As I stood beside my mother,, the soft evening lights of the Christian wedding danced across the lawn like fireflies caught in a dream. The gentle hum of conversation and clinking glasses swirled around us,, but in that moment,, all I could hear was my mother's voice and my own thoughts—twisting,, questioning,, lingering.
"I can't believe today is Lily's wedding day,," Mom whispered,, a fond smile tugging at her lips as she looked over at the beautifully lit altar adorned with white roses and golden ribbons.
I sighed,, warmth rising in my chest. "Yeah,, Mom… me neither. We've really grown up,, haven't we?? It feels like just yesterday we were all playing dress-up in your sari closet. And now Lily's actually… married."
My voice cracked slightly,, the weight of time suddenly heavy in my heart.
Mom turned to me and pulled me into a hug. Her arms,, still as comforting as ever,, wrapped around me gently. "She's going to be so happy. And one day,, so will you,, sweetheart."
I laughed softly into her shoulder. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves,, We'll see about that."
She pulled back,, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I know,, I know... But someday… someday it'll be your turn."
Just then,, I noticed a tall figure approaching. Dressed in a sleek silver blazer with a confident smile,, Nickel—the famous fashion designer from New York—walked up to us.
"Rimi,," he said warmly,, "Do you remember me??"
I smiled,, genuinely surprised. "Of course!! How could I forget you?? Your collection is breathtaking..."
He chuckled, eyes gleaming with pride. "That's kind of you to say... Adrian has excellent taste,, too."
I blinked. "Adrian??"
Nickel nodded toward my dress. "This one—he picked it. It's one of mine,, of course. But his choice... And he chose perfectly."
I looked down at the soft fabric hugging my curves,, the delicate lace glistening subtly under the lights. Adrian had picked this?? I didn't even know that.
I swallowed. "Yeah… he did. It's beautiful..."
"And you wear it beautifully,," Nikal added,, before excusing himself to go greet Lily and Mike...
But I didn't hear the rest. My eyes drifted past the crowd,, and there he was—Adrian,, talking with Sophie again. Laughing,, nodding,, completely immersed. He didn't even glance at me. I stood there,, a lump forming in my throat,, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress.
Why was he ignoring me?? Had I done something wrong??
Before I could sink further into my thoughts,, Lily appeared,, her white gown flowing behind her like a dream...
"There you are!!" she beamed. "Is my bestie enjoying my wedding??"
I forced a smile. "Of course I am!! Why wouldn't I?? It's your special day. And I'm your special guest,, remember??"
She laughed,, grabbing my hands. "Always... And when it's your turn to get married,, it'll be my right to make a fuss over you."
"Deal,," I grinned.
Just then,, Luka appeared beside me,, his presence calm and steady. He wore a midnight-blue suit,, perfectly tailored,, and the faintest scent of sandalwood clung to him,, His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"You do realize I still don't understand Italian,, right??" I said,, turning to him. "And yet,, 3you keep whispering things I can't even guess."
He smiled,, tilting his head. "Maybe some things are better left a mystery… until the right time comes..."
I groaned. "You and your riddles... No one tells me when this 'right time' is,, You're all just plotting to drive me mad,, aren't you??"
He laughed. "Maybe a little..."
I looked away, my eyes catching Lily's. She was watching us,, amused,, but with a knowing glint in her gaze. "Lily,, what do you think he said??"
She smirked. "I think whatever it was… it was something beautiful..."
Luka said nothing,, but his gaze lingered on mine,, deep and unreadable...
Before I could respond,, Adrian and Mike reappeared. Adrian walked past me,, not even glancing in my direction,, and stood beside Lily... He looked… distant. Cold.
I smiled at him,, hoping to catch his eye,, to understand something—anything. But he stood there like I was invisible...
My heart sank. I didn't know what was going on with him. Why was he acting like this??
And then… he handed Bella,, the little kitten, to Lily without a word and returned to Sophie,, leaving without even acknowledging me.
Something inside me twisted... I couldn't pretend anymore.
Without saying a word,, I reached for Bella,, gently taking her from Lily's arms.
"Hey… where are you going??" Lily asked softly.
"I just need a minute,," I said with a small smile.
I walked away from the glowing garden,, past the laughter and music,, up the staircase to my room. The cool night air whispered through the open windows,, and I sat on the edge of my bed,, Bella curling up beside me...
Tomorrow,, I'd be going back to Seoul... And maybe this chapter… whatever it was with Adrian… was ending.
As the soft hum of evening prayers floated from the nearby church,, the glow of fairy lights wrapped around the trees,, giving the garden a magical,, surreal touch. I was still with Bella in my arms,, sitting quietly on the edge of the bed,, trying not to let the lump in my throat form tears. Adrian hadn't even looked at me once... Not when I smiled. Not even when I tried to catch his eyes in the middle of the conversation... Like I was invisible.
I brushed Bella's fur gently,, the warmth of her tiny body comforting against my chest. The sound of celebration still echoed through the halls,, muffled by the thick wooden door. But inside this room,, it was just me,, Bella… and my whirlwind of thoughts.
A sudden knock broke the silence. Light,, hesitant. I looked up,, startled.
"Who is it??" I asked softly.
"It's me... Luka," came the familiar voice,, deeper in the quiet hallway.
I hesitated,, just for a second,, before whispering,, "Come in."
The door opened slowly,, revealing Luka in the warm light. His dark hair was slightly tousled,, and his eyes… those warm brown eyes held something more tonight. Something deeper. He stepped inside carefully,, closing the door behind him like he was stepping into a sacred space.
"I was looking for you,," he said gently.
I looked away,, pretending to focus on Bella. "I just needed a moment."
He nodded,, moving closer. "I saw you walking away with Bella… you looked upset."
I didn't answer. My fingers continued stroking Bella's fur...
Luka sat beside me slowly,, not too close, not too far—just close enough that I could feel his presence without it overwhelming me...
"Rimi,," he said after a pause,, "I saw how he was treating you tonight… and I don't know what's going on between you and Adrian,, but…" He sighed,, running a hand through his hair. "It hurts me to see you like this..."
"I don't understand him," I murmured,, voice trembling. "One minute he's holding my hand like I'm his world,, and the next… I'm not even in his line of sight."
Luka leaned slightly forward,, his voice low and intimate. "You should never have to fight for someone to see you,, Rimi... You shine all on your own. No one should ever make you feel less than everything..."
I turned to him,, eyes meeting his. The sincerity in his gaze caught me off guard... His words felt like a balm over my raw feelings.
"Why are you always there??" I asked, almost whispering. "Whenever I feel lost… you're there."
His smile was soft... "Because I can't not be there for you."
We sat in silence for a long moment. Just the sound of Bella's tiny purrs and the distant wedding music... Then Luka spoke again, his voice quieter now,, like a confession on holy ground.
"There's something I want to say… but I promised myself I'd wait for the right time."
I looked at him,, heartbeat picking up. "Then why now??"
He met my eyes and smiled sadly. "Because I don't know when I'll get another chance. You're going back to Seoul tomorrow... And I don't know what waits for either of us after this night."
"Luka…" I began,, but he gently reached for my hand,, just briefly. His touch was warm,, his fingers brushing mine for the barest moment...
And then he whispered,, with eyes burning into mine:
"Я люблю тебя,, Рими… больше,, чем ты знаешь... Я всегда буду ждать тебя..."
The words were foreign,, the language thick with emotion,, but the way he said them—so slowly,, so earnestly—it sent shivers down my spine.
I blinked,, stunned. "What… what did you just say??"
He stood up,, slowly,, brushing his hands over his jacket... His smile was both tender and heartbreaking.
"One day… I'll tell you,," he said gently. "But for now, let it stay as a mystery. Like a promise tied to the stars..."
I stood too,, clutching Bella a little tighter, searching his face for answers... "You're doing it again… saying things I don't understand and leaving me to wonder."
He stepped toward the door,, but paused. "Some feelings are too big for one language,, Rimi. Maybe that's why I need more than one to say it."
And with that,, he left—leaving behind only the echo of his words in Russian,, and a heart that was no longer just mine.
I looked down at Bella,, who blinked up at me curiously.
"What did he say…??" I whispered,, feeling my chest ache in the most confusing,, beautiful way.
To be continue...