The Elusive Bride

They believe that when someone embodies greatness, whether it be through their talents, kindness, or resilience, the universe conspires to bring them extraordinary experiences. These great individuals are said to attract opportunities and blessings that others can only dream of. And when it comes to love, they are destined to find their one great love, a soulmate who complements them in every way. It is believed that the fates align to bring these two individuals together, creating a love story that is nothing short of magical. This love is characterized by an intense connection, unwavering support, and a deep understanding of each other's hopes and dreams. It is a love that withstands the test of time and overcomes any obstacles that come their way. For those fortunate enough to experience this kind of love, they are truly blessed, as they have found their perfect match in this vast and unpredictable world. For Valerie, things were easy. With just one call, she could get whatever she want in an instant. That was how privileged she was. She need not lift a finger to do so too. It was no wonder everyone wanted to be her boyfriend. She had a line of suitors promising their wealth just to be their bride. Mothers praising their sons whenever she was around. Yet, only one man was able to capture her heart, Paul. He was her childhood sweetheart. The son of her father’s best friend. They grew up together in the same neighborhood. It wasn’t love at first sight, but love blossoming with each passing day. “Rie, are you staring at your phone again? Come on, the girls are waiting for you to open the gifts. We’re excited to find out who gave what items.” Lucy, her best friend, snatched her phone. Taking away her sight from the picture of the day, Paul proposed to her. Immediately, she was taken back to reality as the loud music engulfed the entire island. She and her friends partied for a few days now. It was a weeklong celebration of the end of her single life, so to speak. “Lucy, give me back my phone. Paul might call me.” She tried grabbing it back, but Lucy was quick to switch it to her other hand. She wasn’t athletic, but she did yoga. However, she was no match for a triathlete like Lucy. Lucy’s agility dwarfed her height advantage. “This is your bachelorette party. Paul should know better. Besides, he is having his own fun right now. Please, Rie, this is our last hurrah before you settle down and live the most boring life of an heiress. To be honest, we are saddened that your gorgeous blonde locks and perfectly lined jaws will be tied down. We could have another decade of fun flirting around men.” Lucy begged her once more. The sound of her voice was almost reaching out to the depths of their friendship. She dragged herself towards the party and away from the bar where she drank a vodka spritz to quench her thirst. “You are making it boring. We can still party and run off to go places. It’s just a business deal. What gives? Sure, I love Paul, but everything is purely business to boost our companies. You do know that. We don’t plan to start a family soon, so my life would still be the same, just a different house with a constant partner.” She giggled at the last part. Finally, she was free from her parents, who asked a ton of questions every time she went out. She even had body guards tailing her car. Lucy took a look at her once again. Not believing a word she said would be a sane reaction. However, she laughed hard upon hearing her friend. She knew very well about controlling parents, as she had one too. That was why they became best of friends because they always covered for each other. “Rie, you’re so naïve. I love it! Let’s party!” she grabbed her hand towards the dancing gals in bikinis with thin shears of clothing to cover them. Well, if you call it covering. Either way, the bouncing lights could see through the fabric showing of their curves and smooth skin. They danced like there was no tomorrow as the bass blasted off the speakers. The DJ playing every music she loved. As the night gone deeper, she began to lose her balance and the world around her spun. “Cheers to Rie and the death of her single life!” her friends shouted as a man danced in front of her, striping his tuxedo and leaving only his briefs. She was drawn towards his hard abs that looked like it lived in the gym. The toned muscles in his chest and those big biceps made her blush. Oh, how she wished those would lift her high. For sure, she would do more than just hug the man.