WEDDING DAY

She was walking down the aisle…

Oops! It’s not actually her wedding day.

Her friend Dahlia from college got married, and she was honored to be one of her bridesmaids. The wedding was very fancy because Dahlia’s husband, Darius, comes from a wealthy family.

Darius’ family rented a super yacht, bringing all their guests to Grace Island, where the couple decided to get married and spend their honeymoon.

Grace Island is a popular destination for couples in love, who often dream of getting married there, hoping their love will last forever.

That’s right. It was Monique’s main goal too!

She is attending her best friend’s wedding and has also planned a secret marriage with her boyfriend Leroy on the same island. However, his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Leroy seemed to abandon her on this island.

Monique wipes away a few tears as she recalls her tragic situation. She gazes at the woman in the mirror, who looks back at her with curiosity.

The woman looked stunning in a beautiful off-shoulder white gown and a flower crown on her head. The stylist seemingly has magic on her hands. After she had done something to her hair and face, she almost didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror.

“Senorita, please turn around. You need to wear some jewelry for your wedding.”

‘My wedding???’

~~~

A few hours ago…

It held a wedding ceremony inside the majestic white palace, and the wedding reception proceeded in its garden.

Monique Ramirez quietly ate her dessert, and from time to time, she sipped her champagne. She was about to finish the last portion of her cake when her phone rang nonstop. She took her phone out of her purse; dazed, she read the caller id.

All of a sudden, her chest throbbed at a rapid pace. She doesn’t know why, but her hunch is vital that this call brought terrible news.

Monique stood on her feet and looked around to find the bride. However, Dalia Suarez, now Mrs. Dahlia Davidson, is talking with her in-laws.

She couldn’t have the courage to approach this mighty family, so Monique slipped out of the garden and went to a quieter place where she could answer a call back home through a particular app.

“Hello, Debbie?” Monique quickly swiped the green button when Debbi made her fifth call.

“Girl, why aren’t you answering fast?” the girl from the other line grumbled.

“Hey, I’m sorry. The wedding reception was too loud. I didn’t notice your call right away. Then, I have to find a quieter place. So, what’s up?”

Monique wanted to explain further but felt it could have been a better use of time.

“Monique, did someone contact you already?”

“Who? And why?” Monique wondered as the woman from the other line sounded troubled.

“It was about your temporary visa. It will end soon! The Davidson family extended their stay in the country for another week. What are you going to do now?”

Monique didn’t reply but pondered. They sailed the ocean for two weeks and then stayed on the island for five days. So it means she has to leave the country in two days. But the problem is, she almost used up all her savings, and her hope to save her from having a tight budget was Leroy. He promised to be on the island when the yacht arrived in Grace.

She needs more money to buy herself a plane ticket to leave the island first thing tomorrow morning. She will go to jail for three years if she fails to depart. The worst is that she may face punishment for staying in the country illegally!

“Monique, are you still there?” Debbie calls Monique out repeatedly as the line becomes silent. She was also worried as it assigned her to arrange Davidson’s guests’ traveling itinerary, including Monique’s. She already informs everyone; however, Monique has not responded to the changes.

“Deb, what am I going to do?” Monique sounded like she was on the verge of crying.

Listening to the other line, Debbie dropped her shoulders to her sides as she knew this was a big problem. She cannot let Monique go to jail just because her temporary visa expires soon. Grace Island has strict laws you must follow unless you hold power, like the Davidson family.

“Monique, I don’t know how I can help you.” She may work in a travel agency but has no position to do beyond her work. She can’t do anything about legal matters when the case is against Grace Island. Besides, her position is just an assistant manager.

“Deb, all I need is some amount to book a plane ticket today.” Even facing such circumstances, she must remain calm. But Monique couldn’t help but have to beg Debbie as she started panicking.

“Monique, you know I am only a single mother. I don’t have another source of income, but all I earn is enough to support my two kids. Why won’t you ask for your boyfriend’s help?”

Monique fell silent. Debbie knew Leroy would meet her on this island, so this matter shouldn’t be a problem. But her boyfriend wasn’t here yet, as their planned wedding date was supposed to be three days ago.

Thank god she didn’t tell anyone about it; otherwise, she would have become a laughingstock in her office.

Having her heart broken, Monique was careful not for Debbie to notice that she had a problem with Leroy. It’s been two days since she could not contact him anymore. She wanted to think that Leroy was preparing a surprise and suddenly, he would appear in front of her. But she knew that she only made herself look like a fool for dreaming that to happen.

“Okay, Deb. Thank you so much for letting me know. I will hang up now so that I can make a call to Leroy.”

“Okay, girl. Keep me updated on what is happening to you there,” Debbie reminded her before ending the call.

Monique heaves a long helpless sigh. How could she contact Leroy if he stopped replying to her messages? It is impossible for Leroy not to reach her if he loses his phone. Her Gram account is easy to search.

She doesn’t want to think that something serious has happened to him. Even so, Debbie should have heard some news, as Leroy’s family was known back in Sasha City.

Monique helplessly dropped her body to the nearby French chaise lounge on the corner. She kept trying to call Leroy through Gram App, but her call never got through this morning, and even if she wanted to contact him through his mobile number, she couldn’t make a phone call, as international calls were too expensive.

All the while, Monique was still debating what best to do in the next half hour. She opened her Gram app several times but could not press that call button. She also considered asking Dahlia’s help but could not bother the newlywed bride.

Regardless, it may be a good idea too. She needs to tell Dahlia that she can no longer stay anywhere in the country for another week.

After careful consideration, Monique summoned the courage to speak with Dahlia. Though she was nervous and sweating profusely, Monique was determined to resolve her issue.

And before returning to the wedding venue, she freshened up in the powder room.

Monique rehearsed her smile as she looked at herself in the mirror and reminded herself not to be too nervous or smile too much.

“Alright. You can do this, Monique. You don’t want to go to jail, so you must have a thick face.” Monique retouched her makeup before she headed out.

She was walking down the hallway toward the palace’s exit when her phone rang again. Monique pulled out her phone, but she was unfamiliar with the number flashing on her screen.

‘Who could it be?’ Monique’s heart began to race with anticipation and nervousness as she wondered who could be calling. While she hoped it was Leroy, she remembered Debbie’s warning that someone would contact her soon.

Monique’s fingers trembled as she swiped the green button and spoke with a hoarse voice. “Hello? Who is this?”

“Hello? Is this Miss Monique Ramirez?”

Monique was taken aback when she heard the caller’s Grace Island accent. She closed her eyes and nervously bit her lip before answering, “Yes, it’s me.”

“My name is Misty Divine from Grace Immigration Office.”