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Chapter 26
Chapter 26
FALCO
I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, shaking off the water droplets from my hands. I had just finished getting ready and was waiting to be called down for the ceremony.
Just then, I heard the door opening, followed by Carter’s loud and frustrated tone.
“I hate her. Really,” he complained, even stomping his feet in the process. I shook my head in amusement as I smoothed out my suit. It was all–white with a gray tie. It was simple, but Tim said it suited me the most.
My thoughts were broken when Tim’s chuckle followed.
“Who? Rina?” he asked.
Carter clicked his tongue. “Of course not! I can never hate Rina. She’s my little pookie. I’m talking about Alex.”
“Oh,” Tim said. “I should have figured it out. You two are like cat and dog.”
“Careful, though,” he quickly added. “You might end up together someday.”
“Gross! Don’t say that, man,” Carter shot back immediately. I could already imagine his expression, making me smirk.
Even if he denied it, though, the two of them really complimented each other well.
“The world would have to turn upside down for that to happen,” Carter added.
“Whatever you say,” Tim teased.
I smirked slightly, shaking my head. The two of them were always like this. It was comforting to hear their banter, although it did sound annoying at times.
I opened the bathroom door, revealing myself to my best friends.
The two of them halted their conversation and turned to me.
Carter was the first one to
“Man, I hate you,” he gro
speak.
My brow furrowed. What now?
“What?” I asked, confused.
“You look so handsome,” Carter said with mock disgust. “Rina’s going to be speechless again.”
Tim nodded in agreement. However, Carter suddenly shook his head.
“Scratch that thought,” he said, raising his finger in the process. “Actually, I think Falco’s the one who will be speechless.”
I frowned, crossing my arms in front of his chest. “What do you mean?” I asked. “You saw her already?”
“Oh, you didn’t know,” Carter smirked, appearing proud. “Yup, I saw her in the dress shop.”
“You never told me,” I muttered.
Just then, Tim smiled. “Why? Would that make a difference? Are you annoyed that Carter saw Rina before you?”
1/3
Chapter 26
I calmly shook my head. “No,” I said “I’m just surprised, that’s all. My mom is doing a great joh keeping the tradition. She doesn’t want me to see her at all before the wedding”
“Sure, Tim said, but it looked like he didn’t believe me,
I gave him a sharp look, but he merely smiled.
“Anyway,” Canter cut in, steering the conversation, “how does it feel being married?
“We’re not married yet,” I said.
“Yeah,” Carter said. “But in a couple of moments, you will”
I sighed and leaned against the cold wall. “You guys know it’s not real, right?”
Tim and Carter sighed in unison, acting like they’d heard this line a hundred times before.
Carter crossed his arms, fixing me with a look. “We’re really having this discussion on your wedding day?
I pursed my lips. “I’m just telling the truth. You know that we’re doing this for the pack.
“You are,” Tim suddenly said. “But what about Carina?”
“She doesn’t want this, too,” I muttered,
“Did she tell you that?” Carter shot back.
Before I could respond, Tim asked another question.
“Do you not feel even an ounce of liking toward her?” he asked.
I paused for a while, my words getting caught. I opened my mouth to say something but closed it again.
“I’m still waiting-”
Carter cut me off before I could finish my statement.
“You’ve got to stop waiting for Natalia and start looking around, man. You’ve got a treasure right in front of you that other people would kill to have,” he said.
I pursed my lips, his words hitting a little too close to home.
“Natalia… You know she saved me, right?” I said softly, glancing down at the floor. “She was the first one to accept me. The first person who didn’t look at me like I was some filthy rogue.”
“We know,” Tim said gently. “You’ve told us the story plenty of times. But Carina didn’t do anything wrong.”
“She’s not Natalia,” I said quietly, trying to convince myself.
“Exactly,” Tim said. “But have you ever thought that the Natalia you knew back then may not be the same Natalia now?”
Carter nodded. “He’s right. People change, Falco. The Natalia you’re holding onto might not even exist anymore. Don’t let that stop you from seeing what’s in front of you.”
“Now, why are you lecturing me on my wedding day?” I asked. “You guys nearly sound like my mother.”
Tim chuckled, but Carter’s expression remained serious.
“We’re just telling you, man. Don’t regret this later.”
2/3
Tue, 4 Mar
Chapter 26
I didn’t respond. My jaw tightened, and I looked away.
We were engulfed in silence for a while until Tim sighed. He stood and smoothed out his trousers.
“Where are you going?” Carter called out as Tim walked to the door.
“I’m going to check on Rina,” he smiled, making me pause.
Then, my eyes slightly narrowed. The look in Tim’s eyes–it seemed unusual. He usually looked nonchalant, but this time, he appeared bright.
“She won’t allow you.” Carter said with a grin.
“We’ll see about that.” Tim winked and left the room, leaving Carter and me in an awkward silence.
Carter sat down on the edge of the bed, tapping his foot impatiently. “You’re a stubborn idiot, you know that?”
“Yeah.” I muttered, still staring at the floor.
“You’ll figure it out. Hopefully, before it’s too late.”
He didn’t wait for a reply before leaving the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
Alone again, I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair.
1 glanced back at the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, and I tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace.
“Get it together.” I muttered to myself.
3/3
A5
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