The Deceiver's Handbook

May’s POV

I had lost count of the number of times my aunt, Brittany scurried in and out of my dressing room to remind me how many more minutes I had left.

She was in fact more busy than anyone else in the room. She was the only family my siblings and I knew after our parents mysterious death in a ghastly motor accident. That was the darkest Friday of our lives. Ten years later and we still found every memory fresh in our minds.

“Young lady!” She called out to me this time in a more serious tone than the previous times. You have thirty minutes before the priest begins the ceremony.” Anything later than that, your groom would be joined to another lucky lady” and everyone in the room let out a roaring laughter with Sheena being the loudest.

My best friend was such a clown and she never missed any opportunity to show it.

My aunt had such a great sense of humour but how she always managed to keep her face straight after successfully making everyone erupt into laughter, I couldn't tell.

“We’re done,” I screamed out through the door leading to the sitting room. My make-up artist was the reason for the delay but she made it just in time and her work was just as perfect as I envisioned it.

I scanned myself through the gigantic mirror that stood just in front of me, ensuring everything was intact. “Drew would be so smitten, I can tell, he's such a lucky ass man”, said Sheena who stood behind me holding a bouquet of flowers.

“I know right. Who wouldn't?” I responded with a smirk. “Get your ass out of here you silly bitch”, she roared, stretching out her hands for support and I took it and stood up giggling. 

We moved out of the house with the speed of light and parked right in front of the gates was the car Drew had hired to drive me to our wedding. A red sports car with colourful balloons and an inscription at the back ‘About to wed’ to complement the aura of love that already surrounded the atmosphere.

Sheena helped me in, holding my flowy ball gown from the back while she got in after me and the car sped off.

In about fifteen minutes we arrived, the atmosphere serene with our guests calmly seated. Drew and I opted for an outdoor wedding and I could only love the display of this because it turned out just as beautiful as I had envisioned it.

“Girl, take your time and carefully count your steps. You're the main character here! Steal the show, you own it!” Sheena whispered behind me as I walked in my white flowy dress to the podium, treading the path to forever and a day after. Everyone was seated and Drew already stood there in front of me, waiting for me. I just smiled like a little girl being tickled.

I walked majestically through the hallway of the open garden, my hands perfectly cupping the bouquet of red roses Sheena my best friend gave me in the car.

On both sides of the garden were carefully arranged ash coloured seats, each decorated with beautiful pink ribbons. Surrounding the space were beautifully groomed flowers, balloons and other flashy decor items I couldn't name. The gardener and event planner sure did their thing with this.

As I approached the podium where my lover, Drew stood on, my heart began to race. I loved this man more than life itself and I was so glad I was getting to do life with him finally. 

I stared deeply into his flaming blue eyes but something about them only weakened my excitement. I shifted my focus to his seductive red lips, the ones that had the best taste in the world, but they just stayed static, with no happy expression whatsoever. My hands became sweaty and my palpitations increased. Drew wore such a look that made the atmosphere tensed for me.

The priest cleared his throat and spoke in his baritone voice, addressing everyone present. Mr. Brandon Cole had been our catholic priest since I was twelve and he was a close family acquaintance until my both parents passed, but he always still came around to check on my siblings and I.

“Dearly beloved, we are all seated here today to witness the holy wedlock of our precious children, Drew and May. It has pleased the Lord that these two be joined together in holy matrimony by the church.”

Mr Cole paused for a bit, looking at myself and Drew who were now standing side by side before him and then he continued with his speech.

“Drew, do you take May to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish her, through joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be faithful to her alone, as long as you both shall live?”

I stood with slightly wobbling legs, staring deeply into Drew’s eyes while awaiting his answer but he looked so disturbed, with his eyes wandering left and right. I wondered what must have gone wrong with him in just a few hours of not communicating.

“No! I can't take this cheap whore as my wife.” Drew thundered into the microphone in his hands. I died and resurrected in split seconds with a tear already drooping down my left cheek at the sound of those words. 

“Drew,” I called out silently to him, trying to whisper some words of affirmation and encouragement to him, in an attempt to calm him down. He is human too and might just be experiencing nervousness from the crowd or something. My Drew was such an introvert and a loner. 

He was new to this, I thought to myself as I searched for his eyes to give him a reassuring look, but they were far gone away from me, wandering around the garden and to everyone else except me. I stretched out my left hand, reaching for his but he moved farther away from me. My heart clenched.

“It's me Drew, how am I a cheap whore?” I questioned him under my breath, still staring hard into his eyes with compassion, waiting for an answer as the crowd murmured for the scene being displayed right before them. 

“Look May, I am not sorry at all about this decision. I thought I could forgive you and go on with the wedding but seeing you this morning made me realize how difficult it would be. I just can't wipe that heart-wrenching memory off my head. You cheated on me!”

“Eight years of my life with you and this was what I got in return? What did I ever do to deserve such cruelty from you? I hate you May Russells!” he growled loudly. 

“No Drew! I promise, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I could never stand the thought of cheating on you with another man, let alone the action.” I screamed in a trembling tone. 

“Now, I’m going to show you that I do not babble,” Drew said in a hush but firm tone. He dipped his hands into his left pocket and brought out his phone. He quickly wiped his index finger over the screen and pointed it to my face. 

“What do you have to say about this baby?” He enquired in a sarcastic tone letting out a scornful laughter. My eyes widened as I took a glance at the photo. How in the world was I trapped and cuddled up in bed with a strange man? 

I lost the ability of expression for a minute, my head bowing in absolute shame and embarrassment.

“How dare you drag this family name into the mud?” an angry voice roared from behind me. 

I lifted up my head to see the person who just spoke and my softly beat face was graced with a thunderous ear deafening slap leaving the congregation with a loud shout of surprise. 

“How dare you Nicole?” I questioned Drew’s cousin-sister in anger attempting to return the favour but she held up my hands, stopping me. I vibrated in anger as I stood there helpless. I was thinking what to do next, when Sheena ran up to me and hugged me tightly. I held on to her, letting my tears flow out freely.

“You cannot throw your hands on my daughter like that,” her mom might be dead but she’s not motherless, my aunt fired back at Nicole, hitting her hard from behind. She tried to be defensive but Sheena and I were quick to stop her, thereby protecting my aunt. 

“What a shameless family,” Drew exclaimed in annoyance and he turned to his family who were now standing together, signaling them to leave. 

“Let’s get out of here before I commit the crime of murder,” he said and they all stormed out in full force,  each whisking down the car they came in and passing us dirty looks as they hopped in and zoomed off.