future, to be in a relationship with me, to share our lives together.

What? How? How this happened?

I wished someone would convince me and explain to me... how this is possible. It wasn't a joke, not a dream, not a game.

It was real, the most incredible, adorable and romantic confession I've heard.

From him, just from him! I had longed to hear those words for years! He explained he had come to the city partly because of me.

How did I miss all this? Was I so blind, stubborn, and oblivious that I couldn't see it before? Why didn't he tell me sooner? He was in love with me? I can't believe it!

Such was the impression and surprise that he had opened up to me like this, never so intensely, almost like fireworks, that I was left like a statue, frozen and petrified in my place.

"What do you think, Prissy? Do you want me? Do you want to be with me?"