Chapter 1

Alex awoke with a pained expression inflicted on her drained and exhausted face.

Memories from that night had come flashing back in the form of the recurring dreams she'd been having. In this dream she was reaching to grab the phone; the shrill call assaulting and unrelenting on her senses but just as she had it in her grasp it disappeared. She tried not to dwell on what that phone call meant and represented but it was hard not to think about an accident that claimed 3 years of her life Even with therapy she didn't really understand it but she tried not to let it bother her but of course it did. People continually told her to forget about the near tragedy and move on but nights like these reminded her that she'd had a whole other life she would never know about. She knew she was involved in an accident when she was 19 but she couldn't recall it. She was in a coma for 2 and a half years and she had spent the last 6 months getting back on her feet and creating a name for herself in the world namely in the form of wedding planning but after the accident fiasco the last memory she had was on her 17th birthday. This was the 11th April.

Everything after that was a vague and hazy blur.

Now Alexandra Margarita Russo, aged 22 was a known wedding planner. She was sitting in a café, waiting for her brother when she noticed a distressed woman, in at the front of the queue but in the middle of a breakdown. Noticing the woman was sat next to her she approached her and helped out a little, instructing her on petty errors but apparently that was enough. They said it was her simplistic nature and her child like attitude that made her so easy to work with and such a good businesswoman but she thought it was the fact that she saw it as a fun task instead of a had-to-be-done job. She also felt like the job was more of hobby and she would sit with clients for hours discussing the perfect wedding and while the client would natter on she would make small notes both on paper and in her head about all the important details that would create their magical day. It was a job she'd probably never thought about but found she loved more than anything.

Alex wiped the bead of sweat from her forehead and rubbed her fingers; loving the feeling moisture between her fingertips. She stood up and pulled back the curtains, there was something heart-wrenchingly beautiful about being able to see and feel the sun's radiance that caused her to stop every morning. She gazed outside the window for a second; watching her naked neighbour prance around with his curtain and window wide open, dancing to 'Hot 'n' Cold' by Katy Perry and flapping his bits around; before feeling like a character from Friends watching Ugly Naked Guy and easing herself away from the window and towards the bathroom for a much needed shower.

Drying her hair with the towel in her left hand and attempting to brush her hair with the comb currently occupying her right hand she reached out, in vain, to grasp the continuously ringing phone. "Hello!" She answered breezily, trying to multi task but failing dismally. "Alex? It's Mitchie. Remain silent if you are currently being held at ransom…" Hearing frustrated moans and no attempt to clarify it was Alex she carried on. "Yesterday's wedding, you know the one you've been planning for 2 and a half months, went off without a hitch and Melissa or now Mrs. Cooper called to thank you for the beautiful honey-moon you organized" Alex struggled to respond but Mitchie didn't seem to mind, "There's a muffin and a smoothie on the desk with your name on it so I'll see you soon" And with that she was gone before Alex could attempt to respond and thank her for her help and patience but most of all her breakfast.

After this it was pretty easy to finish the task she had started and she did it with ease; managing to tie her hair into a low ponytail and dressing appropriately for work. Donning a pair of indigo skinny jeans and a brushed tartan shirt from Topshop, her feet were decorated with simple black 'Luca Valentini' Ankle Boots and she was out of the door fumbling with her purse as she went.

Her mobile rang as she stepped onto the glitzy streets of New York, looking at the caller I.D she sighed.

"Hey mom" She dragged the short sentence out. It wasn't that she hated her mother in fact it was quite the opposite, she loved her but her mother Theresa Russo always worried about her. Ever since that accident 3 years ago her mother would call her 3 times a day to make sure she was ok. It broke her mom's heart when she moved out 4 months ago but Alex needed independence and freedom and she wasn't getting that at home with her parents and younger brother.

"Hi honey, what are you up to? How are you?" Alex clicked her tongue annoyed, before answering with the same sentence she always used. "I'm fine and I'm on my way to work." Embarking on a long and torturous, one sided conversation.

Crossing the road, she entered the average-looking building on the corner of the street. "Ok, good, why don't you come over for dinner one day? It must be so lonely on your own in that apartment and you never were much of a cook." Her mother reasoned. Alex smiled at the consideration in her voice. "I'll think about it and call you later ok? She bargained.

"Make sure you do, I miss you"

"Love you too bye,"

She cut off before she could be sucked into an hour of saying good-bye 50 different ways and times.

"Mitch, where's my muffin?" She joked. Mitchie pointed at the table and Alex curtsied as a sign of gratefulness and launched herself at the table taking a massive bite into the muffin and collapsing on the table; waving the white flag.

"C'mon it's the start of the day Lexi, that's not the attitude!" Mitchie enthusiastically prepped. In response all she got was a grunt gesturing she should quit while she was behind.

Mitchie snorted which caused Alex to laugh and the pair spent the morning exchanging stories about how their evenings went. Alex's started with her brother Justin's girlfriend droning on and on during dinner and ending with Alex crawling into bed at 2am after struggling to find a reason as to why she needed to go home.

Mitchie almost choked upon hearing that Alex had to fake an asthma attack.

Mitchie's started with drinks with her sister and ended with a random guy in her bed.

"You know what amuses me?" Alex mused. Mitchie stayed silent waiting for the response that would either reduce her to tears from being so funny or seriously make her think. "You work in a Wedding Planner's office but you're a total commitment phobe" Mitchie shrugged and chuckled slightly. "I'm 25 I don't need a relationship especially when all I'll want from it is sex, it would take too much anything. Alex agreed and again that familiar ring tone sounded signaling yet another call.

It was her boss.

"Hey Alex, I've only got a few minutes to spare but I just wanted to tell you to check your emails you've got that coming up, you know the one you planned 4 months ago"

Alex didn't even try to say anything because she knew Alison wouldn't give her the chance.

Alex logged onto her email account and checked the emails.

Alex + Guest

You are invited to the union of Isabelle Atkins and Steven Scott.

Attire is dressy and presents are not necessary as she organised the event)

See you there.

Alex smiled at the personal email and looked up at Mitchie who was, as usual, pretending to work.

"Mitch, how would you like to be my date to a wedding?" She beamed.

"As long as you know that I don't give it up on the first date," She quipped cheekily.

Alex almost exploded in laughter, "You totally do," she retorted to which Mitchie quietly agreed.

During her lunch break she headed to her brother Justin's. It was like her second home where she'd spend many evenings ranting and raving about their crazy parents and the lack of excitement in her life.

Clarissa answered the door and pulled Alex into a robotic hug, pulling away Alex gritted her teeth and smiled, "Oh Clarissa, you're here" She beamed.

"Where else would I be silly?" She purred and at that Alex grimaced and walked in removing her coat and putting it on the same peg she always used.

"Justin!" She called as she made her way to the kitchen, sticking her head in different doors as she went.

She poured herself a glass of water and turned around only to find Clarissa directly behind her.

"Oh Alex, can you plan Justin and I's wedding?" Alex spat the water that was in her mouth out at Clarissa slightly by accident but mostly on purpose. "Justin proposed?" She choked, ignoring Clarissa's screams and shrieks for someone to get her a towel.

Justin walked hearing all the commotion and instantly gave Alex a look of disdain noticing Clarissa's wet face and the empty glass in Alex's hand and making the connection.

After Clarissa cleaned herself up, she stormed out mumbling about not wanting to be a part of the family even if somebody paid her, which suited Alex fine but not so much Justin.

Alex was sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine with the engagement of Singer Nathaniel Gray and his beau Caitlyn Gellar featuring as the main article and pretending not to notice the hardened gaze of Justin who was still staring daggers at Alex.

He quickly noticed the contents of the magazine and looked at Alex's pursued lips.

"Are you okay?" He asked nonchalantly. Justin's random conversation topic permitted Alex to glance at him as if he were the crazy one. "I'm fine. Why?" She pushed wondering what the sudden interest was. Justin glanced at the magazine and looked at Alex's perplexed face. "No reason." He stated carefully. Alex arched her eyebrows wondering why he dropped the subject so suddenly. She studied the magazine for a moment when something more interesting caught her attention. It was on the corner of the last page of the 5 page spread about the newly engaged couple.

"Justin look" She exclaimed whilst thrusting the page into his face.

Justin's eyes also lit up as he read it.

Congrats to the happy couple and I think we all know who should plan this wedding! Of course it's Alex Russo from the Live. Love. Life. Agency. Her impressive CV expands with famous names like Melissa Cooper (Famous Actress) and her Drop Dead Gorgeous Football playing hubby Jake Cooper. She also had a hand planning the wedding of the century, which takes place tonight! This girl is going places and she's getting there with Horse Drawn Carriages and ivory wedding dresses.

"Oooh Get you! Justin smiled, nudging Alex on her side. Alex smiled and instinctively checked her watch. "I would love to stay and chat but I've got to call Max and then make sure everything is running smoothly at…" He her off by pushing her out of the door then slamming it, he opened it seconds later to chuck her purse at her. She chuckled and waved at the closed door.

"Love you too, Justin," She mumbled making her way down the road towards the church that was a few blocks away.

Whipping out her Blackberry she smirked at the text she just received from Mitchie. Hey Sexy Lexi, Yes I'm bored anyways dress code for this wedding? Xoxo xx

Alex keyed in the response and pushed open the French church doors.

A flutter of people crowded around with problems and queries. She smiled gingerly to herself; it really was moments like this, moments like people needing her that made her job so much more worthwhile.

Alex was aware of the missing, key part to make her life perfect, a boyfriend. The last boyfriend she remembered was called Timmy Newton when she was 15 but she had never been in love with him.

She had never been in love.

It was ironic. How could she be a Planner of Weddings when she had never felt remotely what the couples that walked into her office were feeling?

It was a mystery.

Her mother was adamant she didn't start dating yet but here she was, in the Upper East Side, New York while her mother was in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Mummy dearest didn't have to know everything?

It wasn't like she was ugly. Far from it she had flowing dark brown hair with matching dark brown eyes that were mistaken for black a lot but that added to the mystery that was she. She was slim but not insanely skinny. Not many people could pull it off but it suited her. Her cheeks were cutely sized meaning quite chubby but not disgustedly so.

She was back at home flicking through the dress section of her walk in wardrobe when a Black Dolce & Gabbana dress stuck out like a sore thumb. 'Perfect' she thought to herself. It had slight frills at the bottom and a thick gold belt attached to it with a zip as the main vice. She realized that tonight she would be complimented on the fact that she was paying homage to Dolce & Gabbana as she was wearing the gold-strapped high heels that matched.

She clasped her clutch and slipped out her phone and in her keys.

Speed dialing number 7 she smiled as she could hear Mitchie's irregular breathing. "Mitchie, where are you?" She queried.

"I'm in a taxi outside yours," She responded, pausing after every few words. Alex paced to her window and saw the empty street with the occasional car passing. "Liar" She accused.

"Okay, okay" Mitchie confessed "But I will be there in a min so come downstairs!" She instructed. Alex slipped the phone back into her clutch and locked the door making her way downstairs. Threw her head back, trying to keep her hair away from her perfectly dolled up face but annoyingly to no avail. It was at that moment she realised that though her hair was beautiful, tonight's choice of style was annoying, curls flowing down her usually straight hair.

She shivered after waiting for 5 whole minutes or three hundred and sixty seconds, and then she saw Mitchie waving from the end of the road and sticking her head out of the window with the driver scolding her from the front seat.

Alex tittered and stood up then climbed into the awaiting car where she and Mitchie embraced, complimenting each other on their choice of clothing.

Hopping out of the car moments later she breathed in the sign of success as she saw the beautiful lights and flashes of the paparazzi. Instead of facing up to this, she slipped into a slide door but stopped for a moment soaking in the atmosphere knowing there was no where else she wanted to be at that moment.