“What do you want to hear? Kelly, I don’t believe in the love they write about in books. I see marriage as something practical.”
“That’s sad, Roy,” Kelly said.
Roy looked away. “I once loved someone, and it didn’t end well.”
Kelly was surprised. “Why am I hearing about this for the first time?” She playfully nudged Roy with her elbow, trying to lighten the mood.
Roy looked at her, his expression serious. “Because you…” He suddenly stopped, and they stared at each other in silence. Roy leaned in, his face moving closer to Kelly’s.
Kelly’s heart raced, and she felt herself leaning in too. But then, Roy’s phone rang, shattering the moment. He quickly pulled away and took his phone out of his pocket.
“It’s Vanessa. She’s probably looking for me,” Roy said, his voice tense. “Goodnight, Kelly.” He turned and walked back into the hotel.
“Goodnight,” Kelly replied softly, knowing Roy couldn’t hear her. The cool night air seemed to grow colder, and Kelly wrapped her arms around herself, standing alone under the stars. Roy and Kelly tried to avoid each other the day before the wedding, but it wasn’t easy.
At breakfast, Kelly saw Vanessa and Roy kissing and hugging, looking so happy together. Her heart ached, realizing she couldn’t watch Roy marry someone else. After breakfast, Kelly took a deep breath and approached Vanessa and Roy.
“Hey, can I talk to you both for a minute?” she asked, her voice shaky. Vanessa looked concerned. “Of course, Kelly.
What’s up?”
“I’m very sorry, but I can’t be at the wedding,” Kelly said, her voice trembling. Vanessa looked worried. “Why?
What happened?”
Kelly took a deep breath. “I’ve been called into work, and it’s urgent.”
Roy frowned. “Are you sure nothing can be done?
Let me call them.”
“No need, thanks, it’s really urgent,” Kelly replied, trying to sound convincing. “I’m sorry to miss your wedding. I feel terrible about it.”
Vanessa sat looking sad.
“But if you finish and can still make it to the celebration, we’ll wait for you.”
“I’ll try. I’m really sorry again,” Kelly said, turning and heading towards her room. She tried to hold back her tears as Roy caught up with her quickly.
“Kelly, if this is about what happened the other night, then—” Roy began. But Kelly cut him off. “I already said it’s about work,” she insisted.
Then she added, “And nothing happened that night.”
Roy looked confused, but he didn’t say anything more. Kelly continued to her room, her mind racing with emotions. She started packing her things, knowing she couldn’t stay and watch Roy marry Vanessa.
Leaving was the only way she could protect her heart. Kelly returned home, but she couldn’t find peace. She decided to distract herself by going through old college boxes.
She opened one and started sifting through the contents. There were many photos of her and Roy, their smiling faces capturing moments of joy and friendship. Among the items, Kelly discovered a notebook.
She flipped through its pages and laughed, tears in her eyes. It was the notebook where she had recorded every girl Roy had kissed, proving they had passed a hundred. Next, she found a musical jewelry box with a tiny ballerina inside.
Roy gave it to her as a joke because she once told him she wanted to be a ballerina as a child. Suddenly, the box slipped from her hands and fell to the floor. A small, folded letter slipped out from a hidden compartment.
Curious, Kelly picked up the letter and opened it. Her eyes widened as she read the words. It was a love confession from Roy, written when they were 20.
He had loved her too. The woman he mentioned at the hotel had been her all along. Her heart pounded as realization hit her.
Kelly ran out of the house, got into her car, and drove as fast as she could to the beach where the wedding was taking place. When she arrived, she saw there was no place to park. Desperate, she left her car right on the road and sprinted towards the beach.
Drivers honked and yelled at her, but she didn’t care. Kelly ran to the ceremony site, her breath coming in short gasps. She saw Roy and Vanessa already saying their vows, holding hands.
“Stop! I object to this wedding!” Kelly shouted, her voice echoing across the beach. The priest looked at her, puzzled.
“I haven’t asked that question yet.”
“I don’t care,” Kelly said, her voice firm as she approached the altar. “Kelly, what are you doing?” Roy asked, looking shocked. “I found your letter,” Kelly said breathlessly, holding it out for him to see.
Roy glanced at the letter, then back at Kelly. “I wrote that letter many years ago.”
“And you think I ignored you, but that’s not true. I just found it now.
You hid it too well,” Kelly explained, her voice trembling. Vanessa, looking confused, asked, “What letter is she talking about?”
Roy ignored her question, focusing on Kelly. “Kelly, that was ten years ago.
I’m getting married now.”
“But Roy, I love you too. I’ve loved you all these years. I valued our friendship too much.
I was afraid of losing you, and that’s why I said nothing,” Kelly confessed, tears forming in her eyes. “Kelly, please,” Roy said, his eyes welling up with tears. “I love you, Roy,” Kelly continued, her voice breaking.
“I tried to fight this feeling, but I couldn’t. I even tried to ruin this wedding. I’m sorry, Vanessa.
It was me who canceled your hairdresser and broke the bathroom door, so you couldn’t make it to the dress fitting.”
Vanessa looked shocked, glancing between Kelly and Roy. “You’re a really good person, Vanessa. And I believe you deserve happiness.
That’s why I’m so ashamed to stand here and say all this.”
Roy looked at Vanessa, searching her face for a reaction. She sighed heavily, a look of resignation in her eyes, and then she let go of Roy’s hands. “Go,” she said almost silently, her voice filled with sorrow.
Roy quickly walked to Kelly, taking her by the neck and pulling her close. He kissed her deeply, and at that moment, nothing else mattered. A driver’s voice broke through their embrace, yelling, “Hey, lady!
If you don’t move your car from the road right now, I’ll smash it!”
Kelly and Roy, still holding each other, kissed again, sealing their long-awaited love. Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
