Today was the day.

But I can't feel any happiness or joy on this special day marked on my calendar. I faced the mirror in front of me, quietly receiving the treatment any women would have on their wedding day.

As Kylie applied makeup on my face, I took my time to slowly think what I really want in life. Was this what I wanted? To be the wife of Charles Amore for the rest of my life?

I closed my eyes briefly, so tired of thinking the same thing when my answer would always stay the same. I would never want to be with him even if I get to choose.

My fate would be sealed, no more turning back once I said my vow. So, I have until then to carefully re-think if this was really what I wanted.

A veil covered my face just as a man entered through the door. "Hey, Kylie. Mind giving me and the bride a moment?"

"Sure, five minutes." With that said, she left the room while Damon approached me from behind. I looked at the mirror in front of me, wishing for a million times that he was the one I was getting married to, and not Charles.

His warm hands rested on my shoulders as he smiled. "You are so beautiful, baby." He bent down slightly and kissed my shoulder blade.

"You could have been mine." He whispered in my ear, his hot breath fanning my neck. I shuddered slightly as my stomach formed knots in guilt.

"I know, Damon. But I have no choice, do I?" I sighed, lowering my head a little as a wave of guilt hit me. I have let down two men in a row, both Charles and Damon.

Why do I have to land myself in such a complicated situation? Why don't I have a say in my life?

"You do, only if you hold my hand and elope with me." He suggested, extending his hand. My eyes widened at the newfound hope, wanting to take his offer and run away with him.

Even if we ran away to the depths of the sea, I would still be contented as long as it was him, and not Charles.

But there were many things which were making me hesitate in doing so. I can't let go of many things, my parents, my job, my life.

Would it be worth it if I start afresh with him in a place where no one knew about us?

As though sensing my hesitation, he sighed. "You don't have to answer me now, baby. But if you ever change your mind, I will always be willing to run away with you."

And with that, he walked out of the room while Kylie waltzed back in. "Sounds like you guys just had a serious conversation. Did I walk in on the wrong time?"

I smiled gently. "No, please continue."

"Alright." She grinned cheerfully, continuing whatever she was doing while I pondered through his words. Should I run away with him?

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Clutching onto the bouquet tightly, my hands began to sweat as I stood outside of the chapel.

In less than one minute, the door was going to open and I was going to walk down this aisle of no return.

In less than one minute, I would be standing in front of the pastor and saying my vows.

In less than one minute, I was going to answer the pastor with a 'yes' or 'no' to the wedding vow.

And my fate would be sealed. Was this what I really wanted?

The door opened as the typical wedding soundtrack began to play. The whole atmosphere lightened up as happy faces looked towards me.

Linking arms with my dad, we began walking down the aisle as we approached the dashing groom waiting for me.

My eyes, however, were focused on his best man. No matter how much I tried, my eyes would always be on him, and no one else.

I gradually felt my dad let go of me as I walked the remaining path on my own until I stood beside Charles. He looked different, must be because of the wedding.

He smiled at me, holding onto my hand as we faced the pastor. He looked at both of us before reading aloud from the book in his hands.

I did not bother myself with his speech but rather, I was focused on Damon as my eyes flickered to his. His eyes met mine as he winked at me, his palm opening for me.

If I took his hand, I would be able to run away with him to the other end of the Earth.

"I, Charles Amore, take thee, Corey Williams, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and therefore I pledge thee my faith to you." Charles repeated after the pastor with confidence in his tone as he looked at me.

I smiled curtly, looking at the pastor once more as he turned his attention to me.

"Please follow me, Miss Williams. I, Corey Williams, take thee, Charles Amore, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and therefore I pledge thee my faith to you."

"I, Corey Williams, take thee, Charles Amore, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance..." I trailed off, hesitating whether I should continue the last sentence.

"And therefore I pledge thee faith to you." The pastor repeated for me as he looked at me intently. I gulped, turning to look at Charles as I smiled apologetically.

"I can't do this, Charles." I said, looking towards Damon who was watching me from afar. He was the one whom I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.

I don't want to make the wrong choice this time. I should follow my heart, and not my parents' wishes.

I took a step towards Damon as everyone gasped in shock. A runaway bride? It happened in movies, but not in real life.

"I know why you're unable to continue." He suddenly said, breaking the tension. I turned around to see him staring at me solemnly.

"Beneath the bench, there is a gift for everyone present." All at once, everyone began searching for the gift he has mentioned.

I watched as they took out brown envelopes and began opening them. Inside of the brown envelopes were photos.

The crowd gasped while my parents glared at me hatefully. My sister, however, shot me a look of disapproval as she put away the photos.

Even Damon's eyes widened the moment he got a glimpse of the photos. "These are evidences of you cheating on me with my best friend behind my back, Corey. What else do you have to say to defend for yourself?"

I swallowed my saliva as tears blurred my vision. He knew about us and yet, he has been putting on an act all this time just to expose me on our wedding day.

It seems like he was not as simple as I thought he would be. There was no further need for me to stay guilty anymore.

"I have nothing to say to defend for myself because all of these are facts. Yes, I am cheating on you with Damon. But I love him, more than anyone else. And that is something that you will never possess." I spat, tearing the veil from my hair as I crushed it under my feet.

With that said, I boldly held onto Damon's hand in front of everyone and bravely ran out of the chapel with him.

It was not for the worse, but for the better. Even after a million times over, I would still choose Damon over Charles.

I love him, more than anyone else.

The End

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'Cheating Bride' has eventually came to an end. But anyways, hope you guys have enjoyed ;)

19 Dec'16