Judith's POV

"Where's the groom?"

"It's running late, we can't spend the whole day here without anything happening" The people in the crowd were murmuring and complaining.

"Will the wedding still hold or I have been dumped?" That was the only thought going through my head as I stood on the altar.

Whispers were flying around adding to the discomfort I already felt. I knew what was going through the minds of the guests seated in the beautiful Holy trinity Anglican Church in Rome.

The church is known for more than a hundred years of history. I guess it has been renovated several times for it to still maintain its great structure and beautiful interiors.

"I shouldn't be thinking about that now, my husband-to-be is not here" I muttered to myself.

The head officiating minister walked towards me. "We are running really late, Judith, I'd have canceled this whole thing hours ago if you weren't a devoted member of this church" he sounded really angry and told me in a whisper before dashing out almost immediately.

"I'm sure he is almost here", I confidently said, but deep down, I, myself, didn't even know what was going on.

Today has always been the day I have looked forward to all my life, me getting married to the man of my dreams but it seems like I've lost it all and it's on the brink of ruin.

I struggled in my huge wedding dress and looked over the huge church windows for the hundredth time.

I ran my eyes across the fancy wall clock. It's almost noon and my groom isn't here yet. it's two hours past the scheduled time for our wedding ceremony.

I kept reassuring everybody that he'd be there soon, but, in reality I had no way to reach him.

As I turned over to look back inside the church, I saw my best friend and chief bridesmaid, Vanessa, walk towards me.

"Hey, Judith". The look she gave me depicted sadness and disappointment. "I have tried calling Felix and some of his friends but their phone aren't connecting. I don't know, but I'm certain they probably got stuck in traffic and should be here soon."

"Soon, Vanessa?" I repeated. "It's almost 12PM and look at the seats- they are almost empty; some of the guests have already left". Anger was already brewing in me.

She looked around and said "I just hope they are fine" She moved closer and drew me into a warm hug.

I remembered something and I knew it wasn't something terrible happening to them. I knew what was going on. I stayed calm, still in Vanessa's arms, and began holding onto a glimpse of hope and a miracle that I should be wrong.

I saw Felix in the early hours of today and for some unknown reason, both his presence, and action made me feel somewhat uneasy, but I just waved it off, thinking it was the wedding stress that had put him in a bad shape.

My phone beeped. I withdrew from the hug in Vanessa's arms. It was a message from Felix.

"I got a message, I got a message," I excitedly tapped Vanessa and held my phone so she could see it too.

"This should be good news" Vanessa exclaimed.

I opened the text and what it read shattered me into pieces.

"What?" I yelled.

"What did it say, Ju?"

I couldn't say anything. I handed the phone over to Vanessa and she read it out loud, but only loud enough for me to hear.

"I won't be coming, don't wait for me. I can't just forget what happened a month ago and I'm sorry for dumping you like this. This is a situation I have no control over. Be safe and I hope you find peace".

I didn't know when I started crying. I cried so hard my head started hurting and began feeling dizzy. Before I could help myself, I lost consciousness and I fainted.

It's incredible how someone you love so much could easily break your heart.

**********************

I was working at the city bank when I met Felix, he was a frequent customer who always preferred that I attended to him. To most customers I was one of the most beautiful, approachable and nicest bankers they've seen.

Felix and I got talking, and soon discovered that he was everything I had prayed and wished for, and more. We found solace and comfort in each other's company. Felix was a perfect and handsome gentleman: tall, with deep blue eyes, well built, succulent lips, clean shaved beards, light skin and his dressing screamed luxury, he isn't overly wealthy but he is comfortable and to me, that was perfect.

Felix had an aura that made me obsessed with him. We started dating, and it led to many things. We grew close, even before we went on several dates, we had several disagreements but we were able to come through and stay together still. He proposed to me eight months later.

It was a beautiful and surprising proposal during a dinner date in a luxurious hotel in Rome. Felix was on one knee with the shiniest diamond ring I've ever seen. "Judith, will you do me the honors of making me the happiest man alive and marry me?" he asked.

"Yes, Felix, yes". A tear dropped from my eye that night as people cheered for us both.

Our families met and we began wedding preparations. It was tedious but enjoyable. At twenty two, I was not afraid of marriage because I was getting married to the man of my dreams.

We got busy with work, wedding preparations and setting up our new home, causing us to see less of each other.

"Judith, I miss you so much, my love", Felix told me over the phone one night.

"The wedding is close; we should be seeing less of each other-it's bad luck if we don't, you know".

"I know, but I might die of missing you, and there won't be a wedding".

"Is that a threat?"

"Judith, it's a plea that you should come see me before I leave this earth"

"Don't say that Felix, I'll come see you this weekend, ok?"

"Yes!! I love you", I heard him make some movements like he was jumping. I laughed within me.

"Love you too, Felix. Stay alive for me," I jokingly said before ending the call.

That weekend, a month before the wedding, I decided to spend it at Felix's home, when the gruesome and the unexpected happened.