Chapter 1: In which he finds her..

I haven't seen or heard from her in so many years and there she was on the cover of a bridal magazine. Wearing a tight black dress, leaning on a cream coloured sofa with smiling women dressed in bridal wear around her. She was smiling. That smile where her face lit up. Not at all how I remembered her. The last time I had seen her smile was months before she left me. Slowly it had faded away, and I hadn't even noticed. Her long strawberry blonde locks had been replaced by a darker shade. She was beautiful. Blonde or brunette. Plump lips, small round nose, green eyes and flawless skin. Still every bit curvaceous and sexy. Still the most gorgeous woman I had ever laid eyes on. I picked up the glossy magazine and found myself flipping through the pages to find the article about her.

"The woman behind La Belle Mariée is finally revealed. For years she has graced us with her beautiful designs and let her dresses speak the story of love and romance. Read the exclusive interview BRIDE TODAY got with this amazing woman. She talks about her passion for design and beauty as well as revealing a few personal details of her private life"

I mumbled while reading the intro to the article.

"Sir, are you buying that?"

"Yes, here you go"

I handed the salesman some cash, not taking my eyes of the pictures attached to the article. Most of which were women in wedding dresses, no doubt her designs. She was on only two of them. One where she is splayed on the floor surrounded by fabric and drawings. Her hair pulled up in a messy bun, a pen between her teeth, holding pictures in each hand. The other with a little grey french bulldog. The only man she has given her heart to, her dog Frankie read the comment below the picture.

"Sir, this is too much money"

Dismissing the man I just waved at him and walked away, still engrossed with the article.

The article didnt reveal much about her personal life. It mostly concentrated on her business, well her answers were diverted to her business. Yet she did reveal some personal details. She lived alone on Manhattan, only her and her dog Frankie. She had a few trusted friends that she spent time with. She kept in close touch with her family, mother and father. Her brother had married and had twin girls, she often travelled to visit them. She was leading a healthy life. Clean eating, running, yoga and that sort of thing. But what captured me the most was the few sentences centering our relationship. We had never been public, she didn't want to be in the spotlight of my last name so no one would know it was about me, well except for our family and closest friends, although I really didnt care. It was a shame I had been living with for years and at this point I really didn't care who knew about it. I read the paragraph over and over.

"Do I believe in love? Of course I do! I have so many people in my life that I love very much and that love me back. I also witness it every day in my life. Women and men committing to one another. Promising eachother love and devotion. To be faithful. It's beautiful. That's why I do what I do. I want to help bring forward the beauty of the vows they give one another on such an important day. But if your question was directly meant to ask me whether I believe in having a companion for myself then no. There is no soul mate for me. I don't believe in broken hearts being mended. I don't believe in broken promises being replaced by others. Once someone shatters your soul and heart it's difficult to glue it back together. Yeah I know, pretty dark for a bridal wear designer"

I could almost hear her voice. How she would have started of with a laugh. The same one that would make my heart skip a beat. And by the end of her speech she would speak in the low and sad voice she had spoken in several months before she left. I hadn't noticed that change either. It's funny how one can contemplate over things that happened years ago and remember small yet important details that were overlooked then. At a moment that these small details were important. When they should have been seen and changed.

The guilt I had been spending years trying to repress was taking over once more. I felt hollow. Empty. I gulped down the rest of my whiskey before walking over to the bar to open up another bottle. My life was a joke. I could have had it all. I could have had Kate, kids. Enjoyed the happy family life that I had been craving for so long now. The life my brother and sister had. I would often, more so the last year then ever, find myself being overtaken by jealousy for what my brother and sister had. They had families. Someone that loved them. Someone that cared for them. Someone that jumped in joy when they came home. I had nothing. I was still living alone in my penthouse. I had designer furniture, designer interior items, designer clothing, designer shoes. I had staff that left the place before I would come home. One trusted body guard that kept his distance unless something else was necessary. I didn't know his first name. I only called him Maddox. I had woman salivating at my feet, both older and younger. I would bring home a new woman every night. Fuck her brains out and send her on her merry way. I was still the number one playboy in Seattle. Always had been. Before I met Kate, and during our relationship much to my shame.

I had met Kate through Ana, my sister in law. They used to be best friends, college roommates. More like sisters. That is until I ruined everything. Even the strong bond between them. Kate left. Wanting to start over. She had to get away from everything she said. What she really meant was, she had to get away from me. Ana and Kate had stayed in touch, but the distance and everyday life proved to be too much and their every day conversation turned into once a week and then to a couple of times a month until it became a once a month occurance. And now Kate and Ana would only have short conversations during birthdays and holidays.

Ana had never, not once, blamed me although we all knew it was my fault. She saw the hell I was rotting in and wanted to help. My brother too. He never turned his back, as well as the rest of my family. They would call or come over until one day I turned my back on them. And now I would see them on the kids birthdays. Usually coming over for a few minutes. Giving the kids their presents, a kiss and a hug before turning at the entrance and walking away. I had repeated that routine for years until my family gave up. They had all begged me to move on, but how could I possibly do that without her. I sat back in my chair and picked up the magazine again. Gently stroking Kates picture.

"I miss you Katie"

Flipping through the pages I saw that Seattle was the host of this years bridal show event. La Belle Mariée was listed as one of the designer houses showing off their newest collection, Modern Bride. This meant she was coming back. She was coming back to Seattle.

"Fuck I need to get myself a front row ticket to her show"

I just cannot shake this story out of my mind so I have to write it and share with you. It will be very short, only a few chapters. Very sad and depressing so don't read it if you expect a happy ending. There will be none.

Also, these are not the same Kate and Elliott from my story Yours.

Reviews are welcome!